The Division of Professional Development is responsible for the administration of all non-credit professional development programs and services offered by UNO Metropolitan College. The Division offers a diverse curriculum of seminars, courses, and certificate programs to develop, train, and enhance the skills of executives, managers, and other professionals in business, industry, and government, including not-for-profit organizations. The Division includes the Computer Technology Training Center; Customized Corporate Training; Professional Continuing Education (advertised courses and seminars); Tourism and Economic Development; and two credit division certificate programs, Paralegal Studies (ABA-approved); and Medical Coding.

Programs are taught by University faculty and other corporate experts; they are designed to update and build the skills needed to successfully keep pace with the many changes effecting today's highly competitive corporate marketplace. Each year, there are approximately 8000 student enrollments in the nearly 600 credit and/or non-credit programs offered by the Division. In addition to major programs in the computer and information technology, paralegal, medical coding, and supervisory management fields, numerous courses and seminars are offered in accounting, communication skills, customer service, entrepreneurship, environmental compliance, hospitality and tourism, leadership, marketing, medical transcription, notarial services, personnel, project management, sales, sports and event marketing, and several licensure courses. Adult students earn continuing education units (CEUs) and other types of continuing education credits for many courses.

All courses are subject to academic review before being offered. Instructors and courses are regularly evaluated by participants and by professional evaluators. Only instructors who receive high marks are scheduled for additional assignments. The Division continually expands its course offerings and formats to meet identified education and training needs.

The Division also works closely with local corporate clients to design customized training programs and services. These customized programs frequently are conducted in the corporate setting to meet specific training needs in an effective, economical manner. Presently, the division counts more than 60 major corporations, government agencies, and other organizations as active training partners and clients.

The division's administrative offices are located at the UNO Downtown Conference Center on Carondelet Street, adjacent to Place St. Charles (Bank One Center). Courses are held at the Center, the UNO Jefferson Center, the Slidell Campus, the UNO Technology Enterprise Center, and at the UNO Lakefront campus, as well as at sites throughout the greater New Orleans area.

The Downtown Center serves as a Conference Center for national and local organizations, including groups staying at the Hampton Inn French Quarter, UNO's business/education partner in the historic Carondelet Building. The Downtown Center's location in the banking district, proximity to the historical French Quarter, on-site partnership with the Hampton Inn, available covered parking garage, and its well-appointed facilities all serve to make the Center a popular choice for meetings and conferences.

Connect.uno, a one-stop shop to assist the Business Community in locating University of New Orleans resources and services that help to facilitate business and economic development interests also operates out of the Downtown Center and Division of Professional Development.

The Downtown Center also contains the administrative headquarters and executive boardroom for the Business/Higher Education Council, an advisory body of leaders from business, industry, government, and education. The Council works with the University in its mission to extend its resources to the greater New Orleans community. The Council's efforts primarily focus on fostering partnerships between business and higher education to stimulate economic development.