All participants in OSSTF/FEESO Additional Qualification (AQ) courses are expected to adhere to the Standards of Practice of the Teaching Profession and uphold the highest standards of academic honesty and professional integrity.

Academic dishonesty - including, but not limited to, plagiarism, cheating, unauthorized collaboration, and misrepresentation of work - is strictly prohibited. These actions undermine the credibility of the profession and the integrity of the learning environment. By enrolling in an OSSTF/FEESO AQ course, participants affirm their commitment to ethical conduct and responsible scholarship.

Violations will be addressed seriously and may result in disciplinary action. Candidates found guilty of academic dishonesty will not be recommended for course completion to the OCT and course fees will not be refunded. Candidates may appeal decisions; please see the Appeal Policy for details about the appeal process.

OSSTF/FEESO is a provider of Schedule C, One-Session AQ courses and Schedule D, Three-Session Specialist AQ courses. Enrollment is open to OSSTF/FEESO members and non-members who meet the prerequisites identified by the Ontario College of Teachers and relevant regulations.

 

Prerequisites for Admission

Schedule C – One Session AQ Courses

• Be a member in good standing with the Ontario College of Teachers
• Hold a valid Certificate of Qualification and Registration

Schedule D – Three Part Specialist AQ Courses

(Parts 1, 2, and Specialist)

Part 1

• Be a member in good standing with the Ontario College of Teachers
• Hold a valid Certificate of Qualification and Registration with qualifications in one of the following divisions:
• Primary division
• Junior division
• Intermediate division
• Senior division

Part 2

• Be a member in good standing with the Ontario College of Teachers
• Hold the corresponding Part 1 AQ, listed on their Certificate of Qualification and Registration OR qualification in the intermediate or senior division in the same subject listed under Schedule A Additional Basic Qualifications
• At least 194 days (1 year) successful classroom teaching experience, verified by a Supervisory Officer/Official
• Submit a completed Statement of Successful Teaching Experience during course registration

Specialist

• Be a member in good standing with the Ontario College of Teachers
• Hold the corresponding Part 2 AQ, listed on their Certificate of Qualification and Registration
• At least 388 days (2 years) successful classroom teaching experience, verified by a Supervisory Officer/Official
• Must include 194 days (1 year) teaching experience in the AQ subject area
• Submit a completed Statement of Successful Teaching Experience during course registration

NOTE:
Teachers with Technological Education Qualifications may take three-part specialist courses in the following subjects:

• Anti-Black Racism
• Co-operative Education
• Teaching English Language Learners (Formerly “English as a Second Language”)
• Equitable and Inclusive Schools (Formerly “Inclusive Classroom”)
• Guidance and Career Education
• Special Education
• Teacher Leadership

Non-Members of the Ontario College of Teachers

Participants who are not members of the Ontario College of Teachers are able to complete OSSTF/FEESO AQ courses for personal professional development purposes. A letter of completion will be issued at the end of the course, but course completion will not be reported to the Ontario College of Teachers.

NOTE:

If OCT certification is obtained later, the course must be retaken to receive the qualification. Non-OCT participants will be required to sign a waiver acknowledging they understand they will not be awarded the AQ if they later become members of the Ontario College of Teachers.

Teacher Candidates and OCT Members with Transitional Certificates

Teacher candidates and OCT Members with Transitional or Multi-Session Transitional Certificates of Qualification and Registration are not eligible to take OSSTF/FEESO AQ Courses until they complete all components of their professional education program and their certificate has been converted to a general Certificate of Qualification and Registration.

In accordance with the Ontario College of Teachers Act (1996) and Ontario Regulation 347/02, all Additional Qualification (AQ) courses must include a minimum of 125 hours, comprising of 100 contact hours and 25 non-contact hours. OSSTF/FEESO AQ courses are delivered in an asynchronous online format, and attendance is defined by active and consistent participation in course activities within the Brightspace Virtual Learning Environment (VLE).

Candidates are expected to demonstrate attendance through timely completion of assignments, participation in discussion forums, engagement with course materials, and regular logins. Participation is monitored using Brightspace analytics, including login frequency, content access, and interaction with course components. Candidates are expected to engage with learning activities consistently. Clear timelines and staggered due dates are provided to support steady progress and discourage last-minute submissions. Instructors will maintain a visible presence through regular feedback, announcements, and discussion engagement.

Candidates who anticipate a disruption in participation due to professional or personal circumstances must notify the instructor in advance. Unexcused inactivity exceeding seven consecutive days without communication during the fall, or winter sessions or two consecutive days in the summer session may result in follow-up and could impact successful course completion. Candidates who do not satisfy the attendance and participation requirements will not be submitted to the Ontario College of Teachers.

OSSTF/FEESO is committed to fostering an inclusive, accessible, and supportive learning environment for all participants. We recognize that adult learners bring diverse experiences and needs, and we strive to remove barriers to ensure equitable access to course content and participation.

Our Commitment to Accessibility

• All course materials are compliant with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA).
• Subtitled and described video content is provided to support varied learning needs.
• Text-to-speech assistive technology tools are available using the Texthelp Read and Write extension with the Chrome or Microsoft Edge browser.
• Audio and video response options are available for discussion participation, allowing flexibility in communication styles.

Requesting Accommodations

We understand that accommodation needs may vary and evolve over time. If you require academic accommodations due to a documented disability or other accessibility needs, please contact us as early as possible to allow sufficient time for appropriate arrangements to be made. Please contact aq-admin@osstf.ca at least 2 weeks prior to the course start date to arrange for accommodations. If circumstances change during the course, please reach out to discuss possible supports.

Candidates who choose to voluntarily withdraw from the course prior to the course start date will be refunded 100% of the course fee less a $50 processing fee, provided the withdrawal form is completed and received by the AQ Administrator.

Candidates who choose to voluntarily withdraw from the course after the course start date but before the end of the first week during the fall and winter session and three (3) days after course start in the summer session will be refunded 50% of the course fee less a $50 processing fee, provided a completed withdrawal form is received by the AQ Administrator.

Candidates who are deemed ineligible for the course either due to not meeting the admission requirements or not submitting the Confirmation of Teaching Experience form signed by a supervisory officer will be administratively withdrawn from the course prior to the start of the course. Candidates who are administratively withdrawn will be refunded 100% of the course fee less a $50 processing fee.

Candidates are able to transfer their enrollment to a future session of the same course instead of withdrawing from the course entirely. Transfer credits must be used in the succeeding two sessions. Transfers are granted as a one-time option, provided they are requested during the transfer window – after registration and before the end of the first week of the course for the fall and winter sessions, after registration and before the end of the third day of the course in the summer session. To request a transfer, candidates must submit a completed transfer form to the AQ Administrator. Once a request for transfer is approved, the candidate is not eligible for any refund.

In the event that a course needs to be cancelled due to low enrollment or other circumstance, a full refund will be issued.