Pre-module and Canvas Learning Management System (LMS) Access

Pre-module Work

The content includes a course overview and opportunity for community building. There may be some other specific assignments designed to help candidates reflect and prepare for productive conversations and participation.

Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Pre-module

All candidates will be asked to complete an Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) self-directed module (generally 2-5 hours) that is meant activate prior knowledge, provide an opportunity for self-reflection and new knowledge building. It is our hope that you will take the learning and reflection from this pre-module forward into the course as you engage with the facilitator and colleagues on a variety of topics. 

Canvas Learning Management System (LMS) Access

All program content and the Canvas Learning Management System (LMS) access will be available to candidates/participants at least one week in advance of the program/course and will remain active for two weeks after the end of the program/course. Following this period, candidates/participants will no longer have access to assignments, conversations, resources or other content. Please save any information that you would like to retain during the timeframe that you have access to the LMS.

PQP Part 1 Modules

Module 1: The Role of the Principal

Module 2: Equitable and Inclusive Schools

Module 3: Management and Leadership

Module 4: Pedagogical Leadership

Module 5: Inclusive Education

Module 6: Co-creating Safe Schools

PQP Part 2 Modules

Module 7: The Changing Role of the School Leader

Module 8: Co-creating an Inclusive School

Module 9: Building Professional Capital

Module 10: Evidence-based Decision Making

Module 11: Building Relationships with Parents and the Community

Module 12: Supporting Wellness and Well-Being

Candidates will need to purchase a copy of the required text prior to the start of the program. Purchasing information is included below.

Part 1 Text - Required

Street Data: A Next Generation Model for Equity, Pedagogy and School Transformation

by Shane Safir and Jamila Dugan (2021)

Available through Corwin Canada, Amazon.ca or Indigo.ca.

Part 1 Text - Recommended

Collaborative Inquiry For Educators: A Facilitator's Guide to School Improvement

by Jenni Donohoo (2013)

Available through Corwin Canada, Amazon.ca or Indigo.ca.

Part 2 Text - Required   

Unearthing Joy: A Guide to Culturally and Historically Responsive Curriculum and Instruction

by Gholdy Muhammad (2023)

Available through Scholastic.ca, Amazon.ca or Indigo.ca.

Master's Dimension

The Master's Dimension (MD) option is available if you plan on completing PQP Part 1 and Part 2 through the OPC and would like advance standing credits to pursue a Master of Education degree.

For more information, please visit our MD overview.

The LIP must apply to a school setting and be mentored by a practising principal or vice-principal. The duration of the LIP will be a minimum of 50 hours, of which 20 hours could be observation. Candidates identify a specific LIP informed by the PQP content and the Ontario Leadership Framework for Principals and Vice-Principals and a problem of practice in a school setting.

Candidates will develop a LIP proposal in Part 1 and must successfully complete the LIP experience before their Part 2 qualification is considered complete.

Deadline - Candidates have three years after the date of completion of the Part 1 course to complete all components of their practicum. Any submissions after that date will be subject to a Practicum Assessment Fee of $150.

Note for candidates who choose a PQP provider other than OPC:

• If a candidate takes Part 1 with OPC, then Part 2 with a different provider, the practicum is still completed with OPC. A confirmation of completion letter will be issued that the candidate can submit to their course provider who will report their Part 2 qualification to OCT.
• If a candidate took Part 1 with a different provider and takes Part 2 with OPC, they will need to provide OPC with a practicum confirmation of completion for their Part 2 qualification to be reported to OCT.
• Submit requests or documentation by email to pqp@principals.ca or by upload during registration (as applicable).

PQP Part 1

Candidates must have:

• Ontario College of Teachers (OCT) certificate.
• OCT profile reflecting they are a Member in Good Standing.
• An acceptable post-secondary degree.
• Qualifications in three divisions, where one division is in Intermediate, defined as
• in the intermediate division in a general education subject listed in Schedule A or
• for technological teachers, qualifications in grades 9 and 10 in a technological education subject listed in Schedule B. 
• Five years of verified classroom teaching experience in elementary or secondary education.
• One from this list of further qualifications:
• Two Specialist AQ from Schedule D (or two Honour Specialist AQ from Schedule E) or combination.
• One Specialist AQ and a half master's degree.
• A full master's degree or a doctorate.
• At least 30 graduate credits or equivalent.

Transcripts - Candidates applying with graduate credits, such as a master's degree or who would like consideration of a half master's, must submit a transcript to OPC for evaluation to determine if the prerequisites for admission have been met. A digital copy will suffice (an original is not necessary).

Transcripts will be evaluated as follows:

• The graduate credits must have been granted by an institution authorized to grant an acceptable postsecondary degree.
• They were completed in addition to any credits applied towards initial certification. 

For detailed information on the PQP admission requirements, please see Regulation 176/10 from the Education Statutes and Regulations of Ontario. 

If there is a qualification that is not yet posted to OCT certificate, a Conditional Admission Form (for Part 1 candidates) or equivalent documentation to verify the completion, must be submitted before the start of the Part 1 program.

