Quality Matters at UNA
What is Quality Matters?
Quality Matters (QM) is a nationally recognized leader of quality assurance in online education. The program is faculty-centered, and utilizes a peer-based approach to continuous improvement in student learning within the online and blended environments. Continue reading below or Please visit QM's for more information about QM. UNA has been a member of Quality Matters since 2012.
The Quality Matters Rubric
The design of online and blended courses is evaluated using the eight general standards of the QM Rubric. It is based on research-supported and published best practices and updated every 3 years. A scoring system and set of online tools facilitate the evaluation by a team of reviewers. Visit to learn more about QM and the QM Higher Education Rubric. UNA employees have access to the fully annotated QM Higher Education Rubric as a QM member institution. Contact ets@una.edu for information about obtaining a print copy.
The Peer Review Process
The Peer Review Process consists of either official reviews or informal/internal reviews. Official course reviews through QM must meet the following criteria: 1) follow the current QM Standards; 2) review an online or blended (hybrid) course; 3) utilize a three-person peer review team in which all reviewers are eligible QM-certified Peer Reviewers; 4) At least one reviewer must be external to the institution submitting the course for review; 5) At least one reviewer must be designated as a subject matter expert; 6) the team chair must be a QM Master Reviewer.
Professional Development
Quality Matters (QM) offers a variety of Professional Development opportunities to help faculty to improve their online courses. These professional development opportunities are available online and in person. ETS faculty are licensed to offer the Applying the QM Rubric (APPQMR) and Designing Your Online Course (DOC).
The APPQMR workshop explores the process of using the QM Rubric to review online courses. It is also a prerequisite course for individuals interested in becoming a QM-Certified Peer Reviewer.
The DOC workshop includes an overview of the QM Rubric and provides a framework for participants to design an online course plan. During the workshop, participants will complete a Course Development Plan that can be used during the New Online Course Development Process (NOCD).