The Education Leaders - Principal's Qualification Program (EL-PQP) offers a structured, immersive, and highly practical approach to school leadership in Ontario. By extending learning beyond a traditional PQP, our Education Leaders program provides expert mentorship, deeper engagement, and applied leadership training that prepares you to lead with confidence.

What makes it unique?

1️⃣ Extended Learning for Stronger Leadership Development

• The three-course Phase 1 (PQP1) structure allows you to engage more deeply with leadership theory, school operations, and instructional leadership strategies.
• This format supports ongoing reflection, mentorship, and applied practice, ensuring you have time to develop and refine leadership strategies in your school settings before advancing to Phase 2 (PQP2).

2️⃣ A More Robust and Applied PQP2 Experience

• The Leading School Improvement (PQP2) course integrates expert mentorship from a team of experienced school leaders, applied leadership challenges, and structured facilitation, ensuring you are fully supported during the Leadership Practicum.
• You will actively refine and implement school improvement strategies while documenting their impact, bridging the gap between theory and practice.

3️⃣ Personalized Leadership Growth

• You will develop a Personal Leadership Resource Archive—a curated toolkit of strategies, case studies, and leadership frameworks to support ongoing growth beyond qualification.
• The program’s applied learning approach allows you to tailor assessments and projects to your unique school context, ensuring relevance to your growth as an Ontario K-12 leader.

4️⃣ Expert Mentorship and Leadership Development

• You will receive ongoing mentorship and structured guidance from experienced school leaders during the Leadership Practicum, ensuring you are supported as you execute your leadership project.

5️⃣ Equity-Focused and Practical Leadership Development

• The program places a strong emphasis on equity, inclusion, and community impact, integrating case-based leadership problem-solving and community engagement strategies to prepare you for complex school environments.
• You will participate in applied case studies and decision-making exercises to strengthen practical skills in school operations, instructional leadership, and community engagement.

This program is designed for Ontario Certified Teachers who meet the Ontario College of Teachers (OCT) requirements for the Principal’s Qualification Program (PQP).

✅ Phase 1 (PQP1) - Prerequisites:

• OCT Certification in good standing.
• Qualifications in at least 3 divisions, including Intermediate.
• Hold at least one of the following:
  • Two Specialist AQs (Honour or Three-Session) OR
  • One Specialist + 15.0 Graduate degree credits OR
  • A Master or Doctorate degree (30.0 Graduate degree credits)
• At least five years of successful teaching experience, certified by a Supervisory Officer.

✅ Phase 2 (PQP2) - Prerequisites:

• Successful completion of Phase 1 (PQP1) (from OISE or another accredited provider).
• An approved Leadership Practicum Proposal.

Review this visual guide to quickly understand the PQP1 prerequisites.

📌 Missing a Prerequisite?

If you are missing one or more PQP prerequisites, please contact our office to discuss your pathway options before applying.

No. This program is only open to Ontario Certified Teachers (OCTs) who meet the Ontario College of Teachers’ PQP prerequisites.

If you are not an OCT but are seeking school leadership development, please explore our Education Leaders Certificate Program, designed for non-OCT candidates, independent school leaders, and international educators.

Yes, courses in the Education Leaders - Principal's Qualification Program must be completed in sequence:

Phase 1
• Essential Leadership (PQP-EL1)
• Organizational Leadership & Equity (PQP-OL2)
• Instructional Leadership & Innovation (PQP-IL3)
Phase 2
• Leading School Improvement (PQP-SI4)

While each course builds upon the last, you do not need to enroll in all three courses at once! You may choose to complete them consecutively or take breaks between courses as needed.

📌 What if I want to complete Phase 1 faster?

You may choose Accelerated School Leadership (PQP-AL1), which condenses all three courses of Phase 1 into a single, intensive 7-week session.

Note: this full-time format does not allow for breaks and requires a significant weekly commitment. This pathway is currently only offered over the Summer.

Phases follow a standard schedule, however, course availability is subject to change based on demand and scheduling adjustments. Be sure to check current course listings for the latest offerings.

• Phase 1 - Standard Pathway: Beginning in Winter (January) and Summer (July).
• Phase 1 - Accelerated Pathway: Offered only in Summer (July - August).
• Phase 2 - Leading School Improvement: Beginning in Fall (September) and Late Winter (March).

