It is the intent of this broad-based program of study to assure that learning experiences contribute specifically to new knowledge and/or skills that are directly applicable to the participants' workplace, as well as contribute to a broader and deeper understanding of the organization in which the participant is employed. Therefore, there are four "required, core" curricular areas and other "elective, job-specific choice" areas. Participants have a wide selection within each of the curricular areas to meet the minimum number of hours.

Hours
The entire program consists of 40 hours: 5 in four core curriculum areas (a total of 20 hours), 10 hours in elective/job-specific area(s), and 10 additional hours that may be applied to any of the curricular areas. Any single experience or training session may be applied to only one curricular area. For example, someone takes a six-hour class in Communication Skills. Five of those hours satisfy the core area of Communications, and the extra hour can apply toward the 10 additional hours needed in any core or elective area.

Minimum hours for core curriculum areas
Classes that count in any of the four core areas must be at least 5.0 hours in length.

This could be accomplished in a variety of ways; for instance, a day-long class or a class held one night a week for two weeks with each one 2.5 hours in length. The intent is to encourage more depth in a subject area, with the assumption that a single presenter covers the entire time period, and that material presented is interrelated or builds in complexity.

"Extra" hours gained from a core session experience may be applied to an elective area on the same topic.

Minimum hours for classes/workshops in elective curriculum areas
Classes in the elective areas must be at least 2.0 hours in length.

In the case of conference formats where sessions are less than 2.0 hours in length, the PDA will evaluate these on an individual basis. It is likely that in most circumstances, participants will receive a given number of credit hours in one designated elective area, instead of individual hours in a variety of curriculum areas.

Maximum hours per class
A maximum if 10 hours will be approved for any one learning experience.

Although some classes are longer than 10 hours, it is felt that for a program which encourages exposure to a variety of content areas and is only 40 hours in total length, a maximum of 10 hours for any one experience is reasonable.

Class Attendance
Participants must attend the entire scheduled class to be awarded credit. The PDA will not give partial credits for any class. For example, if someone attends only the morning of a day-long workshop, they will not receive credit for the time they were there. For a program that leads to a Certificate, candidates must demonstrate their commitment to the total educational process planned for them. Exceptions may be made for conferences where participants have the option of attending all or a portion of the sessions.

In the case of an unavoidable conflict where a participant must miss a small portion of a class, the instructor has the option of working with that person to assist them in making up any missed material. In this case, the participant must obtain written verification from the instructor that this has been accomplished.

© 2003 WEA Professional Development Academy, Inc.