The Quality Matters Standard

ÎÞÂëרÇø uses the Quality Matters (QM) Higher Education Rubric as its institutional standard for online course design quality. QM is a nationally recognized, research-supported framework used by hundreds of institutions. Adoption of QM as ÎÞÂëרÇø's uniform standard was approved through the COE and FTC governance process and applies to all online courses regardless of school or format.

ÎÞÂëרÇø's selection of QM as the institutional standard is deliberate; the institution's intellectual posture toward online education quality is plural. ÎÞÂëרÇø recognizes complementary global quality frameworks — including the European Standards and Guidelines (ESG) administered through EQAR, Australia's TEQSA framework, and the International Council for Open and Distance Education (ICDE) quality models — and remains engaged with these communities as relevant to ÎÞÂëרÇø's international learner population and global partnerships.

What the QM Rubric Evaluates

  • Course overview and introduction
  • Learning objectives and their alignment
  • Assessment and measurement
  • Instructional materials and resources
  • Course technology and tools
  • Learner engagement and interaction
  • Learner support and accessibility

ÎÞÂëרÇø's QM Institutional Policy

  • All new online courses must complete a QM review before first delivery
  • All approved courses are subject to re-review on a five-year cycle
  • Applies to all schools and programs regardless of delivery modality
  • QM Coordinator: Jennifer Jordan, OPS / OIT Academic Technology
  • QM training and certification available to all ÎÞÂëרÇø faculty via OPS

QM Program at ÎÞÂëרÇø