Distance and Online Education partners with colleges to administer online course reviews. Reviews are conducted on a rotating three-year cycle to support institutional compliance requirements and advance the university's commitment to continuous improvement.
About Online Course Review
Distance and Online Education began conducting reviews of online courses in 2021 to satisfy an institutional audit requirement. Online course reviews are conducted on a rotating 3-year cycle using the 10 components outlined in the Course Essentials Checklist. The checklist is aligned with nationally recognized Quality Matters essential standards for assessing quality in online instructional practice.
We encourage you to use the Online Course Essentials Checklist to review your online courses, and to take advantage of the DIY resources below or contact DOE for assistance as you identify areas for improvement.
Online Course Review Resources
Online course review provides an opportunity for intentional reflection and continuous improvement. Faculty and departments will find practical resources and support to refresh online offerings.
Review Course Essentials
Practical Resources: Download the Course Essentials Checklist to use as a proactive self-evaluation tool to apply Quality Matters (QM) practices in your online course.
Update ICON Course Sites
Practical Resources: Follow a few simple steps to refine your ICON course navigation, structure and layout. Clarity improves student satisfaction, motivation and persistence.
Professional Development
Deep Dives: Explore additional resources, self-paced training, and support services in the Professional Development section of the Teach Online website.
Process and Timeline
Online course reviews follow a regular cycle of advance communication, review completion, and follow-up conversations around review data and scalable supports. Learn more about this cadence and where your college is located in the rotating schedule.
Annual Review Cycle
- Fall/Spring - Messaging to faculty and colleges scheduled for course review. Resources are shared to enable course revision in advance of scheduled review.
- Summer - Online course review for prior academic year is conducted (refer to rotating schedule for additional detail).
- Fall/Winter - Associate deans meet with DOE and receive results of their college’s online course reviews.
Rotating Review Schedule by College
- Summer 2026 - AY2025 online courses for the following colleges will be reviewed:
College of Liberal Arts and Sciences and University College. - Summer 2027 - AY2026 online courses for the following colleges will be reviewed: Carver College of Medicine, College of Dentistry, College of Engineering, College of Law, College of Pharmacy, College of Public Health, Graduate College, and the Tippie College of Business.
- Summer 2028 - AY2027 online courses for the following colleges will be reviewed: College of Education and the College of Nursing.
Distance and Online Education (DOE) supports all aspects of designing and teaching an online course. Contact us with questions or to request assistance.