The Commission on Higher Education (CHED) is the governing body covering both public and private higher education institutions as well as degree-granting programs in all tertiary educational institutions in the Philippines.

The CHED was established on May 18, 1994 through Republic Act 7722 or the Higher Education Act of 1994.

On the whole, there are two types of accreditation in the Philippines, namely: government accreditation and private accreditation. Government accreditation is done by CHED which involves the process of issuance of government authorization to offer programs to the private Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) in the form of permit or recognition.

Private accreditation, which is voluntary in nature, refers to the accreditation being done by the private accrediting bodies such as the Federation of Accrediting Agency of the Philippines (FAAP) et al.

CHED MORPHE Article XII, Section 59. Effects of Government Recognition. - A Certificate of Recognition issued by the Commission to a higher education institution for a particular degree program shall have the following effects:

• It authorizes the higher education institution to confer the students who have completed a program including a ladderized program, a certificate, title, diploma, or degree, whichever is applicable; and
• It entitles the graduates of recognized programs to all the benefits and privileges enjoyed by graduates of similar recognized programs in all higher education institutions authorized by the government.

PHILIPPINE PROGRAMS

The CHED authorizes St. Linus University to offer its academic programs in the Philippines via St. Linus Online Institute. For details, click the icons below for the curriculum and course offerings checklist:

Accreditation is a process by which institutions subject themselves to external scrutiny in assessing the standards and level of instruction they employ.

In most countries, accreditation is a choice, not an obligation, and the fact that an academic institution is not accredited does not, by itself, mean that it is not a reputable organization or the lack thereof should not lead one to believe that a degree is worthless.

An example of this would be the courses with the professional recognition of non-government accredited and non-regulated programs (see below). It is the recognition of a local or foreign qualification for the purpose of employment in a certain profession. The recognition of qualifications for professional (employment) purposes depends largely on whether the profession in question is or is not regulated in the host country.

It is important to address the question of accreditation if the degree you seek is as a qualification in a profession in which only degrees with certain accreditation are considered valid. Similarly, you should check on accreditation if you are wishing to earn your degree specifically for credit transfer purposes for a higher degree. This is of equal concern with traditional and non-traditional institutions.

An example of this would be the courses with the academic recognition of government accredited and regulated programs (see above). It is the recognition of a local or foreign qualification for the purpose of further studies. The need for academic recognition may arise when a person having a diploma from their home country seeks admission to a further stage of studies in a foreign country or seeks admission to further studies in the home country after completion of the previous stage or a period of study abroad.

DOMINICA PROGRAMS

St. Linus University (SLU), Dominica is an ONLINE Higher Education Institution (HEI) and that it is not institutionally accredited by the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), with the EXEMPTION of the specific programs mentioned above, because the Philippines is not its country of origin. The authority of SLU to confer degree- and non-degree programs (as a duly registered academic institution offshore) comes from the COMMONWEALTH OF DOMINICA STATUTORY RULES AND ORDERS (SRO) NO. 65 OF 1996. Said law does not require SLU to be accredited in Dominica to issue a degree legally.

Hence, we serve only those who believe that we can help them meet their needs without prejudice to our accreditation status. The non-CHED professional programs we offer include, but not limited to:

That said, SLU chose to seek ISO 9001:2008 Quality Management Systems accreditation, even when it is not compulsory, in order to be able to demonstrate an independent confirmation of its competence and credibility. Like other countries, for no country can dictate its own academic system in the world, Dominica is a sovereign nation with its own system of government and education.

Will employers value the online degree you have received? Will you be able to transfer credits from your online course to another institution? A key to answering these questions is a clear understanding of what the receiving party is looking for. Aside from Quality Assurance Framework, our primary responsibility is to operate lawfully and to issue our degree(s) legally. You have to find out for yourself if your intended recipient(s) will recognize our degree because the acceptance or denial of our academic entitlements will always be the sole discretion of the receiving institution or person.

The 16th annual European Association for International Education (EAIE) Conference in Torino, Italy (2004) states:

• Accreditation is not mandated; it is voluntary. Institutions or programs choose to participate in
  the accreditation process.
• Accreditation is not a measure of ranking or relative quality of institutions compared to
  each other.
• Accreditation is based in standards of good practice, not law.

The United States Department of Education (USDE) emphasizes that "Accreditation does not provide automatic acceptance by an institution of credit earned at another institution, nor does it give assurance of acceptance of graduates by employers. Acceptance of students or graduates is always the prerogative of the receiving institution or employer."

The British Parliament Act of 1988 for the Department of Education & Science (DfES) states: "The awards made by overseas educational establishments should be recognised, by employer and professional bodies. . . . The assessment and recognition of such qualifications would be a matter for individual employers, professional bodies, and other educational institutions in accordance with their own needs and criteria."

Our students may obtain a double major (applicable to the same "degree name" or open degree but not with the same "named degree" or specified degree) by meeting all requirements in two departments. Major work in one department can, if there is a generic relationship, serve as the outside field in the second major, and vice versa. The student who completes the requirements for a double major (with one advisor per major) will receive only one degree, but his or her transcript will reflect the two majors.

