Description
Q: What is the QM Validation Review pathway?
A: The pathway allows QM member institutions to have their internal course review processes validated by QM and earn recognition for that process. This pathway enables courses that have undergone rigorous internal review using QM Standards to earn Foundational Quality in Course Design recognition, while institutions earn an endorsement for their demonstrated commitment to quality assurance.
Q. Who should apply for the QM Validation Review pathway?
A: QM member institutions conducting large volumes of internal reviews and seeking external validation of their quality assurance processes.
Q: How do Validation Reviews differ from other QM review options?
A: Unlike QM-Managed reviews (Certification, Essentials, or Prep Reviews), a Validation Review recognize an institution's own robust internal review process. Instead of QM reviewing individual courses, QM validates that your institutional review process meets QM criteria for quality assurance. QM will evaluate your process for ensuring your courses are meeting, at a minimum, all QM Essentials Standards.
Q: What courses are eligible for recognition once QM has endorsed our process?
A: QM will recognize all courses for which the institution can provide evidence that they successfully went through the validated process and used the QM Higher Education Rubric, Seventh Edition. This means courses will be recognized retroactively, by the year they were internally reviewed.
Eligibility Requirements
Q: What are the requirements to apply for the Validation Reviews pathway?
A: Your institution must have:
- Maintained QM membership for two or more years.
- Demonstrated commitment to quality assurance through professional development (QM APPQMR, PRC, DYOC/IYOC, or internal training on QM Rubric and alignment concepts).
- Conducted course reviews using at least the QM Essential Standards from the QM Higher Education Rubric, Seventh Edition.
- Conducted course reviews on a recurring basis.
- Used reviewers who have completed at least the Applying the QM Rubric training and cannot have developed, designed or taught the courses they review.
- A single, responsible unit that uses and maintains a consistent, accurate and replicable review process to identify courses meeting standards (upon review or after amendment).
Q: Who can serve as internal reviewers?
A: Internal reviewers must have successfully completed the Applying the QM Rubric and Rubric Update training on the current QM Rubric. Reviewers cannot review courses they have developed, designed or taught. At a minimum, one appropriately trained reviewer must review each course.
Application Process and Evidence
Q: What evidence must be submitted for validation?
A: Once your application is approved, you must submit:
- Quality Assurance Process Documentation: Description of your course review process demonstrating consistent use of all QM Essential Standards.
- Professional Development Verification: Documentation of QM-related training for all internal reviewers and other faculty/staff (including objectives and syllabi for internal training).
- Course Review Reports: For the Validation Review, QM will need an official list or record of the courses meeting standards in your review and will request the full final reports for a sample from this list. You will need to provide the final reports for all courses prior to receiving the recognition mark.
- Data Analysis: Information on how you evaluate the efficacy of your review process and outcomes.
Q: What kind of data analysis should institutions provide?
A: Examples include Specific Review Standards (SRSs) initially met, most common SRSs not met, DFW rates before and after course reviews, and student satisfaction surveys comparing courses before and after review are all examples of data you might provide. Institutions may determine the data most relevant to their goals.
Costs and Pricing
Q: How much do Validation Reviews cost?
A: QM offers tiered pricing based on the number of course recognitions annually:
- Tier 1: Up to 50 course recognitions in the first year - $5,000
- Tier 2: Up to 100 course recognitions in the first year - $7,500
- Tier 3: Unlimited course recognitions in the first year - $10,000
Q: Are there ongoing costs after the initial validation?
A: Yes, there will be an annual validation renewal fee of $500 per institution. Course lists for QM recognition can only be submitted quarterly or semi-annually.
Recognition and Awards
Q: What recognition do institutions receive?
A: Institutions receive:
- Institutional Recognition for demonstrated quality assurance review processes.
- The endorsement is specifically awarded to the unit or centralized office managing and responsible for the development and review of the courses. For example, the institution’s online college or campus may receive the award.
- Course Recognition with the official QM Foundational Design quality recognition mark for validated courses.
- Website Listing of recognized courses and institutions on the QM website.
Q: What is Foundational Quality in Course Design recognition?
A: This is an important benchmark in building quality assurance that recognizes courses meeting QM Essential Standards. It's available through various pathways, including Essentials Review Preparatory Review and the Validation Review pathway.
Process and Timeline
Q: How many courses can be submitted initially?
A: This will depend on the tier selected — up to 50, 51-100, or unlimited may be submitted each year.
Q: How often can courses be submitted for recognition?
A: After validation, courses can be submitted for QM recognition on a quarterly or semi-annual basis only.
Q: Is this pathway suitable for all institutions?
A: Validation Reviews are particularly beneficial for institutions that conduct 50 or more internal course reviews annually and want their quality assurance work recognized by QM for accreditors, faculty and stakeholders.
Getting Started
Q: When will this pathway be available?
A: The pathway is currently in pilot phase and is slated for a 2026 general release. More information will be shared with QM Coordinators following the pilot completion. You can sign up to be notified when it becomes available.
Q: How can I learn more or get assistance?
A: Contact the QM Quality Assurance Team if you have questions about which review type is best for your institution or how to access review tools included in your QM membership.
Q: Where can I find courses that have earned Foundational Quality recognition?
A: QM has a web page listing all courses recognized for Foundational Quality in Course Design.
