Exit Policy
[based on the UPOU Academic Policies and Procedures Manual, March 2021]
This applies to the ladderized or conjoined programs offered by the University of the Philippines Open University (UPOU), namely:
1. Ladderized Programs
• Diploma in Social Studies Education (DSSE) to Masters in Social Studies Education MASSE only
• Diploma in Language and Literacy Education (DLLE) to Masters in Language and Literacy Education (MALLE)
• Diploma in International Health (DIH) to Masters in International Health (MIH)
• Diploma in Land Evaluation and Management (DLVM) to Masters in Land Evaluation and Management (MLVM)
2. Conjoined Programs
• Graduate Certificate in Distance Education (GCDE) and Master of Distance Education (MDE)
• Master of Environment and Natural Resources Management (MENRM) and Diploma in Environment and Natural Resources Management (DENRM)
[from the UP Open University Academic Policies and Procedures
Workshops in April and May 2019]
The following are the exit policies that apply to conjoined programs:
a. If a student wants to exit through a lesser degree, transfer of program should not be required. The lesser degree should automatically be considered as an exit degree.
b. If a student wants to exit from a lesser degree (e.g., GCDE) to a higher degree (e.g., MDE), the transfer of program is also not needed because the diploma is a requirement for admission to the higher degree. The student should finish the lesser degree first before applying for admission to the higher degree.
c. If a student wants to exit from a higher degree (e.g., MENRM, MDE) to a lesser degree (e.g., DENRM, GCDE), the following procedures must be done:
Step 1: The student must submit a written letter of permission to exit to the Program Chair (PC)
Step 2: The student must file an application for graduation for the lesser degree
d. In a conjoined program, a student who exited from a higher degree (e.g., MENRM, MDE) to a lesser degree (e.g., DENRM, GCDE) and then would like to return again to a higher degree, the student must reapply for admission.
e. For those students who want to transfer from GCDE to MDE:
i. The student can apply for transfer provided that he/she has a general weighted average (GWA) of 2.0 or better and has completed a minimum number of units of foundation courses (nine [9] units for graduate certificate and twelve [12] units for post-graduate programs).
ii. If the student has not met the requirements stated above, he/she will be advised to finish the lesser degree first and then seek admission to the higher degree.
[from the minutes of the Dean’s Meeting (currently AAC) dated
August 18, 2016]
3. Multiple Entrance and Multiple Exit Programs (GCAS/MAS)
a. The student can enter the ASEAN Studies Graduate Program either as GCAS or as MAS;
b. The student enrolled in the Graduate Certificate who intends to take the Master’s program need not finish GCAS but can proceed to MAS by applying for transfer of program;
c. The student who transfers from GCAS to MAS cannot exit to GCAS once the transfer to MAS has been granted;
d. Students enrolled in the Master’s Program and completed the first 3 core courses and 2 elective courses may exit and graduate with the GCAS degree.
e. If a student wants to exit from a higher degree (MAS) to a lesser degree (GCAS), the following procedures must be done:
Step 1: The student must submit a written letter of permission to
exit to the Program Chair (PC)
Step 2: The student must file an application for graduation for the
lesser degree