University of the Philippines Open University to offer Doctor of Communication program staring First Semester, Academic Year 2010-2011

The University of the Philippines Open University, fifth constituent university of the University of the Philippines System and the National Center for Excellence in Open Learning and Distance Education, would be offering an online Doctor of Communication program starting First Semester, Academic Year 2010-2011.

The said degree program has been approved by the University of the Philippines Board of Regents on its 1254th meeting held last February 25, 2010.

The Doctor of Communication (DComm) Program of the UP Open University, the first DComm program in the country, is designed to strengthen the capability of practitioners by bringing the academic rigors or research, intellectual growth, and professional skills into the profession of communication as it is practiced in industry and academe in particular and society in general.

For more information regarding the degree program, admission requirements/deadlines, and other program policies, interested parties should send an email to fics@upou.edu.ph or call telephone numbers (049) 536-6001 to 6006 local 841. You could also visit the Doctor of Communication page at the official website of the University of the Philippines Open University.

University of the Philippines Open University

Interested parties who wish to be admitted as a student of the University of the Philippines Open University, whether in the undergraduate or graduate level, should take note of the following information:

Deadline for filing of Application for Admission (1st Semester 2010-2011)

UPOU Programs with admission exam (Associate in  Arts, Bachelor of Arts in Multimedia Studies, Master of Public Management, and Doctor of Philosophy) – Saturday, January 30, 2010

All other UPOU programs – Saturday, February 27, 2010

UPOU Application Requirements

Associate in Arts applicants:

1. Correctly and completely accomplished application form for admission (in .pdf format)*
2. High School Form 137 with school dry seal or Philippine Educational Placement Test (PEPT) result and official & original transcript of Records from former school.
3. Two identical 2″x2″ photos and two identical 1″x1″ photos (print complete name and program at the back)
4. Self-addressed stamped white envelope
5. Proof of payment of application fee of Php350.00 (US$75)

Post-Baccaluareate Program applicants:

1. Correctly and completely accomplished Application for Admission (in .pdf format)*
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 ( UPOU Form1a in .pdf format)* 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]

For teacher applicants include:

1. photocopy of PBET/LET eligibility
2. Certificate of Teaching Load (please use UPOU Form 1b).

UPOU Online Degree Programs

Undergraduate program

Associate in Arts
Bachelor of Arts in Multimedia Studies (BAMS)

Post-baccalaureate Diploma programs

Diploma in Social Work
Diploma in Computer Science
Diploma in Research and Development Management
Diploma in Environment and Natural Resources Management
Diploma in Science Teaching
Diploma in Mathematics Teaching
Diploma in Language and Literacy Education
Diploma in Social Studies Education

Master’s programs

Master in Social Work
Master of Development Communication
Master of Distance Education
Master of Public Health
Master in Hospital Administration
Master of Arts in Nursing
Master of Public Management
Master of Environment and Natural Resources Management
Master of Arts in Education (Language and Literacy Education)
Master of Arts in Education (Social Studies)
Master in Information Systems

Doctoral program

Doctor of Philosophy in Education (Biology Education, Chemistry Education, Physics Education, Mathematics Education)

Nonformal courses and certificate programs, namely:

Community Mental Health
Online Teaching and Learning
Filipiniana Online
Information Technology for Health Research
Caring for the Special Child
Caring for the Older Person
New Enterprise Planning
Personal Entrepreneural Development
Introduction to E-Commerce
Certificate in Barangay Administration
Professional Teaching Certification Program
m-learning program

Questions / Inquiries

If you have others questions and or inquiries regarding the application for admission, registration, and enrollment, please contact the UPOU Office of the University Registrar at (049) 536-6001 to 6006 local 199, 101 and 102 during office hours 7AM to 12NN and 1PM to 6PM, Tuesday to Friday or email admissions@upou.edu.ph.

CNN’s Anderson Cooper revealed Peñaflorida’s selection at the conclusion of the third-annual “CNN Heroes: An All-Star Tribute” at the Kodak Theatre in Hollywood on Saturday night, November 21, 2009.

Peñaflorida, received $100,000 (on top of the $25,000 he received for being a part of the Top 10 CNN Heroes) to continue his work with the Dynamic Teen Company, was selected after seven weeks of online voting at CNN.com. The said online poll has gathered 2.75 million votes from all over the world.

“So to each and every person inside this theater and for those who are watching at home, the hero in you is waiting to be unleashed. Serve, serve well, serve others above yourself and be happy to serve. As I always tell to my co-volunteers … you are the change that you dream, as I am the change that I dream, and collectively we are the change that this world needs to be,” Peñaflorida said in his acceptance speech.

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.

Second, it’s final examination week here at UPOU. I’m a bit nervous for my final examinations in NATSCI2 and KAS1 are just a few days away. Nervous because I don’t know what kind of examination would our professors be giving us. Is it multiple choice? True or false? Essay? Comparison and contrast? I do know that essay-type examinations or quizzes are quite normal for UP.

Third, our group is not yet done with out final project in COMPED2 (Web Design), which should be submitted by the first week of March. I’m worried. Working on this project is very hard for me because we (the group) can’t find any common time wherein we could talk about projects. Most of my groupmates are busy with their work and personal life. I do hope that we meet the deadline.

Aside from being examination week, it’s also the foundation week of UPOU. Weird, right? Various activities are being held at the UPOU Headquarters in Los Baños. Although I really want to go there and participate on the different activities, I can’t for I have to prepare for my examinations too (which falls on the same week). Anyway, Happy 14th Anniversary UPOU!

Wish me luck!