College of Arts and Sciences
Professional Development Assignments
Program Description
The Professional Development Assignment (PDA) program is governed by University of Memphis policy AA3009.
The PDA Program at the University of Memphis encourages faculty members to continue their professional growth as scholars and teachers.
Half-year (one semester) PDA recipients receive full pay.
One year (full academic year) PDA recipients receive half pay.
A comprehensive list of recent PDA recipients can be found here.
Eligibility & Duration
First-time applicants or reapplying for the program.
- All full-time faculty are eligible on a competitive basis.
- Half-year PDA: Faculty are eligible for a half-year PDA with a minimum of seven (7)
years of full-time service since appointment or any previously granted PDA or professional
leave.
- E.g., Initial appointment of PDA awarded in Fall 2020 eligible for PDA award in Fall 2027. Faculty must apply in Fall 2026.
- One year PDA: Faculty members are eligible for a one-year PDA with a minimum of five
(5) years of full-time service since appointment of any previously granted PDA or
professional leave.
- E.g., Initial appointment of PDA awarded Fall 2022 or AY 2022-2023 eligible for award in AY 2027-2028. Faculty must apply in Fall 2026.
- In rare instances, the provost may grant exceptions.
- Table 1 below presents eligibility for a PDA based on an initial appointment semester or previously awarded PDA date. Columns 2, 3, and 4 are the subsequent, first eligible PDA periods based on Column 1 dates.
Table 1. Eligibility Table detailing first eligible semesters and years for one semester PDAs and full year PDAs
| Semester & Year of Initial Appt. of PDA Award | First Eligible Semester & Year for One Semester PDA | First Eligible Year for Full Academic Year PDA with a Fall Semester PDA | First Eligible Year for Full Academic Year PDA with a Spring Semester PDA |
|---|---|---|---|
| F19/S20 | F26/S27 | AY 24-25 | AY 25-26 |
| F20/S21 | F27/S28 | AY 25-26 | AY 26-27 |
| F21/S22 | F28/S29 | AY 26-27 | AY 27-28 |
| F22/S23 | F29/S30 | AY 27-28 | AY 28-29 |
| F23/S24 | F30/S31 | AY 28-29 | AY 29-30 |
| F24/S25 | F31/S32 | AY 29-30 | AY 30-31 |
| F25/S26 | F32/S33 | AY 30-31 | AY 31-32 |
| F26/S27 | F33/S34 | AY 31-32 | AY 32-33 |
| F27/S28 | F34/S35 | AY 32-33 | AY 33-34 |
Application Guidelines
Applications open early in the Fall semester of the year prior to the anticipated PDA (e.g., Fall 2026 applications are for Academic Year 2027-2028). You may access the application via the InfoReady website.
Proposals must include:
- A brief but specific plan (1-3 pages) for the work the faculty member intends to complete during the PDA.
- A statement about the expected benefit to the faculty member, the College, and the University.
- Applicants are encouraged to seek non-University support for the period of their leave, and attempts to obtain funds should be described in the proposal.
- Faculty members anticipating financial support from external funding should discuss this with their Chair or Director prior to submitting the proposal.
- Current curriculum vitae must accompany the proposal.
- A Chair/Director endorsement detailing your course and service coverage plans. You must provide your Chair's email address before submitting the application in order for them to receive the instructions to complete the endorsement. Letters of Support from the Chair are requested after the applicant submission deadline.
Post-Award
- PDA recipients sign a contract that will be distributed from the Dean’s office. This contract is subject to final approval by the Office of the Provost.
- PDA recipients must agree to remain at the University of Memphis for at least one full academic year after the assignment is completed.
- Full-year PDA recipients with sufficient external grant support can draw up to 50%
of available funds that, in turn, can be applied toward their salary.
- Approval to draw against external grant funds must be secured by the time they sign their contract accepting the PDA.
- Incentive pay cannot be drawn during a PDA period.
- Within three months after the end of the leave period, the faculty member will be prompted to complete an online reporting form describing the accomplishments and benefits of the leave.
- Complete the Online Reporting Form.
Priorities To Be Used By The Selection Committee
- Proposals that advance the faculty member's scholarship and/or teaching.
- Proposals that show clear potential to enhance the faculty member's contributions to the department or division, the College of Arts & Sciences, and the University.
- Proposals that clearly specify the plan for work during the leave period.
- Faculty members who have not received a previous PDA.
- Tenured faculty members.
CAS PDA Selection Committee Composition
- The committee is constituted by members of the College of Arts & Sciences Council for Graduate Studies and Research and coordinated by the Associate Dean of Research.
- The committee members represent the three disciplinary areas of the College (Humanities, Social Sciences, and Natural Science and Mathematical Sciences).
Selection Process
- After each member has reviewed the proposals, the PDA Committee meets with the Associate Dean overseeing the PDA program.
- Each committee member reports their decision as to whether the candidate (1) should definitely be funded, (2) should be funded if budgetary considerations permit, or (3) should not be funded even if there are sufficient funds.
- A supporting rationale is provided.
- If possible, the committee arrives at a consensus about each candidate.
- Based upon the PDA Committee's recommendations, the Associate Dean works with Chairs/Directors on course and service coverage for recommended applicants, and associated costs.
- The Associate Dean overseeing the program discusses committee recommendations and financial feasibility with the Dean and the Dean's professional staff.
- The Dean and Associate Dean issue decision letters to each applicant by the end of the fall semester. The faculty member's Chair/Director is copied.
- Faculty recommended to receive a PDA award will receive a contract from the Dean’s office. This contract is subject to final approval by the Office of the Provost.
- The Dean’s and Dean’s professional staff recommendations based on budget availability are sent to the Office of the Provost for final approval.