Professional Teaching Certification

The Professional Teaching Certification (PTC) program is a non-degree program designed for individuals who have completed a Bachelor’s degree in any field and who intend to teach at the secondary education level.

In line with the provisions of RA 7836 (The Philippine Teachers Professionalization Act of 1994), the program aims to provide non-education degree holders with:

• An understanding of the cognitive, socio-emotional, and physical characteristics of children/adolescents and how they develop and learn;
• Knowledge of subjects they teach and how to teach those subjects to students;
• Skills for managing and monitoring student learning;
• A reflective attitude about their practice, and an openness to adapt their teaching to new findings, ideas, and theories;

Individuals who complete the PTC are given a certification (NOT a degree or diploma) that they have completed the 18-unit professional education requirement to be allowed to take the Licensure Examination for Teachers (LET) which is administered by the Professional Regulatory Commission (PRC).

Applicants must hold a Bachelor of Arts/Science degree from a higher education institution that is recognized by the Philippine Commission on Higher Education. A photocopy of valid transcript of records should be submitted to the Office of the University Registrar along with the application form.

Taking the Licensure Examination for Teachers (LET)

The Philippine Teachers Professionalization Act of 1994 requires all persons engaged in teaching, supervision, and administration of all elementary and secondary schools in the country to pass the Licensure Examination for Teachers (LET).

Graduates with undergraduate degrees in Education, such as Bachelor of Elementary Education, Bachelor of Secondary Education, and Bachelor of Early Childhood Education, and their respective equivalents, are qualified to take the LET.

Non-education graduates are allowed to take the LET subject to the following conditions:

For teachers in the secondary grades, a bachelor’s degree in the arts or sciences, with at least 18 units of professional education; and

Evaluation for eligibility to take the LET is conducted by the PRC for each individual who files an application to take the examination. The PRC may require a student to take additional courses, beyond the 18 units in professional education that she/he has completed under UPOU’s PTC program. It is the individual student’s responsibility to present his/her credentials to the PRC and inquire what the requirements are for taking the LET.

Offered in Trimestral schedule

The trimestral schedule includes three 10-week terms per year. The term dates for Academic Year (AY) are:

• Term 1: October to January
• Term 2: February to May
• Term 3: June to October

The expected regular study load for PTC students on a trimestral schedule is 6 units, equivalent to two 3-unit courses. Students who enroll 6 units per term for three consecutive terms are expected to complete the PTC in one academic year.

Mode of Instruction

This is a fully online program. All courses are conducted in a virtual classroom on MyPortal, UPOU’s online learning management system. All interaction with the course instructor (known as “faculty-in-charge” or FIC) and other students enrolled in the same course will take place in this virtual classroom or course site. Instructions on how to access MyPortal will be issued upon enrollment.

Each course involves the use of a course guide, modules, readings, and other resources that the FIC deems suitable for the course. Digital copies of these materials are posted on the course site on MyPortal. For some courses, a print course package (i.e. the course guide, modules, and readings) may be issued to students upon enrollment.

Admission Requirements

Applicants must hold a Bachelor of Arts/Science degree from a higher education institution that is recognized by the Philippine Commission on Higher Education. A photocopy of valid transcript of records should be submitted to the Office of the University Registrar along with the application form.

Curriculum

1. Students must complete 18 units of course work, distributed as follows: 3 units each for Clusters 1 to 4 and six units for Cluster 5.
2. All courses listed below are 3-unit courses offered fully on a trimestral basis. One trimester consists of 10 weeks of study.
3. The list below is a NOT a schedule of course offerings. Different combinations of courses are offered every trimester. Students should check the actual list of course offerings per trimester before enrolling.
4. The maximum course load is 6 units (equivalent to two courses) per trimester. Students with full-time employment should consider enrolling only 3 units (one course) per trimester.