Quality Matters at NCCU

Quality Matters (QM) is a non-profit organization that is the culmination of efforts initiated in 2003 by Maryland Online Inc. with the Fund for the Improvement of Postsecondary Education (FIPSE) grant. After completing the grant, Maryland Online Inc. determined that the generated rubric and peer-review process would serve as a viable option for the evaluation and certification of online courses due to their foundation in online educational research and best practices in online instruction. Therefore, Quality Matters was created as its own program in which institutions were able to apply for subscriptions and participate in professional development opportunities. These subscriptions allow faculty to participate in the course review process.

North Carolina Central University began its affiliation with Quality Matters as a participant in the statewide subscription through the University of North Carolina System in 2009. As a result of this relationship, more than 80 faculty and staff have participated in more than 130 trainings in best practices in online instruction, learning and course design through Quality Matters professional development workshops and advanced certifications. To date, NCCU houses five certified peer reviewers who are trained and qualified to serve on official Quality Matters peer review committees. Additionally, NCCU is one of two institutions recognized for having the most online courses within the University of North Carolina System to receive Quality Matters certification and bear the seal of the Quality Matters program.

Certified peer reviewers provide constructive feedback to cohort members in preparation for the official course review. 

Faculty cohorts will review and modify online courses utilizing the following general review standards. 

The Quality Matters Program offers the following workshops with no prerequisites to aid anyone interested in enhancing their online course design and online instructional practices.

• Applying the Quality Matters Rubric (APPQMR)
• Designing Your Online Course (DYOC)
• Designing Your Blended Course (DYBC)
• Improving Your Online Course (IYOC)
• Teaching Online: An Introduction to Online Delivery (TOL)
• Design That Welcomes Your Learners (ST1/7)
• Connecting Learning Objectives and Assessments (ST2/3)
• Using Instructional Materials and Technology to Promote Learner Engagement (ST4/5/6)
• Addressing Accessibility and Usability (ST8)

The Quality Matters Program also offers online certifications through rigorous trainings. Please note that Quality Matters online certification courses are time intensive and lead to the acquisition of various roles within the Quality Matters program. 

• Peer Reviewer Course (PRC)
• Master Reviewer Certification (MRC)
• Course Review Manager Certification (CRMC)
• Online Facilitator Certification (OFC)
• Face-to-Face Facilitator Certification (FFC)
• IYOC Face-to-Face Facilitator Certification (IFFC)
• IYOC Online Facilitator Certification (IOFC)
• Continuing and Professional Education Accelerated Peer Reviewer Course (CPE)
• K–12 Accelerated Reviewer Course for Higher Ed (K–12 RC ACCELLFY14)

Click the link below to request participation in a Quality Matters hosted workshop:

Quality Matters Facilitated Workshop Registration Request

An integral component of the Quality Matters Peer Review process is the peer review committee, composed of experienced online instructors trained in the evaluation of online course design. The Office of e-Learning encourages online instructors from all disciplines to complete the Peer Reviewer course. This course provides a review of the Quality Matters rubric, offers training on how to write helpful recommendations and allows potential reviewers to participate in a practice review.

QM Certified Peer Reviewer Eligibility Requirements:

• Successfully complete either the one-day (6.5 hours) face-to-face or two-week online "Applying the Quality Matters Rubric" course
• Successfully complete the two-week online "Quality Matters Peer Reviewer" course
• Have teaching experience instructing a for-credit online course within the last 18 months
• Complete and submit the Quality Matters Peer Reviewer Application and Memorandum of Understanding

Quality Matters Peer Reviewer Course (PRC) Registration Request