Center for Cognitive Bias, Heuristics and Human Behavior
Gain competitive advantages with respected and valued certifications at three levels of expertise in managing decision-making. Optimize implementation and utilize data effectively. Eliminate destructive biases that cause loses in achieving strategic goals. Maximize revenue, time, outcomes, customer satisfaction, inclusivity, diversity and loyalty retention.
Coming in 2025!
Choose from 12 new online certificate continuing education courses and earn specializations unique to your profession in the applied management of cognitive biases, heuristics and human behavior in decision making.
Program Summary
Dedicated to un-biasing a world apart™, the UIW School of Professional Studies has partnered with trusted DOCXMD, LLC™ through their Center for Cognitive Bias, Heuristics and Human Behavior in Decision Making to deliver a unique comprehensive series of courses with XENANEX™ certification eligibility. The Center offers a complete professional continuing education package in unbiased decision making uniquely applied across multiple disciplines, with each course geared to the highest standards of applicable results, rigor, and excellence.
Enroll in an individual certification course and experience immediate benefits. You can further distinguish yourself through advanced certification at three stages of badging competencies as a Fellow, Senior Fellow and Master. Each course is tailored to meet your uniquely discipline-related challenges and expectations in winning at making decisions.
Jumpstart your awaiting competitive advantage today! You deserve to make success happen. Learn to be comfortable with being uncomfortable. Immerse yourself in valuable, unbiased decision-making strategies taught by master instructors with innovative teaching strategies. Learn to recognize and control unconscious biases in yourself and others.
Gain advantages in:
- Agreement settlements
- Data analytics
- Negotiations
- Crisis interventions
- Self-improvement
- Customer acquisition and satisfaction
- Consulting
- Sales retention
- Goal achievement
- Loss aversion
- Strategic implementation
- Organizational change
- Team building
- And much more
Program Benefits
- Communicate Clearly and Effectively: Connect constructively, decisively and accurately
- Critique Information Overload: Utilize information and data analytics competently
- Craft Workable Policies and Governance: Collaborate with readiness, authority and respect
- Elevate Decision Making Productivity: Consider carefully and decide decisively
- Enable Ethical Behavior: Mentor reliably with authenticity, integrity and professionalism
- Extend Sales and Marketing Success: Beat competition; improve reach, profitability and closures
- Foster Shared Learning and Knowledge: Motivate with skill, preparation and creativity
- Guide Quality Improvement: Aptly apply self and professional goal attaining strategies
- Implement Organizational Change: Facilitate “resistance-free” strategy application
- Lead Inclusion, Team Play and Diversity: Spark outcomes bigger than self
- Negotiate Crisis Intervention: Effectively manage behavioral constraints and disputes
- Impact Innovation, Technology and Research: Tangibly contribute skill, vision and scale
Who Should Enroll?
Learn more about "Blind Spot Bias".
Unconscious cognitive bias is highly destructive to hundreds of decisions made at work and play every day. The Center is dedicated to “Unbiasing a World Apart™” so each of us can meet our full potential in every way. The Center’s certification courses are rigorously designed with specific curricula elements, knowledge and perspectives necessary to master innovative applied skills sought and highly valued in meeting today’s challenging decision-making environment. Institutions, corporations, large and small businesses, personal proprietorships, industries and non-profits spanning the scope of advertising, banking, construction, consulting, communications, commodities, data analytics, defense, distribution, education, entertainment, engineering, government, healthcare, human resources, informatics, insurance, law enforcement, marketing, manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, real estate, research, sales, service, supply-chain commerce, technology, transportation and utilities are actively seeking timely real-world, non-biased decision maker solutions. We invite you to examine each course offered to learn how becoming course certified will significantly contribute to enriching your success and career goals in a meaningful way. Also, scan some shared testimonials…you’ll appreciate what their insightful wisdom has to say.
“Cognitive bias has two certainties! One is... we all have them! The other is... we're steadfastly blind to the ones we have.” -DocXMD
Course Descriptions
The course identifies, explains, analyzes, evaluates and manages cognitive bias/heuristic behaviors associated with accounting, asset/wealth planning, analytics, entrepreneurship, banking, behavioral finance and critical business hyperlinked processes decision-making.
