Special Education for Administrators Qualification Program SEAQP

Special Education for Administrators Qualification Program

Overview

Our Special Education for Administrators Qualification Program (SEAQP) offers candidates an opportunity to deeply explore and enhance school-level leadership skills in special education. The learning focuses on inclusive and equitable approaches that support diverse learners and their well-being, efficacy and agency.

Areas of critical exploration include

legal and ethical responsibilities connected to legislation relevant to special education
strategies and frameworks to support an inclusive and equitable school culture that honours individual learning strengths, styles and needs and
the centrality of relationships and responding to conflict and challenges.

Module Information

This program is made up of five modules. The breakdown of asynchronous and synchronous hours that total the required 125 hours is shown below.

Asynchronous Hours	Synchronous Hours	Total Required Hours
120	5	125

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

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 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.

Module 1 - Setting Directions

Core beliefs: What do we really believe about students who learn differently?
Asset versus deficit thinking
Creating an inclusive environment
What is the “why” that drives our special education decisions
Creating a shared vision of success for all students

Module 2 - Securing Accountability

Special Education law
Leading the Identification Placement Review Committee (I.P.R.C.) process
Policy Procedure Memorandum (PPM) 140
Improving IEPs
Case law studies
Navigating situations of student aggression related to special education needs
Exclusions related to special education needs

Module 3 - Improving the Instructional Program

Understanding the Ministry's categories of exceptionalities
Leadership that supports improved use of research-based instructional approaches
Creating a professional learning plan for staff
Culturally proficient leadership and special education
Leading mentally healthy schools

Module 4 - Developing the Organization

Leading change related to special education
Maximizing leadership skills to support diverse learners
Using PLCs to support students with special education needs

Module 5 - Building Relationships

Preventing and resolving conflicts related to special education
Improving communication and trust with parents and guardians of children with needs
Building community partnerships to support students

Admission Requirements

Ontario College of Teachers (OCT) Certificate of Qualification and Registration in good standing.

Program Fee*

$900

Includes all five modules and a $50 non-refundable registration fee.

Full payment is required for registration to be confirmed.

Upcoming Sessions

Online: Summer 2025

There is one online web conference per module, module group meetings, and independent assignments. Web conference dates and times are determined once the program begins based on participant availability. A minimum of 125 hours is included in our program.

Dates

These dates are subject to change

Module 1	July 3 - July 17
Module 2	July 18 - July 31
Module 3	August 1 - August 15
Module 4	August 18 - September 2
Module 5	September 3 - September 17
Submission of final assignment	October 1

Registration Deadline

June 19, 2025

Online: Winter 2026

Dates

These dates are subject to change

Module 1	January 9 - Feburary 16
Module 2	February 17 - March 13
Module 3	March 23 - April 20
Module 4	April 21 - May 19
Module 5	May 20 - June 12
Submission of final assignment	June 12

Registration Deadline

January 5, 2026

Register

Board Partnerships

The SEAQP can be locally customized to meet the unique needs of your district. If you are interested in offering this program with your board, please complete our Additional Qualification (AQ) Board Cohort Request Form or contact us at learning@principals.ca for more information.

Terms and Conditions

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 Tax Receipt

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.

Refund Policy

Cancellation Date	Refund Amount
Up to two weeks before start date	$850
One week before start date	$250
After start date	$0

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

For more information about the program, please contact sea@principals.ca.