Additional Qualifications

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Durham District School Board (DDSB) is an approved provider of Additional Qualification courses for certified members of the Ontario College of Teachers (OCT), in good standing. Additional Qualification courses allow teachers to focus on continuous improvement by expanding their knowledge, practices and instructional leadership skills.

Register for AQ Courses

Registration for DDSB AQ courses can now be done through the AQ registration platform. To find full course descriptions or to register for one of our courses, please visit the registration site.  

We offer Spring, Summer and Fall sessions.  Registration opens for each of these approximately 6-8 weeks ahead of the course start date.  For more information, please visit the AQ registration site or contact the AQ department

Registration fees are as follows:

DDSB Employee Fee

  • Early Bird rate - $550.00
  • Standard Rate - $600.00

External Candidate Fees

  • Early Bird Rate - $650.00
  • Standard Rate - $700.00 

*Please visit the registration platform for further information about timelines for Early Bird dates for upcoming sessions.

Courses offered

The DDSB is proud to present an AQ syllabus that includes a variety of courses offered in both online and hybrid (face-to-face / online) formats.  Noted below, you will find a list of courses currently offered through our program.  Sessions are scheduled three times throughout the year; Fall (September – December), Spring (February – May), and Summer (July).  While registration is generally open for each of these courses 3 times per year, please note that we do have a minimum requirement of 5 fully paid and registered participants for a course to run in an upcoming session.

Courses Offered:

  • Anti-Black Racism, Part 1

  • Equitable and Inclusive Schools, Part 1

  • First Nations, Métis and Inuit Studies, Part 1

  • First Nations, Métis and Inuit Studies, Part 2

  • French as a Second Language, Part 1

  • French as a Second Language, Part 2

  • Guidance and Career Education, Part 1

  • Guidance and Career Education, Part 2

  • Integration of Information and Computer Technology in Instruction, Part 1

  • Integration of Information and Computer Technology in Instruction, Part 2

  • Integration of Information and Computer Technology in Instruction, Part 3

  • Kindergarten, Part 1

  • Mathematics, Grades 7 and 8

  • Mathematics, Primary/Junior, Part 1

  • Mathematics, Primary/Junior, Part 2

  • Mathematics, Primary/Junior, Part 3

  • Reading, Part 1

  • Special Education, Part 1

  • Special Education, Part 2

  • Special Education, Part 3

  • Student Assessment and Evaluation

  • Teaching English Language Learners, Part 1

  • Teaching English Language Learners, Part 2

  • Teaching Students with Communication Needs (ASD)

Coming Soon:

  • French as a Second Language, Part 3 Specialist

  • Guidance and Career Education, Part 3 Specialist
Course requirements 
Each course registered for will require a 125 hour commitment as mandated by OCT. Courses do not carry degree credit and grades are not assigned; final evaluation is offered on a "recommended/not recommended" basis. Courses are offered in both online and hybrid (blend of asynchronous online and scheduled, synchronous online or in-person) formats. After successful completion of the course, candidate information will be forwarded to the Ontario College of Teachers to be entered on their Certificate of Qualification.  This process may take up to 6 weeks to be reflected on your OCT depending on the time of year and the speed at which the college is able to process updates.
Course dates

Fall and Spring sessions will span approximately 12 weeks (courses do not run over the March Break).  Summer courses are offered in a condensed format running for the month of July only.  Online courses run for the entire month of July, starting the first full week of the month.  Dates and times for any face-to-face (in-person) or synchronous (real-time, virtual) sessions will be communicated as best as possible at the time of registration.
Course tuition fees

DDSB Employee Fee

  • Early Bird rate - $550.00
  • Standard Rate - $600.00

External Candidate Fees

  • Early Bird Rate - $650.00
  • Standard Rate - $700.00

*Please visit the registration platform for further information about timelines for Early Bird dates for upcoming sessions. 

Withdrawal and refund guidelines

Fall/Spring

  • Full refund prior to commencement of course*

  • 75% refund prior to 2nd week of class*  

  • 50% refund prior to 3rd week of class*  

  • 25% refund prior to 4th week of class*

  • No refund after the 4th week begins

Summer

  • Full refund prior to commencement of course*

  • 75% refund prior to 2nd day of class*  

  • 50% refund prior to 3rd day of class*  

  • 25% refund prior to 4th day of class*

  • No refund after the 4th day begins

Please note that any withdrawal request received after 3:59 pm will be considered as being received after business hours and therefore will be considered as being received on the following business day and will be processed as such.