The course identifies, explains, analyzes, evaluates and manages cognitive bias/heuristic behaviors associated with digital, mass, and social media, informatics, information technology, persuasion and influence, conflict management and public relations decision-making.
The course identifies, explains, analyzes, evaluates and manages cognitive bias/heuristic behaviors associated with retail, wholesale, and distribution, strategic planning, implementation, import/export trade, mergers and acquisitions, analyst, organizational change, start-up and auditing decision-making.
Course identifies, explains, analyzes, evaluates, and manages cognitive bias/heuristic behaviors associated with public/private/higher ed administration, classroom/online learning, guidance, training, simulation, curriculum development, home schooling and business/artificial intelligence decision-making.
The course identifies, explains, analyzes, evaluates, and manages cognitive bias/heuristic behaviors associated with innovation, manufacturing, infrastructure, warehouse management, architecture, research and design, robotics, construction, assembly line, Inspection, supply chain, tech management and computer systems decision-making.
The course identifies, explains, analyzes, evaluates, and manages cognitive bias/heuristic behaviors associated with core executive ethical decision-making leadership skills. Prerequisite course to earn eligibility for Fellow, Senior Fellow and Master Certifications.
The course identifies, explains, analyzes, evaluates and manages cognitive bias/heuristic behaviors associated with crisis intervention, cyber security, law enforcement, legal ethics, negotiation, politics, government relations, legal representation, civil service, homeland security and policy decision-making.
The course identifies, explains, analyzes, evaluates and manages cognitive bias/heuristic behaviors associated with healthcare administration, policy development, healthcare delivery, biomedical ethics, public health, pharmaceuticals healthcare service management, home healthcare, telemedicine, healthcare resource distribution and research decision-making.
The course identifies, explains, analyzes, evaluates and manages cognitive bias/heuristic behaviors associated with administration, compliance, applied ethics, employee assistance/relations, diversity, equality, analytics, recruitment, sustainability, workplace safety and employment training decision-making.
The course identifies, explains, analyzes, evaluates and manages cognitive bias/heuristic behaviors associated with entertainment, hospitality, professional service, utilities, transportation, trade service, real estate, insurance, wildlife and recreational service, gaming, sports mgmt., fast food and retail grocery industry decision-making.
The course identifies, explains, analyzes, evaluates and manages cognitive bias/heuristic behaviors associated with personal/group counseling, personal/business relationships, weight and stress management, anger management, habitual behavior and fitness decision-making.
The course identifies, explains, analyzes, evaluates and manages cognitive bias/heuristic behaviors associated with broadcast, podcast, and digital direct-to-consumer/retail sales/marketing/advertising, SEO, branding, marketing, analytics, consumer behavior and competitive strategy decision making.
Course Tracks
Each of the twelve courses currently offered by the center can be taken individually. There are no pre-requirements necessary to register and enroll. Requirements for earning a “Certificate of Satisfactory Completion” for each six-week course include meeting course assignment obligations, earning a course grade of 83 or above and a final exam grade of 83 or above.
To earn the eligibility status of “Fellow” badge credentialing, a student must satisfactorily complete (3) three six week courses one of which must be CBDMELD 6006: Executive Leadership: Core Cognitive Bias, Heuristics and Ethics in Decision Making Leadership Skills. The student can take any two of the remaining 11 courses. There are no pre-requirements necessary to register and enroll. Requirements for earning a certificate of satisfactory completion for each six-week course include meeting course assignment obligations, earning a course grade of 83 or above and a final exam grade of 83 or above. Once the student has earned (3) certificates of completion, they will be eligible to receive a letter from the UIW SPS Dean and Center Director to sit for a competency exam given by XenAneX™ Institute of Cognitive Bias, Heuristics, Human Behavior, and Decision Making (ICBDM).
A competency exam grade of 86 or above qualifies the student for being awarded Fellow status for a term of two years. XenAneX™ will facilitate through Credly™, SPS PaCE, and DOCXMD, LLC the awarding of an earned badge to a student with the appropriate embedded metadata designating skillsets earned from their course work. Awarded badges will be co-sponsored by XenAneX™ and UIW SPS. If a student wishes to renew the badge after two years and maintain their badge credentials, they will submit their request to XenAneX™ and take a continuing education on line module(s) in their area (s) of CBDM expertise. Successful completion of the module(s) will renew the earned badge for an additional two years.
