Course Descriptions

Core Courses

COMM 1000 Communication Skills for Career Development (1 cr.)
This course is designed to provide students with a practical application of the contemporary communication skills necessary for career development and career success. Topics include investigation of career fields and the communication and technology skills that are essential to those careers. Examples include technology-supported written, oral, private, and public communication. Students will be able to assess and analyze their personal communication and technology skills and strategize ways to apply them as part of their professional development goals. Note about required first courses: Students should review the program description section of this Walden University Catalog carefully to determine which first course is required.

EDUC 1014 Understanding Today’s Instructional Environments (5 cr.)
In today’s world, learning can take place anytime, anywhere. This course provides an overview of the various settings in which teaching and learning occur. Students explore the dynamics of traditional face-to-face, hybrid, and online instructional environments found in such areas as corporate training, higher education, K–12 education, government, health care, and nonprofit organizations.

EDUC 1015 How People Learn (5 cr.)
This foundational course provides a broad examination of the major theories of how humans learn, including behaviorism, constructivism, and emerging theories based on brain research. Students also explore the concepts of multiple intelligences and learning styles, as well as the influences that emotion, culture, and motivation have on the learning process.

EDUC 2003 Human Development (5 cr.)
In order to fully appreciate and understand ourselves and others, we must have a basic understanding of human cognitive, emotional, and social development. In this course, students examine the basic developmental stages that all humans undergo throughout their lifespan, from infancy to adulthood. These topics are presented and explored with consideration given to issues of gender, ethnicity, social class, and culture.

EDUC 2004 Literacy in the 21st Century (5 cr.)
The technology- and information-rich world in which we live and work requires an expanded definition of what it means to be literate. Students examine the skills and strategies necessary for success in a digital information society and explore multimedia and Internet technologies that enhance learning by facilitating collaboration, communication, and problem-solving. (Prerequisite: EDUC 1014 Understanding Today’s Instructional Environments.)

EDUC 3004 Curriculum Design (5 cr.)
This course provides the fundamental skills needed for planning, designing, and delivering engaging learning experiences. Students examine the elements of effective curriculum design, learn how to write measurable learning objectives, and explore tools, technologies, and resources for developing curriculum. (Prerequisite: EDUC 1014 Understanding Today’s Instructional Environments.)

EDUC 3005 Evaluation and Assessment (5 cr.)
Evaluation of programs and the assessment of learners are fundamental to the process of designing effective learning experiences. In this course, students investigate major concepts, principles, and methodologies related to evaluation and assessment. Topics include selection of assessment tools, measurement of learning outcomes, and performance evaluation. Students learn how to use information gained from assessments as a tool for improving learning.
(Prerequisite: EDUC 1015 How People Learn.)

EIDT 2001 Technology and Learning (5 cr.)
Technology today facilitates and supports learning in ways never before possible. In this course, students learn how computers, multimedia tools, and other educational technologies can be used to differentiate the learning experience, provide access, and meet the needs of diverse learners. Students examine current trends and gain an understanding of the appropriate integration of technology and instruction. (Prerequisite: EDUC 1014 Understanding Today's Instructional Environments.)

EIDT 2002 Web Design I (5 cr.)
This course presents the fundamental techniques and principles of effective Web design. Students learn the basics of building Web sites that incorporate good functionality and design elements in order to meet the needs of a diverse audience. Topics include introductory hypertext markup language (HTML), common graphic and Web publishing standards, Web publication protocols, and basic principles of Web site layout and design.

EIDT 3003 Ethical and Fair Use of Instructional Materials (5 cr.)
Instructional designers are faced with the challenge of finding and using materials from various resources. In this course, students examine the issues related to the use of licensed and copyrighted content in the development of instructional materials. Students explore the legal and ethical implications of copyright, fair use, and Creative Commons licenses when designing materials for both nonprofit and for-profit entities.

EIDT 2003 Introduction to Distance Education (5 cr.)
While distance learning is not a new concept, advances in technology and the Internet have been a catalyst for the rapid expansion of distance education to meet a variety of learning needs. This course provides a comprehensive overview of distance education. Students examine the field to gain both a historical perspective and an understanding of current trends. Students also gain the basic concepts, models, and technologies of distance learning. (Prerequisite: EDUC 1014 Understanding Today’s Instructional Environments.)

EIDT 2004 Instructional Design I (5 cr.)
The instructional designer plays a key role in developing education and training programs in both the public and private sectors. In this course, students are introduced to the field of instructional design. They gain an understanding of the role an instructional designer plays in constructing the learning experience and explore the essential job functions and career paths available in this field.

EIDT 3002 Multimedia Tools (5 cr.)
Multimedia tools allow instructional designers to be creative and develop innovative learning environments. This course provides an introduction to the design, production, and evaluation of multimedia for instructional purposes. Students experiment with tools commonly used for the creation of multimedia elements and learn how to create basic multimedia components incorporating audio, video, and visual graphics.

EIDT 3004 Instructional Design II (5 cr.)
This course is a continuance of the principles learned in Instructional Design I. Students explore the basic elements of commonly used instructional design theories and models and compare the processes and procedures of these models. They gain a working knowledge of the instructional design process, including how to identify learning and performance gaps and how to design and implement instructional solutions. (Prerequisites: EIDT 2004 Instructional Design I and EDUC 3004 Curriculum Design.)

