CONT593: Honour Specialist History

Course Schedule

Course Description

The History Specialist Course is a comprehensive professional development journey designed to deepen your expertise in ethical leadership, critical thinking, and inclusive teaching. Throughout the course, you’ll engage in interactive activities including discussion forums, peer feedback, and reflective journaling—each designed to expand and refine your teaching practice. You’ll delve into key areas, such as Indigenous perspectives, anti-oppression strategies, special education, and mental health support. By the end of the course, you’ll be equipped with practical tools and meaningful insights to create more inclusive, engaging, and supportive learning environments for all your students.

What You Will Learn and Do

In this course you’ll have the opportunity to

• explore and apply various approaches to studying history
• analyze primary and secondary sources to construct historical narratives
• develop strategies to create inclusive and diverse history courses
• facilitate discussions of sensitive and controversial historical topics
• analyze and challenge dominant narratives
• examine and apply universal design for learning (UDL) principles to create inclusive history classrooms
• incorporate considerations of equity, diversity, and inclusion into professional practice
• complete authentic and inquiry-based culminating tasks and a unit plan
• foster critical reflection on your own teaching practice

Application Requirements

1) OCT MEMBERSHIP We will use the OCT number you provide during online registration to confirm that your Certificate of Qualifications shows certification in at least two teaching divisions (Primary, Junior, Intermediate, Senior).

2) YOUR UNDERGRADUATE/GRADUATE UNIVERSITY TRANSCRIPT(S)*

Your transcript(s) must show:

• The equivalent of 9.0 full year undergraduate/graduate courses in this teaching subject with a minimum 'B' average in these courses
• A Bachelor's degree at an accredited university with the equivalent of 20.0 full year courses

3) CONFIRMATION OF TEACHING EXPERIENCE FORM 

Signed by a Supervisory Official* from your School Board confirming that you have two years (388 days) of teaching experience since becoming a certified teacher, one year (194 days) of which is in the subject area of this course.

*The Ontario College of Teachers defines "Supervisory Official" as the Superintendent or Assistant Superintendent of the school board for a teacher employed by a Board of Education. A principal or headmaster is not recognized in this capacity. For a teacher employed by a private school, the "supervisory official" is the Ministry of Education official (Education Officer) appointed to your school. For overseas experience the appropriate Supervisory Official is the person your Principal reports to.

Please note that a new form is always required for a Specialist course as experience is course/subject specific.

*If you completed a Queen's undergrad (at any time), or a B.Ed., Honour Specialist, or an Intermediate or Senior ABQ course with us within the last 4 years you are not required to resend your transcripts.

**If you completed a medial degree and do not have a major you may be eligible for a Combined Honour Specialist. Please see our FAQ's or contact us for more information.

Course Materials

Accommodations

Applicants who require accommodations for a specific learning need (e.g., learning disability) within their AQ/ABQ course, should click here for further information and support.

Have a question? Contact us!

Refund Schedule

If you drop a course:

1. by the midpoint of the course, you will receive 100% of your course fee.
2. after the midpoint, before the end of the course, you will receive 50% of your course fee.

For more about our refund policies, visit our Fees & Refunds page.