This course equips students with the skills to create engaging and inclusive online learning experiences. Students will evaluate collaboration tools to foster student interaction, design activities that promote active participation, and integrate gamification techniques to enhance engagement. The course also explores artificial intelligence tools for personalized learning and strategies to ensure equitable access to online resources. By the end of the course, students will be prepared to design innovative, accessible, and engaging online learning environments that meet diverse student needs. Prerequisites: EDT 600

This course provides a foundational understanding of online learning environments. Students will examine key components of online classrooms, as well as online pedagogy and course design principles. The course explores the differences between traditional, online, and hybrid learning, highlighting the unique benefits and challenges of each. Participants will also engage in work on the ethical implications of artificial intelligence in education. By the end of the course, students will gain insights into the principles and practices that shape effective online learning experiences. 

This course equips students with the skills to leverage technologies for effective teaching and learning. Focusing on practical applications, participants will use digital tools to create engaging multimedia learning materials and align them with instructional objectives. The course emphasizes evaluating the quality and effectiveness of digital content to ensure it meets diverse learner needs. Students will also explore the integration of artificial intelligence driven technologies to design personalized learning experiences. By the end of the course, learners will be prepared to create technology-enhanced instructional materials that support educational outcomes. Prerequisites: EDT 500

This course equips students with the skills to create effective instructional materials and learning experiences using technology. Students will explore instructional design principles, strategies for integrating technology into diverse educational settings, and tools for designing digital materials. The course emphasizes practical approaches to developing instruction that enhance student engagement and learning outcomes through the thoughtful use of technology. By the end of the course, students will be prepared to design technology-enhanced instruction for a variety of educational settings. Prerequisites: EDT 500

This course explores the theories, concepts, and practical applications of educational technology to enhance teaching and learning. Students will evaluate the impact of technology on education, examining both its challenges and opportunities. Through hands-on coursework, students will develop instructional materials using digital tools, applying evidence-based strategies for technology integration. By the end, students will be equipped with the knowledge and skills to effectively implement and assess technology in educational settings.

This capstone course provides students in the Business Economics program with an opportunity to synthesize and apply economic knowledge in real-world business contexts. Students will explore the strategic role of economics in firm decision making, analyze competitive environments using economic tools, and evaluate how market structures, data trends, and global forces shape business strategies. Through the lens of innovation, disruption, and sustainability, students will assess how economic reasoning guides ethical and financially sound decisions. The course culminates in a strategic economic proposal in which students develop actionable recommendations to address a current business challenge. Emphasis is placed on critical thinking, data interpretation, and professional communication of economic insights. Prerequisites: ECO 406 and ECO 408

This course provides students with an immersive opportunity to connect theory to practice in early childhood education. A key component of the course is the inclusion of virtual experiences that allow students to observe and practice with professionals and families in supporting children with diverse needs. Through guided observations and reflective practice, students will explore the principles of creating inclusive, responsive, and supportive learning environments that nurture each child’s development. The course emphasizes the importance of collaboration, ethical decision-making, and cultural responsiveness in fostering meaningful relationships with children, families, and colleagues. Students will also gain insight into the professional roles and responsibilities within the field, preparing them to navigate diverse educational settings.

In this course, students will explore how strong, positive partnerships with families and communities can enrich early childhood education and child development. Emphasis is placed on understanding child development within the broader contexts of family, culture, language, and society.  Learners will design inclusive strategies that reflect and celebrate the strengths and values of diverse families and discover ways to connect with resources to enhance learning and foster meaningful community ties. Through collaborative planning, students will apply assessment tools and data-informed practices to support young children’s growth across all learning domains. The course also challenges students to reflect on their role as compassionate educators and advocates, capable of nurturing trusting relationships and leading positive change in the field.

Advanced Message Design and Creation builds on foundational communication skills by focusing on the design and production of persuasive, creative, and audience-centered messages across a variety of media. Students will learn how to develop content strategies, design messages that align with brand identity, and adapt content for multiple formats including blogs, podcasts, video, and digital storytelling platforms. Emphasis is placed on critical thinking, argumentation, and ethical responsibility in message creation, as well as mastery of professional style conventions. By the end of the course, students will produce polished original work that demonstrates advanced skills in concept development, platform adaptation, and professional presentation.

Communications Research and Methods provides an introduction to the research practices that support effective professional communication. The course emphasizes the ability to locate, evaluate, and apply accurate and unbiased information in communication contexts, with attention to the role of research in maintaining credibility and trust. Students will examine both qualitative and quantitative approaches to communication research, including methods of audience analysis and the interpretation of media use data. While academic perspectives on research are included, the focus is on applications that support professional communicators, particularly those working independently. Students will complete two applied research projects that require the use of research tools to verify accuracy, analyze audiences, and inform communication strategies.