Complete Eight Hours of Professional Development Activities

The University of Alberta Professional Development (PD) Requirement has two components. Submit both to your department advisor before convocation:

  1. An individualized career plan document called an Individual Development Plan (IDP)
  2. Proof that you completed eight hours of PD activities inspired by the career plan

Use the self-assessment in your IDP to identify your career or life goals. Choose PD activities that support those goals and develop skills outside your academic program.

Your department advisor confirms whether an activity meets the requirement. Approval usually does not need to happen in advance, but asking before you register can prevent uncertainty. Most doctoral students must complete the activities within the first three years of study. Master's students must complete them by the time they finish their degree. Ask your department advisor which tracking and completion forms your department uses.

What to do

  1. Choose activities that meet all three criteria below.
  2. Complete a total of eight hours and keep proof for each activity.
  3. When you finish the eight hours, send your attendance records or other proof, along with any required completion form, to your department advisor.
  4. Your department advisor reviews the materials and records completion of the requirement.

What PD activities count

PD activities can take place on or off campus, and may include training you participate in through your professional work/employment role. A PD activity fulfils the U of A PD Requirement if it contributes to the acquisition of skills, knowledge or mindset and includes all three of the following criteria:

  • The activity includes formal training, active learning and an assessment component (self-assessment, reflection, quiz, write-pair-share or evidence of knowledge application). Learning activities under the tutelage of Indigenous elders fall under this component where students may provide a self-assessment, application of knowledge, reflection or practice that aligns with the learning of Indigenous knowledge.
  • The activity must fall outside of research methods training, capstone project, thesis or equivalent and required practicum. Practicums and internships that have assessment, reflection and feedback components can be applied toward the PD requirement (e.g., GSIP).
  • The activity supports your career goals or one or more of the seven skills and competencies identified in your IDP.

University-sanctioned committee service

Graduate students who are members of university-sanctioned committees/boards (e.g., Graduate Students' Association, CTL Advisory Committee, Department Council) can apply to have two hours of PD credit for training achieved through their work experience. Students will need to identify learning outcomes and how they were achieved during their experience.

Submit the committee service form to the committee chair or supervisor for approval. Once approved, two hours of PD credit will appear in campusBRIDGE and count toward the eight-hour requirement.

What to do when you finish your eight hours

After you complete eight hours, fill out the Individual Development Plan and Professional Development Completion Form. Your department may use its own form instead. That is acceptable; use the department form if your department prefers it. On whichever form you use, list each professional development activity, the number of hours and the date completed. Sign the form and send it, together with your proof of attendance, to your department advisor.

  1. Download and complete the Individual Development Plan and Professional Development Completion Form, or use a department-specific form if your department provides or prefers one. 
  2. List enough activities to document eight hours, include the hours and completion dates, then sign the form.
  3. Collect proof for the eight hours you are submitting. A campusBRIDGE attendance record is sufficient. Proof may also include screenshots, downloaded attendance records, PDF certificates, scanned certificates, confirmation emails or another record that clearly shows your participation or completion. You can record additional professional development activities on your CV or in your professional portfolio.
  4. If you do not have another form of proof, ask the presenter or host to sign a Declaration of Attendance.
  5. Send the completed form and your proof to your department advisor. Your department will review the materials, complete its section of the form and retain the record. The important step is to submit the requirement and keep a documented record of completion.

To help keep track of your PD hours, you may want to use a Record of Activities

Before convocation, confirm with your department advisor that the completed form has been retained and the eight-hour requirement has been recorded as complete.

Additional resources

Activities that do not fulfil the requirement

  • Sessions used towards the Ethics and Academic Integrity requirement
  • Information sessions to highlight resources or programs
  • Teaching assistantships, research assistantships, lab meetings and presenting a talk or poster
  • Mentoring