*(minus $50 administration fee)

Registration will not be considered complete until payment has been received in full. Should courses be canceled due to insufficient registration numbers, you will receive a full refund of the amount paid.  Should you need to withdraw for any other reason, the $50.00 administration fee will be applied to cover the costs associated with this process.  Please be aware that the $50 admin fee will be subtracted from your refund (as outlined in the guidelines above).  

Please be aware that you will be asked to provide your SIN as a part of this process.  This information will be stored securely and used only for the purposes of reporting tuition to the CRA and generating T2202 forms.  Forms will be available to download by a secure link during tax season.
Current Subsidies Available

 

Subsidy NameMaximum Subsidy AmountCurrent Status (as of 1/7/2025)

Mathematics*

$650.00

Available

Special Education*

$650.00

Fully Expended (waitlist only)

Teaching English Language Learners

$200.00

Available

First Nation, Métis and Inuit Studies**

$600.00

 Available

NTIP*

$600.00

Available
*Individual subsidy amounts will not exceed actual amount paid for course.

*FNMI subsidies will be made available to those who successfully complete courses through the DDSB AQ program. Subsidy amount will not exceed actual amount paid for course.

*Special Education subsidy funds have been fully allocated for the 2024-2025 school year.  Applications may still be submitted to be placed on the waitlist in case funds become available.

First Nation, Métis & Inuit Studies:

To further support the Indigenous Education learning of our DDSB educators, subsidy funds will be available to facilitate the completion of the following AQ courses through the DDSB’s AQ program: 

  • First Nations, Métis, and Inuit Studies, Part 1

  • First Nations, Métis, and Inuit Studies, Part 2

Funding will be provided on a limited, first-come, first-served basis to applicants who have completed their AQ course through the DDSB’s AQ program.  While available, funding will reimburse participants who successfully complete either of the above-mentioned courses the full amount of their tuition paid.  

Applicants must be a member in good standing with OCT to apply.

Teaching English Language Learners:

For the 2024-2025 school year, limited funding will be made available for the completion of:

  • Teaching English Language Learners, Part 1

  • Teaching English Language Learners, Part 2

Funding will be provided on a limited, first-come, first-served basis to applicants who have completed their AQ courses through the DDSB’s AQ program.  

While available, funding will reimburse participants who successfully complete either of the above-mentioned courses in the amount of $200.00.

Applicants must be a member in good standing with OCT to apply. 

Mathematics

Courses from the list below completed between September 1, 2024 and August 31, 2025 are eligible for this subsidy. 

Up to a maximum of $650.00 in subsidy funding is available to support the completion of these courses.  Funding will not exceed the total cost of tuition paid (proof of payment is required) and will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis. 

The deadline for submission of applications is September 15, 2025.

Qualifying courses include:

  • Primary/Junior, Parts 1, 2 and 3

  • Grades 7 & 8

  • Intermediate (ABQ)

  • Senior (ABQ)

  • Honours Specialist

NOTE:  Subsidy available to system funding totals of approximately 150 teachers accessing approved math AQ courses and is provided on a first-come, first-served basis. In cases where multiple, qualifying AQ courses have been completed by the same individual, we will only be approving one application per person. If we are able to, we will revisit the applications (in the order they were received) and approve as many subsequent reimbursements as we are able to based on available funds. 

Applicants may only apply for this subsidy if they have not already applied for/received funding for the same course from any other AQ provider or program.

Special Education

As of January 7, 2025, funds from this grant have been fully expended for the 2024-2025 school year.  While applications will still be accepted through the online application form, all submissions will be placed on the waitlist from this point forward.  Should funds become available, waitlisted applications will be processed in the order which they were received.

Courses from the list below completed between September 1, 2024 and August 31, 2025 are eligible for this subsidy. 

Up to a maximum of $650.00 in subsidy funding is available to support the completion of these courses.  Funding will not exceed the total cost of tuition paid (proof of payment is required) and will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis. 

The deadline for submission of applications is September 15, 2025.

