With a strong belief that a professional education division would benefit the rapidly expanding reputation of the business college at the University of North Texas (UNT), Dr. Marvin Berkeley, then Dean of the College of Business Administration, founded the Professional Development Institute (PDI) in 1973.

Housed on the UNT campus, PDI initially operated as a department within the university's College of Business. Eleven years later, in March 1984, PDI was incorporated as a 501(c) (3) not-for-profit corporation. In 1986, PDI vacated its UNT quarters, occupying offices in the Radisson Hotel and Conference Center nearby.

Dr. Berkeley's vision regarding professional education led him to form an executive board in 1980, linking powerful North Texas area corporate “movers and shakers” with PDI in an advisory capacity. Early board members included Dr. Berkeley, Edward V. Smith III, Larry Jobe, T.L. Redden, William Halden Conner, and Dr. Howard Smith.

With the board's help, the Institute's first director - and president - Dr. Paden Neeley, guided the organization to a national reputation as a leading provider of education for accountants. In 1999, the foundation experienced a dramatic change, however: the popular accounting division was sold to the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA). At that time, PDI refocused its energies to deliver corporate on-site, public and energy-related training.

Although the foundation adapted to best serve the needs of professionals located throughout the world, PDI and UNT have historically maintained a mutually beneficial partnership. For instance, bylaws call for a return of all profits beyond operating expenses to the university. As a result, over the years, PDI has contributed more than $12 million to the university, funding endowments, professorships, special events, and items such as College of Business Administration computer lab equipment.