1. Own Your Future: A curriculum-based doctoral professional development program
Julie Kaiser, PhD
Doctoral Professional Development Coordinator
School of Graduate & Postdoctoral Studies
Lorraine Davies, PhD
Associate Vice-Provost
School of Graduate & Postdoctoral Studies

2. Learning Outcomes
Apply the curriculum-design framework to develop an institution-wide and degree-level professional development program
Articulate the benefits of defining degree-level professional competencies and learning outcomes at the institutional level

3. Applying curriculum design to doctoral professional development
Doctoral Academic Curriculum:
Ontario Graduate Degree-Level Outcomes define the core competencies of learners
Learning outcomes reflect the level of the learner
Doctoral Professional Development Curriculum Goals:
Define core professional competencies relevant to current studies & future careers
Learning outcomes reflect advanced level of doctoral students

4. Defining the core competencies of PhDs
THRIVING
COMMUNICATION
DISCIPLINE KNOWLEDGE & SKILLS
INTERCULTURAL & SOCIAL FLUENCY
LEADERSHIP
TEACHING & LEARNING
CAREER ENGAGEMENT

5. Writing doctoral-level learning outcomes

6. Writing doctoral-level learning outcomes: Communication
The ability to explain complex ideas to a variety or audiences, to use appropriate communication tools effectively, and to foster positive working relationships.
Communication

7. Writing doctoral-level learning outcomes: Communication
Communicate complex ideas, explain work and describe skills effectively to expert and non-expert audiences
Use technology and social media effectively for professional applications and relationship building
Construct positive working relationships with graduate student peers, undergraduate students, supervisor, mentors, and employers
Communication
Effectively navigate relationships with power imbalance and/or where conflict exists
Form collaborative professional relationships that involved seeking out mutually beneficial relationships with others both inside and outside the academic environment

8. Assessing doctoral student learning
Doctoral Academic Curriculum:
Course assignments/tests
Comprehensive exams
Defense
Doctoral Professional Development Curriculum Goals:
Facilitate self-directed learning
No added stress of evaluation

9. Own Your Future Self-Assessment

10. Designing doctoral learning activities
Doctoral Academic Curriculum:
Research
Courses
Seminars
Attending conferences
Doctoral Professional Development Curriculum Goals:
Customizable to individual’s personal & professional goals
Promotes continuous skill development

11. Own Your Future modules
Specifically designed for the program = align with at least one of the program’s competencies & learning outcomes
Foundational or Elective
Tailored to degree-stage

12. Example of program engagement

13. Outcome of doctoral learning
Doctoral Academic Curriculum:
Degree
Doctoral Professional Development Curriculum Goals:
Competency & skill articulation

14. Benefits of institution-wide degree-level professional competencies & learning outcomes
Partners
Programs
Students

15. Julie Kaiser, jkaiser4@uwo.ca
grad.uwo.ca/career_development/own_your_future
Julie Kaiser,
Doctoral Professional Development Coordinator