Online Course Review and Certification Program (OCRC)
The Online Course Review & Certification Program (OCRC), developed by Online@JSU, officially launched in January 2023 after undergoing an extensive pilot process. This new initiative serves to achieve the following goals:
- Provide a university-wide, standardized process of developing online courses that leads to course certification
- Comply with federal guidelines provided by the U.S. Department of Education for online (distance education) courses
- Provide a framework to encourage faculty to use best practices and strategies when engaging with and teaching students in online courses/ programs.
- Collaborate with JSU faculty as subject matter experts
- Create an apparatus for continuous course review and evaluation of course effectiveness
- Improve student satisfaction with online courses and programs at JSU
- Increase student retention in online courses and programs at JSU
- Create student enrollment and recruitment opportunities
Review and enhancement of courses are based on several aspects, including:
- Best practices in course design
- Best practices in course build
- Best practices in teaching online courses
- Local JSU requirements at either the university level, school level, departmental level, or program level
- Federal guidelines
Read and review the "Online Course Certification Guide: A Guide for Administrators and Faculty" to learn more about the OCRC Program.
The Course Design Workbook: A Guide for Faculty was developed to assist faculty in preparing online courses for a successful review and certification. The workbook is divided into the following chapters:
Step 1: Learning Objectives
Step 2: Assessment & Learning Activities
Step 3: Regular & Substantive Interaction (RSI)
Step 4: Creating a Course Map
Step 5: Course Review & Development Options
Appendix A: Worksheets
Appendix B: Worksheet Samples
Appendix C: Course Review Rubric (Instrument)
More Resources
OCRC Workshops are offered throughout the academic year and are delivered online through Microsoft Teams.
Archived Workshop (Video) Sessions from Fall 2022
- Course Learning Outcomes & Module Learning Objectives: What’s the difference anyway? by Dr. Teresa Gardner
-
Out of Alignment: Successfully aligning course learning outcomes, module learning objectives, activities, and assessments by Dr. Chris Inman
-
Regular & Substantive Interaction and Course Contact Hours by Dr. Chris Inman
-
Course Mapping: Mapping Your Online Course by Dr. Allegra Smith
- Created by Online@JSU
- Intended to help you get started in developing your course
Online Course Review Requests
Instructors can submit an online course for review at any time. A successful review certifies a course for three (3) years. Instructors are expected to do the following prior to requesting a review:
- Review the Course Design Workbook & Certification Rubric.
- Make all reasonable efforts to prepare your course for review prior to submission.
Online Program Requests
Deans, department chairs/heads, and program chairs/directors can submit a request for a complete program review at any time.
Online Programs Currently Under Review
- Master of Science in Sport Management - Spring 2023
- Master of Science in Education (Physical Education) - Spring 2023
Online Programs Scheduled for Review
- Bachelor of Science in Applied Engineering - Industrial Leadership - Summer 2023/Fall 2023 (Review Begins May 16, 2023)
- Bachelor of Science in Emergency Management - Spring 2023/Summer 2023
- Master of Science in Emergency Management - Spring 2023/Summer 2023
- Master of Science in Education - Early Childhood Education P-3 - Spring 2023/Summer 2023/Fall 2023
- Master of Science in Education - Early Childhood Special Education P-3 - Spring 2023/Summer 2023/Fall 2023
- Master of Science in Education - Reading Specialist P-12 - Spring 2023/Summer 2023/Fall 2023
- Master of Science in Education - Elementary Education K-6 - Spring 2023/Summer 2023/Fall 2023
* Scheduled program review timelines may be adjusted due to a number of variables.
- How is the Certified Online Instructor Course (COI) connected to the OCRC?
- The COI is an optional professional development course that certifies instructors. The OCRC is a program that certifies courses.
- How long does a certification last?
- Once a course is certified, the certification lasts for three years. Once this period concludes, the course will be reviewed again.
- Is this program for my course?
- The OCRC is for ALL online courses at JAX state, including synchronous and asynchronous courses.
- Am I required to attend the OCRC workshops?
- No, the workshops are optional. All information needed can be found in the Online Course Certification Guide and the Online Course Design Workbook.
- When are the OCRC workshops offered?
- Currently, the workshops are offered once a semester via Microsoft Teams. All workshops are recorded and archived, however.
- Can I meet with an instructional designer to discuss this process and my online course(s)?
- Absolutely! We will be glad to meet with you. Email us at online@jsu.edu. We can meet in person or online in Microsoft Teams.
- Does this process infringe on my academic freedom as an instructor?
- Absolutely NOT! At no point in time will the process require an instructor to teach content or exclude content. YOU are the expert in your field.
- Can I schedule a workshop or series of workshops specifically for my program or department?
- Absolutely! Contact us at online@jsu.edu to discuss this option.
- How long does it take to complete an online program review?
- The timeline varies from program to program and depends on a number of variables.