An Evaluation of the Expanded Tertiary Education Equivalency

and Accreditation Program (ETEEAP)

Robert C. VenasquezMichael S. Guese

Discussants

What is the ETEEAP?

The Expanded Tertiary Education Equivalency and Accreditation Program (ETEEAP) is an educational assessment scheme which recognizes knowledge, skills, and prior learning obtained by individuals from non-formal and informal education experiences. By establishing equivalency competence standards and a comprehensive assessment system employing written test, interview, skills demonstration and other creative assessment methodologies, higher education institutions may administer competency-based evaluation.

A Panel of Assessors is convened to determine the candidates’ knowledge, skills and attitudes relevant to a particular discipline, and a consequently equivalent credit and appropriate certificates and degrees are awarded by administering higher education institutions.

The mandate to implement the program is embodied in Executive Order 330 issued by President Fidel V. Ramos on May 13, 1996 as an offshoot of the recommendation of the First Employment Summit in September 1995.

Objectives:The ETEEAP aims to achieve the

following objectives:General:

To develop fully the system of equivalency and accreditation in higher education as a bridging mechanism for the flexible entry and exchange among the formal, non-formal and informal systems.

Specific:

a. To established a mechanism for assessment and accreditation of prior formal, non-formal and informal learning of individuals toward the granting of certificates and awards in higher education; and

b. To establish guidelines for the award of higher education degrees to deserving individuals.

General Qualifications of the Candidates

The basic qualifications of the candidate are the minimum criteria for an applicant to qualify for admission to the program. The deputized HEIs have the prerogative to add on to these their own admission criteria.

1. The candidate must possess a high school diploma or the PEPT placement equivalent to first year college.

The candidate must have graduated from high school or obtained a PEPT placement at first year college. This ensures that competencies for basic skills and functional knowledge must have been obtained in preparation for tertiary level education.

2. The candidate must have been employed for an aggregate of five (5) years in industry related to the academic degree program or discipline he is vying for.

The candidate must demonstrate substantial experience in the field related to the degree program. He must have experiences in decision-making and planning, some supervisory responsibilities, and opportunity to function within an organization.

3. The candidate must be at least 25 years old. He/She must present a birth certificate to support the claim.

The candidate must be mature and responsible in order to succeed in the rigorous process of assessment. He/She must be able to cope with the discipline required in the alternative learning program should he/she opt to avail of the competency enhancement scheme.

4. The candidate must be proficient in a branch of the discipline applied for. To validate this, he must submit any of the following evidences: 1) certificate of proficiency issued by the government regulatory body, 2) certificate of proficiency issued by the employer(s), 3) certificate of proficiency issued by a licensed practitioner in the field (where applicable), or 4) a business registration certificate.

The candidate must show a certification that he has achieved a certain level of competence in the discipline for which he/she aspires a degree. Furthermore, the HEIs shall authenticate the documents before these are accepted as valid certification of a candidate’s proficiency.

The certificate of proficiency in some fields can be obtained from the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA). The Professional Regulation Commission also gives licensure examinations for certain technician occupations. Presentation of authentic certificates from any of these two bodies shall be considered a straightforward compliance of this requirement.

5. Ability of the candidate to submit an accomplished ETEEAP Application Form.

The ETEEAP Application Form is a package of information intended to assist the HEI faculty and staff to determine whether the applicant is eligible or not for the program.

6. For Master’s Program:a. Filipino, and a Bachelor’s

degree holder.b. Has at least fifteen (15) years

work-related experience including five years of junior managerial experience; and

c. Must be at least thirty-five (35) years old.

Procedure for Application and Assessment of Learning

The procedures for application and assessment of learning should consist at a minimum, of the following:

1. The applicant secures the application form from the CHED or from any deputized HEI, or downloads the form from the CHED website ched.gov.ph, submits the accomplished form, along with the supporting evidences that establish his/her qualifications for the program, and pays appropriate application fees to be a deputized higher education institution of his/her choice.

2. The accepting HEI reviews the application, interviews that applicant and informs him/her in writing of the results of the review and interview.

3. Upon approval of the application, the deputized HEI requires the applicant (candidate) to prepare and submit his/her portfolio with the assistance of the institution’s career counselor/adviser within an agreed period of time. This portfolio should include descriptions of prior experiences in the context of learning outcomes. The employer concerned should certify all experiences cited by the candidate as having been completed while in employment.

4. Upon receipt of the portfolio, the HEI convenes a panel of assessors to conduct the evaluation. Tests or other forms and instruments of assessments, e.g., interviews, actual demonstration of claimed knowledge and skills, written examination, and others that are appropriate to the candidate’s needs may be used as needed.5. After completing the evaluation, the panel of assessors determines the amount of equivalent credit that will be awarded to the candidate by matching the demonstrated training of the candidate with the learning outcomes and standards of the subject or course for which the candidate seeks accreditation and equivalency.

6. A candidate assessed to be deficient in one or more competency units will be required to pursue further learning, with the assistance of a career coordinator or adviser. In this case, a learning contract that defines the learning program is executed between the deputized HEI and the candidate. Further, assessment is conducted after the completion of the learning program to determine the progress of the candidate toward meeting the learning outcomes and standards specified in the said program; and

7. After satisfying all the learning outcomes and appropriate assessment criteria for the course, and having complied with the requirements prescribed by CHED, and the institution for completion of the course, the candidate is awarded the appropriate equivalency credit and/ or degree or title.

