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.
Florida SouthWestern State College is the first institution in the Florida College System to receive the Quality Matters (QM) Program Design Certification for its Associate in Science in Criminal Justice Technology. This prestigious certification recognizes programs that demonstrate a high level of excellence in online course structure across an entire program. The certification process evaluates consistent, aligned course design, use of QM-certified faculty and instructional designers, and an institutional commitment to quality assurance and continuous improvement. FSW's achievement marks the first Program Design Certification awarded in Florida and the only one in the nation for a Criminal Justice program, reflecting the College's dedication to delivering intentional, high-quality, and sustainable online education.
Online faculty members interested in pursuing QM Certification can contact elearning@fsw.edu.