How New Online Courses and Programs Are Approved

Every new online course and program at SMU follows a structured five-step process that integrates academic approval, instructional design, and quality review before any course is delivered to students. This process has been in place since 2022 and is coordinated across Academic Affairs, OIT, and individual schools.

  1. Faculty Intent & Online Teaching Certification

    Faculty member submits an Intention to Teach Online form, indicating their course and requested timeline. Faculty must hold or complete SMU's online teaching certification before the development process begins. OPS confirms capacity and initiates onboarding.

  2. Academic Approval

    New programs require approval through the Educational Policy Committee (EPC). New courses are reviewed under SMU's guidelines for online course development. School dean and curriculum committees confirm academic alignment before production resources are committed.

  3. OPS Course Design & Development

    OPS partners with the faculty member to design and build the course in Canvas, aligned to QM standards from the outset. This includes learning objectives, assessments, instructional materials, multimedia production, accessibility review, and technology integration. A production timeline is established and monitored.

  4. Quality Matters Review

    Before first delivery, the completed course undergoes a formal Quality Matters review coordinated by OPS's QM Coordinator. The review is conducted against the QM Higher Education Rubric. Courses that do not meet the standard undergo documented remediation and re-review before launch. Review outcomes are recorded and retained.

  5. Launch, Enrollment & Ongoing Tracking

    Following successful QM review, the course is approved for delivery. OPS records the review date and enters the course into the five-year re-review tracking calendar. SMU Global & Online adds the course or program to the institutional online portfolio, coordinates any associated vendor or OPM contracts, and provides project-management support for program launches that involve external partners. Enrollment is coordinated with the school and the Office of the Registrar. Aggregate data on launched and reviewed courses is reported to the FTC Sub-Committee and COE.