If technical skills land you the job, professionalism is the remaining nine tenths of the law, as the latter is required to keep it. Too often, though, graduates leave campus without the proper accoutrement of skills and dispositions one would need to hold the distinction of professional. In other words, while technical skills can get you the job, professionalism ensures you get it, keep it, and thrive once you’ve secured it.

Recognizing this, UHD will launch the second of its four Micro-Credentials, this one in Professionalism, offering students the skills and confidence needed to succeed in academic, workplace, and community environments. The latest Micro-Credential forms part of UHD’s 2026 Quality Enhancement Plan (QEP), “Beyond the Bayou: Transferable Skills for the 21st Century,” which focuses on preparing students in four essential areas: Technology, Decision Making, Communication, and Professionalism. Students will earn a digital badge for the skill by completing a fully online, self-paced course available in Canvas.

The Professionalism course content addresses today's competitive workplaces, in which employers consistently rank professionalism—including things like reliability, workplace etiquette, and ethical navigation of workplace boundaries—among the most valued qualities in new hires.

During the eight-week duration, students will explore several aspects of professionalism, ranging from discovering their professional identity to planning for professional growth, as the five modules seek to imbue those enrolled with a strong foundation for long-term career success:

  • Professional Identity: Discover and articulate your unique strengths, values, and career brand.
  • Professional Presence: Master the art of presenting yourself effectively in any professional setting.
  • Professional Ethics and Boundaries: Navigate ethical dilemmas and establish healthy workplace boundaries.
  • Professional Blueprint: Create actionable strategies for achieving your career goals.
  • Professional Growth: Develop a mindset and toolkit for continuous learning and advancement.

Whether preparing for internships, a full-time role, or graduate school after graduation, the skills gained in this Micro-Credential will set graduates apart as confident, capable professionals.