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High Quality Course Design

QM logo

Missouri State is a member of the Missouri QM Consortium.

About QM

QM provides research-based standards of practice to guide course design and protocols for the course review process. With over 1000 institutional members, QM is a leader in course quality assurance.

The QM Higher Education Rubric is useful for guiding faculty and/or course designers in the development of high-quality, research-based online courses. The rubric is comprised of eight General Standards and 42 Essential Standards.

QM General Standards (QM, 2022)
- Course Overview & Introduction
- Learning Objectives (Competencies)
- Assessment & Measurement
- Instructional Materials
- Learning Activities & Learner Interaction
- Course Technology
- Learner Support
- Accessibility & Usability
The rubric is supported by current online learning research (Quality Matters, 2022), and is regularly reviewed and updated by a team of experienced instructors and instructional designers to ensure the rubric criteria are aligned with best practices promoted by accrediting bodies and national and international organizations (Quality Matters, 2022). Learn more the research supporting the use of QM.

Get the Rubric

QM Higher Education Rubric
Quality Matters provides protocols and training for conducting rigorous course reviews. Members can develop internal review processes to support best practices in course design. Additionally, members have the option of submitting courses for an official QM course review leading to a course being considered a QM-Certified Course. Learn more about the QM Review Process.

Official QM-certified courses are included in the QM-Certified Course Directory and may be advertised as a QM-certified course.
Online Learning Resources

Showcase of Best Practice

QM Resource Center

How is the FCTL using QM?

Resource Development

The Faculty Center for Teaching and Learning is using standards established by the QM rubric to guide the development of resources to support faculty instruction and continuous improvement, as well as the overall quality of instruction at Missouri State University, regardless of modality.

Internal Course Reviews

The FCTL staff are developing their course review skills through the QM Peer Review Certification training process in order to provide internal course reviews that meet the highest of quality standards and prepare faculty to be successful if they choose to submit their online or blended course for an official QM review in order to achieve QM certification for their course.

Being a member of the QM system allows the FCTL access to the annotated QM rubric, the MQM dashboard, as well as additional QM provided resources to facilitate internal course reviews.

Do you need course design support or a course review?

Contact an Instructional Designer

The Faculty Center for Teaching and Learning provides consultations, training, and support for all phases of instructional planning. MSU promotes the development of high quality courses aligned to the Quality Matters (QM) Standards. Course review services are available.

References

Quality Matters. (2022). Why QM? About. https://www.qualitymatters.org/index.php/why-quality-matters/about-qm