What is Quality Matters (QM)?
QM is a set of standards and a peer review process that FIU Online has adopted to ensure quality of the design of its fully online courses. The SUS 2025 Strategic Plan for Online Education is utilizing QM as the design framework for course development.
Who’s doing it?
Higher education and K-12 institutions nationally and internationally are implementing the Quality Matters rubric and process. A complete list of subscribers in higher education can be found on the QM resources website
Is QM/HQ certification required to teach with FIU Online?
This depends on your department. Some departments require it while others encourage it. Check with your department chair for details. However, we encourage you to seek certification to ensure the quality of your online course.
How do I prepare myself to certify the quality of my fully online course?
Attend a training session with our QM/HQ expert and consult with your instructional designer.
What are the standards used to assess online courses?
There are 42 specific standards categorized under eight general standards:
- Course Overview and Introduction
- Learning Objectives (Competencies)
- Assessment and Measurement
- Instructional Materials
- Course Activities and Learner Interaction
- Course Technology
- Learner Support
- Accessibility and Usability
Who developed the standards?
The Quality Matters Rubric is based on a review of the literature, the expertise of experienced practitioners, and best practices in online education. The Quality Matters Rubric is revised and updated every two years to stay abreast of the latest research in online education.
Do I have to meet every standard to meet expectations?
No, courses do not have to be "perfect." However, they must meet ALL "Essential Standards" (3 points) and obtain an overall score of 85/100 or higher. This also applies to courses that choose to go through the HQ internal review.
How do I know if my course is ready for QM submission?
Your course is ready for submission once you have the following criteria:
- You have taught the online course at least once.
- You have applied the QM/HQ standards in the online course to be reviewed.
How do I submit a course for QM review?
You can submit a course for review by contacting your instructional designer.
How long does the QM Review last?
All courses will undergo an internal review process to evaluate if the course is ready for formal QM review. Once the course is internally approved, it will get submitted for formal HQ review. The formal QM review process may take place over a maximum period of 20 weeks.
How long does the HQ Review last?
All courses will undergo an internal review process to evaluate if the course is ready for HQ review. Once the course is internally approved, if will get submitted for formal HQ review. The entire review process may take place over a maximum period of 16 weeks.
Who is on the team that reviews my course for QM Certification?
A peer-review team consists of three faculty members. At least one of those faculty members will be a subject matter expert. Every Quality Matters peer reviewer has extensive online teaching experience and has been trained and certified by QM to conduct peer reviews. At FIU Online all the reviewers used are external (from other institutions of higher learning).
Who is on the team that reviews my course for HQ Certification?
An internal review team consists of three reviewers: the assigned instructional designer, the faculty member to serve as the subject matter expert, and a member from FIU Online’s Quality Assurance team. The assigned instructional designer, the faculty member to serve as the subject matter expert and a member from FIU Online’s Quality Assurance team. Every instructional designer as well as the quality assurance team has been formally trained and certified by QM to conduct course reviews.
What are my responsibilities during the QM review process?
As the faculty course developer, you will complete the Instructor Worksheet, a document that describes your online course for the peer-review team. The peer-review team and you will use it during a pre-review conference call so that you may explain your course and any concerns. After the pre-review conference call, you are not involved in the peer-review process except to field questions the reviewers may have.
What are my responsibilities during the HQ review process?
As the faculty course developer/subject matter expert, you will work with your instructional designer in applying any recommendations (if applicable) solicited by the Quality Assurance team in order to meet the criteria for certification.
Will the QM/HQ review take place in my live course?
No, the review will take place in a copy of the course so that reviewers do not have access to any student data. You, your instructional designer, peer-reviewers (QM) and the Quality Assurance Team (HQ) will have access to a copy of the course in Canvas.
How will the QM reviewers access my course?
FIU Online will create student guest accounts for the peer reviewers.
What happens if my course meets Quality Matters expectations?
After a course has met QM standards, it is recognized by Quality Matters and the “QM Recognized” seal can be displayed within your online course. Your course will be displayed/recognized at the QM website and FIU Online website. Your department chair and dean will receive an email notice. FIU Online has a revenue sharing agreement with each of the departments at FIU, and you may be eligible to receive an honorarium for gaining QM certification. Check with your department for details.
What happens if my course meets High Quality expectations?
After a course has met HQ standards, it is recognized by FIU Online and the “HQ Recognized” seal can be displayed within your online course. Your course will be displayed/recognized as High Quality Certified on the FloridaShines online course catalog and FIU Online website. Your department chair and dean will receive an email notice. FIU Online has a revenue sharing agreement with each of the departments at FIU, and you may be eligible to receive an honorarium for gaining HQ certification. Check with your department for details.
What happens if a course does not meet QM expectations?
The QM process is designed so that all courses will eventually meet expectations. If a course does not meet expectations upon initial review, the faculty course developer receives detailed feedback from the peer-review team and has the opportunity to revise the course. Your instructional designer can assist you. The revised course is then re-submitted to the peer-review team chair for approval.
What happens if a course does not meet HQ expectations?
The HQ process is designed so that all courses will eventually meet expectations. If a course does not meet expectations upon initial review, the faculty course developer receives detailed feedback from FIU Online’s Quality Assurance team and has the opportunity to revise the course. Your instructional designer can assist you. The revised course is then re-submitted to the Quality Assurance team for approval.
How long do the QM and HQ certifications last?
The QM and HQ recognitions expire after five years.
Am I able to make changes to my course after it has been certified (HQ + QM)?
Yes, changes are able to be made. However, keep in mind that depending on what types of changes are made, a course may need to be re-evaluated.
HQ + QM certifications are valid for 5 years. While content updates after receiving the certification(s) are encouraged to foster continuous improvement in your own practice if any of the conditions below lead to more than 20% of changes to the content, the recertification requirement applies:
- The textbook has been changed AND the course design was constructed around the textbook
- Any of the Alignment Standards are changed:
- Course Level Objectives (Standard 2.1) – if changing course level objectives, they need to be in direct alignment with the existing or modified module-level objectives, assessments, activities, and instructional materials.
- Module Level Objectives (Standard 2.2) – if changing module-level objectives, they need to be in direct alignment with the existing or modified course level objectives, assessments, activities, and instructional materials.
- Assessments in the Course (Standard 3.1) – assessment prompts can be changed, however, assessment formats (i.e. from discussion to essay) need to be in direct alignment with the current or modified course and module objectives while supporting the activities and instructional materials.
- Instructional Materials (Standard 4.1) – if changing instructional materials, they need to be in direct alignment with the existing or modified course and module level objectives, assessments, and activities.
- Learning Activities [including Assignments] (Standard 5.1) – if changing learning activities (including assignments), they need to be in direct alignment with the existing or modified course and module level objectives, assessments, and instructional materials.
- Tools used in the Course (Standard 6.1) – if changing the tools used in the course, they need to support the existing or modified assessments, activities, and instructional materials.
- Any of the Alignment Standards are changed due to a textbook update or a new textbook. Reference the second bullet point for details.
- Redesign of a course due to increasing or decreasing credit hours.
- If the course has recently gone through a review process by a curriculum committee as a result of a regular course review cycle.
If I have questions related to Quality Matters and/or High Quality, whom do I contact?
You may contact your instructional designer or Mimi Lezcano | Quality Assurance Manager at lezcanoh@fiu.edu or 305-348-8475.
