Professional
Development Requirement
The professional development requirement was implemented to help students recognize their talents, pursue their interests, learn professional skills, and make the connections that will help them excel in their chosen field.
This requirement has two parts: the individual development plan and eight (8) hours of professional development (PD) activities.
Individual Development Plan
An individual development plan (IDP) is a professional development tool used to help an individual identify strengths and areas for growth, and set attainable goals.
Your IDP Workbook must be finalized by your supervisor and submitted to dentgrad@ualberta.ca within:
12 months of your program's commencement for full-time master's degree students
18 months of your program's commencement for full-time doctoral students
Working on your IDP does not count towards your eight hours of PD activities.
Professional Development Activities
Students must complete eight hours of PD activities. These activities can take place on or off campus.
The eight hours of PD activities must be completed:
by the time of degree completion for master's degree students.
within the first three years for doctoral students.
A PD activity will fulfill the PD requirement if it contributes to the acquisition of skills, knowledge or mindset and includes all of these three components*:
Comprises of formal training and includes active learning, with an assessment component (self-assessment, reflection, quiz, write-pair-share, evidence of knowledge application).
Falls outside of research methods training, capstone project, thesis or equivalent, and required practicum.
Supports the career goals and/or seven skills/competencies identified in the individual development plan.
*Your supervisor is responsible for approving the eight hours of PD activities considering the components listed above.
Activities that do NOT fulfill the requirement
Sessions used towards the ethics and academic integrity requirement
Information sessions to highlight resources or programs
Teaching assistantships, research assistantships, lab meetings
Presenting a talk or poster
Serving as a mentor
Serving on a board/volunteer activities
University Sanctioned Committees
As a pilot, 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 PD credit for training achieved through their work experience. Students will need to identify learning outcomes and how they were achieved during their experience. After students submit their form for approval by the committee chair/supervisor, a two-hour PD credit will appear in campusBridge.
Proof of Attendance
Attendance record in campusBRIDGE.
Certificate of participation or completion.
If you attend a session in which no certificate of completion or attendance will be given, use the Declaration of Attendance Form and have the coordinator/presenter sign it.
Sources of PD Activities
Subscribe to the Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research (FGSR) Newsletter.
Consult the FGSR events and training.
Check out the PD online suite.
View and register for events and training on campusBRIDGE.