Professional Development

The Professional Development Program (PDP) is SSA's Continuing Education department offering an ongoing series of courses, workshops and lectures addressing the evolving issues and challenges faced by social workers and human service professionals in both clinical and administrative roles. You will gain theoretical understanding and practical insight from SSA faculty and practitioners based on the latest research. You will also learn from the personal experiences of your classmates and colleagues. Programs are available at five convenient locations across greater Chicago. PDP brochures are produced and mailed three times a year, corresponding with class offerings in the fall, winter/spring, and summer. The workshops are posted online prior to each mailing. 

Class Schedule

Browse the list of upcoming courses, workshops, and lectures.

Registration

There are two ways to register for our programs:

• Register online
  (View instructions for registering online)
• Download and mail or fax a registration form (PDF)
  (View instructions for submitting the registration form)

To view registration policies, please go here.

Special Programs

Most of our classes are one-day workshops, but we do offer some longer courses such as Comprehensive Review of Clinical Social Work and Spanish for Social Workers, fellowship programs such as Advanced Psychodynamic Clinical Practice, and consultation groups such as Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT). 

Credit & Cost

PDP workshops, special programs, and lectures offer Continuing Education credit (CEUs) that can be applied to meet state licensing requirements for social workers (LSW/LCSW), professional counselors (LPC/LCPC), and marriage and family therapists (MFT). Consult the class schedule for specific tuition costs. SSA alumni, current SSA students and Field Instructors, and certain other groups qualify for tuition discounts. 

Questions?

Contact the Professional Development Program with any questions. You can also visit the Professional Development Program Facebook page.