PQP Masters Dimension

‘Earning two Masters of Education credits while completing PQP!’

The Agreement with CSU:

The Ontario Principals’ Council (OPC) and Charles Sturt University (CSU), Australia, have established an agreement to provide for Masters Accreditation of the PQP courses offered by the OPC. Effective September 1, 2007, candidates who choose the Masters Dimension will be awarded two Masters level credits by CSU in recognition of the completion of PQP 1 and 2, upon enrolment in one of their Masters programs (Master of Education or Master of International Education). Specifically, candidates will receive a CSU credit in both School Leadership 1 and School Leadership 2. This articulation agreement stands as a first in the province of Ontario.

The OPC enjoys a world-wide recognition for the provision of professional development and the certification of school administrators. In its pursuits, the OPC has striven to balance the practical and academic needs of its members, while attempting to encourage graduate studies. Quite simply, many OPC members pursue Masters of Education degrees and the OPC believes that the PQP courses should be recognized, thereby acknowledging their status and quality and reducing member costs and completion times for Masters study.

Charles Sturt University (CSU), Australia, has a long and proud tradition of providing Masters-level study by Distance Education for educators across Australia and around the world. Its Faculty of Education has over 50 years of experience in teacher education programs and is one of Australia’s largest and most diverse education facilities. The programs range from associate to doctoral level degrees, delivered by qualified academic staff in most areas of Education, including Educational Leadership. The Education Faculty currently has an enrolment of approximately 5,500 students. The Faculty has had over 1000 graduates across all its programs from the Province of Ontario over the last 10 years. During this time, CSU, Australia has awarded some academic credit in their Masters of Education program to enrolled students who have demonstrated completion of Ontario College of Teachers accredited Specialist AQ courses and Principal Qualification Programs. These credit arrangements will continue to exist for any Ontario Educators who have completed these programs.

In August 2005, the University's Ontario campus (CSU-Ontario) was established in Burlington, Ontario with the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities' approval to offer a one year pre-service P/J degree called the Bachelor of Primary Education Studies degree . The program received initial accreditation from the Ontario College of Teachers with a seven-year renewal awarded in May 2007. Teacher candidates graduating from the program are qualified to teach in Ontario's primary and junior divisions and are certified by the Ontario College of Teachers. The University also offers a Bachelor of Early Childhood Studies and a Master of Business Administration from its Burlington campus.

Recently, in cooperation with the Ontario Principals’ Council, CSU has contributed to the enhancement of PQP 1 and 2. The core topics, as determined by the Ontario College of Teachers, remain unchanged. The readings have been broadened to ensure that strong theoretical and conceptual understandings frame the practical core of the program. In addition, for those selecting the Masters Dimension, modifications to the practicum report have been made to enhance the research base and elevate the academic level of the report. Both the Masters of Education and Masters of International Education are recognized as acceptable Masters Degrees by the Ontario College of Teachers and the Ontario Principals' Council for entrance into the PQP and SOQP programs.

The practicum requirements for PQP certification are set out in the OPC candidate Practicum Handbook and will be reviewed by the PQP/OPC Instructors. For candidates who select the Masters Dimension, an OPC appointed Academic Advisor will be assigned to assist the candidate and Instructor in the development of the Practicum Proposal, with an emphasis on extending the literature and research base. The Instructor will remain the key lead in the establishment of the practicum; however, the Practicum Proposal will be signed off by both the Academic Advisor and the Instructor.  

The other major change is in terms of the Personal Reflection Report, Summative Report, section 13 of the Practicum Handbook. Candidates selecting the Masters Dimension will be required to achieve a level 4 in all areas of the report. Academic Advisors will work with participants and Instructors in the preparation of the report.

Who are the Academic Advisors?

The OPC Academic Advisors are senior Ontario educators who possess a doctoral degree or other relevant qualifications and experience and are familiar with the PQP qualification. Under agreement with OPC they are also appointed as Adjunct Professors of the Faculty of Education, CSU Australia.

How do I select the Masters Dimension of the OPC Principals’ Qualification Program?

Candidates should complete the PQP Masters Fee Payment Form and submit it to the OPC office either by mail or fax. Click here to access the application / fee payment form.

What is the additional cost of the Masters Dimension?

The additional cost is $500 in total for the two PQP1 and PQP2 courses. This covers the additional support of the Academic Advisors and PQP Part Instructor throughout the practicum component and the administration and record keeping by the OPC.

Generally most PQP participants will enroll with CSU after the completion of the PQP. However, it is possible to enroll with CSU and study some CSU courses concurrently.

