The academic triad of teaching, service, and research for students and faculty as it relates to higher education programming for the development of professionals is addressed. The concept of professionalism during undergraduate and graduate education in the professions of speech-language pathology and audiology is targeted. It is suggested that professionalism is a learned behavior and must be treated as a developmental process beginning upon entry into programs of study. A model is provided that infuses the concept of professionalism into educational programming. The model is in the form of a mission statement which includes philosophies, faculty and student responsibilities, and goals for teaching-learning, service-learning, and research-learning at East Tennessee State University. The mission statement of the academic unit of speech-language pathology and audiology at this school is dedication to the promotion of the profession and to excellence in academic and clinical education of future speech-language pathologists and audiologists. The implementation of their process can provide experiences in academe which will build program and professional credibility and will facilitate the development of professionalism. This academic triad model is presented for academic units in the university setting regardless of discipline emphasis, so it could be adopted by any university major. Contains 6 references. (SM)