Admission to the Graduate Diploma Program

A graduate diploma program is a post-baccalaureate program that can be taken by students with a bachelor’s degree who wish to pursue a master’s degree in a field other than their BS/BA degree. It provides opportunity to those who prepare for changing careers and profession or as a supportive for those interested in continuing education to familiarize with new modalities in their particular fields *.

The UP Open University offers 11 graduate diploma programs, as follows:
(click on the program’s name for more information about the program and its curriculum)

  1. Diploma in Computer Science (DCS)
  2. Diploma in International Health (DIH) (Ladderized to MIH)
  3. Diploma in Land Use Planning (DLUP)
  4. Diploma in Land Valuation and Management (DLVM) (Ladderized to MLVM)
  5. Diploma in Language and Literacy Education (DLLE) (Ladderized to MALLE)
  6. Diploma in Mathematics Teaching (DMT)
  7. Diploma in Research and Development Management (DRDM)
  8. Diploma in Science Teaching (DST) (Majors: Biology, Chemistry, and Physics)
  9. Diploma in Social Studies Education (DSSE) (Ladderized to MASSE)
  10. Diploma in Social Work (DSW)
  11. Diploma in Women and Development (DWD)

* Reference: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Postbaccalaureate_program

  • Program Schedule/Offering: Semester

  • Admission Schedule:

    • DCS, DIH, DRDM: every 1st semester of every academic year
    • All other Diploma programs : 1st and 2nd semester of every academic year

  • Admission Exam: Not Applicable

  • Admission Qualifications and Requirements:

Admission Qualifications:
To be admitted to a Graduate Diploma program, the applicant must:

  1. have satisfied the program-specific requirements specified in the program’s information and curriculum.
  2. have submitted the complete documentary requirements for admission before the application deadline; and
  3. for DLLE, DMT, DST, and DSSE applicants, have completed the UPOU Distance Education Readiness Module (DERM).  Link to the DERM will be emailed by admissions.

General Requirements:

  1. Print copy of the signed application for admission form generated from the Online Application System.
  2. Original copy of academic credentials:
    • Original and photocopy of the Official Transcript of Records (OTR). Please take note of the following:
      • If the applicant attended multiple schools or earned multiple degrees, the applicant must submit the OTR from the last school attended. The latest OTR should reflect all credentials from prior school/s or degree/s.
      • The OTR should bear the school’s dry seal and imprint, the Registrar’s signature in ink, and must bear an acceptable remarks. TORs without remarks are considered valid.
      • If the applicant holds an international scholastic records, the applicant must submit the original copy duly authenticated by the Philippine Foreign Service Post located in the student applicant’s country of origin or legal residence.
  3. Two (2) letters of recommendation from any of your employer/supervisor, former professor, or former program adviser. Applicants must use the UPOU Form 1a for the recommendation.
  4. 500-word essay indicating your purpose for applying to the distance education programs and your plans after completion of graduate study at the UP Open University.
  5. Proof of Payment of Application fee  (non-refundable) amounting to PHP 500.00 for applicants based in the Philippines, and USD 100.00 for applicants based abroad. Payment procedures are available in the Online Application System.
  6. Photocopy of NSO or PSA birth certificate;
  7. Photocopy of government-issued IDs;
  8. Two (2) pieces identical 2” x 2” photos and two (2) pieces identical 1” x 1” photos, with your name and the program applied for printed at the back of the photo.
  9. Additional requirements for foreign applicants (non-Filipino):
    • Scholastic Records duly authenticated by the Philippine Foreign Service Post located in the student applicant’s country of origin or legal residence;
    • Photocopy of data page of the student’s passport showing date and place of birth, and birth certificate or its equivalent duly authenticated by the Philippine Foreign Service Post.

Additional Requirements for the DIH program:

  1. A certified true copy of college diploma;
  2. An updated curriculum vitae;
  3. A certificate of training or employment describing the nature of the applicant’s work.

  • Admission Procedure:

    Step 1: Apply for admission and upload the admission requirements through the Online Application System. Monitor the progress of your application through the OAS.

    Note: If you are a UPOU alumnus or a former UPOU student applying for admission to a new degree program, please access the online application system through the Student Portal.
    Please do not create a new OAS account.

    Step 2: As soon as the online application is accomplished, mail the complete and valid admission documents to the address below:

    The Admission Section
    Office of the University Registrar
    UP Open University
    Los Baños, Laguna 4031
    Philippines

    Refer to the UPOU Academic Calendar for the deadline for submission of application documents.

    Step 3: If required, complete the DE Readiness Module (DERM). The link to the DERM will be emailed by admissions.

    Step 4: Wait for an email from the OUR about the admission results. Results of the evaluation will be released after the evaluation of the respective Admissions Committee of the program and before the registration/enrollment period of the applied term.

    Updated 26 April 2021

Admission References

Application Deadlines
for the Diploma Programs

Academic Year 2023-2024

  • 1st Semester : 06 May 2023 (S)
  • 2nd Semester : 30 September 2023 (S)

Contact Information:

Admission Section

Office of the University Registrar
UP Open University
Los Baños, Laguna 4031 Philippines

Tel No: (6349) 536-6001 local 441/199
Email: [email protected]