The Office of the Provost has launched a new initiative to strengthen the quality of online learning at USC through a structured Online Course Quality Review Process. With support from the Center for Teaching Excellence (CTE), this effort establishes a coordinated approach to reviewing asynchronous online courses across the university.
The process begins with 100 and 200 level online courses enrolling 50 or more students that will be offered in Summer and Fall 2026, then expands to include all undergraduate online courses. Each year, Aisha Haynes, CTE’s Associate Director and Director of Distributed Learning and Innovation, will work with colleges to identify courses for review. Reviews may be conducted by CTE instructional designers or at the college level and are guided by the Quality Standards for Online Courses (QSOC), which are based on national models such as Quality Matters (QM) and SUNY Online Course Quality Review Rubric (OSCQR).
The review framework emphasizes both the faculty member and the course to ensure strong design and effective teaching. Faculty collaborate with instructional designers or peer reviewers who provide guidance and feedback to highlight course strengths and identify opportunities for improvement. The process is intended to be collegial and constructive, recognizing the excellent work of faculty and supporting continuous enhancement of course quality and student learning.
Faculty preparing to teach online are encouraged to use the Get Started Teaching Online resource, which provides practical steps for planning and building high-quality courses aligned with QSOC expectations. The guide helps online instructors design their courses proactively and prepare effectively for future reviews.
Those who are not yet scheduled for review are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the QSOC checklist and begin evaluating the quality of their own online courses in advance. Taking a proactive approach allows faculty to strengthen course design, organization, accessibility, and engagement before the formal review process begins.
The Center for Teaching Excellence offers templates, consultations, video and multimedia assistance, and professional development opportunities to support educators throughout the course design and review process. Faculty can also request input through the Online Course Delivery Feedback initiative to gain insights into the student experience and strengthen ongoing instruction. This multi-year initiative reflects a shared commitment to quality, collaboration, and student success in online education.