PQP Modules 

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

In accordance with the requirements set by the OCT, each PQP Part (1 or 2) will consist of 125 hours. The charts below outlines how the time is distributed between delivery formats: 

Candidates will receive an invitation email to access our Canvas Learning Management System (LMS) which will include their login information. It is important to review the learning expectations.

Pre-assignments

There are assignments that will need to be completed in advance of the program start date, including:

• An equity, diversity and inclusion module.
• Program-specific tasks designed to help candidates reflect and prepare for productive conversations and participation.

Access Timeframe

All program content and Canvas access will be available to candidates/participants:

• One week in advance of the program start date.
• Accounts will remain active for four weeks after the program end date.

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. 

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 want to pursue a master's 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 60 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 late fee of $150 and may require the submission of a new practicum proposal.

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

• If a candidate takes Part 2 with a different provider, the practicum should still be completed with OPC and it is the candidate's responsibility to request a confirmation of their completion.
• If a candidate takes Part 2 with OPC and Part 1 was completed with a different provider, it is the candidate's responsibility to provide their practicum confirmation to OPC.
• Submit requests or documentation by email to pqp@principals.ca or by upload during registration to the program (as applicable).

PQP Part 1

Candidates must have:

• Ontario College of Teachers profile reflecting that they are a Member in Good Standing.
• Teacher's certificate.
• An acceptable postsecondary degree.
• Qualifications in three divisions (one of which must be Intermediate).
  • For technological teachers, qualifications in grades 9 and 10 in a technological education subject listed in Schedule B or in the intermediate division in a general education subject listed in Schedule A. 
• Five years of verified classroom teaching experience in elementary or secondary education.
• One from this list of further qualifications:
• Two Specialist Additional Qualifications (AQ) or
• One Specialist AQ and a half master's degree or
• A full master's degree or a doctorate or
• At least 30 graduate credits or their equivalent.

Transcripts - Candidates applying with graduate credits, such as a master's degree or would like consideration of a half master's, are required to submit a transcript of these programs to OPC for evaluation prior to the start date of the PQP 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 and have been completed in addition to any credits applied towards initial certification. 
• An honour specialist qualification is accepted and fulfill the specialist admission prerequisite. 
• Effective September 30, 2011, qualifications in three subjects from Schedule F is deemed to be equivalent to one specialist or honour specialist qualification for the purposes of admission to the PQP.
• 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 profile reflecting that 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 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.
  • For OPC candidates that are registering for consecutive sessions (Part 1 followed by Part 2) the verification of completion will be handled internally and the above form/documentation requirement is not applicable.

Hybrid Delivery

The program includes in-person sessions, synchronous sessions, asynchronous work and group and partner work. Candidates taking the hybrid delivery option are required to attend the in-person and synchronous sessions, the rest of the program can be completed online at your own pace.

Board Cohorts and In-person Locations:

• York Region DSB - Part 1
  • Centre for Leadership and Learning - 300 Harry Walker Parkway South, Newmarket, Ontario L3Y 8E2 (905) 727-3141

Online Delivery

The program includes synchronous sessions, asynchronous work and group and partner work. There are two mandatory synchronous sessions per module.

Board Cohorts and General Online Option:

• Toronto DSB - Part 1 and 2
• General Online - Part 1 and 2

Hybrid Delivery

The program includes in-person sessions, synchronous sessions, asynchronous work and group and partner work. Candidates taking the hybrid delivery option are required to attend the in-person and synchronous sessions, the rest of the program can be completed online at your own pace.

Board Cohorts and In-person Locations:

Candidates may choose to register for any location option regardless of which board they are employed with. Board specific locations will have a facilitator from the board as instructor. 

Online Delivery

The program includes synchronous sessions, asynchronous work and group and partner work. There are two mandatory synchronous sessions per module.

Board Cohorts and General Online Options:

Candidates may register for any option regardless of the board they are employed with. Board specific options will have a facilitator from the board as instructor. 

• Algoma DSB
• Halton DSB
• Thames Valley DSB
• Toronto DSB
• General Online - open to everyone throughout the province

There will be a General Online - Part 1 and 2. Board participation will be confirmed in the Fall and posted when information is available. 

There will be a General Online - Part 1 and 2. Board participation will be confirmed in the Spring and posted when information is available. 

For a limited time only!

• The AQ must be offered by one of the principal associations: ADFO, CPCO or the OPC.

• All subsidy requirements must be successfully completed by March 31, 2025. No extensions will be granted. If the requirements are not met by the deadline, the principals’ association will not fulfill the subsidy application.

• Subsidies will be allotted on a first come first served basis.

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.

Program/Course Resource Access

All program content and LMS access will be available to candidates/participants 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. 

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.

Ontario School Board Teachers

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

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):

All international experience must be on official letterhead with employment details, preferably with position, grades and dates, and written by the headmaster / supervisory official of the school or equivalent. You must be qualified to teach in the jurisdiction where the school is located and employed in a paid position for the experience to be acceptable.

Refer to OCT's page on acceptable teaching experience for detailed information.

Anyone applying to PQP Part 1 with their master's degree or a half-master's is required to submit a digital copy (original is not necessary) of their transcript to OPC for evaluation. The Ontario College of Teachers will also require a copy to ensure the prerequisite is met.

Candidates are required to pay for the PQP during the registration process.

If payment is not been received you will be sent an email with a link to complete your payment. Please complete your payment within 4 days, otherwise your application to the program will be automatically cancelled.

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.

For more information on the Ontario College of Teachers AQ Guidelines, Available AQs, Prerequisites and FAQs