What’s life after AA (Associate in Arts)?
Whenever I have a chance to see my classmates face-to-face, I would often ask them about their plans after completing their Associate in Arts (AA) degree from UPOU. To date, UPOU only offers two undergraduate courses—the other one being Bachelor of Arts in Multimedia Studies (BAMS). A lot of them would just give me a blank stare while some would just say, “Ewan ko. (trans: I don’t know.)” However, there are quite a handful of people that have definite plans after receiving their Associate in Arts diploma. Some would continue studying to obtain a Bachelor’s degree while some would put their focus on their jobs.
On the beginning of this semester, I have posted that this would be my last semester as an Associate in Arts student. True enough, last January, I have received a letter from the Office of the University Registrar informing me that I’m already a candidate for graduation. Of course, I jumped for joy upon learning about it although I already expected the said news. But still, I need to pass the courses I took this semester.
So now that graduation’s only a few weeks and the opening of the new academic year’s a few months away, I asked myself, “What’s life after AA?”
When I entered UP Open University, my goal was to pursue Bachelor of Arts in Multimedia Studies (BAMS). However, as I was exposed into the university life and the open learning and distance education learning, I realized that I wanted to do study something else. I’m not abandoning the fact that I still what the BAMS program. But, one thing is clear—I want a bachelor’s degree. So, after Associate in Arts, I would definitely study again and get a bachelor’s degree.
I’m considering every option I have and carefully thinking about them. I told myself that I need contingency plans in case my first plan fails. I know how competitive getting a slot at a UP unit is.
Being a UPOU student doesn’t guarantee that you’ll have a slot at, let’s say, UP Diliman if you want to transfer.
So, I need to have a PLAN A all the way up to PLAN Z. I don’t want to elaborate each of my plans. But, in a nutshell, I either transfer to other UP units and take up a bachelor’s degree or stay at UPOU to take up Bachelors of Arts in Multimedia Studies.
I’ve been to a couple of UP colleges to inquire about their undergraduate degree programs and admission policies. I’ve already submitted my papers for them to evaluate and here I am wishing, hoping and praying that they would admit me as a student.
I’m excited and I can’t wait for my graduation day and of course, the upcoming academic year. 
05.08.10
Congrats Jeric!
I’m hoping I could finish AA by 2011
)
God bless!
Thank you very much, Anne! I can’t wait to march with the other AA graduates this May. I’m so excited!
Hi Jeric!
Congratulations! I hope that you will pursue the BA Multimedia Studies Program at UPOU so that I can talk to you in the future.
I have already sent my application to the Doctor of Communication Program of UPOU. I felt that the course is ideal for me since my line of work is in the field of Trust & Investment Marketing Communications. I originally intended to take the PhD in Development Studies program of DLSU. Good thing UPOU came out with the course which will be useful for those involved in marketing communications.
I’m a little bit nervous because my other degrees are not in the field of communication – BS Economics (UP), MBA (Ateneo de Manila Univ), and Master in Applied Economics (DLSU). I have to take extra effort, if ever, to ready some materials in communication theory.
I have taken several certification and training programs online. Thus, when I saw the opportunity, I gathered all my transcripts of records and wrote my essay. I’m really excited.
I just hope that more courses will be offered by the UPOU in the future so that those aspiring for a UP education can have a chance to get one. There are may good employees who, for one reason or another, were not able to enter UP. It’s great that there’s already an MPM program.
In the future, I wish that the following courses be offered by UPOU also: Master in Management (with majors in Business Management, Education Management, and Research Management), Master of Education (majors in Science Education, Counseling, and Physical Education), and Doctor of Management (with majors is Business Management, Public Management, and Education Management).
In the undergraduate level, I hope that the curricular programs will be expanded to offer the following:
BA Social Sciences (with majors in Economics, Psychology/Behavioral Sciences, Political Science), BS Social Work, BA Communication Arts (Writing in English, and Pagsulat sa Filipino), BS Development Communication (majors in Development Journalism, and Educational Communication).
Ultimately, I also dream that the Bachelor of Laws degree be also offered online! Hah! That will be an interesting proposition to the Philippine Judicial Academy and the Supreme Court.
Like you, I’m also due to graduate from UPOU this semester. Only I’m from the MIS program. In some instances, I also find myself asking, what’s in store for me after all these. I used to say to someone who would ask that at least I’ll get the option to teach or something like that option in education.
With how universities prefer those with PhDs right now, however, I’m just contenting myself with having finished the whole thing. Wait and see for whatever comes my way, I guess.
Oh and congratulations and nice blog by the way.
@Pat, thank you very much for your comment. Congratulations! I guess, I’ll just see you on May 8th, then?
@Mike, thank you very much for your comment! I was also excited when I first learned about distance education and the UPOU. I love the fact that distance education and open universities democratize access to education. I actually think that distance education would play a big role in the realization of our government’s “education for all” goal.
I heard that UPOU would be coming up with more degree programs in the future. It’s just that developing a new degree program isn’t an easy task, especially in a government-run university. I believe that UPOU is only in its early stage and there’s more to come in the future. I mean, it hasn’t reached its full potential may be because of insufficient resources like faculty, course writers, etc.
In our neighboring countries like Indonesia and Malaysia, open universities are big in the sense that they have more funding from the government, greater coverage, ample facilities, updated and well-written course materials, wide course offerings and a large student body. The last time I’ve checked, UPOU has only around 2,000++ students.
The only downside is it seems that in the Philippines there’s a stigma that distance education are for those who are lazy to go to school and that graduates of distance education institutions are somewhat incompetent.
Again, thanks for your comment!
Yup. I guess we’ll see each other on the 8th of May. I’ll also be there on the morning of the 7th to settle stuff like payments and clearances.
Hi Guys! Excited na kami. 17 kaming applicants for the Doctor of Communication Program. Malapit na ang aming panel interview ng Doctoral Committee. Based on the list I received, it seems that we will be interviewed by a panel composed of 6 professors with PhDs in the field of Communication/Development Communication/Management. Kami na lang ata ang undergoing interviews pa rin while the rest eh nag-e-enroll na. Sana naman eh i-extend ang enrolment period and first day of classes.
I love the fact that distance education and open universities democratize access to education.
Great site!!! Bookmarked.