Governing Through System Change: Online Admission Course
Organization: Ontario Association of Architects (OAA)
Context & Risk — OAA Admission Course — a licensing requirement — was delivered through a legacy, in-person model that constrained accessibility, scalability, and learner engagement. Key risks included:
Significant disruption to work and personal schedules through a five-day, fixed-format course;
Once-a-year access with no online, hybrid, or modular alternatives, restricting flexibility and growth;
Limited engagement within a lecture-based model serving 450 participants annually;
Unavoidable travel and accommodation costs creating financial and geographic barriers.
Solution — Complete overhaul of the course by outsourcing delivery to the University of Toronto School of Continuing Studies, retaining intellectual property rights and leveraging the university’s infrastructure and administrative capacity.
Outcome — Transformed the Course into a scalable, accessible, and high-impact licensing program:
Expanded accessibility: Intern Architects across Ontario (and internationally) can now complete the course online, 24/7, removing geographic and financial barriers.
Increased participation and efficiency: Tripled attendance and accelerated licensing timelines.
Enhanced operational capacity: Leveraged the University of Toronto’s infrastructure and administrative resources, reducing OAA’s operational burden.
Institutional credibility: Partnership with a top-tier academic institution strengthened the OAA’s reputation and established a sustainable, repeatable model for professional development.
