Standards Overview
The 7 Standards
The Mesa+ Rubric is organized into seven standards that represent the essential components of quality online and hybrid course design. Each standard begins with an overview describing its purpose and includes individual criterion pages that provide practical guidance, examples, and design tips for implementation.
Rubric Overview
Rubric at a Glance
The Mesa+ Rubric consists of seven standards and 42 criteria that support quality online and hybrid course design. Each criterion is assigned a priority level to help faculty focus their course improvement efforts.
| Essential | 22 |
| Very Important | 7 |
| Important | 13 |
| Total Criteria | 42 |
Additionally, 17 criteria throughout the rubric support Regular and Substantive Interaction (RSI).
Criteria Ranking Explanation
Understanding the Priority Levels
Each criterion is assigned a priority level to help faculty determine where to begin.
Essential
Core practices that provide the foundation for student success, accessibility, compliance, and effective online course design.
Very Important
Practices that strengthen course quality, learner engagement, organization, and instructional effectiveness.
Important
Practices that further enrich course quality and support continuous improvement beyond the foundational expectations.
Some criteria also support Regular and Substantive Interaction (RSI). Throughout the rubric, these criteria are identified using the RSI indicator.
Standards Description
Purpose
Introduces learners to the course by providing essential information, expectations, policies, and resources needed for success.
Criteria
Of the six criteria all are Essential; 4 support RSI.
| Standar 1 Criteria | Priority | RSI |
1.1: Welcome & Getting Started | Essential | ✓ |
1.2: Module Overviews | Essential | ✓ |
1.3: Course Info. & Syllabus | Essential | ✓ |
1.4: Policies & Support | Essential | ✓ |
1.5: Technology Requirements | Essential | X |
1.6: Course Competencies | Essential | X |
Purpose
Integrates technology intentionally to support learning while preparing students to use required tools effectively.
Criteria
Of the four criteria one is Essential; none support RSI.
| Standar 2 Criteria | Priority | RSI |
2.1: Technology Alignment | Essential | X |
2.2: Technology Readiness | Very Important | X |
2.3: Privacy Policies | Important | X |
2.4: Access to Technology | Very Important | X |
Purpose
Designs a well-organized, intuitive and consistent learning environment that supports navigation, engagement, and learner success.
Criteria
Of the five criteria two are Essential; 2 support RSI.
| Standar 3 Criteria | Priority | RSI |
3.1: Navigation & Layout | Essential | X |
3.2: Content Organization | Very Important | X |
3.3: Clear Instructions | Essential | ✓ |
3.4: Authentic Content | Important | X |
3.5: Multimodal Learning | Very Important | ✓ |
Purpose
Aligns objectives, learning activities, instructional resources, and academic engagement to promote meaningful learning.
Criteria
Of the six criteria three are Essential; 3 support RSI.
| Standar 4 Criteria | Priority | RSI |
4.1: Module-Level Objectives | Essential | ✓ |
4.2: Engaging Learning | Essential | ✓ |
4.3: Meaningful Connections | Very Important | X |
4.4: Critical Perspectives | Important | X |
4.5: Affordable Learning | Important | X |
4.6: Academic Participation | Essential | ✓ |
Purpose
Establishes meaningful instructor presence and purposeful learner interaction to foster communication, collaboration, and a connected learning community.
Criteria
Of the five criteria one is Essential; all 5 support RSI.
| Standar 5 Criteria | Priority | RSI |
5.1: Regular & Substantive Interaction | Essential | ✓ |
5.2: Learning Community | Very Important | ✓ |
5.3: Interaction Expectations | Very Important | ✓ |
5.4: Instructor Communication | Important | ✓ |
5.5: Instructor Presence | Important | ✓ |
Purpose
Designs authentic assessments and provides meaningful feedback to support student learning and success.
Criteria
Of the seven criteria three are Essential; 3 support RSI.
| Standar 6 Criteria | Priority | RSI |
6.1: Assessment & Feedback | Essential | ✓ |
6.2: Authentic Assessment | Important | X |
6.3: Self-Assessment & Reflection | Important | X |
6.4: Assessment Criteria | Essential | ✓ |
6.5: Assessment Expectations | Essential | ✓ |
6.6: Gradebook Transparency | Essential | X |
6.7 Student Feedback | Important | X |
Purpose
Designs course materials and technology to meet accessibility standards and ensure equitable access for all learners.
Criteria
Of the nine criteria all are Essential; none support RSI.
| Standar 7 Criteria | Priority | RSI |
7.1: Approved Technology | Essential | X |
7.2: Text Formatting | Essential | X |
7.3: Readable Text | Essential | X |
7.4: Text Equivalents | Essential | X |
7.5: Descriptive Hyperlinks | Essential | X |
7.6: Color & Contrast | Essential | X |
7.7: Tables | Essential | X |
7.8: Slideshows | Essential | X |
7.9: Motion & Flashing | Essential | X |