Professional Development
The Center for Teaching and Learning provides professional development opportunities to faculty and staff. Professional development includes both training and scholarship activities. As a University, we understand the importance of supplying current and relevant information in order to provide a positive learning environment for our students.
Faculty development is essential to the mission of the University and to the faculty for maintaining current knowledge in their field. Professional development is defined as tools, resources, and training that help faculty further their knowledge in their subject area, develop and expand teaching techniques, and enhance skills to better meet the needs of students. Faculty responsibilities include completing and reporting no fewer than 8 hours of formal/active professional development each academic year.
NOTE: The CTL performs a monthly reporting service for CTL PD-eligible events.
Opportunities by Delivery
Asynchronous Opportunities
Opportunities by Topic
Faculty Learning Communities
Module Courses
New Faculty Orientation (NFO)
At Purdue Global, we believe that investment in our employees and their families' education is an important component in the success of our community of professionals. Education Benefits allow us to help employees develop academically (by providing tuition programs and discounts) while continuing to develop their careers at Purdue Global. Learn more about education benefits.
Professional Development Reporting
Purdue University Global uses APL nextED, a comprehensive Faculty Management Solution (FMS) for managing and reporting on all faculty and staff data.
The CTL provides an activity reporting service to streamline the reporting process. Learn more about activity reporting.
Professional Development FAQs
What is considered "participation" for a Live Event?
Just as instructors expect students to arrive at a seminar on time, stay for the majority of the time, and interact productively with peers and facilitators, we expect the same level of participation for our Live Event offerings. Generally speaking, faculty and staff who log into a Live Event, interact with the presenter, the hosts or the attendees, or some combination therein are attendees who are best positioned to gain additional knowledge, insight, and skills that they can apply to the classroom or work, their own research or publishing efforts, and improve their overall effectiveness as a higher education professional.
Where do I log my professional development?
Professional Development activities are tracked in the faculty management system, APL nextED.
Be sure to have a conversation with your manager/department chairperson if you have any questions regarding professional development activities. The CTL performs a monthly reporting service for CTL PD-eligible events. The CTL Activity Reporting Form provides a streamlined entry point for reporting other activities.
May I use outside professional development/scholarship experiences to meet this requirement?
Yes, you may be asked to provide documentation demonstrating your participation in or completion of an activity so keep it on hand. It's also recommended that you discuss any outside professional development activities with your manager to ensure that it contributes directly to your teaching area and development goals.
I attended an external conference and earned CEUs? Can CEUs be used to document my professional development?
Some PD events, particularly external ones for certifications, may be calculated in Continuing Education Units (CEUs); these are a measurement used in continuing education programs, primarily for those in a licensed profession (psychology, teaching, etc.). CEUs are calculated in this way: 1 CEU = 10 clock hours. If you earned 2 CEUs, they are equivalent to 20 clock hours. You may be asked to provide documentation to show that you earned the CEUs. Not all internal and external activities qualify for CEUs. All professional development reporting at Purdue Global should be listed in clock hours. External PD activities should be reported using the CTL Activity Reporting form.
May I attach supporting documentation regarding my external professional development/scholarship activities as I am entering my information into the tracking system?
Absolutely and we recommend it! This is a convenient way to ensure that your department chair or manager is able to verify your external training activities.
How often should I update my professional development/scholarship information?
We recommend updating your information each time you complete an activity. This will ensure that you capture all of the relevant information and will help you to avoid having to spend hours reconstructing your activities for the year.
I attended a CTL live event. Does this count toward the professional development requirement?
Most CTL Live Events offer learning outcomes warranting professional development. Any event that does not qualify for PD hours will be clearly labeled and this information shared during the event. The CTL performs a monthly reporting service for CTL PD-eligible events including most live events. Live events and archive views must complete the event reflection form for PD to be reported.
Are the CTL workshops counted towards professional development hours?
Yes, CTL training and workshops are counted towards professional development hours; the hours for each are noted in the workshop overview. The CTL performs a monthly reporting service for CTL PD-eligible events including workshops.
Is 8 hours of professional development a minimum requirement?
Yes, it is. Check with your department chair to find out the number of hours required for your department. In some cases, more than 8 hours will be required.
When are the 8 hours of professional development hours due?
8 hours of professional development must be reported (as a minimum requirement for faculty at Purdue Global) by June 30 of the current academic year. Some schools, however, may have deadlines set earlier in the year. Check with your department chair or manager for information related to your specific department or school.
How do I calculate the number of scholarship hours I spent in research and development for an article I wrote or presentation I developed?
You will need to work with your department chair to come to an agreement about the number of hours that should be reported toward your professional development requirement. It will be helpful if you have kept a log or diary of time spent so that you can have a meaningful discussion regarding a reasonable assessment of your time.
I attended the Purdue Global Village and/or General Education Conference; may I use this time toward my requirement?
Yes, conference attendance can be a great way to enhance your professional development. The CTL performs a monthly reporting service for CTL PD-eligible events including Purdue Global Village and the General Education Conference.
Are there any tutorials available to walk me through the self-reporting process?
Yes, we provide resources and tutorials for reporting information including professional development in the reporting system.
Where do I go if I have more questions?
You should always discuss your questions with your department chair or manager. For any questions that your chair/manager cannot answer, please contact the CTL Team at askctl@purdueglobal.edu.
Activity Reporting Form
The Activity Reporting form is for Purdue Global faculty and staff to report professional development*, scholarship, and service activities.
One form should be completed for each activity being reported.
The CTL will take care of reporting activities in APL based on the information provided in this form.
A member of the CTL team may reach out to you regarding your entry if there are questions.
NOTE: This form is to be used in place of reporting activity directly in APL. DO NOT enter activities reported on this form in APL as this will result in duplication.
If you have questions, please email askctl@purdueglobal.edu for assistance.
*Professional development activities that are part of the CTL reporting service outlined above should not be reported on this form.