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Online Course Services

Online & Hybrid Course Certification

In response to the rapid growth of online and hybrid learning in the CSU and the need to support the development of high-quality courses, the Chancellor’s Office established an Online Course Services (OCS) program. The OCS program responds to the unique needs of CSU campuses and is available to all faculty at no cost. The system-wide CSU OCS website provides more information about the program.

As part of its mission to support the development of high-quality online courses, the Center for Teaching and Learning (CTL) and Academic Technology Services (ATS) contribute to and coordinate the OCS efforts at Sacramento State, particularly through the Quality Matters (QM) organization.

Quality Matters (QM) is an international pioneer in the review and recognition of high-quality online courses and an independent organization that supplies review materials, workshops, and review teams for member schools.

Faculty Support & Funding for QM Course Reviews

How do we support online & hybrid courses?

The Quality Assurance (QA) program at Sacramento State provides support to faculty in the development and/or improvement of their hybrid and online courses. The opportunies for support include:

  • Faculty learning communities and workshops focused on online and hybrid teaching and learning
  • Peer mentoring and consultation
  • Expert peer reviews of online and hybrid courses
  • Professional development through QM and QLT online courses.

Sacramento State is a member of QM, a nationally recognized organization for its peer-based approach to quality assurance and continuous improvement. This membership provides Sacramento State faculty and staff opportunities for QM peer reviews using the QM rubric.

Two peer review options are available to Sacramento State faculty to improve their online and hybrid courses: Internal Peer Reviews and Formal QM Reviews.

Internal Peer Review Process

internal review icon Faculty will receive $500 in professional development funding upon successful completion of an internal review of an online or hybrid course. Requirements and steps to apply for an internal peer review of an online or hybrid course are outlined below.

For further information about the internal review process, please contact Tara Sharpp.

  1. The course has been taught within the past year (fall, spring, or summer).
  2. The course will be offered in the next year (fall, spring, or summer).
  3. The instructor has completed a QM self-review for the course. Video: Conduct a QM Self-Review
  4. The instructor must complete the internal peer review process within the academic year of the application for internal review.
  5. The instructor has completed at least one QA course (QM or QLT) - preferred but not required.

  1. Meet course review requirements, see above.
  2. The instructor submits an internal peer review application.
  3. The instructor adds the QM coordinator to the course.
  4. QM Coordinator notifies the instructor if the course is approved for Preparatory review.
  5. A qualified Subject Matter Expert and Master Reviewer are identified for the course Preparatory review.
  6. QMC schedules a pre-review conference with the instructor and the review team.
  7. After the pre-review conference, the Reviewer begins the review of the course. The review period is over 4 weeks.
  8. Upon completion of the review, the Reviewer will provide the report to the instructor. The QM Coordinator or member of the OCS team will meet with the instructor to discuss review results.
  9. If the course does not meet QM standards:
    • The instructor has the option of making revisions to the course in order to meet essential QM standards within 6 weeks.
    • Upon completion of revisions, the instructor works with the QM Coordinator or OCS team member to review the revisions in order to meet QM standards.
  10. When the course meets QM standards, the course is qualified to proceed to a formal QM review process.

Formal QM Review Process

Quality Matters QM LogoFaculty will receive $500 in professional development funding upon successful completion of a formal QM review of an online or hybrid course. Requirements and steps to apply for a formal QM review of an online or hybrid course are outlined below.

For further information about the QM review process, please contact Tara Sharpp

  1. The course has passed the internal peer review process.
  2. The course has been taught in an online or hybrid format at least twice.

  1. Instructor submits an application for a formal QM review.
  2. The QM Coordinator approves and initiates the Course Review process.
  3. Instructor completes the Quality Matters “Instructor Course Worksheet (QM)” (provides background information about the course).
  4. A team of 3 reviewers is selected from the CSU and/or QM Peer Reviewers Database.
  5. The chair of review team contacts the instructor for a pre-view conference.
  6. The course review team conducts the formal course review (across 4-6 weeks).
  7. The course review team chair submits the final report which is shared with the QA Coordinator and instructor.
  8. If the course reviewed does not meet QM criteria for recognition, revisions are made to the course within 14 weeks.
  9. The course review team chair reviews the changes and communicates with the QM Coordinator and instructor.

Upcoming QM/QLT Trainings

Sign up for a QM/QLT Course Now!

What workshop should I take?

Sacramento State uses the QM rubric to certify our courses, so the OCS team recommends faculty take the QM workshops offered free through the Chancellor’s office. Even though Sacramento State does not use QLT for certification, you may take the free workshops for additional professional development.

