Professional Development Programs
About the program
Professional Development Programs and courses provide opportunities for teachers to acquire additional qualifications that are recognized by the Ontario Ministry of Education and the Ontario College of Teachers. Our programs are regulated by the Ontario Regulation 184/97, and each level requires 125 hours of work. The Faculty of Education recommends to the Ontario College of Teachers the names of candidates who successfully complete a course or program of additional qualifications.
Our additional basic qualifications (ABQ), additional qualifications (AQ) and honour specialist (AQ) courses are all credit courses. Teachers are encouraged to review their qualifications periodically in order to ensure that their studies will lead to a higher category if so desired.
The Professional Development Programs of the Faculty of Education aim to provide courses of the highest professional quality. Each additional qualifications course reflects the Ontario College of Teachers Standards of Practice for the Teaching Profession.
Additional qualification courses provide teachers with opportunities to enhance their teaching skills using current, research-based instructional and assessment strategies. Teachers develop their abilities to teach an increasingly diverse range of learners and, with qualifications to teach in additional divisions/subject areas, their career choices are broadened.