To earn the eligibility status of “Senior Fellow” badge credentialing, a student must satisfactorily complete (4) four six-week courses one of which must be CBDMELD 6006: Executive Leadership: Core Cognitive Bias, Heuristics, and Ethics in Decision Making Leadership Skills. The student can take any three of the remaining 11 courses. There are no pre-requirements necessary to register and enroll. Requirements for earning a certificate of satisfactory completion for each six-week course include meeting course assignment obligations, earning a course grade of 83 or above, and a final exam grade of 83 or above. Once the student has earned (3) certificates of completion, they will be eligible to receive a letter from the UIW SPS Dean and Center Director to sit for a competency exam given by XenAneX™ Institute of Cognitive Bias, Heuristics, Human Behavior, and Decision Making (ICBDM).
An exam grade of 86 or above qualifies the student for being awarded Senior Fellow status for a term of two years. XenAneX™ will facilitate through Credly™, SPS PaCE, and DOCXMD, LLC the awarding of an earned badge to a student with the appropriate embedded metadata designating skillsets earned from their course work. Awarded badges will be co-sponsored by XenAneX™ and UIW SPS. If a student wishes to renew the badge after two years and maintain their badge credentials, they will submit their request to XenAneX™ and take a continuing education online module(s) in their area (s) of CBDM expertise. Successful completion of the module(s) will renew the earned badge for an additional two years.
To earn the eligibility status of “Master” badge credentialing, a student must satisfactorily complete (5) five six-week courses one of which must be CBDMELD 6006: Executive Leadership: Core Cognitive Bias, Heuristics, and Ethics in Decision Making Leadership Skills. The student can take four of the remaining 11 courses. There are no pre-requirements necessary to register and enroll. Requirements for earning a certificate of satisfactory completion for each six-week course include meeting course assignment obligations, earning a course grade of 83 or above, and a final exam grade of 83 or above. Once the student has earned (3) certificates of completion, they will be eligible to receive a letter from the UIW SPS Dean and Center Director to sit for a competency exam given by XenAneX™ Institute of Cognitive Bias, Heuristics, Human Behavior, and Decision Making (ICBDM).
An exam grade of 86 or above qualifies the student for being awarded Master status for a term of two years. XenAneX™ will facilitate through Credly™, SPS PaCE, and DOCXMD, LLC the awarding of an earned badge to a student with the appropriate embedded metadata designating skillsets earned from their course work. Awarded badges will be co-sponsored by XenAneX™ and UIW SPS. If a student wishes to renew the badge after two years and maintain their badge credentials, they will submit their request to XenAneX™ and take a continuing education online module(s) in their area(s) of CBDM expertise. Successful completion of the module(s) will renew the earned badge for an additional two years.
Course Materials
Course materials are available on XENANEX™ website. The materials will be offered in electronic format and will include, but not limited to, reading and workbook materials, audio and video media vignettes, case studies, self-assessments and interactive problem-solving discussion questions. Material costs are included in course tuition with student access provided upon completion of course registration.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean to earn a “Certificate of Satisfactory Completion”?
Requirements for earning a “Certificate of Satisfactory Completion” for each six-week course include meeting course assignment obligations, earning a course grade of 83 or above and a final exam grade of 83 or above. Once these requirements have been met, the Course Director will initiate, on the student’s behalf, a “Certificate of Satisfactory Completion.”
Why is earning a badge with “metadata” significant?
The Center for Cognitive Bias, Heuristics and Human Behavior in Decision Making (CCBDM) has teamed with Credly™ and their worldwide database to match the skills learned by the student in the Fellow, Senior Fellow, and Master Course Tracks and embed metadata associated with those skills in an earned badge visible to organizations and individuals seeking those skills.
How valuable is a non-credit course?
Employers, Institutions, Agencies, and Universities recognize that non-credit programs are central to helping to create the highly-skilled workforce critical to success in our fast-growing knowledge economy.
Relevance to CEU’s?
