DIPLOMA PROGRAM

Program Duration

This post baccalaureate program has 18 units which can be completed by full-time students in one academic year and by part-time students in one and a half years.

The courses of the Diploma in Early Childhood Development which has three credit units each are:

First Semester

• FLCD 201 (Advanced Child Study)

• FLCD 209 (Family Dynamics)

• FLCD 211 (Filipino Families)

Second Semester

• FLCD 223 (Child Development Programs)

• FLCD 225 (Mgt. of Child Dev. Programs)

• FLCD 274 (Practicum)

Course Description

• FLCD 201: Advanced Studies on Childhood. Theories on human development as related to significant structural, functional and behavioral changes in childhood. 3hrs (3 lec) 3u.

• FLCD 209: Family Dynamics. Concepts, theories and issues on family interaction. 3hrs (3 lec) 3u.

• FLCD 211: Filipino Families. Structures, values and functions of Filipino families. 3hrs (3 lec) 3u.

• FLCD 223: Child Development Programs. Curriculum development of programs for three- to six-year-old children. Prereq: FLCD 201. 3hrs (3 lec) 3u.

• FLCD 225: Management of Child Development Programs. Development, management and evaluation programs for three- to six-year-old children in various settings. Prereq: COI. 3hrs (3 lec) 3u.

• FLCD 274: Practicum. Participation in programs for preschool children. Prereq: COI. 7hrs (1 lec 6 lab) 3u.

GENERAL POLICIES

A. Admission into the CHE diploma program shall require:

• A Bachelor’s degree from a recognized institution of higher learning;

• Intellectual capacity and aptitude for advanced studies and research;

• Language proficiency

• Satisfaction of additional requirements set University and the College.

• For applicants to the DECD by the program, the following additional requirements should be considered: A Bachelors degree in FLCD, EDUC, ECE, and those allied to Educ such as Nursing, Social Work, Psych, Anthro, Socio & the Arts and at least one year work with children.

B. The Office of the College Secretary and the Department Graduate Committee composed of faculty members teaching MFLCD courses shall be responsible for the implementation of rules and guidelines for graduate admission 

BASIC REQUIREMENTS

A. Application Form

A duly accomplished application form (CHE GForm 01) for basic, professional and academic information should be submitted on or before the deadline set by the Department.  The following should be submitted with the form.  

a. A formal letter addressed to the Dean of the CHE stating purpose for pursuing the degree. 

b. An essay written in English  or Filipino on the applicants purpose, plans, interest, and preparedness for graduate studies. 

B. Transcript of Records and GWA

a. Each applicant will provide a Transcript of  Records as documentary evidence of his/ her    undergraduate degree.                

b. The GWA requirement for admission to the DECD program is 2.0 or better for graduates from universities other than UP and 2.5 or better for UP graduates. 

C. Recommendation 

a. Three (3) recommendations will be required of each  applicant from former professors and/or employer/ administrator. Please use standard reference form: CHE GForm 01.

D. Language Proficiency

Proof of English proficiency shall be required of students whose native language is not English except those graduated from institutions where the medium of instruction is English. For English proficiency, a score of at least 500 in the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) shall be required. 

E. Interview

The applicant should come for interview on the date scheduled by the Graduate Admissions Committee.  This will be conducted by at least three members of the Departmental Graduate Committee 

F. Entrance Exam

An applicant shall be required to write an ESSAY on  an article provided. This will be administered and processed by at least three members of the Departmental Graduate Committee. 

To qualify for the Diploma degree, a student must satisfy the following requirements:

a. complete a minimum of 18 units of formal graduate courses; and

b. maintain a Cumulative Weighted Average Grade (CWAG) of “2.00” or better in his/her graduate courses at the end of each academic year.

A. The Program Adviser

Each student admitted into a diploma program shall be assigned a Program Adviser who holds at least a master’s degree. The Department Graduate Committee shall recommend the Program Adviser to the Dean. The Program Adviser shall advise, guide, and evaluate the student until completion of the student’s program of study. The adviser should monitor the academic performance and progress of graduate students in the College through the Office of the College Secretary, and to recommend to the Dean, through channels, such students’ continuation in or disqualification from a graduate program.

B. Program of Study

Within the first semester of the student’s initial year in the diploma program, a Program of Study shall be designed by the Program Adviser in consultation with the student and the program of study committee on the basis of the latter’s academic preparation and desired specialization. A copy of this Program of Study shall be submitted to the Department Graduate Committee and Office of the College Secretary, for records and evaluation purposes. Subsequent revisions in the Program of Study must be authorized by the Program Adviser.

