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AQ Fundamentals @ York

Learn the ABCs of AQs.

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The York U AQ Experience
The Different Types of AQs
AQ Prerequisites At-a-Glance

The York AQ Experience

Understand the basics. 

Additional Qualifications (AQs) and Additional Basic Qualifications (ABQs) are an element of teacher professional development for certified members of the Ontario College of Teachers (OCT). 

AQs/ABQs/PQPs @ YORK UNIVERSITY 

  • Are offered on a “recommended/not recommended” basis 
  • Are not assigned grades 
  • Do not carry degree credit weight 
  • Are offered in fully online and blended formats 

Course Formats

A blend of synchronous and asynchronous formats in a fully online learning environment. These courses include real-time learning sessions with mandatory meeting times.

These courses combine theory and practice to prepare teachers for the practical realities of the classroom. 

Course Model: 

  • Course Work – 100 hours (Includes self-directed learning and mandatory synchronous sessions outlined in course description.)
  • Independent Study – 25 hours 

Features: 

Synchronous sessions:

  • Online real-time classes via Zoom or other video conferencing platforms at pre-scheduled dates and times

Self-directed Professional Learning 

  • York’s adult learning model provides opportunities to explore, reflect and share areas of professional interest connected to the course content and expectations 

A uniquely relevant 25-hour independent study that involves: 

An opportunity for learners to build resources and tools unique to their individual teaching needs and goals. ILPs may involve:

  • development of lesson plans 
  • development of a unit of study 
  • development of a workshop or a mentoring plan

Flexible Schedule 

  • Regular participation is required. Specific times of participation for asynchronous sessions are set by the learner 
  • Instructors establish deadlines for assignments & completion of learning blocks 
  • Courses run over 11 weeks in Fall, Winter & Spring sessions requiring about 2 hours of participation every other day 
  • Summer intensive courses require about 3-5 hours of daily participation up to 25 hours/week 

Online Platform:  

York’s online additional qualification courses are delivered on Moodle, uniquely designed to ensure easy navigation, full access to resources, and collaboration and sharing in a community of learners. Moodle is fully functional on all mobile platforms. Learn anywhere, anytime.

Our fully online courses combine theory and practice to prepare teachers for the practical realities of the classroom. 

Course Model: 

  • Course Work – 75 hours 
  • Self-directed Professional Learning – 25 hours 
  • Independent Study – 25 hours 

Features: 

Self-directed Professional Learning 

  • respectful of you as a learner and York’s adult learning model 
  • an opportunity to explore, reflect and share areas of professional interest connected to the course content and expectations 

A uniquely relevant 25-hour independent study that involves: 

  • Part 1 AQs & one session AQs/ABQs: the development of three lesson plans 
  • Part 2 AQs: the development of a mini unit with student assessment instruments 
  • Part 3 Specialist or Honour Specialist AQs: the development of a workshop or a mentoring plan for new teachers 

Flexible Schedule 

  • Regular participation is required. Specific times of participation are set by the learner 
  • Instructors establish deadlines for assignments & completion of learning blocks 
  • Courses run over 11 weeks in Fall, Winter & Spring sessions requiring about 2 hours of participation every other day 
  • Summer intensive courses require about 3-5 hours of daily participation up to 25 hours/week 

Online Platform:  

York’s online additional qualification courses are presented on Moodle, a fully featured and easy to use learning space that allows students to browse information, tasks and activities or engage in instructor-led or student-led discussions or share resources. Moodle is smartphone, tablet and laptop friendly. 

Our blended courses combine theory and practice to prepare teachers for the practical realities of the classroom. 

Features: 

  • offered at convenient locations at schools across the GTA and Ontario; 
  • in-class sessions run weeknights in Spring, Fall and Winter sessions or full days over two weeks in July Summer session 
  • online hours offer time to explore, reflect and share with scheduled deadlines for assignments 
  • a uniquely relevant 25-hour independent study that involves:  
  1. Part 1 AQs & one session AQs/ABQs: the development of three lesson plans 
  2. Part 2 AQs: the development of a mini unit or student assessment instruments 
  3. Part 3 Specialist or Honour Specialist AQs: the development of a workshop or a mentoring plan for new teachers 

The Different Types of AQs

All Additional Qualifications (AQs), Additional Basic Qualifications (ABQs) and Principal Qualification Program (PQP) courses are: 

  • an element of teacher professional development for certified members of the Ontario College of Teachers (OCT). 
  • open to candidates that meet the entry requirements identified in Teachers’ Qualifications Regulation. 
  • earned by successfully completing an Additional Qualification course which is listed on your teaching certificate and posted on the public register.  
  • a 125-hour learning commitment as mandated by OCT 

What is the difference between an AQ and an ABQ?

