Creating an Online Course

Information for Faculty and Staff

Morgan Online supports faculty in the development, delivery, and review of high-quality online courses. Faculty interested in developing an online course, becoming an online course reviewer, or strengthening their teaching practices can access training, resources, and support through Morgan Online.

Creating an Online Course

Morgan State University is a member of Maryland Online and uses the Quality Matters (QM) Rubric as a guide for online course development and review. Online courses are expected to meet Quality Matters standards through an internal review process.

Faculty interested in developing an online course should complete the following steps:

1. VERIFY that the course is appropriate for online development. Schools and departments determine which courses are developed for online delivery. Faculty should confirm with their department chair that the proposed course supports the objectives and needs of the department or program.

2. CONFIRM course development support. Contact Morgan Online to determine the availability of funding and support for course development.

3. OBTAIN departmental approval. Faculty must receive approval from their department chair to develop a course for online delivery. The department chair should contact Morgan Online to confirm approval.

4. COMPLETE the appropriate course development and online teaching preparation. Faculty developing online courses participate in training designed to support effective online course design and delivery, including appropriate Quality Matters and Morgan Teach Online learning opportunities.

5. OBTAIN the Canvas course template. Morgan State University uses Canvas as the learning management system for online courses. Morgan Online provides a Canvas course template to support consistent, accessible, and student-centered course development.

6. DEVELOP your online course. Use the Morgan Online Canvas course template and established course design expectations to build the course. Morgan Online staff provide instructional design guidance and support throughout the development process.

For information about developing an online course, contact Dr. Cynthia Brown-LaVeist, Director of Morgan Online, at cynthia.brownlaveist@morgan.edu or 443-885-4720.

Becoming an Online Course Reviewer

Morgan State University uses certified Quality Matters Peer Reviewers to conduct internal Quality Matters reviews of online courses.

COMPLETE Quality Matters reviewer preparation. Faculty interested in becoming online course reviewers must meet Quality Matters reviewer requirements and complete the appropriate training. Morgan Online provides training and incentives for qualified faculty who participate in the internal course review process.

For information about becoming an online course reviewer, contact Dr. Cynthia Brown-LaVeist at cynthia.brownlaveist@morgan.edu.

Strengthening Your Teaching with ACUE

Morgan faculty also have access to professional learning opportunities through the Association of College and University Educators (ACUE). ACUE provides evidence-based teaching practices and practical strategies that can be used across in-person, hybrid, and online courses to increase student engagement and support student success.

Through Morgan's participation in the Community for HBCU Advancement Through Networked Growth and Excellence (CHANGE) Initiative, faculty, staff, and graduate students can access ACUE Effective Teaching Practices, ACUE Commons, self-paced Quick Studies, events, and other professional learning resources.

EXPLORE ACUE professional learning opportunities to learn more about available programs, teaching resources, and opportunities through Morgan State University.

Becoming an Online Course Reviewer

Morgan uses Certified Quality Matters Peer Reviewers to perform internal QM reviews of its online courses. To become a reviewer, you must meet the Quality Matters requirements.  Morgan Online provides training and incentives for reviewers. Please contact online@morgan.edu for more information.