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.

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.

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.

For this semester, I am taking the following courses: COMM3 (Speech Communication), ENG157 (English for the Professions), HIST2 (Asia and the World), PHILO173 (Practical Ethics), CWTS2 (Civic Welfare Training Service 2) and PE2 (Walking for Fitness). Interesting courses, right?

There are two things I’m looking forward this semester — the AA General Assembly and Fellowship and of course, the Lantern Parade. I’m not sure if the UP Open University will be participating in this year’s Lantern Parade. But, I hope we will because I truly enjoyed the experience last year.

In other news, UP Open University already implemented an online registration system for students. However, for the second semester, only a handful of beta testers were able to take advantage of the said registration system. As for me, I still have to go UP Manila to enroll. Anyway, it’s also a great thing that UPOU is on Twitter! I just wish that students can check their grades online.

A new semester is here again, a brand new start for us, students, to learn and unlearn things!

If you have questions, don’t hesitate to e-mail at agpena@up.edu.ph or tweet me @JericPena.

Associate in Arts and the Bachelor of Arts in Multimedia Studies are the only two online degree programs offered by the UP Open University in the undergraduate level. Although both are online degree programs, the Bachelor of Arts in Multimedia Studies also requires students to be physically present during practicums, presentations, practical examinations and others. The Associate in Arts program, on the other hand, has face-to-face classes to supplement the online discussions and course modules but attendance to these are not required.

Although the UP Open University offers a huge number of diploma programs, master’s programs, and doctoral program, the UP Open University is yet to offer mba online. The Diploma Program Offering of the University includes 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, and Diploma in Social Studies Education.

The UP Open University also offers Master’s Programs including 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), and Master in Information Systems.

The only doctoral program of the UPOU is the Doctor of Philosophy in Education (Biology Education, Chemistry Education, Physics Education, Mathematics Education).

If you wish to learn more about the numerous academic programs of the UP Open University, please check out the official UPOU website. If you have additional questions, the contact information of the University officials are also found on the website. You could also put your comments/questions/suggestions below.