Candidates will further develop and apply their personal leadership resources within the context of system leadership. The focus is on understanding the interaction of the personal and professional ethical self and the need for ongoing reflection and learning. The focus includes building candidate capacity to establish and sustain a broadly shared mission, vision and goals.

Candidates will integrate theory and practice as it relates to creating system coherence, leading the instructional program, building staff capacity for evidence-informed decision-making, providing job-embedded professional learning and nurturing productive working relationships with staff and stakeholders. The focus is on understanding leadership and management from a system perspective.

Candidates will expand their knowledge of legislation, policies and structures that provide the framework for ethical and legal decision-making in education in Ontario. The focus is on applying this knowledge to complex issues that arise given the complexity and diversity of Ontario society.

Candidates will acquire and consolidate knowledge of policy governance, systems thinking and provincial and district vision as the foundation for building relationships and developing human resource capacity for realizing system goals. The focus is on understanding the supervisory officer’s role in the design and implementation of the strategic plan and organizational culture.

The duration of the practicum will be a minimum of 50 hours (there is no in-class time for the practicum).

Supervisory officer candidates, in consultation with their SOQP mentor/instructor and a district practicum mentor, identify a specific leadership project related to the role of supervisory officer to which they apply appropriate legislation, school board policies and related research or theoretical concepts to a system setting.

The practicum proposal may be approved only after a candidate has successfully completed two modules.

Leadership Practicum Handbook

Leadership Practicum Guide

• Form 1
• Form 2
• Form 3 - 8

Academic Candidates

• Supervisory Officer's signature verifying at least five (5) years classroom teaching experience
• Certification of Qualification or Interim Certificate
• Intermediate division qualifications in a general education subject from Schedule A or a qualification in Grades 9 and 10 in a technological education subject from Schedule B and qualifications in any two of
  • the Primary division
  • the Junior division
  • either the Senior division in a general education subject from Schedule A or Grades 11 and 12 in a technological education subject from Schedule B, or qualifications that the Registrar considers to be equivalent
• An acceptable post-secondary degree (undergraduate) or qualifications that the Registrar considers equivalent
• An acceptable master's degree with 30 graduate post-secondary credits or their equivalent, or a doctorate of which the credits or their equivalent were completed in addition to any credits required for initial certification. A copy of your master's transcript is required when applying. This transcript must clearly show
  • Your name
  • Total graduate level courses
  • Total graduate level credits
  • Confirmation of graduation with date and
  • University name.
• One of the following
  • Elementary School Principal's Certificate, a Secondary School Principal's Certificate - Type A, a Secondary School Principal's Certificate - Type B, or a Secondary School Principal's Certificate, or qualifications to be a principal from a jurisdiction outside Ontario, verified by the appropriate supervisory official
  • Certificate of Qualification indicating qualifications in Part 1 & 2 - Principals Qualification Program (PQP)
  • Experience in the position of principal outside Ontario that the Registrar considers to be equivalent to a position in Ontario for which principal's qualifications are required under the Education Act
  • Specialist or honour specialist qualifications in one or more subjects and, in addition to five years of classroom teaching experience, at least two school years of successful experience as a teacher appointed by a school board to supervise or co-ordinate a subject or program or to act as a consultant for teachers of a subject or program, as verified by the appropriate supervisory officer or supervisory official
  • Specialist or honour specialist qualifications from a jurisdiction outside Ontario, as verified by the appropriate supervisory official, the Registrar considers to be equivalent to specialist or honour specialist qualifications in one or more subjects and, in addition to five years of classroom teaching experience, at least two years of successful experience in a position the Registrar considers to be equivalent to a position as a teacher appointed by a school board to supervise or co-ordinate a subject or program or to act as a consultant for teachers of a subject or program, as verified by the appropriate supervisory officer or supervisory official
  • In addition to five years of classroom teaching experience, at least two years of experience as an education officer employed at the Ministry of Education, as verified by a district manager or branch director of the Ministry, or an employee outside Ontario in a position that the Registrar considers to be equivalent to the position of supervisory officer of a school board, as verified by the appropriate supervisory official or a program consultant seconded to the Ontario Ministry of Education for French-language, English-language or Native-language programs, as verified by a district manager or branch director of the Ministry of Education.

