Professional Development Credits

What are Professional Development Credit (PDC)?

Professional development credits (PDC) reflect faculty and staff participation in professional development activities. Unless otherwise noted, each one contact hour of professional development equates to one hour of PDC. Tracking of PDC are the sole responsibility of faculty and staff.

Who Can Earn PDC?

All employees are strongly encouraged to maintain and enhance their knowledge by pursuing professional development and continued education, as part of the College’s commitment to a culture of learning.

Tracking your PDCs are optional for full-time Administrative and Professional staff, full-time and part-time Career Service staff, full-time (non-bargaining) Teaching Faculty, and part-time (adjunct) Faculty.

For full-time (bargaining) Faculty: Please refer to the article on Professional Development in the Collective Bargaining Agreement. 

What Learning Activities Qualify for PDC?

Learning activities that qualify for PDC include, but not limited to, those listed below. Qualified learning activities are aligned with the College’s mission and core values. Learning activities may be internal and external of the College. It is recommended that employees meet with their supervisor to discuss professional development and learning activities, so that supervisors can provide feedback that supports the individual employee’s unique role.

Examples of qualifying learning activities:

• Cross-training on the job
• Participating in a webinar
• Participating in Leadership Academy
• Learning new work processes or software
• Attendance/presentation at conferences, workshops, or seminars
• Professional travel study programs
• Courses sponsored by industry or continuing professional education
• Publishing in professional publications/journals
• Service on national, state, or local boards/professional associations
• Reading/research in the field
• Coursework at an accredited college/university (Note: Each one hour of college credit over a semester equates to 30 hours of PDC.)

How are PDCs Documented?

PDCs are documented, entered, and tracked by each faculty and staff member using the Seminole State Application Portal (SSAP).  Tracking of PDCs are the responsibility of faculty and staff. This information is also available to each direct supervisor and the Office of Human Resources to view only. 

1. When an employee attends a college-sponsored activity, they should submit their PDCs through SSAP for their own tracking and for their supervisor to have access. 
2. When an employee completes an online course (e.g., Skillsoft or Canvas), the completion records are available in each system’s learning history section and can be shared uniquely as a learning transcript.
3. When an employee completes a learning activity “outside” of the College (e.g., college courses, seminars, presentations, etc.) they can submit their PDCs through SSAP for their own tracking and for their supervisor to have access.

Steps to request PDC

• Log into the Seminole State Application Portal (SSAP)
• From the left navigation, select Professional Development
• Select Employee
• Select Requests
• From the upper right, select Add New
• For College Course credit, click on Credit Courses, click on Choose Type of PDC. Complete the form and select Create.
  Note: For each one hour of college credit, 30 hours of PDC is granted. The system does this calculation automatically for you. 
• For Other Learning Activity Credits, click on Learning Activity, then click on Choose Type of PDC. Complete the form and select Create.