History of Online Course Review at NMU
During the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) visit in 2017, reviewers noted inconsistencies in rigor and expectations across NMU’s online courses. As part of their feedback, HLC recommended that the university establish a more systematic and inclusive process to ensure quality, consistency, and rigor in the online learning environment.
In response, stakeholders from across the institution, including Extended Learning, faculty scholars, Institutional Effectiveness, and the Center for Teaching and Learning, collaborated to develop a structured approach to online course quality. This work involved faculty forums, pilot studies, lunch-and-learn sessions, consultations with key partners such as the AAUP, and engagement with executive leadership.
The result was the development of a systematic, scaffolded process for online course review and improvement, modeled on the nationally recognized Quality Matters framework and adapted to NMU’s teaching and learning context.
Please use this site as a resource and reach out if you have questions.
Minimum Standards
To learn more about minimum standards, please view this informational video. In Fall 2026, the online course review will transition from minimum standards to quality standards.
Faculty Resources for Online Course Review
Distance Learning Criteria: Increasing Online Course Design Standards
Questions?
Questions can be directed to Dr. Lucy A. Johnson, Assistant Director of Online Learning and Development (lucyjohn@nmu.edu).
Online course review letters will be communicated to instructors via onlreview@nmu.edu