Courses - Knowledge Management Master's Degree Online

The CSUN MKM is a 12-course, 2-year, interdisciplinary program. The following courses have been created and sequenced to form an integrated program of study. Courses are listed in the order in which they are presented. MKM is offered in the cohort format. Later courses build on earlier ones to provide a powerful, cumulative learning experience.

KM 610 - The Foundations of KM in the Information World

Knowledge is a key driver in today’s hyper-competitive and fast-paced world. This first course will give you the solid foundation in knowledge management (KM) needed to develop and apply the rapidly-evolving tools and techniques revolutionizing how organizations think, operate and evolve in this competitive knowledge-based world.

The course starts with the history of KM and introduces you to some of today’s leading thinkers in the field. You will be introduced to the tools, processes, technologies that make KM successful, explore KM collaboration techniques and discuss KM benefits and success measurements. And finally, you will develop an understanding of how to capture, preserve and use knowledge. Students are organized into virtual teams to accomplish several tasks. Weekly chats and regular electronic interaction with the instructor enriches the group experience. The culminating class effort is the design of a KM system using the material covered in the course. Top

KM 642 - Application of Knowledge Management

How is KM being applied in today’s organizations? How does it lead to increased performance? How do you build it into your organization?

This course continues the introduction to knowledge management (KM) and its application from the boardroom to the shop floor and from the military to today’s leading edge knowledge-based companies.. Topics include: KM uses and challenges in today’s global economy, KM in systems thinking, development of KM programs, tacit knowledge transfer techniques, and relationship between KM and innovation. Students are organized into virtual teams to accomplish several activities. Top

TERM 2

KM 630 - Creating a Learning Organization for Knowledge Workers

Do you work in a learning organization? How do you develop and promote learning that leads to increased individual and organizational performance?

Designed from the point-of-view of the knowledge practitioner, and building on the work of global thought leaders such as Peter Senge, this course explores what is required in a high-performance organization to be a strategic partner in creating a collaborative environment where knowledge is shared and created. The course offers knowledge managers the tools, concepts, principles, and techniques needed to create a learning organization. We discuss the benefits along with the potential roadblocks and unintended consequences of designing and implementing a knowledge management strategy within an organization, and what the organization can learn along the way. We’ll also explore the theoretical and practical sides of knowledge and how its creation, access, and protection is critical to an organization’s success and longevity. In addition we will discuss adult learning theory and how to structure learning such that it sticks and has impact. Top

KM 633 - Communication in the Knowledge Environment

Communication is the key to sharing and applying knowledge. Almost anyone you talk to in the field of KM will say…technology is important… but it’s communication that makes the real difference in being able to share and apply what you know.

This course explores the fundamentals of effective communication in knowledge environments, particularly in organizational settings. The curriculum examines collaboration, teambuilding, leadership, knowledge transfer and information overload and communication climate and provides an overview of communication networks to enable students to gain skills in the transfer of knowledge. Students will gain expertise in how information and knowledge flow in the organizational context and an understanding of the dynamics involved in creating, changing, and managing the sharing of knowledge. Top

TERM 3

KM 650 - Technology for KM Professionals

Social Networking tools, wikis, blogs and Twitter are revolutionizing how we communicate and how we share and create knowledge. Enterprise wide collaboration tools from major software vendors are sweeping into organizations. How do you deal with this barrage of what is often referred to as Web 2.0 tools and the new capabilities they represent? How do you select and implement the right tools for you and your organization?

This course introduces the conceptual and practical elements for enabling Knowledge Management practices with technologies. This is not an IT course nor is it focused on information technology, but rather a course that helps Knowledge Management leaders understand what technology tools are available and how to select and apply specific technology tools to the practice of knowledge acquisition, organization, dissemination and collaboration. Top

KM 620 - Information Organization in the Knowledge Management Environment

Can you find what you are looking for on your corporate intranet? Most people, when asked about internet searches say…this is great ...I can find what I need – I just Google it. But – most say intranet searches within their organization fail miserably. Why is this? And more importantly, what can you as a knowledge manager do about it?

In this course you will look at the constitution, structure and form of information and knowledge, including traditional principles of information and knowledge organization as well as special metadata standards for non-traditional materials, data mining, storage and retrieval, formats, strategies and software. All media types will be covered, including audio, video, electronic and print. After this course – when someone says…what can we do to improve our ability to find what we know?,– you will be able to help them solve this difficult problem. Top

TERM 4

KM 643 - Competitive Intelligence

In today’s fast-paced world you and your organization need to understand what your competitors, your partners and your customers are doing and expecting. How do you and your organization keep on top of what is happening in today’s hyper-competitive world?