An Additional Qualification (AQ) allows teachers to: 

  • expand knowledge and skills in the divisions and subjects in which they are already qualified 
  • acquire knowledge in new subject areas 
  • extend knowledge and skills in the design and delivery of specific programs 
  • prepare teachers to assume specific roles such as coordinator or consultant for a particular course or program 

An ABQ course allows teachers to: 

  • prepare to teach students at the primary, junior, intermediate or senior level 
  • add another division or general studies subject area to what they are already qualified to teach 
  • provide English or French-speaking teachers with the skills to work in the other language 
  • extend skills and knowledge in design, delivery and assessment in the division or subject 

Additional Qualification courses are assigned to Schedules according to their Professional Learning purpose.  

To be qualified to teach:  

  • Intermediate or Senior Division: you must take an ABQ course for the Intermediate Division or the Senior Division with a specific subject area in Schedule A. 
  • Primary or Junior Division:  you must take the corresponding Primary Division or Junior Division ABQ course. 

An ABQ course allows you to: 

  • add another division or general studies subject area to what you are already qualified to teach 
  • prepare to teach students at the primary, junior, intermediate or senior level 
  • extend skills and knowledge in design, delivery and assessment in the division or subject 
  • Schedule B basic qualifications are offered in initial Technological Education programs as well as an ABQ to further proficiency. 
  • These ABQs extend teaching knowledge and skills in the design, program delivery and assessment of technology programs that address the development of adolescents, the school environment and other issues related to teaching and learning. 
  • Related work experience and/or academic background in the particular field of the chosen additional qualification is required. 
  • Courses include Communications Technology, Computer Technology, Construction Technology, Green Industries, Hairstyling and Aesthetics, Health Care, Hospitality and Tourism, Manufacturing Technology, Technological Design, Transportation Technology.
  • Schedule C Additional Qualifications offer one-session courses to members in a wide variety of subject and topic areas.  
  • These courses deepen the knowledge and skills in design and delivery of specific programs.  
  • They also support professional practice by preparing teachers for specific roles. 

Three-Session Additional Qualification programs are offered as Part 1, Part 2 and Part 3 Specialist courses. 

  • Part I courses develop the skills and knowledge needed by teachers to design, deliver and assess programs within a discipline or division. 
  • Part 2 expands upon the skills and knowledge developed in Part 1.   
  • The Part 3 Specialist course extends and reinforces the knowledge and skills from Part 1 and Part 2 with a specific focus on the development of leadership skills within the discipline or division.   
  • One-Session Honour Specialist Additional Qualification courses focus on developing the capacity for curriculum leadership. 
  • These courses are of particular interest to teachers looking to provide leadership at elementary, secondary and district levels as well as those interested in engaging in subject-specific ongoing professional learning. 
  • These courses are open to teacher candidates who may not yet be fully certified and 
  • Are currently enrolled in Ontario faculties of education  
  • have successfully completed their initial teacher education program  
  • have completed the application process to the College  
  • Teacher candidates must be a member in good standing before the completion of the course in order to be recommended for the New Grad AQ. 

York University recognizes the critical role of school leadership in Ontario and has tailored the Principals Qualification Program (PQP) to meet the specific career goals of educators and future leaders. 

  • The PQP course is designed using the five domains outlined in the School–Level Leadership Framework (Ontario Institute for Educational Leadership, 2013).  
  • The topics explored within each of those domains are current, research-based and directly applicable to the complex role of school leader.  
  • The importance of the everyday work of the educational leader is stressed as relational and collaborative, always linked to communities of learners in their social context, both inside and outside of schools. 

AQ Prerequisites at-a-Glance

This General Prerequisites Chart is for illustrative purposes and provides at-a-glance information only.  

Learn more about teaching experience prerequisites.

See individual course descriptions for more detailed information regarding specific subject areas or program prerequisites. OCT certified member teachers are responsible for learning what prerequisites are necessary to enroll in courses or programs. 

To be qualified to teach:  

  • Intermediate or Senior Division: you must take an ABQ course for the Intermediate Division or the Senior Division with a specific subject area in Schedule A. Most of these courses have academic prerequisites. They do not have teaching prerequisites. 
  • NOTE: Intermediate Basic (Mathematics) has two ways to qualify: You may have the academic prerequisites or complete a math proficiency test. For test information click here. (links to Math Test Info page found in Site Reference Pages folder) 
  • Primary or Junior Division:  you must take the corresponding Primary Division or Junior Division ABQ course. These courses do not have academic or teaching prerequisites. 

