Special to the
Opelika Observer
Southern Union State Community College’s Online English Composition I Course (English 101) recently received the nationally recognized Quality Matters Certification Mark for meeting course design standards in an Official Quality Matters peer review.
Quality Matters, a nationally recognized, faculty-centered, peer review process that certifies the quality of online courses, has recognized Southern Union English Faculty members Emily Laseter and Casey Van Horn’s commitment to quality assurance for designing the English Composition I course that meets Quality Matters standards.
Through this process, reviewers provide instructors and instructional design teams with insight and recommendations that increase learner engagement, retention and satisfaction, and, ultimately, learner achievement.
“This initiative is part of an ongoing commitment to providing our students the best possible educational experience. Earning this designation helps ensure that our students will receive a superior online learning experience,” said Dr. Linda North, dean of academics at SUSCC.
North added that the college is seeking certification for other online courses as well.
With campuses in Wadley, Opelika and Valley, Southern Union is the second oldest two-year college in the state of Alabama and is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges to award associates degrees.
An international, US-based nonprofit organization, Quality Matters specializes in standards, processes and professional development for quality assurance in online and blended learning. Their resources are regularly revised to reflect current research and best practices.