C. Study Load Per Semester

The normal study load of a full-time student shall be nine (9) to twelve (12) units per semester of formal graduate courses.

A. Regular Period for Completion

The time limit for the completion of all diploma degree requirements shall be no more than two (2) years. The counting of the period of residence shall start from the student’s first enrolment in a graduate course after admission into the Diploma program and shall include all leaves of absence from the program. The regular period for completion for a graduate student transferring from another university shall be reduced by one (1) semester.

B. Extension of Residence

In meritorious cases, extensions of residence beyond the above regular period of completion may be approved by the Dean upon the recommendation of the Department Graduate Committee. This extension shall be for a period not exceeding one (1) semester at a time. In no case shall the extensions exceed more than one (1) year. The student granted an extension shall take three (3) additional units of graduate courses in his/her discipline or area during the extension period.

C. Non-Compliance with Maximum Residence Rules (MRR)

Any student who fails to complete all requirements of the degree within the regular period and any approved extension thereof shall be disqualified from the diploma program.

D. Leave of Absence (LOA)/Absent Without Leave (AWOL)

A student who goes on leave of absence (LOA)/absent without leave (AWOL) from a diploma program shall seek readmission into the program from the Dean, through channels.

Any student who wishes to shift to another graduate program must follow the admission process of the chosen graduate program. Students who wish to shift from a Diploma program to a Master’s program (and vice versa) in the College must follow the admission procedures and requirements set by the preferred program. Graduate courses taken in the original program may be transferred to the new program subject to the following provisions:

A. Transfer of Credits from Another University

i. Subject to the recommendation of the Department Graduate Committee and the approval of the Dean, graduate courses taken by a student in another university may be credited towards his/her master’s program provided that:

1. These courses were taken within the last five (5) years prior to admission;

2. these were validated through appropriate means by the Department Graduate Committee concerned; and;

3. the total number of credits transferred shall not exceed three-eighths (3/8) of the total number of units in the student’s master’s course requirements.

ii. However, condition (2) shall not apply if the courses were taken in an institution with which the University of the Philippines has a special academic arrangement and if these courses are part of the student’s approved Program of Study.

B. Transfer of Credits from Another Program

Subject to the recommendation of the Department Graduate Committee and the approval of the Dean, graduate courses taken by the student under another program of the University of the Philippines may be transferred for credit to his/her new master’s program provided that:

i. these courses were taken during the last five (5) years prior to the student’s admission or transfer to the master’s program;

ii. these units have not been credited to a degree previously obtained by the student; and

iii. these courses are relevant to his/her new program.

C. Processing of Transfer of Credits

Transfer of credits shall be done within the first semester of the student’s admission into the program (CHE GForm 03). The course/s credited shall be specified in the student’s record by the Department Graduate Committee and the Office of the College Secretary. A copy of the approval shall be sent to the Office of the University Registrar, through channels.

A. Grading System

The following numerical grades shall be used in graduate courses: 1.00 (Excellent), 1.25, 1.50 (Very Good), 1.75, 2.00 (Good), 2.25, 2.50 (Satisfactory), 2.75, 3.00 (Pass), 4.00 (Conditional Failure), INC (Incomplete), and 5.00 (Fail). A grade of “3.00” or better is a passing grade. A graduate student earns credit for a course when he/she obtains a grade of “3.00” or better. A grade of 5.00 disqualifies the student from the program.

B. Cumulative Weighted Average Grade (CWAG)

The Cumulative Weighted Average (CWAG) shall be based on all courses taken by the student in his/her approved Program of Study, including those taken in compliance with the Residence Rules, if applicable. To remain in good standing, a student must maintain a CWAG of “2.00” or better in his/her course work at the end of each academic year until the completion of the Program of Study. The CWAG shall be computed by the Office of the College Secretary at the end of each academic year (two semesters and one summer) and reported by the latter to the Department Graduate Committee.

C. Failure to Satisfy the Grade Requirement

A student who fails to satisfy the CWAG of “2.00” at the end of the academic year shall be disqualified from the diploma program. The student may appeal for reconsideration to the Dean, through channels. The Dean decides on the appeal upon the recommendation of the student’s Program Adviser and the Department Graduate Committee. A student who has been dismissed from her program may apply in another program in the College provided that she/he meets the admission requirements of the said program.

A. Application for Graduation

After completion of all requirements for the diploma degree, the student shall be qualified to apply for graduation to the University Registrar through the Office of the College Secretary.

B. Conferment of Degree

After the graduation of the student shall have been recommended by the College Faculty Assembly, or appropriate body, endorsed by the University Council, and approved by the Board of Regents, he/she shall be officially conferred the Diploma degree.