Where these criteria come from
Quality Matters publishes a rubric used to review the design of online and hybrid courses. Its Higher Education Rubric, Seventh Edition, has eight general standards: course overview and introduction, learning objectives, assessment and measurement, instructional materials, learning activities and learner interaction, course technology, learner support, and accessibility and usability. It has 44 specific standards, and a course needs 85% with essential standards met for QM certification.
You cannot run a full QM review from a sales page, but you can check the same categories with the information most providers publish. The checklist below translates them into questions a buyer can answer in 20 minutes, and adds refund terms and review quality, which matter to your money rather than to course design.
The 15-point checklist
Score 1 point for partial evidence. Totals: 24 to 30 strong, 18 to 23 acceptable with known gaps, below 18 keep looking.
| # | Check | 2 points if | 0 points if |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Instructor background | Named instructor with relevant, checkable work or teaching history | No named instructor |
| 2 | Last updated date | Updated within the past 12 to 18 months for a fast-moving tool | No date, or references retired versions |
| 3 | Learning objectives | States what you will be able to do, in measurable terms | Only vague promises such as "master" a field |
| 4 | Syllabus specificity | Module-by-module list with topics and durations | Only a marketing summary |
| 5 | Time estimate | Total hours or weeks at stated hours per week | No estimate |
| 6 | Prerequisites | Lists what you need to know first | Claims to suit everyone from beginner to expert |
| 7 | Graded practice | Quizzes, exercises or labs with answers or auto-grading | Video only |
| 8 | Project output | At least one project you could show someone | No project |
| 9 | Feedback | Human or rubric-based feedback on submitted work | None |
| 10 | Learner support | Forum, office hours or support with stated response channels | No way to ask questions |
| 11 | Accessibility | Captions or transcripts and downloadable materials | Neither |
| 12 | Free preview | Sample lessons or a trial you can use | Must pay to see anything |
| 13 | Refund terms | Written window and conditions you understand | No refund policy found |
| 14 | Review quality | Reviews mention specifics and include criticism | Only generic praise |
| 15 | Credential clarity | States exactly what the certificate is and who issues it | Implies a certification or accreditation it does not name |
Red flags that override the score
On reviews, the US Federal Trade Commission finalized a rule on August 14, 2024 that bans fake reviews and testimonials, including AI-generated reviews from people who do not exist, buying positive reviews, undisclosed insider reviews and suppressing negative reviews. The rule gives the FTC power to seek civil penalties. It does not mean every review you see is genuine; it means suspicious patterns are worth taking seriously.
- Reviews that are all five-star, vague and posted in a burst.
- Testimonials from people who appear to work for the seller without saying so.
- A countdown timer or "price ends tonight" that resets when you reload.
- A certificate described as accredited or a certification with no named accreditor.
- No refund policy, or one that ends when you open the first lesson.
Worked scoring example (invented course)
A learner is considering a $90 spreadsheet course. The page names an instructor with a public portfolio (2), was updated eight months ago (2), lists objectives but some are vague (1), has a detailed module list (2), states 14 hours (2), lists prerequisites (2), has quizzes but no exercise files (1), has one final project (2), offers no feedback on submissions (0), has a Q and A board (2), captions but no transcripts (1), two free preview lessons (2), a 7-day refund window ended by certificate issue (1), reviews that mix praise and specific complaints (2), and calls its completion certificate a certificate, not a certification (2).
Total: 24 of 30, a strong result with one clear gap: no feedback. The learner decides to buy, but to post the final project in a community forum for feedback, and sets a reminder before day 7 in case the course disappoints.
Check the refund terms last, but always
Refund terms decide how cheaply you can test your score. Coursera's terms, for example, refund a one-time course purchase within 7 days of payment or before you earn a certificate, whichever comes first, and may deny a request if a significant portion of content was accessed. edX refunds its certificate track for 14 days after payment or course start, whichever is later. Our refund policies guide compares more providers.
Use the score to compare two or three shortlisted courses, then use our course project checklist on the one you choose to make sure you finish with work you can show. Sources accessed 30 October 2026.
Questions before you decide
What is Quality Matters?
Quality Matters publishes a rubric for reviewing the design of online and hybrid courses. Its Higher Education Rubric, Seventh Edition, has 8 general standards and 44 specific standards; a course needs 85% with essential standards met for QM certification.
Are fake course reviews illegal?
In the US, the FTC finalized a rule on August 14, 2024 that bans fake reviews and testimonials, buying reviews with a required sentiment, undisclosed insider reviews and review suppression, and lets the FTC seek civil penalties against knowing violators.
Sources & verification
Product details and prices can change. Check the linked provider before buying.
- Quality Matters: Higher Education Rubric Accessed 30 Oct 2026
- FTC: final rule banning fake reviews and testimonials (August 14, 2024) Accessed 30 Oct 2026
- Coursera Terms of Use (refund policy sections) Accessed 30 Oct 2026
- edX Terms of Service (refund sections) Accessed 30 Oct 2026
Sources link directly to providers. Product buttons may use separately labeled affiliate links. Read our disclosure.