Qualifying courses include:

  • Equitable and Inclusive Schools, Part 1

  • Equitable and Inclusive Schools, Part 2

  • Equitable and Inclusive Schools, Specialist

  • Special Education, Part 1

  • Special Education, Part 2

  • Special Education, Specialist

  • Teaching Students who are Blind/Low Vision, Part 1

  • Teaching Students who are Blind/Low Vision, Part 2

  • Teaching Students who are Blind/Low Vision, Specialist

  • Teaching Students who are Deafblind, Part 1

  • Teaching Students who are Deafblind, Part 2

  • Teaching Students who are Deafblind, Specialist

  • Teaching Students with Behavioural Needs 

  • Teaching Students with Communication Needs (Autism Spectrum Disorder)

  • Teaching Students with Communication Needs (Learning Disabilities)

  • Teaching Students with Communication Needs (Developmental Disabilities)

  • Teaching Students who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing

  • Teaching Students who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing, Specialist

  • Teaching Students with Intellectual Needs (Giftedness)

  • Teaching Students with Intellectual Needs (Mild Intellectual Disability)

  • Teaching Students with Multiple Needs

  • Teaching Students with Physical Needs

  • Use and Knowledge of Assistive Technology

NOTE:  Subsidy available to system funding totals of approximately 40 teachers accessing approved Special Education AQ courses and is provided on a first-come, first-served basis. In cases where multiple, qualifying AQ courses have been completed by the same individual, we will only be approving one application per person. If we are able to, we will revisit the applications (in the order they were received) and approve as many subsequent reimbursements as we are able to based on available funds. 

Applicants may only apply for this subsidy if they have not already applied for/received funding for the same course from any other AQ provider or program. 

How and when to apply

An application form must be submitted for each completed course.  Applications may be submitted as soon as proof of course registration has been obtained. 

Each application must include:

  • Proof of registration along with the original application submission

  • Proof of payment (an official receipt will be required for this)*

  • Proof of successful course completion (OCT updated certificate or letter of recommendation from an OCT recognized AQ provider)*

*These items can be uploaded to the document once obtained.  If you don’t have an official receipt at time of application, you can come back into the form and complete this step later.  It is imperative that you save the form before exiting so that you are able to revisit it later on.
Registration

To find full course descriptions or to register for one of our courses, please visit the AQ registration site.  

For admission into Part 1 of a multi-session course or a one-session course, teachers are required to:

  • be registered with the Ontario College of Teachers*, in good standing, or hold an interim Certificate of Qualification (*OCT number is required)
  • retain a division certificate where applicable (primary, junior, intermediate, senior)

For admission into a Part 2 course applicants are required to:

  • have successfully completed one year (194 days) of teaching experience since becoming a certified teacher
  • have successfully completed Part 1 of the specialist qualification or an equivalent program or
  • a qualification in the Intermediate and Senior division in the same subject

For admission into a Part 3 course applicants are required to:

  • have completed two years (388 days) of teaching experience since becoming a certified teacher, including at least one year teaching the subject
  • have successfully completed Part 2 of the specialist qualification or an equivalent program

If applicable, the approved Teaching Experience form must also be submitted prior to being accepted into the course. The verification form can be found on our registration page.  

 

For all Part 2 and Part 3 courses, it is the applicant's responsibility to submit and have the Teaching Experience form approved by a Supervisory Officer as outlined on the form. Approved forms should be forwarded by email to aq@ddsb.ca.

DDSB Employees should send completed forms to employee.records@ddsb.ca for verification by People and Culture and signature by a Supervisory Officer.  Signed/verified forms are then to be forwarded to aq@ddsb.ca to complete your registration.

Candidates are responsible to ensure that they have successfully completed the required prerequisite course(s) and hours of teaching experience before registering for a Part 2 or Part 3 Specialist AQ course.

Please visit the Ontario College of Teachers' website to view Prerequisites for Admission to Additional Qualifications and Programs.

With Registrar and Instructor approval, late registrations may be accepted up until the end of the first week of courses for Fall and Spring sessions. Make-up assignments will be required.

Late registrations are not permitted for the summer session.
Cancellation of course(s)

Durham District School Board reserves the right to cancel courses in the case of insufficient registration or other extenuating circumstances. Changes to locations and/or dates may also occur. Decisions regarding cancellations will be made following the application deadline. In such cases, registrants will be provided with a full refund including the $50 administration fee and will be notified by email.

Candidates are advised to verify program dates, location, and other details prior to the start of class.

In order to cancel registration or withdraw from a course, please email aq@ddsb.ca