We have to understand that being a DE student requires certain qualities for our educational goals to be met, that of integrating the concepts learned and eventually finishing the degree.

The distant learner should be an independent or autonomous learner. Remember that a distant learner is away from the teacher. There is only periodic interaction with the teacher. Most of the time you will only be dealing with your learning materials (printed modules, journal articles, etc). Reading voluminous modules will take your time. As much as possible, make it a routine everyday to read your modules. Mapping your reading schedules will guide you. Remember you are on your own, so “self management” and self-discipline is a plus factor.

The modules are often thick to carry around. Here’s a tip for you: I tore my printed modules apart so that I can carry them whenever I am. You can also do the same. Really, one has to reinvent learning strategies to cope with the demands of the distance education course one is taking. Your office, home, any coffee shop or any corner for that matter can serve as your classroom.

Another activity to occupy your time is answering assignments, online forums and discussions. Having your own computer and an efficient Internet connection are resources that you cannot do without. Learn how to be tech savvy and make it a bit that once a day go online to check on news or reminders the teacher or your fellow learners might have posted.

Do not procrastinate. Don’t delay any of your scheduled readings or assignments. It is better if you read in advance. From the readings, I for one take down notes or sometimes do diagrams of the concepts I have encountered for easy recall.

Application requirements for UPOU Graduate Programs are as follows (as posted on the official UPOU website)

Post-Baccaluareate Program applicants:

1. Correctly and completely accomplished Application for Admission
2. Original copy of Transcript of records (TOR) for all degrees earned (original and duplicate) PhD program applicants are required to submit original TOR for both Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees
3. Two (2) letters of recommendation from: a) employer/supervisor; b) former professor; c) former program adviser
4. Two identical 2″x2″ photos and two identical 1″x1″ photos (print complete name and program at the back)
5. Medical certification issued by a licensed physician
6. 500-word essay (please refer to item #30
7. Proof of payment of application fee of Php500.00 (US$100)
8. Photocopy of PRC license/board exam rating (if applicable)
9. Photocopy of latest income tax return (ITR) [if applying for a scholarship]

What should you include in your UPOU Graduate Admission Essay? The UPOU Application for Admission form states that your 500-word essay should indicate your purpose for applying to the distance education program and your plan after completion of graduate study at the UP Open University. However, the instructions failed to mention anything about the format of your essay—just make sure your essay would be readable.

Here are some examples of graduate admission essays that was submitted to the UP Open University:

Graduate Admission Essay #1 by Anna Katharina G. Peña, RN, MD, MPH, who applied for admission to the Master in Distance Education program of the UP Open University (Application Status: Admitted: 1st Term AY 2010-2011)

Graduate Admission Essay #2 by Dianna Kristin G. Peña, RN, who applied for admission to the Master of Arts in Nursing program of the UP Open University (Application Status: Admitted: 1st Semester AY 2010-2011)

The essays included in this post remain the properties of their respective owners and are posted here with their permission.

One important thing to remember when writing your graduate admission essay is to give credit where credit is due. As stated on the University of the Philippines Open University Student Handbook (2008 Edition): “Plagiarism, using others’ ideas and words without clearly acknowledging the source of information, is a form of intellectual dishonesty. The consequences of these are clearly discussed in the UP Rules on Student Conduct and Discipline. The University of the Philippines community upholds academic excellence and takes seriously the issue on intellectual dishonesty.”

For more information regarding the admission policies of the UP Open University, please visit http://www.upou.edu.ph.

An online bachelor’s degree program can open doors to advanced employment opportunities and an exciting new career. Many of today’s job openings require a four-year degree; even for entry-level jobs, a bachelor’s degree can give applicants the edge in the competitive job market. Traditional education programs can require a lengthy leave of absence from current employment, and generally require set times of attendance that may not fit with existing schedules and obligations. Online courses allow students the flexibility to take classes on their own timetables while continuing to hold down a full-time job; financial aid is available for most online degree programs as well. Before selecting an online bachelor’s degree program, however, students should ensure that it meets certain basic standards for educational excellence.

