In this course, students learn the foundational principles and elements of the instructional systems development process, from analysis through evaluation. They explore commonly used instructional design models, such as ADDIE, Understanding by Design (UbD), Design Thinking Model, and Merrill’s Principles of Instruction, and they learn how to apply them in an education or training environment. Students will focus on incorporating sound instructional strategies into the design and development of instructional systems and into the development of prototypes in real-world instructional settings.

The use of technology for the creation and delivery of education and training is no longer a new concept. The field of instructional design, although rooted in various theories in education and psychology, has developed into its own discipline. In this course, students will examine the history, theories, and the related disciplines that have impacted the field of instructional design. Students will also examine various instructional design models, investigate technology and media’s effect on learning, and explore potential careers as an instructional designer across various education and training settings. 

E-Learning has become an increasingly essential component of corporate training, human resources, and curriculum development in today’s world. In this course, students will explore e-learning design principles, strategies, and best practices in order to design and develop eLearning projects and training programs. They will also utilize planning documents, design goals and objectives, assessments, and evaluation tools. For the culminating project, students will incorporate Adobe Captivate into the development of a robust and engaging e-Learning experience for diverse learners. 

Online education could be the driving force that transforms education and training practices in the 21st century. Through this lens, students explore the current trends impacting the field of distance learning and their implication for the design and development of distance learning programs. They examine various models, theories, and technologies used in the development and delivery of online education and training programs. They also explore the implications and considerations of designing instruction for blended, fully online, instructor-led, and self-paced learning environments.

A shift toward cloud-based web technologies is upon us, improving access to information, reducing time and cost, and streamlining the implementation of online and hybrid learning experiences for learners. In this course, education and training professionals will expand their web-based technology skillset through the use of virtual learning environments, collaborative cloud computing applications, and accessible learning materials that engage diverse audiences. As part of the culminating learning experience, students will create a robust toolkit that features various cloud-based technologies applicable to their learning environment. 

Program Admission Considerations: A bachelor’s degree or higher.

General Admissions Requirements: Completed online application and transcripts. Please note that the materials you are required to submit may vary depending on the academic program to which you apply. More information for international applicants.

Academic and career counselors are concerned with student life on all levels to support the personal and educational development of each student. Students in this course examine educational, developmental, and counseling theories related to academic and career counseling. The focus of this course is on academic and career development from elementary school through college. Students will explore intellectual and emotional intelligence, multicultural issues, attitudes, values, and psychosocial needs of the life-long learner. Students will gain skills required to assist a highly diversified student body in academic planning, career exploration, decision making, and personal growth.

Small- and large-scale disasters of all types continue to abound. Communities need trained individuals who are prepared to respond to such incidents and who can help plan for future disasters as well as train others to plan and respond. In this course, students learn the fundamentals of crisis management and crisis leadership. They develop an understanding of the theories and models related to crises, disasters, and other events caused by trauma. Students also learn about ethical, legal, and diversity considerations in crisis and trauma response. Through analyses of topical literature, applications, and discussions, students gain a practical understanding of the models for training and supporting other counselors in the areas of crisis response applicable to community, national, and international crises. Employing concepts learned in the course, students develop a crisis management plan for their own community.

As client advocates, counselors rely on knowledge of psychotropic medications to inform treatment. This course introduces a spectrum of psychotropic medications used in the management of mental, behavioral, and addictive disorders. Students explore medication classification, drug interaction, and side effects. In addition, students distinguish between medical and psychopathological conditions that present in similar ways to addictive disorders. As part of a professional learning community, students collaborate with peers in written scholarly dialogue to explore psychopharmacological intervention in the treatment of addiction and other psychopathologies that may coexist. Students analyze factors that increase the likelihood for a person, community, or group to be at risk for disorders and examine the cultural and contextual factors considered in the ethical treatment of clients. Across counseling specializations, this course builds foundational clinical knowledge of the intersection of counseling and psychotropic medical treatment.

Students in this course have the opportunity to increase their awareness, knowledge, skills, and advocacy related to working with clients from a multicultural perspective. Students foster self-understanding of their own cultural-identity development, biases, stereotypes, values, and strengths while gaining self-awareness of the effects of power, privilege, and marginalization within the counseling relationship. Further, students can gain knowledge of various issues within diversity. Students explore various theories of multicultural counseling and the role of social justice and advocacy in counseling.

This course introduces theories of counseling and psychotherapy to prepare students to conceptualize problems and respond with appropriate, evidence-based interventions and techniques. Students will become familiar with the origin, key concepts, and interventions and techniques of each of the theories presented. Students will develop an awareness of how counseling theories drive the treatment process and apply theories to diverse case studies. A major focus of this course is to support students as they develop their personal theoretical orientation.

Program Admission Considerations: A bachelor's degree or higher.

General Admission Requirements: Completed online application and transcripts. Please note that the materials you are required to submit may vary depending on the academic program to which you apply. More information for international applicants.