Business Candidates

• At least seven years of experience in business administration, including at least three years in a managerial role relevant to the role of business supervisory officer (require a detailed original letter from a board directors/head of companies, indicating job title, specific dates in role, detailed responsibilities, evidence of managerial experience)
• An acceptable post-secondary degree (web print-outs are not accepted)

AND Either

• A master's degree (web print-outs are not accepted)

OR 

• qualified to practice as an
  • architect
  • certified general accountant
  • certified management accountant
  • chartered accountant
  • lawyer
  • professional engineer
  • professional planner
  • certified human resource professional
  • or is qualified to practice in another professional capacity that, in the opinion of the Minister, provides experience appropriate for the position of business supervisory officer

AND Either

• Successfully completed a program in school board management
  • the person holds a master's degree that is an acceptable post-secondary degree and has successfully completed a graduate course, either as part of or in addition to the courses necessary to obtain the degree, in each of school board finance and school board administration

OR

• • the person has other post-secondary education and experience that the Minister considers relevant to the role of a business supervisory officer and equivalent to the program in school board management. (Require Ministry Attestation form completed by Director or Superintendent and approval from Minister)

Summer 2024: Online or Onsite (Hybrid)

Format: Modules 1 or 3 and 2 or 4 are offered online or onsite (hybrid) within the Greater Toronto Area*. Please note that onsite (hybrid) modules will have limited space, with some elements (e.g., guest speakers) joining virtually throughout the program.

Candidates will receive access to the module shortly after the application deadline date. There are pre-module assignments required to be completed prior to synchronous facilitation. Synchronous facilitation will occur each day from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. for the dates listed below. We strongly encourage candidates to register for onsite (hybrid) so you're able to connect with your mentor face-to-face.

Module 1 or 3

Date: July 7 - 9

Module 2 or 4

Date: July 10 - 12 

Application Deadline: June 9, 2024

Note: You will receive access to our Learning Management System, Canvas, by June 14.

*Onsite (hybrid) is currently scheduled to occur at the OPC offices (20 Queen Street W) but this will be finalized in a few weeks. Candidates who register for onsite (hybrid) will receive an email shortly after the registration deadline to book their accommodation at OPC's exclusive hotel rate if you require a room.  

Fall 2024: Online or Onsite (Hybrid)

Format: Modules 1 or 3 are offered online or onsite (hybrid) within the Greater Toronto Area. Please note that onsite (hybrid) modules will have limited space, with some elements (e.g., guest speakers) joining virtually throughout the program.

Candidates will receive access to the module shortly after the application deadline date. There are pre-module assignments required to be completed prior to synchronous facilitation. Synchronous facilitation will occur each day from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. for the dates listed below. We strongly encourage candidates to register for onsite (hybrid) so you're able to connect with your mentor face-to-face.

Module 1 or 3

Date: October 25 - 27

Application Deadline: September 27, 2024*

*Registration for Fall 2024 will open shortly.

Note: You will receive access to our Learning Management System, Canvas, on October 2.

Winter 2025: Online

Format: Modules 2 or 4 are offered in online only format.* 

Candidates will receive access to the module shortly after the application deadline date. There are pre-module assignments required to be completed prior to synchronous facilitation. Synchronous facilitation will occur each day from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. for the dates listed below. 

Module 2 or 4

Date: February 21 - 23 

Application Deadline: January 24, 2025

*Modules will not be offered in person for the Winter session due to the unpredictability of Toronto weather. 

Note: You will receive access to our Learning Management System, Canvas, on January 29.

Summer 2025: Online or Onsite (Hybrid)

Format: Modules 1 or 3 and 2 or 4 are offered online or onsite (hybrid) within the Greater Toronto Area. Please note that onsite (hybrid) modules will have limited space, with some elements (e.g., guest speakers) joining virtually throughout the program.

Candidates will receive access to the module shortly after the application deadline date. There are pre-module assignments required to be completed prior to synchronous facilitation. Synchronous facilitation will occur each day from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. for the dates listed below. We strongly encourage candidates to register for onsite (hybrid) so you're able to connect with your mentor face-to-face.

Module 1 or 3

Date: July 6 - 8

Module 2 or 4

Date: July 9 - 11 

Application Deadline: June 8, 2025

Note: You will receive access to our Learning Management System, Canvas, by June 13.

Register

Attestation form – School Board Management Equivalency Program (Business candidates only)

Register

• Leadership Practicum Handbook
• Leadership Practicum Guide

• • Form 1
  • Form 2
  • Form 3 - 8

Register

Prior to registering for your practicum:

• You must have successfully completed two modules.
• You must have forms one and two completed and signed.

Please register for the practicum as a returning candidate.

A full refund is available if you cancel up to two weeks before the start date, less a $50.00 non-refundable registration fee.

A $250.00 refund is available if you cancel one week before the start date.

There is no refund for cancellations after the start date.

A full refund applies when a session is cancelled due to low enrollment.