Professional Development Institute
Learning, Learning by Doing, Doing
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Upcoming Courses!
Term III - September to December, 2026
Special Education Diagnostics
Special Education and Nutrition
Music Production and Sound Engineering
Response to Intervention and IEP (RTI)
Making Physical and Psychological Spaces Inclusive
Intelligence Analysis
Occupational Health & Safety
Drone Operation and Safety Management
Event Planning and Management
Risk Management & Resilience
Music Business Administration & Management — Module 1: Foundation
Advertising and Promotions
Professional Live Streaming & Event Production
Special Education Data
Technology for Special Education
Real Estate Brokerage & Agency Principles
Social Media and Corporate Video Production
Treatment and the Team Approach
Technology for Special Education
Overview of PDI
The Professional Development Institute (PDI) was established to enable the University to respond more efficiently and effectively to market demand for professional training. PDI offers professional courses and programmes for early and mid-career professionals, pre-professionals, and those who have an interest in or aptitude for but have not had any formal training in an area.
PDI courses and programmes equip the student with the knowledge, skills, competencies, and attitudes that are relevant and current. They are grounded in the foundations of the discipline, profession, or occupation, but tilt more towards practice than theory, and help the student step seamlessly from the classroom into the workspace.
How PDI Tailors Learning to Your Needs
PDI also designs, develops, and delivers courses and programmes in response to the expressed needs of institutions. These bespoke programmes are tailored to respond to the specific context, aspirations and operations of the client-institution. The Professional Development Institute offers courses organised in three Terms. Each Term runs for twelve to fourteen weeks, as follows: mid-September to mid-December; mid-January to mid-April; and mid-May to mid-August.
The dates for specific courses are indicated on the course flyer below. The course schedules are posted just prior to the start of the course. Courses are conducted on Zoom or face-to-face (residential and non-residential). Payment for each programme must be completed before the course ends, in order to receive the credential. Students may request to go on a payment plan to facilitate their on-time payments.
Course Completion Requirements
Successful completion of each course requires students to meet both the attendance and assignment requirements.
Students must complete:
- at least 80% attendance, and
- at least 80% of assigned coursework and assessments.
This means that students are expected to participate consistently in lectures, activities, discussions, and course assignments throughout the course. Students who do not meet the minimum attendance or assignment requirements may not be considered eligible for successful completion of the course or certification.
Grading Options: Pass/Fail or Letter Grade
Students have an individual choice between two grading options:
- Pass/Fail
or - Letter Grade
Students are required to indicate their preferred grading option by the stated deadline communicated during orientation.
Understanding the Pass/Fail Option
Under the Pass/Fail system:
- students are evaluated based on whether they have satisfactorily met the course requirements,
- numerical and letter grades are not reflected in the final result,
and the final outcome is recorded simply as:- Pass
or - Fail.
- Pass
To receive a Pass, students must:
- meet the attendance requirement,
- complete the required assignments,
- and demonstrate satisfactory understanding and participation in the course.
Understanding the Letter Grade Option
Students who choose the Letter Grade option will receive a formal academic grade based on their performance in course assignments and assessments.
The final letter grade is determined by:
- the average of assignment grades,
- participation and assessments where applicable,
- and the weighting assigned by the course instructor.
The course instructor is responsible for:
- grading assignments,
- determining the value or weight of each assignment,
- and calculating the cumulative final grade.
Grading System
What the Grades Mean
Excellent (A / A-)
Students demonstrate:
- excellent understanding of course content,
- strong critical thinking and analysis,
- evidence of extensive reading and preparation,
- high levels of originality and problem-solving,
- and exceptional performance independently or in groups.
Very Good (B+ / B / B-)
Students demonstrate:
- very good understanding of course content,
- strong analytical and communication skills,
- evidence of substantial preparation,
- creativity and problem-solving ability,
- and effective independent or group work.
Satisfactory (C+ / C)
Students demonstrate:
- acceptable understanding of course content,
- some evidence of preparation and background reading,
- acceptable analytical and communication skills,
- and satisfactory participation in individual and group work.
Unsatisfactory (C-)
Students demonstrate:
- limited understanding of course content,
- little evidence of preparation,
- weak analysis and communication,
- and below-acceptable performance in coursework and participation.
Deficient (D)
Students demonstrate:
- deficient understanding of course content,
- absence of problem-solving and analytical skills,
- poor communication and performance,
- and difficulty functioning independently or collaboratively.
Unacceptable (F)
Students demonstrate:
- failure to understand course material,
- lack of participation and preparation,
- inability to demonstrate required competencies,
- and unacceptable overall performance.
Please write to the instructor, cc pdi@usc.edu, for clarification on any aspects of the course content, methodology and assessment.
PDI manages the record-keeping and issuance of certificates. Please write to pdi@usc.edu.tt for any additional information and/or clarification.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are these certificate courses?
Yes. A certificate course is a short-term, specialised programme designed to teach specific skills or provide expertise in a particular area. USC is 99 years old, and is the 3rd largest and 3rd highest ranked university in Trinidad and Tobago.
Is there a registration fee?
No, there is no registration fee for PDI courses.
Is there a certificate fee?
No, there is no certificate fee.
Is there a mailing fee?
No, there is no mailing fee. On successful completion of the course, PDI will ask you to reconfirm your full mailing address and your certificate will be mailed to you.
Are there payment options available?
Yes, there are payment options based on the duration of the course. PDI will send you the payment options via email or whatsapp.
What are the payment methods?
There are three methods:
- By credit/debit card, via Aeorion, USC-PDI’s payment portal
- By national or international wire transfer to USC’s account at Republic or Royal Bank in Trinidad
- By deposit to USC’s account at Republic or Royal Bank in Trinidad and tobago
What are the course delivery methods?
There are four delivery methods, viz:
- Face-to-face or in-person classes on one of USC’s campus as published
- Virtual classes on virtual platforms like Moodle or Zoom
- Online, asynchronous classes where students study at their own pace
- Hybrid or mixed-mode classes in which more than one delivery method is used during the class.
Are there any prerequisites?
Most PDI courses do not have formal prerequisites. However, some advanced or specialised courses may recommend prior experience or foundational knowledge. Specific requirements, if any, will be listed in the course description.
What are the main elements of a course?
- Course Title
- Start and end dates
- Class days and times
- Professional Development Hours (PDHs) – hours of classroom contact and assignments
- Objectives and Learning Outcomes
- Themes – these are some of the key themes/areas of focus in the course.
- CQF Level – the CARICOM Qualifications Framework to which each course is pegged
Contact PDI
Tel: 1-868-662-2241 , 1-868-612-4872 Ext 1051
WhatsApp: 1-868-471-7272
E-mail: pdi@usc.edu.tt