It’s getting late but I am not yet sleepy, currently counting days to my graduation. Just earlier I had my graduation pictorial and just cleared almost 95% of my requirements and I am definitely on my way to it. The feeling is surreal, I can’t imagine how long the journey was and I am finally marching this May, I am still hyper and overwhelmed right now so let me use my energy to create something that might be very useful and life changer to some.

This is going to be long, but if you wanted to finish your school, without leaving your job or sacrificing all the time that was left from you after your work then bear with me, this article is for you.

Four years back, I called my uncle who was a Professor and told him that I want a diploma but I don’t have time to go back to college but I have some savings for school, he told me that my only way was to go back to school. Now, I have some on my pocket but literally don’t have time, so I thought there must be some way for professionals to finish their studies without going through all the regular students’ work.

I started searching for Open Universities and alternative education mode but nothing fits to what exactly I am looking for. I can’t commit to open universities because of the demanding nature of my work plus it can get too expensive and there will be too many subjects which will take longer to finish for someone who doesn’t have the luxury of time.

(You might think I am looking for a shortcut, which is kind of true but I’d say that the best word for it is “perfect alternative” because I am supporting my family and my siblings’ schooling, I also wanted to work on my career path and growth, while at the same time juggling all my musings like maintaining this blog, taking care of my travel bug bite and my much needed photo walks and sartorial gigs from time to time.)

It took me while of researching about school programs before I stumbled upon Expanded Tertiary Education Equivalency and Acceleration Program (ETEEAP).

What is ETEEAP?

Ang sagot sa mga gustong makapag tapos ng pagaaral pero walang sapat na time, dahil may work, family, friends, aura at lovelife :). At para sa mga na reject sa work at promotion dahil hindi degree holder. Char lang pero totoo!


On a serious note, “The ETEEAP is a comprehensive educational assessment program at the tertiary level that recognizes, accredits and gives equivalencies to knowledge, skills, attitudes and values gained by individuals from relevant work. It is implemented through deputized higher education institutions that shall award the appropriate college degree.

Beneficiaries must be Filipinos who are at least high school graduates. They must have worked for at least five years in the field or industry related to the academic program they are obtaining an equivalency. They must also be able to show proof of proficiency, capability and thorough knowledge in the field applied for equivalency.” CHED.GOV.PH

To clarify further, para po ito sa mga mangagawang pinoy na meron nang hindi baba sa limang taon na experience sa kanilang kasalukuyang profession at gustong matapos ang kanilang pagaaral.

Layunin nito na ikonsidera ang mga experiences at learnings na nakuha mo sa trabaho para macredit ka sa mga subjects na katumbas nito sa paaralan, sa ganitong paraan hindi mo na kailangan kunin lahat ng subject na inaapply mo naman na sa trabaho mo ngayon. Ibig sabihin mas experienced ka mas kunti ang subjects pero syempre kelangan me katibayan lahat ng experiences mo.

Why I think ETEEAP is the perfect alternative I have been looking for?

First, 80% self-paced education mode to, ibig sabihin ikaw ang may hawak ng iyong oras – pag sinipag ka edi mabilis, pero wala naman masyadong time eh di chill lang me school ka na babalikan. Pero syempre limitado ito ng mga timelines like, deadline of completing a subject and university residency.

Second, hangat kaya mo patunayan na bihasa ka na sa isang field of professional study, maari itong maacredit sa time ng evaluation – kaya more experience and proof of proficiency, more fun . Pero hindi sakop ng rules na ito ang General Education na required ni CHED. So kung ilan ang kulang mo sa General Education kelangan mo talaga kunin lahat yun ng walang excemption.

Halimbawa ng Professional subjects or study equivalency and accreditation:

• Kung limang taon ka na Manager o Supervisor, maaring maacredit si Fundamentals of Management mo at mga subject na may similar requirements.
• Ako na nag tatrabaho sa linya ng quality and process improvement at merong mga patunay ng application and studies ukol sa Quality and Productivity accredited din yun.

Halimbaya ng General Education Subjects: Math, English and Science