Teachers have two ways of qualifying for these ABQ courses: 

1. They must be OCT certified teachers in Good Standing with formal technical education and have at least one Technological area listed on their OCT Certificate. 

Or  

2. Meet one of the following 3 combinations of competence and skilled wage-earning industry experience in the area of study and must hold an Intermediate Division.  

  • 5 years of full-time related wage-earning experience OR 
  • 3 years of full-time related wage-earning experience after successful completion of a related 2 year diploma program OR 
  • 2 years of full-time related wage-earning experience after successful completion of related 3 or 4 year degree program 

Work experience letters to verify the above prerequisite must meet one of the following criteria: 

The work experience must demonstrate use of skills and knowledge related to the technological education subject for entry and may include business or industrial experience. One year of full-time work experience can be interpreted as 1,700 hours of work experience. If teachers are/were self-employed they must submit a sworn affidavit, a business license and proof of income. 

These courses do not have academic or teaching prerequisites. To complete these, teachers must be in Good Standing with the OCT. 

Part I - Most Part 1 AQs do not have academic or teaching prerequisites. To complete these, teachers must be in Good Standing with the OCT. 

NOTE: For FSL, Part 1 to qualify, demonstration of French language proficiency is required. For test information, click here. (links to French Test Info page found in Site Reference Pages folder) 

Part 2 - To obtain a Part 2 qualification, you must have completed at least one school year of successful classroom experience, verified by the appropriate supervisory officer or the appropriate supervisory official. 

The Part 3 Specialist – To obtain the specialist qualification, you must have at least two school years of successful classroom teaching experience, including at least one school year teaching the subject, verified by the appropriate supervisory officer or the appropriate supervisory official. 

Teachers who enroll in a Honour Specialist Additional Qualification course  

  • possess a strong knowledge base in a particular subject area(s) and  
  • have at least two years of successful teaching experience, including one year in Ontario in the subject(s) in which the Honour Specialist is sought. 

What is the difference between an Honour Specialist and a Part 3 Specialist AQ? 

Teachers eligible to enroll in an Honour Specialist AQ have completed the following prior to registration: 

  • a four-year (20 full courses) academic undergraduate degree, (excluding education courses) 
  • NINE full undergraduate courses in the subject area of the AQ with at least a B average 
  • Minimum TWO years certified teaching experience by the first day of the course, subsequent to certification including at least ONE year in the subject area of the AQ 

Teachers eligible to enroll in a Part 3 Specialist AQ have completed the following prior to registration: 

  • Part 2 of the AQ 
  • Minimum TWO years certified teaching experience by the first day of the course, subsequent to certification including at least ONE year in the subject area of the AQ 

NOTE:  

  • A four-year honour specialist undergraduate degree is NOT the equivalent to Part 1 and Part 2 of a three-part AQ series.  
  • To be eligible to take a Part 3 Specialist AQ course teachers must have completed the Part 2 AQ course previously along with the requisite years of certified teaching experience. 
  • These courses are open to teacher candidates who may not yet be fully certified and…
  • Are currently enrolled in Ontario faculties of education  
  • have successfully completed their initial teacher education program  
  • have completed the application process to the College  
  • Teacher candidates must be a member in good standing before the completion of the course in order to be recommended for the New Grad AQ. 

NOTE: Teacher candidates who have completed the first part of a multi-session pre-service program are not eligible to take any Additional Qualification courses until they have completed their entire program. 

PQP courses are open to candidates that meet the entry requirements identified in Teachers’ Qualifications Regulation. 

There are multiple ways to qualify for the PQP program.  

Basic Requirements 

  • Hold an acceptable undergraduate degree AND 
  • Hold certification in three divisions including Intermediate AND 
  • Have completed a minimum of FIVE full years of successful teaching. 

PLUS, one of the following options 

Option 1 

  • Hold an acceptable Masters degree  
  • Note: For those candidates whose Masters and B.Ed were completed on the same year, according to new legislation, they are not qualified to take the PQP under this prerequisite option. 

Option 2 

  • Hold any combination of two Specialist and/or Honour Specialist Additional Qualifications (OR one Combined Honour Specialist Additional Qualification) 

Option 3 

  • Have completed course work in a Masters program equivalent to one-half of a Master’s degree (excluding any courses applied toward teacher education program) AND 
  • Hold one Specialist or Honour Specialist Additional Qualification 

Option 4 

  • Have completed 30 graduate postsecondary credits (excluding any credits applied toward teacher education program) 

NOTE: If you do not satisfy any of Options 1 to 4 but you have qualifications in Technological Education, contact our office to review other possibilities.