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.

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; and

• satisfaction of additional University requirements such as a health clearance and other special admission requirements that may be imposed by the Dean and/or the Department Graduate Committee, through channels.

b. Each application for admission into a diploma program shall be accomplished in the official application form and accompanied by the following:

• an official transcript of records with a GWA requirement of 2.00 or better for non-U.P. graduates and 2.50 or better for U.P. graduates;

• a formal letter addressed to the Dean of the College stating the applicant’s purpose in pursuing a higher degree

• a short essay in English about the applicant’s purpose in applying to the program; plans for graduate study; specific areas of interest; assessment of academic, mental, emotional preparedness for graduate study, and future prospects; 

• at least two letters of recommendation, using the prescribed reference form (CHE GForm 01- Appendix A) from former professors and/or former supervisors or employers;

c. Each application shall be submitted to the concerned Department Graduate Committee and referred to an assigned evaluator.

d. Applicants should be available for an interview to be conducted by the Department Graduate Committee.

e. Applicants should pass an exam to be prepared, administered, and processed by the Department Graduate Committee. The entrance exam is designed to assess the applicant’s general aptitude for graduate studies. The date and venue of the exam will be announced during the application period.

f. The deserving applicant shall be recommended for admission by the Department Graduate Committee, through channels, to the Dean.

g. The Dean through the OCS formally informs the applicant of the results of the evaluation of his/her application.

h. Admitted applicants who wish to defer their enrolment shall fill-in CHE GForm 02. The maximum period for deferment of enrolment shall be one academic year, after which the applicant has to re-apply.

i Additional Requirements for Foreign Students

• A Certified True Copy of the English translation of the diploma with the seal of the University and the signature in INK of the Registrar.

• Proof of English and/or Filipino proficiency, except for those who graduated from institutions where the medium of instruction is English.

• For applicants whose medium of instruction is English – a certification from the school that English is their medium of instruction. For applicants whose medium of instruction is not English – IELTS (International English Language Testing System) Examination Results shall be required. The minimum required overall band score is 7 with a minimum score of 6.5 in each component of the IELTS Academic or General test. For applicants outside the Philippines or for those who are not living in areas geographically proximate to a U.P. constituent university, the Department Graduate Committee concerned shall require any of the following:

1. an online synchronous interaction;

2. a telephone interview;

3. a personal interview to be conducted by a duly accredited U.P. alumnus, alumna or representative (usually from a Philippine embassy or consulate) living in an area close to the applicant’s place of origin.

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.

The Program Adviser and Program of Study

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. 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. 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. 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.