EIDT 4004 Instructional Design III (5 cr.)
In this course, students apply the principles of instructional design to a learning situation. They also apply their knowledge of the instructional design process in order to define learning goals and outcomes, as well as to create instructional materials, and evaluate the effectiveness of those materials. (Prerequisites: EIDT 3004 Instructional Design II and CMIS 4201 Human Factors.)

EIDT 4002 Web Design II (5 cr.)
This is a project-based course in which students build on their basic knowledge of Web design to learn more advanced design and development skills. Students apply their knowledge of Web design, multimedia tools, and principles of visual literacy to the creation of a Web site. Emphasis is placed on the development of Web sites that incorporate multimedia elements for education and training. (Prerequisites: EIDT 2002 Web Design I, EIDT 3002 Multimedia Tools, and CMIS 2001 Internet Computing.)

EIDT 4001 Instructional Design and Technology Capstone (5 cr.)
This capstone course provides students with the opportunity to showcase their skills and creativity by applying their knowledge of instructional design, learning environments, and multimedia tools to an authentic task. Students work with a client or explore a case study to identify an instructional need and construct an appropriate solution.

CMIS 1002 Information Technology Infrastructure (5 cr.)
This course introduces some of the most important aspects of the technology infrastructure that underlies information systems. Students learn about both hardware (computers, networks, interface devices) and software (operating systems, middleware, applications, system software) elements. They also gain an appreciation of key issues of capacity, performance, reliability, scale, and obsolescence. (Prerequisite: Comm 1001 Contemporary Communications.)

CMIS 2001 Internet Computing (5 cr.)
Students learn how the Internet stitches together many disparate devices and software components into a flexible fabric that supports an enormous variety of uses. Topics include the design of the Internet protocol stack, the structure and function of some of the most important Internet services and applications, and Internet governance. Students learn how to apply concepts of performance, scale, and reliability in the design of information systems. (Prerequisite: CMIS 1002: Information Technology Infrastructure.)

CMIS 4201 Human Factors (5 cr.)
This course introduces students to aspects of human perception and cognitive performance that inform the design of effective and usable information system interfaces. It also touches upon disabilities and appropriate adaptation thereto. Students learn rules of thumb that will help them to avoid some of the most common design gaffes.

Business and Organizational Change Concentration Courses

BUSI 1001 Introduction to Business (5 cr.)
In this course, students gain a working knowledge of the essential principles and concepts of management theory and practice. This course is structured so that students examine the interrelationships among the major business disciplines and gain a comprehensive perspective with which to organize additional study in management. Practical applications of the manager’s role in planning, organizing, staffing, directing, and controlling are demonstrated and evaluated. (Prerequisites: GNED 1000 Foundations for Undergraduate Studies, BUSI 1000 Developing Student Portfolios, and ENGL 1001 English Composition.)

HRMG 3001 Human Resource Management (5 cr.)
This course provides students with a comprehensive overview of human resource management. Traditional topics such as job analysis and design, recruitment, selection, performance appraisal, training, staffing, career management, compensation, benefits, health and safety, and employee relations are examined. Technology-based resources are also evaluated. (Prerequisite: BUSI 1001 Introduction to Business.)

BUSI 3002 Ethical Leadership (5 cr.)
This online leadership course helps prepare students to assume a leadership role in the modern organization. The basic principles of leadership, motivational theory, the importance of communication, and current and future trends are introduced. Students assess, discuss, and learn how to apply their own styles of leadership in the workplace and the community. Emphasis is on ethical leadership through personal and interpersonal effectiveness and organizational development. Students also learn the importance of followership and the similarities between the roles of follower and leader at all levels of the organization. (Prerequisite: BUSI 1001 Introduction to Business.)

BUSI 3003 Dynamics of Change (5 cr.)
Students examine change as it impacts people, processes, and products. They learn to employ tools for dealing with and managing change. They learn methods for coping with change as an individual, a member of a group, and a member of an organization. (Prerequisite: BUSI 1001 Introduction to Business.)

Human Factors and Interface Design Concentration Courses

CMIS 4202 HCI Evaluation Methods (5 cr.)
Students learn empirical and heuristic methods for evaluating and improving human computer interfaces. Students learn to conduct and analyze user studies and how to measure interfaces against models of human performance. They also are introduced to ethical and regulatory issues in human studies. (Prerequisite: CMIS 4201 Human Factors.)

CMIS 4203 User Interface Development (5 cr.)
Building on their knowledge of user interface evaluation, students learn to synthesize effective and usable interfaces. In this course, students apply their requirements analysis skills to develop user interface designs and apply rapid prototyping tools to innovate and iterate. (Prerequisite: CMIS 4202 HCI Evaluation Methods.)

CMIS 4204 Computer-Mediated Communications (5 cr.)
Students learn about the principal modes of computer-mediated communications among individuals and groups. The course incorporates a historical perspective, tracing the evolution of varying styles of communication, including the persistent recurrence of key concepts such as links and threads. Students learn select approaches and tools for specific applications. (Prerequisite: CMIS 2001 Internet Computing.)

CMIS 4402 E-Learning Concepts and Systems (5 cr.)
Students examine key structural and functional elements of e-learning systems. Drawing upon both their experience as e-learners and their information systems expertise, they carry out group or individual projects focused on specific aspects of the learner experience, management functionality, and other properties of e-learning systems. (Prerequisite: CMIS 2001 Internet Computing.)