Program fees are paid per course. You may choose to enroll in courses individually or all at once.

Phase 1 (PQP1) - Standard Pathway:

• Essential Leadership (PQP-EL1): $365
• Organizational Leadership & Equity (PQP-OL2): $365
• Instructional Leadership & Innovation (PQP-IL3): $365

Total for Phase 1 (Standard Pathway): $1,095

Phase 1 (PQP1) - Accelerated Pathway:

• Accelerated School Leadership (PQP-AL1): $1,095

Total for Phase 1 (Accelerated Pathway): $1,095

Phase 2 (PQP2):

• Leading School Improvement (PQP-SI4): $1,298

Total for Phase 2: $1,298

✅ Total Investment (Both Phases):

• 📌 Standard Pathway (Phase 1 + Phase 2): $2,393
• 📌Accelerated Pathway (Phase 1 + Phase 2): $2,393

Important Notes:

• You may register per course or pre-register for all courses at once.
• There is no HST or additional material fees charged.
• Fees are subject to change. Please check the course pages for the most up-to-date pricing.
• There is no financial aid available for the program at this time.

Upon successful completion of each phase, you will receive the following qualifications:

✅ Phase 1 – Principal’s Qualification Program, Part 1 (PQP1)

• Principal’s Qualification Program, Part 1 qualification from the Ontario College of Teachers.
• A Certificate of Completion from OISE Continuing & Professional Learning at the University of Toronto.

✅ Phase 2 – Principal’s Qualification Program, Part 2 (PQP2)

• Principal’s Qualification Program, Part 2 qualification from the Ontario College of Teachers.
• A Master Certificate of Completion from OISE Continuing & Professional Learning at the University of Toronto.

📌 Important:

This program does not grant academic credits, nor is it equivalent to a diploma or degree. However, it is designed and delivered by OISE Continuing & Professional Learning at the University of Toronto—one of the world’s top-ranked faculties of education.

The PQP1 and PQP2 qualifications awarded by the Ontario College of Teachers are required for school leadership roles in Ontario.

The Leadership Practicum is a required component of the Education Leaders - Principal's Qualification Program, designed to meet the Ontario College of Teachers (OCT) requirements for the Principal’s Qualification Program. It provides you with the opportunity to apply leadership competencies in a real school setting under the mentorship of a qualified principal or vice-principal.

Phase 1 – Leadership Practicum Proposal (PQP1)

• You must develop and submit a Leadership Practicum Proposal by the end of Instructional Leadership & Innovation (PQP-IL3).
• Your proposal must outline a school-based leadership initiative that aligns with the Ontario Leadership Framework (OLF) and meets OCT practicum requirements.
• Before enrolling in Instructional Leadership & Innovation (PQP-IL3), you must secure an OCT-certified principal or vice-principal as a mentor. They will be required to sign a mentorship agreement to support your Leadership Practicum Proposal.
• If you are taking the Accelerated Pathway, you must secure a mentor before registering, as the proposal is completed by the end of the course.

Phase 2 – Leadership Practicum Implementation (PQP2)

• In Leading School Improvement (PQP-SI4), you will execute and document your practicum project within a school setting.
• Your practicum must span at least 50 hours, including a minimum of 20 hours of direct observation with your mentor principal.
• To complete Leading School Improvement (PQP-SI4), you must submit a final practicum report outlining your leadership impact, key outcomes, and reflections. This report must be reviewed and approved before PQP2 qualification is awarded.

📌 Important:

It is your responsibility to secure an OCT-certified mentor principal. OISE CPL does not facilitate mentor placements.

Yes! If you have successfully completed PQP Part 1 through another accredited AQ provider, you are eligible to enroll directly in Phase 2, of the Education Leaders - Principal's Qualification Program.

In Phase 2, the Leading School Improvement course provides more than just practicum oversight—it integrates expert mentorship, applied leadership challenges, and structured facilitation to enhance your growth as a school leader. You will implement, refine, and assess school improvement strategies while demonstrating leadership impact in your school setting.

📌 Important:

You must meet the OCT requirements for PQP Part 2, including securing a qualified mentor and submitting a Leadership Practicum Proposal prior to enrollment. Our program also requires a completed self-reflection questionnaire in addition to the OCT requirements.