Professional Development
V4.0
June 27, 2013
Purpose
The policy is designed to provide guidelines for administering a program of professional
development and education for its staff. It reaffirms that Metropolitan State University of
Denver’s commitment to education extends to its staff as well as its students.
Scope
As part of MSU Denver’s commitment to staff development, the University offers a
variety of programs and services designed to help staff achieve professional and
personal growth and greater job satisfaction. These include:
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University-wide Workshops and Seminars. These development opportunities are
generally offered through the Office of the President, Academic Affairs, Students
Services, and Administration and Finance in various forms.
MSU Denver Tuition Aid Program. Employees of the University may take
courses at MSU Denver to improve or enhance their job skills.
Professional Development Fund. Employees may apply for reimbursement for
educational related activities.
Departmental Development Activities. Departments at MSU Denver may, at their
discretion, also fund employee related training programs. This may include
individual and group training sessions.
Introduction
A commitment to continuous learning and innovation will enhance MSU Denver’s ability
to fulfill its mission. In support of that commitment, the university has developed a
Professional Development policy to ensure that its staff continues to grow as
professionals.
The focus and means of an employee’s professional development activity should be
guided by university, department, and employee goals and objectives. Conferences,
seminars, academic coursework, and work related training opportunities are some of
the ways our staff may pursue professional development. While funding is limited,
every effort will be made to enhance job skills and job satisfaction for the university’s
staff.
In all cases, employees must receive approval from their supervisors before taking
advantage of the different professional development related opportunities. If an
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employee chooses to participate in professional development on their own time, these
activities are not considered as time worked and are not eligible for university funding.
Policy Statements
University Wide Workshops and Seminars
Description
Workshops and seminars are offered throughout the year by all the major areas of the
university, including the Office of the President, Academic Affairs, Student Services,
Institutional Advancement, Information Technology, and Administration and Finance.
These workshops are intended to help improve basic areas of management, work-skills
development, communication skills, career and personal development, life skills, health,
safety issues, etc.
Eligibility
Upon employment with the University, employees are eligible to participate in the
workshops and seminars with supervisor approval. Certain programs may have special
prerequisites or eligibility restrictions.
Release Time
Training and development programs are usually offered during normal work hours.
Once attendance is approved, hours spent in this activity are considered normal work
hours.
MSU Denver Tuition Aid Program
Description
The MSU Denver Tuition Aid Program allows permanent full and part-time employees to
take MSU Denver offered university courses. Employees may receive a scholarship
equivalent to six credit hours per year using this program. This scholarship is prorated
by the individual’s employment percentage. The scholarship will only pay for in-state
tuition. Employees are still responsible for university assessed fees and any courserelated costs (textbooks, course fees, etc.). More information can be found at
www.mscd.edu/. If the course is not offered at MSU Denver, the employee may qualify
for reimbursement of the tuition if they take the course at another institution. The
reimbursement will be for tuition only at MSU Denver’s tuition rates for up to six credit
hours.
Eligibility
All full and part-time university employees that have completed at least one year of
service are eligible for this benefit. Employees must receive supervisor approval to take
University courses with this program. Certain courses may have prerequisites or other
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restrictions. Eligible employees must apply for the College Opportunity Fund stipends
for these credit hours.
Release Time
It is expected that employees will take courses during nonworking hours whenever
possible. In the event that no courses are offered during nonworking hours, and when
the course benefits the employee and the university, employees may take the class
during working hours. In this circumstance, employees will be granted release time for
hours in class, as well as the time to travel to and from the class. Release time cannot
exceed 3 hours per week per semester.
Professional Development Fund
Description
Employees of the university may identify professional development opportunities
outside of the normal workshops, seminars, and Tuition aid scholarships offered by the
University. These opportunities include academic coursework at other institutions of
higher education which is not offered at MSU Denver, as well as conferences, seminars,
and work related training courses. The monies in this fund are limited and dispersed on
a first come, first serve basis. Employees may be reimbursed up to $750 each fiscal
year from the fund for qualified professional development activities. More specific
information may be found at www.msudenver.edu/ .
Eligibility
All full-time employees completing at least one year of service to the university are
eligible to participate in this program. Employees are required to obtain supervisor
approval to qualify for this program. Only courses or educational activities that will
benefit the state and enhance the employee’s performance will be approved.
Release Time
Conferences, seminars, or work related training are generally offered during normal
work hours. Hours spent in these activities are considered normal working hours. In
the event that the activity takes place after hours, employees are not eligible for
overtime benefits.
Employees using the fund for academic coursework at other institutions of higher
education are expected to take courses at times other than normal work hours. In the
event that the course is only offered during work hours, employees are granted release
time for the course, as well as travel time to and from the class. Employees may only
receive 3 hours of release time per week per semester for academic courses.
Departmental Professional Development
Description
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University departments may determine to use departmental funds to provide training
opportunities to their employees to improve job related skills. This may include
conferences, seminars, and work related training courses. Departmental funds may not
be used to reimburse employees for academic coursework at institutions of higher
education. If a department requires that an employee obtain or maintain job or fieldrelated certifications, it is expected that the department will fund activities related to the
certification.
Eligibility
All full and part-time employees are eligible for this benefit. Departments have the
discretion of establishing their own policies governing eligibility.
Release Time
Training and development programs are usually offered during normal work hours.
Once attendance is approved, hours spent in this professional development activity are
considered normal work hours. In the event that the opportunities are offered during
non-work hours, the employee is not eligible for overtime benefits.
Authority
The Office of the President delegates authority to the Vice President of Administration
and Finance to oversee compliance with this policy.
Questions regarding this policy, or requests for variances from the policy, should be
directed to the Vice President of Administration and Finance.
Related Documents and Policies
Policy Approved By
President’s Cabinet on December 8, 2008
Revision History
Origination Date: December 8, 2008
Last Amended Data:
Next Review Date: September 1, 2010
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