The Course Quality Program at NC State will begin accepting applications for its fall programming on April 1, 2021. The deadline to apply is May 21, 2021.

Application for Quality Matters Essential Standards Program 

Application for Online Course Improvement Program

Quality Matters Essential Standards Program (QMESP)

• WHAT: Faculty apply the 23 Essential Quality Matters Review Standards to one of their online or blended courses. The course undergoes an internal review by NC State peer reviewers and can earn QM Essential Standards Recognition.
• WHO: QMESP is for faculty who currently teach online, have limited experience with online course design and pedagogy, are interested in applying the Quality Matters Higher Education Rubric in the design of an online course, and are seeking a course review by NC State faculty peers.
• HOW: Over the course of 15 weeks (45+ hours), faculty complete an online synchronous orientation, a QM Improving Your Online Course (IYOC) workshop, and three individual progress consultations. Faculty then use what they have learned to design and improve their course in preparation for an internal course review.
• WHY: Courses that meet all QM Essential Standards receive a QM Essentials badge that can be displayed in the course as an indication of course quality. Faculty receive a $2,000 award, a certificate of completion, and notification to their department chair and college dean. Many faculty go on to apply the QM essential standards to the design of their other online and face-to-face courses.
• NEXT: Faculty who wish to pursue QM Certification can follow the QM Certification pathway. Faculty who wish to become a course peer reviewer can continue on the Peer Reviewer path.

The program model is individually focused and runs from August 2021 to December 2021. Please read through the QMESP Information Sheet before submitting an application. 

Apply for the Quality Matters Essential Standards Program.  

Online Course Improvement Program (OCIP)

• WHAT: Faculty apply all 42 Quality Matters Review Standards to one of their online or blended courses. The course undergoes an official QM review and can earn QM Certification.
• WHO: OCIP is for faculty who currently teach online, have strong knowledge of online course design and pedagogy, are ready to apply the Quality Matters Higher Education Rubric to make improvements to an online course, and are seeking Quality Matters certification.
• HOW: Over the course of 16 weeks (60 + hours), faculty complete an online asynchronous training, seven face-to-face cohort meetings, seven individual progress consultations, use what they learn to design and improve their course, then undergo an internal course review followed by an official QM review.
• WHY: Courses that meet QM standards receive a QM Certification badge that can be displayed in the course as an indication of course quality. Faculty receive a $4,000 award, Certificate of Completion, and notification to their college dean and department chair. Many faculty go on to apply the QM standards to the design of their other online and face-to-face courses.
• NEXT: Faculty may choose to continue on the Peer Reviewer path. 

OCIP is a rigorous professional development program and requires a significant time commitment. The program will run from August 2021 to December 2021. NC State now has 30 certified Quality Matters courses that meet the highest standard for online course quality and design. Please read through the OCIP Information Sheet before submitting an application. 

Application for Online Course Improvement Program

The deadline for all applications is May 21, 2021 at 5 p.m.

Email questions to Bethanne Tobey at bwtobey@ncsu.edu.

Learn more about the Course Quality Program at NC State.