Admission to the Doctorate Program

The UP Open University offers 3 Doctorate programs, as follows:
(click on the program’s name for more information about the program and its curriculum)

  1. Doctor of Communication (DCOMM)
  2. Doctor of Philosophy in Education (PhD) (Majors: Biology, Chemistry, Physics, and Mathematics)
  3. Doctor in Sustainability (DSus).
  • Program Schedule/Offering: Semester

  • Admission Schedule:

    • DCOMM: every 1st semester of every academic year
    • PhD in Education: 1st and 2nd semester of every academic year
    • DSus: every 1st semester of every academic year
  • Admission Exam:

    • PhD in Education: Not Applicable
    • DCOMM: Not Applicable
    • DSus: Not Applicable
  • Admission Qualifications and Requirements:

Admission Qualifications:
To be admitted to a Doctorate 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;
  3. have taken and passed the admission exam if required for the program. Details of and instructions for taking the exam will be emailed by admissions; and
  4. for PhD 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 DCOMM

  1. Statement of Intent in the form of a 2,000-word essay outlining the applicant’s research plan of action, which includes the proposed research framework, problem (in question form) or topics.
  2. Portfolio of written work comprising the applicant’s written work (e.g., publications and studies undertaken wherein the applicant is the sole or senior author, media productions, scripts, etc.).
  3. English language proficiency report indicating that the applicant, who is not a native speaker of English and who did not take previous academic coursework in English, has passed a valid English proficiency examination (e.g., International English Language Testing System – IELTS, or Test of English as Foreign Language – TOEFL).
  4. Proficiency in the use of computers and the Internet, which may be an actual demonstration of proficiency in the use of computer technologies, the Internet, and other information and communication tools essential for undertaking independent research.
  5. Special Needs Statement that would include but not limited to physical and mental conditions that might require special attention or support service.

Additional Requirements for PhD in Education

  1. Have a master’s degree in the basic mathematics/science or in a sub-field of Education (e.g. Science Education, Mathematics Education, Distance Education, Language and Literacy Education, Social Studies Education) ;
  2. Have a general weighted average of “2.0”, “B” or better in the undergraduate level or “1.75” or better in the Master’s level;
  3. Demonstrate qualities of, and potentials for leadership as shown in their statement of purpose, references, and other pertinent documents;
  4. Have a master’s degree with at least 15 units that are aligned with the field of specialization being applied for in the PhD in Education program; otherwise, the applicant will be advised to take supplementary 200-level courses related to the field of specialization being applied for;
  5. Submit at least two samples of the applicant’s completed creative and/or research work at the master’s level;
  6. Submit a research concept paper aligned with the intended topic for the dissertation research;
  7. Complete the DE Readiness module for non-UPOU graduate; and
  8. Exhibit mental aptitude, language proficiency, and readiness to the program through an interview.

Additional Requirements for DSus

  1. Demonstrate qualities of, and potentials for leadership as shown in their statement of purpose, references, and other pertinent documents;
  2. Portfolio of Scholarly Publication and/or Creative Work (e.g., publications and studies undertaken wherein the applicant is an author,  policy papers, technical paper), Curriculum Vitae, and Certificate of Employment reflecting the applicant’s relevant work or research experience for the past 5 years
  3. A 2000 word Dissertation Concept Proposal outlining the research problem and research framework
  4. English language proficiency report indicating that the applicant, who is not a native speaker of English and who did not take previous academic coursework in English, has passed a valid English proficiency examination (e.g., International English Language Testing System – IELTS, or Test of English as Foreign Language – TOEFL).
  5. Proficiency in the use of computers and the Internet, which may be an actual demonstration of proficiency in the use of computer technologies, the Internet, and other information and communication tools essential for undertaking independent research.
  6. Special Needs Statement that would include but not limited to physical and mental conditions that might require special attention or support service.
  7. Attend a Midyear Intensive Program.
  • 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.

    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, take the admission exam. The details of and instructions for taking the exam will be emailed by admissions.

    Step 4: If required, complete the DE Readiness Module (DERM). The link to the DERM will be emailed by admissions.

    Step 5: 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

Application Deadlines
for the Doctorate Programs

Academic Year 2023-2024

  • 1st Semester: 06 May 2023 (S)
  • 2nd Semester: 30 September 2023 (S)
    • DCOMM (Not Applicable)

Schedule of Admission Exams
for the Doctorate Program

PhD in Education (Not Applicable)

DCOMM (Not Applicable)

DSus (Not Applicable)

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]