What Masters degrees are available?

PQP MD candidates may enroll in the Master of Education or the Master of International Education (School Leadership).

What are the requirements of the Master of Education Degree?

The CSU Masters of Education Degree requires the completion of eight (8) credits. PQP 1 and 2 undertaken with the Masters Dimension will receive two full credits as School Leadership 1 and 2. Individuals who have also completed Specialist 1 and 2 will be eligible for further credit.

CSU Distance Education courses include

     • Understanding and Critiquing Educational Research

     • Issues in Assessment and Evaluation

     • International Perspectives in Education

     • Leading Learning

     • Mentors and Mentoring

     • Organizational Learning

     • Issues in Professional Development

     • Management of Educational Change

     • Education Policy Analysis

     • Preparing a Literature Review

     • Qualitative Research Methods

     • Quantitative Research Methods

     • Project 

What are the requirements of the Master of International Education MIEd?

The CSU Master of International Education Degree requires the completion of ten (10) courses. PQP 1 and 2 undertaken with the Masters Dimension will receive two full credits as School Leadership 1 and 2. Individuals who have also completed one or two specialist and the Experienced Principals Development Course will be eligible for further credit. Further information is available at

http://www.csu.edu.au/courses/postgraduate/international_education_leadership/

The program has two phases: Core (compulsory) and Breadth/Depth Studies (electives) which may be studied in a flexible sequence to meet your needs.

The course consists of 10 courses (80 points), comprising the following:

Phase 1: Core Studies

ESA512 International Educational Leadership
EER500 Introduction to Educational Research
and either:
EER501 Qualitative Research Methods
or
EER502 Quantitative Research Methods

Pathway A - leaders seeking or with Principal qualifications with the OPC masters Dimension
ESA510 School Leadership 1 *
ESA511 School Leadership 2 *

Pathway B - leaders seeking or with Principal qualifications
ESA509 Advanced School Leadership *
ESA504 Education Policy Analysis

*Candidates should note that prior credit may be granted for these courses. Please refer to the Information to Candidates: Credit section for further details.

Phase 2: Breadth/Depth Studies

Students can elect to enroll in the Research Stream or the Professional Stream.

Professional Orientation
40 subject points from:
ESA513 Leading Learning
EEE504 Issues in Assessment and Evaluation
EEP511 International Perspectives in Education
EEL406 Mentors and Mentoring
EEL510 Organisational Learning
EPT502 Issues in Professional Development
ESA503 Management of Educational Change
ESA504 Education Policy Analysis
ESA509 Advanced School Leadership
EEB501 Preparing a Literature Review
EER501 Qualitative Research Methods
EER502 Quantitative Research Methods
ERP502 Master of Education Project (16 points)
or
any subject offered by the Faculty of Education or Charles Sturt University, or other university (including the DeGroote School of Business, McMaster University) as approved by the Course Coordinator.

or

Research Orientation
ERP503 Master of Education Thesis (32 subject points) *
and
one subject selected from the list of Restricted Electives in the Professional Orientation stream.

* Note: Approval must be sought after the completion of five subjects to enroll in the thesis component. Students will be advised should further specialized research or other subjects be required.

What are the main points of comparison?

	Master of Education	Master of International Education (School Leadership)
Required Number of Courses	8	10
Potential Total Masters Dimension Course Recognition	2	2
Specific Courses Recognized	PQP – 2 courses Specialist – 1 course per specialist Experienced Principals’ Development Course – 1 course Masters courses from other universities	PQP – 2 courses Specialist – 1 course per specialist Experienced Principals’ Development Course – 1 course Masters courses from other universities
	Maximum of 4 courses: 50%	Maximum of 5 courses: 50%
Delivery of CSU Courses	Distance Education	Distance Education with an emphasis on developing a learning community
CSU Masters Admission Requirement	The admission requirements are the same for both degrees.
Course Content	Content determined by CSU	OPC and CSU cooperatively design the courses to meet the needs of school administrators.
Program Orientation	Standard program	Pathways provide for a professional or research orientation
Master’s Thesis (four courses)	Not available	Available within the research orientation
Master’s Project (two courses)	Available	Available within the professional orientation
Origin of Degree	Australian Degree	Ontario Degree
College of Teachers Recognition	Yes	Yes
Course Cost	$1500 Cdn	$1500 Cdn

 

Contact: schleadership@csu.edu.au

What if I have a question about the PQP Masters Dimension?

View Frequently Asked Questions or contact Dr. Andy Scott, the PQP Masters Dimension Coordinator: masters@principals.on.ca  

 APPLICATION FORM