List of Schools (Deputized HEIs) and Degree Programs Offered via the ETEEAP

(As of December 2010) Source: CHED

CAR Baguio Central University (BCU) University of Baguio (UB) University of the Cordilleras

NCR Ateneo de Manila University (ADMU) De La Salle University (DLSU) De La Salle – College of Saint Benilde Miriam College Philippine Normal University (PNU) Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP) Saint Joseph’s College – Quezon City Technological University of the Philippines (TUP) University of Santo Tomas (UST) Philippine Women’s University (PWU) New Era University Lyceum of the Philippines University-Manila

Region I Divine Word College of Laoag (DWCL) Lyceum Northwestern University Northwestern University Pangasinan State University (PSU) University of Luzon University of Northern Philippines (UNP) University of Pangasinan (UPang) Panpacific University North Philippines

Region II Cagayan Colleges Tuguegarao Cagayan State University (CSU) Isabela State University (ISU) PLT College University of Saint Louis-Tuguegarao Saint Ferdinand’s College Saint Mary’s University Saint Paul University – Philippines University of La Salette

Region IIIAngeles University Foundation (AUF)Central Luzon State University (CLSU) Holy Angel UniversityPamantasan ng AraulloUniversity of the AssumptionPampanga Agricultural College

Region IV-A Adventist University of the Philippines (AUP) Cavite State University (CvSU) Manuel S. Enverga University Foundation (MSEUF) University of Batangas Lyceum of the Philippines University – Batangas Calayan Educational Foundation, Inc.

Region IV-B Palawan State University Holy Trinity University

Region VAquinas UniversityAteneo de Naga UniversityBicol CollegeBicol UniversityCentral Bicol State University of Agriculture (formerly

CSSAC)Universidad de Sta. IsabelNaga College FoundationSorsogon State CollegeUniversity of Nueva CaceresUniversity of Saint Anthony

Region VI University of Negros Occidental-Recoletos John B. Lacson Foundation Maritime University La Consolacion College – Bacolod City Philippine Normal University – Negros Occidental Saint Paul University – Iloilo Technological University of the Philippines – Visayas University of Iloilo

Region VIICebu Doctor’s UniversityCebu Institute of TechnologyCebu Normal UniversitySilliman UniversitySouthwestern UniversityUniversity of CebuUniversity of San CarlosUniversity of San Jose – RecoletosUniversity of the Visayas

Region VIIILeyte Normal UniversityUniversity of Eastern PhilippinesAsian Development Foundation College

Region IXUniversidad de ZamboangaAteneo de Zamboanga University

Region XCapitol UniversityCagayan de Oro CollegeMindanao University of Science and Technolology

(formerly MPSC)Misamis Institute of TechnologyMSU-Iligan Institute of TechnologyXavier University

Region XIUniversity of Mindanao –TagumUniversity of Southeastern PhilippinesUniversity of the Immaculate ConceptionAteneo de Davao University

Region XII Holy Trinity College of General Santos City Notre Dame of Marbel University Notre Dame University Ramon Magsaysay Memorial College University of Southern Mindanao

CARAGA Saint Joseph Institute of Technology

Qualification of the Higher Education Institution Applying

for Deputation and Validity Period of Authority

1. The HEI is eligible to apply for deputation if any of the following is met:

a. the HEI is a Center of Excellence or Center of Development in the program/discipline to be offered through the ETEEAP;b. the HEI enjoys a valid autonomous or deregulated status from the CHED;c. its undergraduate program/discipline for offering through the ETEEAP has at least a Level II accredited status from any of the accrediting agencies recognized by CHED; and/ord. the HEI is in category A t/ A r under the CHED-IQuAME.

2. Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions, CHED may deputize HEIs/ specialized academic program where there is no ETEEAP deputized institution/ academic program.

3. The authority of the deputized HEI shall be valid for a period of five (5) years.

4. After the lapse of three (3) years and the institution has not implemented the ETEEAP, the deputized HEI shall be notified in writing of the withdrawal of its deputation.

Procedure for Deputation of Higher Education Institution

Program

1. The HEI interested to be deputized for a specific degree program shall apply through the CHED Regional Office with a letter of application and commitment together with all document requirements on institutional management capability for the Program implementation.

2. A CHED Evaluation Team shall conduct an evaluation visit to determine and validate the readiness of the institution and its program for deputation. Deputation shall be granted solely upon approval by the Commission en banc.

Functions of the Deputized Higher Education Institutions

The HEI that has been deputized

by CHED to implement ETEEAP shall exercise full responsibility and accountability for the quality of ETEEAP implementation. It shall:

1. develop and implement clear and explicit institutional processes, policies and procedures that insure the integrity and quality of the accreditation and equivalency program;

2. develop and establish in accord with CHED the competency standards for the degree program against which judgment on accreditation and equivalency of non-formal and informal learning will be made;

3. assign and commit an office and competent/trained staff including a focal person, program assessors or examiners with their respective roles and responsibilities clearly defined to support the program in the following areas, among others: career testing and counseling, assessment, development of alternative learning program for enhancing competencies, others;

4. provide special training for staff involved in accreditation and equivalency processes and procedures;

5. provide support services to applicants and candidates including the provision of competency enhancement for candidates who fall short of the standards for the degree sought;

6. establish a mechanism of ETEEAP monitoring, review and evaluation;

7. conduct research on efficiency and effectiveness of Program implementation;

8. award appropriate equivalency credit or academic degree to successful candidates; and

9. charge reasonable and applicable fees for equivalency and accreditation services. 10. submit to the CHEDRO and the ETEEAP Secretariat all necessary reports pertaining to the implementation of the program.

The Powers and Functions of the CHED

The CHED shall exercise the

powers and functions provided in EO 330, including, but not limited to:

1. Granting authority to implement the ETEEAP, subject to established criteria, procedures and documents to insure the integrity and quality and successful implementation of ETEEAP;

2. Determine and approving the degree programs to be opened for ETEEAP; 3. Monitoring and evaluation of deputized HEI; and 4. Cancelling and revoking of authority of deputized HEIs.