Important Changes to the PQP Leadership Practicum Timelines

Effective July 1, 2026, all PQP Candidates must complete their Leadership Practicum within:

• Three (3) years of the signed Leadership Practicum Proposal; and
• One (1) year following the completion of PQP Part 2.

Failure to meet these updated timelines will require a consultation with CPCO regarding:

• A new Leadership Practicum Proposal;
• Recompletion of PQP Part 2; and
• Payment of a late fee.

Transitional Provision:

Candidates registered in PQP Part 1 or Part 2 prior to July 1, 2026 who are unable to meet the new three-year requirement (or for whom the three year requirement has already passed) and have outstanding Leadership Practicums will need to contact CPCO and will have until December 31, 2026 (six month from July 1, 2026) to submit their Leadership Practicum Final Report for accreditation recommendation for PQP Part 2.

After December 31, 2026, the new Leadership Practicum timelines will apply to all current and outstanding Leadership Practicums.

Starting on July 1 2026, all Candidates must complete their PQP Leadership Practicum within 3 years of the signed Leadership Practicum Proposal and within 1 year of the completion of PQP Part 2. Not adhering to the NEW Leadership Practicum Timelines would require a consultation with CPCO regarding a new Leadership Practicum Proposal, redoing PQP Part 2 and payment of a late fee.

CPCO Principal's Qualification Program (PQP) is developed and delivered by practising Principals and designed to prepare candidates for the Principal's role in Ontario Catholic schools. Based on the Ontario College of Teachers guidelines, the course is current, practical and intellectually challenging.

The Principal’s Qualification Program is a 3-part 10 module program consisting of PQP Part 1 (5 modules, 125 hours), PQP Part 2 (5 modules, 125 hours) and a Leadership Practicum (50 hours) according to the Ontario College of Teachers (OCT).

       *******************************************************************************************

Catholic Principals' Council of Ontario is committed to offering a program that is:

• Fully integrated with gospel values, church teaching, and the spiritual formation of the leader in Catholic schools
• Designed to proactively explore leadership dimensions to assist candidates to develop the knowledge, skills and values to ensure their effectiveness as school leaders within the culture of their school communities
• Current, meaningful, practical, rigorous, and framed with an anti-oppression foundation
• Designed to encourage Candidates to analyze issues and develop strategies for identifying and removing barriers at school and system levels
• Based upon the OCT Standards of Practice for the Teaching Profession, The Ethical Standards for the Teaching Profession, the Professional Learning Framework for the Teaching Profession and the current Ontario College of Teachers Principal's Qualification Guideline
• Action based so Candidates can learn about the responsibilities to upholding the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada: Calls to Action and the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP).
• Developed by practising Principals and other educational experts

The 5 leadership domains and the 3 Personal Leadership Resources categories are used to organize the PQP course content and to guide the Leadership Practicum.

Domains

• Setting Directions
• Building Relationships and Developing People
• Developing the Organization
• Improving the Instructional Program
• Securing Accountability
  
  

Personal Leadership Resources

• Cognitive Resources
• Social Resources
• Psychological Resources

CPCO Principal's Qualification Program (PQP) is delivered through three distinct parts: Part 1, Part 2, and a Leadership Practicum. Each part has specific prerequisites and is designed to prepare candidates for the Principal's role in Ontario's Catholic and public schools. PQP will prepare future school leaders to lead effectively through the lens of Gospel values, Anti-Oppression, and Catholic Church teachings.

The chart demonstrates the time allocation differences between the CPCO Provincial Online, In-Person Board Partnership, and Hybrid Board Partnership models of delivery.

Eligibility for admission to PQP Part 1 & Part 2 is prescribed by Regulation 176/10 - Teachers' Qualifications, under the Ontario College of Teachers Act.