Brandeis Online

A full master’s degree or certificate can be a large commitment. Sometimes, industry professionals are simply looking for a few key skills to upgrade their leadership skills or industry trend knowledge in the office.

At Brandeis Online, you can take our online courses without officially enrolling in a degree program. Fill a professional skill gap, explore an academic interest, or get to know our programs if you’re interested in eventually pursuing a master's degree. These courses provide practical knowledge you can use immediately.

Some upcoming  Brandeis Online courses we recommend for professional development are: 

RCOM 202 — Communication for Effective Leadership

How to effectively communicate ideas, problems, and solutions is incredibly important for developing leadership skills. This course enables students to build on their critical thinking skills and apply oral and written communication strategies to solve organizational problems and drive organizational change. 

Students will develop, execute, and measure strategies applicable to a wide range of industries. Topics include negotiation and facilitation; crisis communications and public relations; virtual and global communications; and stakeholder management.

RDMD 102 — Digital Marketing Strategy

Digital marketing strategy has become essential for all industries, as the digital landscape grows in advertisement dominance. Your ability to share with consumers who you are in arguably just as important as what you actually do.

The course is designed to teach the fundamentals of Marketing the Future — the new ways brands connect with their customers and make a ripple in their markets — marketing based on trust, authority (expertise + reputation) and consistency. Included in the foundational topics covered in this class are the three stages of marketing: Marketing of the Past, or the “Mad Men” era; Marketing of the Present (1980 to 2000), or the Infomercial era; Marketing of the Future (2000+), or the “Agile/Always in beta” era. In addition, this course will look at the principles of paid, owned, and earned as converged digital marketing, and the role of expertise and authority for community recognition, engagement and following. 

RPJM 101 — Foundations of Project Management

Another necessary tool for leadership is project management, to ensure that projects are completed on time, on budget, and meet the needs of all stakeholders. It’s a structured approach to planning, organizing, and resource distribution.

This course covers all phases of a project, from initiation through closure, in both traditional plan-based projects as well as agile approaches. Students will learn specific techniques that can be applied immediately for planning, estimating and reporting; management of risk, quality, resources, and communications.

RUCD 101 — User Experience Design

The field of user experience (UX) encompasses a wide range of processes and methods for designing interfaces and products that are usable, useful, and desirable. Over the last decade, user experience has become a key driving force in successful product development. 

This course introduces students to user-centered design (UCD) and its associated methodologies, including user research, interaction design, and usability testing. Students will become conversant in a range of UCD approaches while gaining practical experience creating portfolio-ready deliverables. Although the course will focus primarily on screen UI design, the research and design principles mastered apply equally to emerging design challenges such as voice, service design, and Internet of Things (IoT).

RUCD 120 — Human Factors Psychology

The psychology of why consumers make choices is just as important to data research as the actual choices they make. When designers understand consumer reasoning, they can effectively make choices that drive consumer behavior.

This course will examine the psychological and social aspects that impact human interface interaction in both physical and virtual environments. Topics will include Signal Detection Theory, Gestalt Theory, Cognitive Load Theory, and various motivational theories, as well as the cultural and social implications of design.

How to Enroll

You can enroll in a Brandeis Online course in three easy steps:

1. Fill out the first-time registration form. Upon submission, you'll receive an email with instructions on how to set up your Brandeis account.
2. Submit your deposit.
3. Register for your course on Workday.

Please check the course prerequisites before registering for a course.

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To learn more about available courses and professional development opportunities at Brandeis Online, please visit our website.