Check back soon for a few short videos about IYOC and APPQMR to help you decide which workshop is right for you.

Course Title Estimate Length
Applying the Quality Matters Rubric Online, 10-15 hours, asynchronous
Improving your Online Course QM Online, 10-15 hours, asynchronous
AI Tools for Teaching & Learning Online, 20-25 hours (3 weeks) asynchronous
Reviewing Courses Using the QLT Instrument (Q2) Online, 10-15 hours, asynchronous
Advanced Course in Teaching Online QLT Online, 15-20 hours, asynchronous

Online & Hybrid Teaching Resources

Tools

References

Meet the Online Course Services Team 

OCS Faculty Co-Leads

OCS Mentors

QM Certified Faculty & Staff

  • Lyndsay Anderson (Nursing): QM Teaching Online Certificate, Higher Ed (HE) Peer Reviewer
  • Jennifer Anderson (Nursing): Higher Ed (HE) Peer Reviewee,
  • Chia-Jung Chung (COE): Higher Ed (HE) Peer Reviewer
  • Michelle Dang (Nursing): Higher Ed (HE) Peer Reviewer, HE Master Reviewer, HE QM Coordinator, HE Course Review Manager, QM Teaching Online Certificate, IYOC Facilitator
  • Deborah George (CCE): Higher Ed (HE) Peer Reviewer, HE Master Reviewer, CPE Peer Reviewer
  • Kelsey Macias (CTL): Higher Ed (HE) Peer Reviewer
  • Milica Markovic (Electrical & Electronic Engineering): Higher Ed (HE) Certified F2F Facilitator, HE Course Review Manager, HE Master Reviewer, HE Peer Reviewer
  • Corinne Rowland (IRT): Higher Ed (HE) Peer Reviewer
  • Kara Shiner (Nursing): Higher Ed (HE) Peer Reviewer
  • Christie Smart (Nursing): QM Teaching Online Certificate, Higher Ed (HE) Peer Reviewer
  • Santos Torres (Social Work): Higher Ed (HE) Certified Online Facilitator, HE Certified Online IYOC Facilitator, HE Master Reviewer, PUB Master Reviewer, HE Peer Reviewer, PUB Peer Reviewer, HE Program Certification Reviewer
  • Tara Sharpp (Nursing): Higher Ed (HE) Peer Reviewer, HE Master Reviewer, QM Teaching Online Certificate, HE QM Coordinator, HE Course Review Manager, APPQMR Facilitator
  • Debra Welkley (Sociology): Higher Ed (HE) Peer Reviewer, HE Master Reviewer, IYOC Facilitator

QM Certified Courses

A QM certification signifies that a course has met a respected set of standards for high quality through a rigorous, faculty peer review process.

Course Title Instructor
COMS 118: Survey of Public Relations Chong Heng
ENGR 124: Thermodynamics Farshid Zabihian
FASH 30: Fashion and Human Environment Dong Shen
NUFD 113: Nutrition and Metabolism Shara SHeldon
NURS 160: Human Sexuality (6-week version) Michelle Dang
NURS 160: Human Sexuality (16-week version)  Michelle Dang
NURS 165: Hospice and Palliative Nursing Care (6-week version) Tara Sharpp
NURS 165: Hospice and Palliative Nursing Care (16 week version) Tara Sharpp
NURS 170: Foundations in Evidence-Based Nursing Practice Michelle Dang
NURS 171: Transitional Concepts: The Baccalaureate Nurse Bronwyn Fields
NURS 173: Theoretical Foundations for Leadership and Management Tara Sharpp
NURS 178: Culminating Project Christie Smart
PSYC 4: Navigating Psychology: The majors and Careers Sharon Furtak
PSYC 103: Perception Sarah Strand
SOC 120: Ethnic and Race Relations Debra Welkley
SWRK 102 Crosscultural Theory and Practice: Issues of Race, Gender and Class (16-week version) Santos Torres, Jr.
SWRK 102: Crosscultural Theory and Practice: Issues of Race, Gender and Class (6-week version Santos Torres, Jr.
SWRK 150: Welfare In America Santos Torres, Jr.
SWRK 126: Theories of Criminal Behavior (6-week version) Santos Torres, Jr.
SWRK 126: Theories of Criminal Behavior (16-week version) Santos Torres, Jr.
SWRK 202: Social Work and Diverse Populations Santos Torres, Jr.
SWRK 250: Social Welfare Policy and Services Santos Torres, Jr.