PQP Part 2

Candidates must have:

• Ontario College of Teachers (OCT) certificate.
• OCT profile reflecting they are a Member in Good Standing.
• Completed PQP Part 1
  • If the qualification is not yet posted on the OCT certificate and the course was completed 
    • with OPC, candidates that are registering for consecutive sessions (Part 1 followed by Part 2) the verification of completion will be handled internally.
    • with a provider other than OPC, a Conditional Admission Form (for Part 2 candidates) or equivalent documentation to verify the completion, must be submitted before the start of the Part 2 program.

General Online - Part 1 and 2 are always offered and open to all eligible teachers. Board participation is now posted by mode of course delivery.

Summer registration closed

Fall 2025

General Online - Part 1 and 2 are always offered and open to all eligible teachers. Board participation will be posted when information is available. 

*Dates are tentative and subject to change.

Fall registration deadline: Sunday, September 7, 2025

Spring 2026

General Online - Part 1 and 2 are always offered and open to all eligible teachers. Board participation will be posted when information is available. 

*Dates are tentative and subject to change.

Spring registration deadline: Sunday, January 25, 2026

Academic Integrity and Engagement

Professional Learning Expectations and Standards

Accessibility and Other Policies

Our Accessibility and other policies that relate to our programs are outlined on the OPC Policies webpage.

Non-payment

Candidates are asked to pay the PQP program fee during the registration process. Full payment is required for registration to be confirmed.

If payment is not been received, an email with a link to complete payment will be sent as a reminder. The link is available for 4 days before your application to the program is cancelled. Afterwards, if you wish to continue your application, you will need to contact us. 

Refund Policy

A full refund applies when an offered section or session is cancelled due to low enrollment.

1. OPC's program is accredited and follows the Ontario College of Teachers’ regulations.
2. Contracts exemplary, provincially-trained, practising principals as facilitators/mentors.
3. Designed with input from principals and vice-principals to meet the needs of candidates from all school boards.
4. Features expert guest presenters.
5. A step in the leadership development continuum that school boards can partner with OPC to provide support for aspiring school leaders, provincial licensing, mentoring program, professional development workshops/presentations and Supervisory Officer's Qualification Program.
6. OPC encourages a diverse group of candidates from various backgrounds and experiences in which to facilitate the opportunity to think and learn with and from each other and develop long lasting multi-school board networking
7. Offers the PQP Master's Dimension.
   • Candidates who choose the Master's Dimension will be awarded Master's level credits in recognition of the completion of PQP Part 1 and 2 upon enrolment in their Master's program with post-secondary partners.
8. Engages candidates in professional learning around collaborative practice and the use of data to improve teaching and learning.
9. Provides a North American informed Emotional Intelligence Inventory to give feedback to the candidates around the strengths and areas for growth as a school administrator.
10. Provides a focus on the legal responsibilities of a principal.
11. Offers case study exercises to enhance the practical learning experience.
12. Provides opportunity for local input on school board policy, protocol and professional practice.

• Part 1 Conditional Admission Form
• Part 2 Conditional Admission Form

Conditional Admission Form instructions:

Part A is to be completed by the Instructor or someone from admission, confirming your successful completion.

Part B is completed by us at OPC.

Part C is completed by you.

This form can be uploaded to your candidate file via upload link when completed. OPC requires the form prior to the PQP start date.

As part of the application process, you are required to provide adequate proof of 5+ years teaching experience.

Ontario School Board Teachers

A Superintendent must verify all teaching experience. If you are not sure of the person in charge of signing, please enquire with your board's employee/teaching records team directly. A Principal may NOT confirm your experience. 

Process:

• Once you register, you will be prompted to forward an email to the contact at your board who would verify your teaching experience.
• The Superintendent can complete the form to verify that you have the required years of experience.
• OPC will receive an automatic email confirmation upon completion of the form and your file will be updated to reflect that this requirement has been met.

Private Schools or First Nations Education Authority in Ontario

If you work at a private school (international or otherwise) operating in Ontario or a First Nations Authority, your teaching experience must be verified with the signature of a Supervisory Official. A Principal may NOT confirm your experience.

In Ontario, there is a Ministry of Education official appointed to provide supervisory services. The OCT has a form (fillable PDF) that can be submitted with your request - Statement of Successful Teaching Experience

Contact:

Private Schools and International Education Unit
Field Services Branch
Ministry of Education
416-325-1981
fsb.psie@ontario.ca

This form can be uploaded to your OPC candidate file via upload link when completed. We require the form prior to the PQP start date to finalize your admission to the program.

INTERNATIONAL (Outside of Ontario):

Applicants that have work experience teaching abroad are considered. You must be qualified to teach in the jurisdiction where the school is located and in a paid position for the experience to be acceptable. Refer to OCT's page on acceptable teaching experience for guidelines. 

Documentation requirements are:

• Must be official school letterhead with employment details, which include position, grades taught and dates.
• Signed by the headmaster / supervisory / district official of the school or equivalent.

A tax receipt will be generated and available on your OPC account by the end of February for the previous tax year.

To access the document:

• Log into the OPC website.
• Go to "My Profile" on the navy blue bar towards the top right of the browser window.
• Click on “Program Tax Receipts”.
• Select the appropriate year to open and print your tax receipt.