A double degree (applicable to a combination of prerequisite-level of a differently-named degrees), may beacquired, however,by completing all university requirements for one degree; by completing all the major requirements of both degrees; and by completing all college requirements of both degrees.

The Philippines and Dominica are both signatories of the "Convention against Discrimination in Education, Paris 14 December 1960."

The Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) records the Ministries of Education and various international state-authorized accrediting institutions, which recognize CHED-accredited degree- and non-degree programs.

All types of partnerships are governed through a variety of mutually agreed system. While it is true that our affiliates are self-governing bodies with their own accountability mechanisms; it is equally true that partnership should be designed and implemented in a transparent and accountable manner. Hence, they are expected to provide an open and credible information and reporting.

We strongly emphasize that it is the sole responsibility of our affiliates to apply in their country of operation(s) the government authorization of the courses we offer online. We assume no obligation or liability for their non-compliance to the legal requirements prescribed by the host country.

We categorically and unequivocably declare that our MOA with our erring affiliates is automatically revoked upon violation of any law, rule or regulation.

Unless and until we attain accreditation in the country where our affiliates offer our online programs, other academic institutions may refuse to accept our academic credits on a transfer basis. At this time, no assurances can be given as to when, or if, accreditation might be granted.

Cross-Border Recognition in Asia and the Pacific

"All things obey fixed laws"--Manilius

Caveat Emptor: The UNESCO reminds the public that "It does not have the mandate to accredit nor to recognise higher education institutions, programmes, diplomas or accrediting agencies."

That "There exist both bogus institutions (degree-mills or institutions that are unaccredited) and bogus accreditation agencies (accreditation-mills and unaccredited accrediting agencies)."

That "Any provider of higher education or accrediting agency which claims or gives the impression of being accredited and/or recognized by UNESCO should be looked upon with caution."

Guided by a common will to strengthen the bonds by which geography and history have linked them, the UNESCO Regional Conventions on the Recognition of Studies, Diplomas and Degrees in Higher Education were created for cross-border recognition.

The Philippines is a party to the UNESCO Regional Convention on the Recognition of Studies, Diplomas and Degrees in Higher Education in Asia and the Pacific adopted by the International Conference of State held in Bangkok, Thailand on December 12-16, 1983. The signatories:

For the purpose of this convention, the 'recognition' of a foreign certificate, diploma or degree or higher education means its acceptance by the competent authorities of a Contracting State and the granting to the holder of the rightsenjoyed by persons possessing a national certificate, diploma or degree with which the foreign one is assessed as comparableby competent authorities within the Contracting State. Such rights extend to either the pursuit of studies or the practice of a profession, or both, according to the the applicability of the recognition.

(a) Recognition of a certificate, diploma or degree with a view to undertaking or pursuing studies at the higher educational and research institutions situated in any Contracting State under the same conditions as those applying to holders of a comparablecertificate, diploma or degree issued in the Contracting State concerned. Such recognition does not exempt the holder of the foreign certificate, diploma or degree from complying with any conditions (other than those relating to the holding of a diploma or degree) which may be required for admission by the higher educational or research institution concerned in the State granting such recognition.

Professional Associations

"There is strength in numbers"--Anon

The graduates of St. Linus University with relevant work experiences, skills and training may apply for professional membership in their areas of studies:

Honor Graduate Eligibility

"Granting Civil Service Eligibility to College Honor Graduates"--PD 907

Pursuant to Presidential Decree (PD) 907, the students of St. Linus University who graduated with honors are entitled to Civil Service Eligibility.

Pursuant to the academic policy of the University, a Certificate of Honor will be issued to deserving students.

The following individuals shall be entitled to the grant of PD 907 eligibility upon submission of required documents:

1. Those who graduated summa cum laude, magna cum laude or cum laude, or an equivalent of any of these honors in their Bachelors degree, regardless of the number of years of completion, from colleges and universities of good standing from school year 1972-73 and thereafter; and

2. Those who graduated summa cum laude, magna cum laude or cum laude, or an equivalent of any of these honors in their Masters and/or Doctorate degree, regardless of the number of years of completion, from colleges and universities of good standing from school year 1986-87 and thereafter.

Appropriate for first and second level positions in the government not covered by bar/board/other special laws. Filing of applications for the grant ofPD 907 eligibility shall not prescribe. This means that filing of applications for PD 907 grant is continuous.

Properly accomplished, together with the pictures and requirements, must be submitted to the CSC Regional or Field Office concerned (for graduates of local schools), or to the CSC Central Office (for graduates of foreign schools).

While filing of application may be coursed through a representative, the applicant shall be required to appear personally before the CSCRO for the proper issuance and acceptance of the Certificate of Eligibility, should the application be approved. Representative/s shall not be allowed to receive the Certificate of Eligibility on behalf of the applicant-grantee.

For foreign education credential services, students may apply to the following institutions: