QM is a leader in quality assurance for online education and has received national recognition for its scalable, peer-based approach and continuous improvement in online education and student learning. QM is a set of standards and a peer review process based on current research and best practices in instructional design that the University of Texas at San Antonio has adopted to ensure quality in the design of its online and hybrid courses. Implementing QM across UTSA will assist in developing a common course design language across colleges. 

After the course has met QM standards and is recognized by Quality Matters^TM, the “QM Recognized” seal can be displayed within the course and anywhere else the course is advertised.  This indicates to the stakeholders that the course has been measured against a widely accepted national benchmark for quality assurance and has achieved recognition for high-quality design. 

1. Visit the Quality Matters Sign In web page.
2. Select “No, I am new here.” and press Sign In.
3. Enter your information, including your @utsa.edu email address.
4. Under Institution, select “The University of Texas at San Antonio-TX.”
5. You’re all set! Explore the MyQM Portal to discover the many features QM offers subscribing members.

The eight (8) general and 44 specific standards are based on instructional design principles, research literature, and best practices. The 8 general standards are: 

• Course Overview and Introduction
• Learning Objectives
• Assessment and Measurement
• Instructional Materials
• Learning Activities and Learner Interaction
• Course Technology
• Learner Support
• Accessibility and Usability 

There are several QM reviews that UTSA will utilize: 

• Internal Reviews: Unofficial reviews managed by the Quality Matters^TM  Coordinator (QMC) are not eligible for QM recognition.
• Self-Review Tool: QM provides an online, interactive version of the Reviewer Worksheet for anyone with a MyQM account to review and improve their own courses. Results can be emailed. Self-reviews are confidential, and the Final Reports are available solely to the individual conducting the review. Automatic notifications are sent to your QM Coordinator(s) when a Self-Review is initiated or saved. These member-requested notifications are purely informational and provide visibility to your QM Coordinator(s) on using Self-Reviews. Complete a course Self-Review to familiarize yourself with QM Rubric Standards or assess a course beforehand.
• QM-Managed Reviews: Official course reviews that are managed by Quality Matters^TM  (QM) staff in compliance with QM course review process and procedures receive QM recognition.
• Subscriber–Managed Reviews: Official course reviews are managed by a QM Coordinator who adheres to the QM course review process and procedures and uses the QM CRMS; these reviews receive QM recognition. 

The three (3) peer review team members (Master Reviewer/Team Chair, Subject Matter Expert (SME) and an external reviewer) have online teaching experience. They are trained and certified by QM to conduct reviews. With faculty (Course Representative) permission, Academic Innovation staff will create guest accounts for the reviewers to log into Canvas and receive access to the copy of the course, without access to any student data.  

Per QM requirements, the entire review process may take place over a maximum period of 20 weeks.  However, the team generally takes approximately a month to conduct the actual review of the course. 

No. Courses do not have to be “perfect” in that they meet every single standard.  However, courses do need to meet all essential standards and earn a minimum of 86 out of 100 points (86%). 

The QM process is designed so that all courses will eventually meet expectations. Suppose a course does not meet expectations upon an initial review. In that case, the faculty course developer will receive detailed feedback from a team of peer reviewers and will have an opportunity to revise the course with the help of an Instructional Designer with the Academic Innovation team. The revised course is then submitted to the Team Chair for approval.

Courses in the same academic unit with more than one section taught by more than one faculty will not need to be reviewed separately as long as the course is copied and modified across the sections.  In this case, the original course's Instructional Designer or Course Developer will participate in the review.