The Master of Distance Education program of the University of the Philippines Open University (UPOU) is designed for individuals who would like to develop knowledge and skills in designing, implementing, and managing formal and non-formal distance education and e-learning programs.
The MDE curriculum consists of 18 units of core courses, 12 units of elective courses, a comprehensive exam, and a 6-unit Thesis.
This is a fully online program offered on a trimestral basis (i.e. three 10-week terms per year). The mode of study consists of:
- Guided independent study of specially prepared course packages consisting of modules, readings, and Web-based resources; and
- Computer-mediated communication and collaboration at UPOU’s MyPortal and using relevant Web 2.0 and m-learning applications.
MDE students who have completed 18 units of course work with a general weighted average of 2.0 or better and who are unable to complete the program may apply to be granted the Graduate Certificate in Distance Education.
Objectives
Graduates of the program are expected to be able to:
- Use their knowledge of theories, models, and principles of open learning and distance education (DE) to critically examine various aspects of DE programs from a variety of perspectives;
- Lead in designing, developing, and delivering distance education programs that are underpinned by effective pedagogy and appropriate and sustainable use of technology;
- Lead in managing DE programs in different contexts—educational, business and non-profit organizations—to meet the needs of target learners;
- Understand and critique broader policy, regulatory, and social issues related to DE; and
- Contribute to the body of knowledge regarding open learning and distance education by conducting research and evaluation studies, and through materials, course, and program development.
Admission Requirements
Applicants must have a Bachelor’s degree in any discipline from a recognized post-secondary institution, with a general weighted average of 2.5 or better.
MDE courses may also be taken on a non-degree basis.
Non-degree students are required to have completed a Bachelor’s degree prior to enrollment in any of the courses in the MDE program. Should they subsequently decide to enroll in the MDE, a maximum of nine (9) units of courses taken with final grades of 2.0 or better, may be credited to the MDE program.
Curriculum
The MDE curriculum consists of 18 units of core courses, 12 units of elective courses, a comprehensive exam, and a 6-unit Thesis.
Core Courses
| EDDE 201 | Foundations of Distance Education | 3 units |
| EDDE 202 | Learning Theories and Instructional Design in Distance Education | 3 units |
| EDDE 203 | Technology in Distance Education | 3 units |
| EDDE 204 | Assessment of Student Learning in Distance Education | 3 units |
| EDDE 205 | Management of Distance Education | 3 units |
| EDDE 206 | Research in Distance Education | 3 units |
Electives
| Pedagogy Cluster | ||
|---|---|---|
| EDDE 210 | Online Teaching and Learning | 3 units |
| EDDE 211 | Lifelong Learning | 3 units |
| Technology Applications Cluster | ||
|---|---|---|
| EDDE 221 | Design and Evaluation of Multimedia Educational Materials | 3 units |
| EDDE 222 | m-Learning | 3 units |
| DEVC 207 | Design and Production of Audiovisual Communication Materials (offered by the MDC program following a semestral schedule) | 3 units |
| Educational Management Cluster | ||
|---|---|---|
| EDDE 230 | Ethical, Legal and Social Issues in the Information Age | 3 units |
| EDDE 231 | Planning and Managing Networked Learning | 3 units |
Thesis Requirement
| EDDE 300 | Thesis | 6 units |
Comprehensive Examination
The comprehensive examination is taken after completing all core courses (18 units) and elective course (12 units) with no grade lower than 2.0 in more than three courses.
Graduation
Students who are admitted to the MDE program may opt to exit the MDE program and be awarded the GCDE provided they complete the GCDE course requirements.
A GCDE graduate who wishes to apply for admission or re-admission to the MDE program (in the case of former MDE students who exited the MDE with the GCDE) should have a GWA of 2.0 or better in the GCDE.
Upon admission to the MDE program, courses completed for the GCDE may be credited to the MDE subject to the following conditions:
- The course to be credited should have been taken within three years from the application for crediting; and
- The student has earned a grade of 2.0 or better in the course to be credited.
If a course being applied for crediting does not meet one of these two conditions, the course may still be credited provided the student takes and passes a validation exam for that course before or within the semester of admission to the MDE program.
Up to 18 units of courses completed for the GCDE may be credited to the MDE subject to the foregoing conditions and other relevant University policies.