Professional Preparation, Ongoing Learning, and Credentialing

Some of the first competencies for higher education professionals were published in the 1937 Student Personnel Point of View by the American Council on Education. These have evolved and expanded over time, and professional associations have defined knowledge, skills, and dispositions for the field in general and specific functional areas. These competencies, along with relevant ethical guidelines, professional standards, and learning opportunities hosted by professional organizations provide a framework for learners across a continuum encompassing a foundation of preparing future professionals through continuous learning and professional development. Recently, professional credentialing in the forms of certificates and certification was introduced as a voluntary means to further validate professionals’ knowledge and incentivize continued learning.