Professionalism refers to the skill, competence or standards expected of a member of a profession. It involves the adoption of a set of values and attitudes by members of an occupation that are consistent with a professional ideology.
Professionalization is a process of legitimization an occupation goes through as it endeavors to improve its social status.
The various characteristics of a profession include the following (Roberg and Kuykendall, 1993).
- A well developed body of professional literature materials.
- A high degree of generalized and systematic knowledge with a theoretical base.