This course presents the theoretical and practical sides of the relationship between knowledge management and competitive intelligence (CI) and builds foundational skills for enhancing intelligence and competitiveness through KM. Topics and issues we explore include KM functions and purposes throughout the intelligence business process, KM practices for key intelligence models, KM in strategic and tactical intelligence support, as well as tools, ethics, cultures, management, and other key considerations. Course content also encompasses protecting an organization’s knowledge assets from vulnerabilities and threats from competition. Students develop a vital understanding of the skills needed in KM and CI through lectures, readings, case studies, practical exercises, and class discussions. Students will have the opportunity to explore issues of individual professional interest and/or related to their familiar work environments. Top

KM 611 - Course 8: Policy and Law and their Relationship to Knowledge Management

What are the legal issues that face knowledge managers today? You have been learning in your other KM courses that KM is all about learning and sharing and that the future value of most organizations is closely associated with the knowledge of its employees. If this intellectual property and knowledge are your most important corporate assets - how do you protect them while promoting sharing and collaboration? How can you manage the collection, storage and effective use of information and knowledge in this ever-changing environment while avoiding legal entanglements and protecting legal rights.

The course outlines the legal rules governing intellectual property and the use of information along with ethical and public policy aspects of managing knowledge. You'll develop your abilities to identify and analyze issues while improving your research and communication skills. You'll also have access to the premier databases of legal, economic and scholarly information. This course will give you the foundation you need to work with internal lawyers, managers, employees, service providers, experts, clients and the public. Top

TERM 5

KM 641 - Enterprise Content Management Strategy Development and Assessment Models

What is your strategy for content management? How do you develop and implement an effective content management strategy for your enterprise?

Few organizations have an Enterprise Content Management (ECM) strategy for managing digital content throughout its lifecycle, from cradle to grave, or a means of measuring functional capabilities and achievements. This course covers the governance, framework and a model for acquiring, organizing, storing, managing, preserving and delivering content using various ECM technologies. The course gives students the knowledge to assess the ECM maturity in their organization using a capability assessment model and applying it against the ECM systems used by the organization. These include enterprise search (ES) technology and best practices, email management (EMM), web content management (WCM), content management (CM), document management (DM), digital asset management (DAM), digital rights management (DRM) and electronic records management (ERM). From the Preparation Phase to the Deliver Phase, students will learn how to evaluate organizational ECM capabilities to identify weaknesses requiring corrective action. The people and processes necessary for effective discovery, access and use if digital information is also included in this course. Top

KM 631 - Course 10: Leadership and Management in a 21st Century Knowledge-Based organization

What does it take to lead a 21st century knowledge-based organization? Do you have the skills and the knowledge it takes to be an effective leader – not just a manager.

This course, which is one of the last in the program, builds on what you have learned in your previous courses, helping you develop the knowledge and skills needed to become an effective 21st Century leader in a knowledge-based organization. The course exposes you to the thought leaders in the field of leadership and to the concepts that you would see in an MBA program – but with a KM bent. During the course you will develop a KM program for your organization. You will learn how to develop and implement a plan that is aligned with the organizations strategy. And you will build a business plan. You will discover how leading-edge organizations lead and motivate staff, how to develop and use metrics, how to use project management and manage in times of change. These are the things that you need to know to be an effective knowledge leader in today’s fast-paced world. And of course, you will use and apply knowledge management tools and techniques to help you learn and apply what you are learning in the course. Top

TERM 6

KM 632 - The Knowledge Management Business

How are leaders in KM applying it in their organizations and consulting practices to create value? What can you learn from these leaders and how can you apply it in your own KM practice?

This course provides students with proven processes, experience and deep insights in the real world practice of KM for the benefit of the client. The focus is on concepts, practices and techniques for leading and delivering KM as a service to a business, whether that business is internal or external. More specifically, we cover defining the business needs and value for KM services; articulating the ‘what, why and how’ of common KM services: KM Assessment & Strategy Development, Processes for learning before, during and after work is performed, Communities of Practice & Knowledge Harvesting (Capture & Transfer); and how to be a successful internal or external KM Consultant. In addition you will cover KM marketing & client engagement; KM implementation and execution; KM organization, roles and leadership; and Emerging KM challenges & strategies.

Students are provided with templates and other re-usable materials to apply in their own practice of KM. Through case studies, business development exercises, and the exploration of potential service offerings, you will be able to develop your unique KM business mode.

The class is highly interactive and leverages guest speakers respected in the practice of KM. The principles of KM are practiced throughout the course…this class embodies the principle of “Learning While Doing”. Top

KM 690 - Course 12: Capstone Experience

You are almost done – how do you cap a two year experience? You will complete your Master’s Degree by exploring in depth a topic that excites you based on your two years of experience in the KM program. You will research and write a paper on this topic.

You will also be taken through a rich process of developing a professional resume or vita describing what value you bring to the table. You will work with your advisor to craft a resume and positioning statement that will communicate your value as a knowledge manager. In this final course you will have the opportunity to work one-on-one with an academic advisor that will guide you as you develop your ideas and write a research paper that takes you to the next level in understanding key elements of KM. You will pick a topic, do the appropriate research and write a paper that demonstrates your level of expertise and competency in KM. You will also be exposed to people who can help take your career to the next level, whether it is in your current position or a new position. Top