THE UNIVERSITY is preparing to offer again the Expanded Tertiary Education Equivalency and Accreditation Program (ETEEAP), a scheme where work experience can be credited toward a college degree.
Why it matters: ETEEAP allows Filipino professionals, who are not graduates but have ample work experience, to earn bachelor’s degrees from schools deputized by the Commission on Higher Education (CHEd).
Is UST eligible to implement ETEEAP? Yes, because UST meets two main criteria for deputization:
- It is an autonomous private higher education institution. CHEd also allows schools with deregulated status to implement ETEEAP.
- It also offers programs deemed Centers of Excellence and Centers of Development by the CHEd, a quality seal conferred on the country’s top program offerings.
| Centers of Excellence | Centers of Development |
| Biology | Civil Engineering |
| Chemical Engineering | Communication |
| Chemistry | Computer Science |
| Hotel and Restaurant Management | Electrical Engineering |
| Medical Technology | Electronics Engineering |
| Medicine (Doctor) | Industrial Engineering |
| Music | Information Systems |
| Nursing | Information Technology |
| Pharmacy | Journalism |
| Philosophy | Library and Information Science |
| Psychology | Literature |
| Teacher Education | Mechanical Engineering |
| Tourism/ Travel Management | Physical Therapy |
Who can get a degree under ETEEAP: A Filipino, whether based abroad or in the country, who is at least 23 years old.
- A high school graduate
- At least five years of experience in the industry with a degree equivalent.
The law: The ETEEAP, institutionalized by Republic Act 12124 that was signed by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. into law in March, is designed to recognize learning achieved outside conventional education through a structured system of assessment, validation, and academic credit assignment.
- This is not a new program. Several colleges and universities have been implementing it since 1996.
- UST was once given authority to implement ETEEAP, in 2007.
Steps UST is taking: Vice Rector for Academic Affairs Cheryl Peralta told the Varsitarian that UST was looking at submitting an application to CHEd for ETEEAP deputization.
- “Pinag-aaralan natin. Dati tayong ETEEAP provider, pero nag-stop ‘yon for a while. Pero ngayon, since may implementing rules and regulations, pinag-aaralan natin how we will benefit,” she said. “Pine-prepare pa lang natin ‘yong application.”
What’s next: Based on CHEd Memorandum Order 11 dated June 16, 2025, UST must undergo the standard application process before it can implement ETEEAP.
- The programs UST plans to offer under ETEEAP must align with the priority courses identified as in demand within the region.
- As part of the application process, the University must also undergo evaluation visits to assess its capability to effectively deliver programs under the expanded framework.
Once deputized, UST’s authority to offer ETEEAP programs will remain valid for five years. It carries specific functions:
- Develop and implement policies, modes of assessing skills, including the application and completion of an academic degree for a learner.
- Provide a schedule of reasonable and applicable tuition and fees.
- Create and adapt flexible learning modalities to accommodate diverse backgrounds and learning needs of applicants.