Accreditation

Ensuring that the degree program you select is accredited by a recognized U.S. agency is vital in order to ensure the value of your degree. The Council for Higher Education and the U.S. Department of Education are the governing bodies for educational accreditation; programs that meet their requirements are listed in “Accredited Institutions of Postsecondary Education” published by the American Council on Education. Any online program can advertise itself as accredited; this does not indicate, however, that they have been reviewed and approved by a recognized accrediting body. Students should investigate the degree program thoroughly. Watch for warning signs that an institution may not be legitimate. While it is easy to determine that online schools offering a degree for $300 and requiring no class work are diploma mills, other signs include a lack of accreditation information, scanty contact information, and little or no documentation of the university’s existence outside their internet presence. Accreditation is the value behind an online degree, so making sure that the institution chosen is properly accredited is essential in order to avoid wasted time and money.

Flexibility

The best online degree programs offer flexibility to their students, not only in class times and requirements, but also in terms of what career options are available to graduates. Avoid overspecialized degrees and programs; these can limit your employment options and make it difficult to find employment in your chosen field. A well-rounded educational background can open doors to opportunities in a variety of fields, making you more employable and providing a solid foundation for the future. By choosing a degree that offers a number of career paths, you will maximize your employment potential and ensure that you get the most from your online degree.

Today’s students have more educational options than ever before. Online degree programs offer real, marketable skills and credentials that can provide opportunities for advancement, promotion, or an entirely new career; by ensuring that the program selected is accredited and offers broad employment potential, graduates can be certain that their online program truly confers a degree of excellence.

AT UP DILIMAN

1. Go to the Office of the University Registrar-Diliman. Approach the “Records Management and Appraisal Section” of the UPD-OUR and tell them that you’re a cross-registrant from UPOU and that you wish to obtain a TCG or True Copy of Grades.
2. The personnel will give you a clearance form which you need to fill out. Be sure to indicate all the subjects you’ve cross-registered at UPOU including the semester and academic year. When done, approach the window and give your clearance form. Take a seat and wait for the personnel to call you.
3. When you are called, approach the window and the personnel will give you an application form for TCG. The form includes the amount you need to pay. Fill out the application form and pay the fee at the UP Cashier. The TCG costs P20.00 / page.
4. When you are done paying, approach the Records Management and Appraisal window and present your application form and receipt. Upon receiving your TCG, you need to sign the logbook located beside the window.

AT YOUR LEARNING CENTER

1. Submit the original copy of your TCG to your learning center coordinator.

Myth # 2 – Studying via distance education means that you will be studying alone with no professor/instructor or classmates.

Although studying via distance education means that everyone enrolled in the university is separated geographically, this doesn’t mean that you’ll be a loner for the rest of your student life. Just like any other academic institution, of course, you will have a faculty-in-charge and classmates as well. The great thing about the UP Open University is that interaction between professor/instructor and students is highly encouraged. Typically, your faculty-in-charge will be holding face-to-face classes, online discussions, discussion forums and so on where you can interact with everyone else in the course or just simply chat to check on each other’s progress.

In my experience, professors and instructors at the UP Open University are really approachable and would entertain you if you have questions or inquiries regarding the course or course content. Administrators and other officials of the university are approachable, too. They are literally one text, one e-mail, or one call away. In fact, I frequently e-mail the University Registrar to check on my academic standing or to follow-up my grades.

My classmates and I would often see each other in school during regular face-to-face sessions or other school activities or in other places whenever we need to meet to discuss our projects or assignments.

Since my first year of being a UPOU student, we’ve been given a couple of group projects to encourage interaction among the students. I must say that group projects are the most challenging of all the tasks that you need to do for a course. Studying via distance education means that everyone is away from each other. Students live in different cities, in different provinces, or even in different countries. Group projects are challenging because my classmates and I aren’t on the same time zone. Moreover, most of my classmates are already working, have less time allotted for school works and are usually busying attending to their other responsibilities.

If you are interested in studying via distance education, you don’t have to worry that you’ll be alone for the rest of your stay in the university. As I’ve said, you still have your classmates and professor/instructor that you can interact with to help you in your journey as a distant learner.