Individual Development Plan

An Individual Development Plan (IDP) is a tool for planning your professional development experiences during your graduate education. An IDP helps graduate students to do the following: 

• Assess your current strengths 

• Identify your areas of growth 

• Develop your specific goals and outcomes for professional development 

• Facilitate communication with your faculty and mentors about your goals 

Aim to revisit your IDP on an ongoing basis, update it as your skills and goals evolve, and record your progress and accomplishments.

IDPs can take many forms—from a simple checklist to a detailed plan. The best IDP is one that helps you understand, set, and meet your goals. Here are IDP formats developed specifically for George Mason University graduate students: 

• IDP Sample Template for Doctoral Students 

• IDP Sample Template for Masters and Graduate Certificate Students 

All IDPs should have these 5 key steps: 

1. Conducting a Self-Assessment 

2. Reviewing available resources and degree requirements 

3. Writing your Individual Development Plan with clear, achievable goals 

4. Discussing and Revising your IDP with mentors and advisors 

5. Planning ahead on how to meet your IDP goals and update them on your academic journey

COMING SOON! If you would like additional support starting an IDP, schedule a virtual or in-person meeting in Patriot Connect. Select “Student Support Services” then select “Graduate Division – Academic Affairs”. Choose the Graduate Career and Professional Development appointment category to schedule your appointment. If you reach out to discuss your IDP with the Graduate Division, you will be eligible to receive a small prize for your efforts in planning ahead on your graduate journey! You are also encouraged to reach out to other mentors in your life and around the university to support your IDP creation.  

Questions about scheduling an appointment? Email provgrad@gmu.edu for support. 

There are extensive IDP tools available through third- party websites that you are welcome to use in addition to or instead of the George Mason template.  

• ImaginePhD is a free career exploration and Individual Development Plan tool for the humanities and social sciences. 

• myIDP is an interactive IDP tool developed by American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) for Science Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) disciplines. 

• The American Psychological Association (APA) provides detailed IDP resources for graduate and post-doctoral students. It does not provide a specific form but instead guides you through the necessary steps for taking charge of your professional and career development. 

• The Public Health and Social Sciences – Individual Development Plan (PHaSS-IDP) is a free online career exploration and planning tool for all early career professionals, graduate and undergraduate students in public health and social sciences. 

• ChemIDP is the American Chemical Society’s Career planning tool designed specifically for students and postdoctoral scholars in the chemical sciences. 

George Mason University also offers resources that help assess your strengths and talents: 

• CliftonStrengths is an online talent assessment that is free for all George Mason University students.