Online courses that earn Quality Matters (QM) Certification have successfully met a rigorous set of standards for online course design after review by a team of QM certified peer-reviewers that includes a discipline expert and experienced online instructors. QM Standards and the faculty-centered review process are internationally recognized for being supported by research and based on best practices. Courses that meet QM standards are also recognized by the state's Florida Quality Initiative as "High Quality" online courses.
Florida SouthWestern State College is the first Florida College System institution to receive the QM Online Teaching Support Certification. The Online Teaching Support Certification recognizes programs that require all online faculty to undergo training in best practices for online course delivery, provide faculty with ongoing pedagogical support, encourage faculty professional development to increase their knowledge and skill in online teaching, emphasize instructor availability and feedback to learners, and collect and use feedback from learners to improve online teaching.
Online faculty members interested in pursuing QM Certification can contact elearning@fsw.edu.
Florida SouthWestern State College participates in the State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements.