The Professional Development Plan (PDP) helps you to identify how the degree program fits into your overall academic and professional goals. Be sure to indicate in your PDP when you will complete your residencies. In thinking about residencies, it is important to note that attending one early on in your program can be beneficial in helping you make connections with other students, faculty, and understand program requirements.

The PDP is a required activity in your counseling program. This assignment is part 1 of a 3 part licensing and credentialing activity that you will complete throughout your program. The completion of this assignment is essential for your later completion of parts 2 and 3 and essential to your professional development.

To prepare for this Assignment:

• Review the Professional Development Plan template (PDP), Statement of Counseling Identity in the Learning Resources, the Field Experience website, and the Academic Residencies website for this week; you will also need information from state licensure boards to complete this week’s assignment. Do not contact the licensure office for this information..
• Reflect on your own personal experiences, professional training and development, self-awareness, and your future as a clinical mental health counselor in preparation for writing your Professional Development Plan.