Currently based on the average study time of 2-3 hours per day for each course taken (including 36 instructional contact hours over the course’s six-week term), UIW awards each student at successful completion of study 3.6 CEUs. CEU award documentation provided by the UIW SPS PaCE department may be used for employer reimbursement eligibility and/or as proof for meeting job continuing education requirements. It is noteworthy that CCBDM is also currently welcoming alliances with outstanding professional organizations seeking specialty CEU awarding partnerships in the disciplines of advertising, banking, construction, consulting, communications, commodities, data analytics, defense, distribution, education, entertainment, engineering, government, healthcare, human resources, informatics, insurance, law enforcement, marketing, manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, real estate, research, sales, service, supply-chain commerce, technology, transportation and utilities.
What are the costs of course materials?
CCBDM is conscious of educational costs and is dedicated to keeping them low. The fees for all electronic course materials that include, but are not limited to, valuable reading and workbook material, audio and video media vignettes, case studies, self-assessments and interactive problem-solving discussion materials are available to the student as part of the course tuition upon registration completion.
Will my employer pay for this course?
Given the demand for managing unconscious bias in the workforce, our overwhelming past experience demonstrates that employers are open and often eager to underwrite course tuition. The Center encourages you to reach out to your employer about the course you wish to take. A spokesperson from the Center is more than willing to speak with your employer regarding the benefits and skills learned in the course that would be meaningful to your organization.
Please tell me more about XenAneX™
Xenanex™ is the only organization in the world certifying “comprehensive un-biased decision-making skills.” Founded by Alan Xenakis, MD, ScD, MPH, MS, Xenanex™ maintains the Institute of Cognitive Bias and Decision Making. It assesses student competency in specialized areas at the Fellow, Senior Fellow and Master’s Levels. The Institute includes a board of peer review professionals that oversee the setting of badge certification competency requirements and the awarding of badge designations.
Please tell me about DOCXMD, LLC
Founded by Alan Xenakis MD, ScD, MPH, MS and Audra Xenakis, RN, BSN, DNP(c), DOCXMD, LLC is dedicated to communicate, educate, and train individuals and organizations in unbiased decision making. Both founders share experience as trusted expert university educators and mass/social media communicators. They are authors, hosts, teachers, story-tellers, researchers, trainers and motivators. Their passion is to un-bias a world apart.
Please tell me more about Credly™
Credly™ creates, issues and manages digital credentials that recognize student achievement. CCBDM, in conjunction with UIW SPS and The Institute of Cognitive Bias and Decision Making (ICBDM) at XenaneX™, work in concert to teach and assess cognitive bias competencies and award associated badges through Credly™ that have embedded skill sets achieved by the student learner. Only Fellow, Senior Fellow, and Master Competency levels are eligible for badge designations.
How much time will each course take?
The average student will spend approximately 2-3 hours per day in course study, which includes 36 instructional contact hours over the term of the course (this equates to approximately 3.6 CEUs). Each course curricula is designed to create extensive applied skill opportunities in bias recognition and control affecting decision-making.
Are skills applicable to real-world situations?
While theory is critical to understand, identify, and control the hundreds of biases we face every day, the bulk of each course will focus on how the student can apply what is learned in real-world challenges and circumstances. To this end, each course will use interactive material that is relevant and discipline-specific in meeting application goals.
How do the courses offered here differ from courses taught at other universities?
While some universities offer credit and non-credit courses that include elements of bias and decision-making, a careful review will show that the courses do not include the dynamic mix of theory and real-world application necessary to make an immediate impact in today’s workplace. Add to this the elements of assigning badge competency with employers seeking that competency and the courses offered through the CCBDM stand alone in terms of relevance, thoroughness, impact, and excellence.
Will these courses make me more competitive and successful?
We make thousands of decisions every day, most of which are influenced by unconscious bias. It is imperative in managing competition and success that we, and others around us, have comfort and trust in our decisions. Earning a course “Certificate of Satisfactory Completion” means you have gained knowledge and skills needed to help you win and lead at decision-making.
Are pre-requirements necessary to register?
There are no pre-course curricula core requirements necessary to register and enroll for individual center course certifications. However, for students seeking competencies at the Fellow, Senior Fellow and Master’s level, taking CBDMELD 6006: Cognitive Bias and Applied Decision Making Strategies in Executive Leadership is required.
Will I receive help with the online learning management system (LMS)?
All faculty and staff involved with course offerings are experienced in online learning management systems (LMS) both in the delivery of knowledge as well as maximizing student engagement. Should you need help with the logistics of online learning during the course, staff and faculty are available and more than eager to help.