While an Official Course Review for QM Certification entails a full review team reviewing a course against all the Standards in a QM Rubric, Recognition Reviews are specialized reviews that either use a subset of Standards and/or a modified review team. These review types — and the recognition mark awarded for foundational quality — can provide evidence of continuous improvement for staff, departments and institutions as courses mature.
Higher Ed QM-Managed Recognition Reviews
Managed by Quality Matters (QM) staff in compliance with QM Course Review Requirements (outlined in the Course Review Policies and Processes document). QM staff manage the review, select the review team, pay the reviewers, and invoice the institution. Recognition is awarded to courses that meet review Standards defined in the review description.
- Higher Ed Preparatory ReviewReview of a course against the entire QM Higher Education Rubric, current edition, and conducted by a Master Reviewer who is a subject matter expert and external to the institution submitting the review. This review — while not eligible for QM Certification — is often used to benchmark course design processes or to determine professional development needs.
Member Fee: $700Non-Member Fee: $1500 - QM-Managed Essentials Review (HE)Review of a course against the three-point Essential Specific Review Standards from the Essential Standards from the QM Higher Education Rubric, Seventh Edition and conducted by a Master Reviewer who is a subject matter expert and external to the institution submitting the review. All Essential Specific Review Standards must be met to receive recognition, which is valid for five years. Courses not meeting Standards are eligible for an amendment process.
Member Fee: $550Non-Member Fee: $1350
Higher Ed. Subscriber-Managed Recognition Reviews
Organizations with a Higher Education Full or System Subscription can choose to manage and conduct their own Recognition Course Reviews using Course Review Tools in MyQM. In this case, your organization would handle all the paperwork, logistics, and reviewer payments. QM’s role is to provide the review infrastructure, supporting resources and to recognize courses that meet Standards in the review. QM staff review the process and verify the awarding of the QM Recognition Mark for courses that meet review Standards defined in the review description.
- Subscriber-Managed Essentials Review (HE) Review of a course against the three-point Essential Specific Review Standards from the Essential Standards from the QM Higher Education Rubric, Seventh Edition and conducted by a Master Reviewer who is a subject matter expert and external to the institution submitting the review. All Essential Standards must be met to receive recognition, which is valid for five years. Courses not meeting Standards are eligible for an amendment process. Managed by the QM Coordinator or a certified Course Review Manager (CRM) in compliance with QM Course Review Policies and Processes.
Member Fee: $200Non-Member Fee: N/A
Validation Reviews
Institutions with a Higher Education Subscription can receive recognition for robust internal course review processes that include the current edition of the Higher Ed QM Rubric. Validation Reviews evaluate the institution's quality review process, whether the institution uses QM's Internal Review Tool in MyQM's CRMS or their own internal process. QM evaluates the process to ensure the courses meet, at a minimum, all QM Essential Standards.
- Validation Review (HE)Evaluation of an institution's internal course review process to verify that it meets QM Standards using, at minimum, the Essential Standards from the QM Higher Education Rubric, Seventh Edition. Upon meeting review criteria, institutions receive the QM Endorsement for Course Design Quality Assurance, and courses reviewed through the validated process are recognized for Foundational Design. Recognition is valid as long as the annual renewal fee is maintained.
Member Fee: $5,000–$10,000 | Annual Renewal: $500Non-Member Fee: N/A
