Good news! More working professionals may now earn academic degrees based on their prior learning and work experience.
President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. signed Republic Act 12124, or the Expanded Tertiary Education Equivalency and Accreditation Program (ETEEAP), on March 3.
ETEEAP is an alternative education program that allows working professionals to complete their college education in one school year by converting their work experience into academic credentials.
The Commission on Higher Education has been implementing ETEEAP since the administration of former President Fidel V. Ramos in 1996. As the law's lead agency, CHED will deputize higher education institutions (HEIs) with academic degrees to be opened for the ETEEAP, develop skills and knowledge assessment standards, and grant or revoke HEIs' authority to implement ETEEAP.
How to apply to ETEEAP
Filipinos residing in the Philippines and abroad may apply to the program provided that they meet the following requirements:
- Must be at least 23 years old
- Must have finished high school or passed an equivalency test
- Must have at least 5 years of work experience relevant to the degree being pursued
A milestone for both labor and education sectors
Senator Joel Villanueva, who authored the new law, lauded the enactment of the ETEEAP, saying the new law "will ensure that the skills, knowledge, and experience gained in the workplace are acknowledged and translated into academic credits, ultimately enabling the attainment of an appropriate academic degree."
Villanueva, who is also a co-chairperson of Second Congressional Commission on Education (EDCOM 2), said that the law will open new doors for career advancement, helping many Filipinos further their education while continuing their professional journey.
To effectively implement ETEEAP, CHED's Office of Programs and Standards Development (OPSD) will be strengthened to act as the permanent technical secretariat overseeing the law's functions.
Celebrity parents who earned college degrees through ETEEAP
More and more celebrities have been sharing that they have earned their college degrees through this alternative learning program, even amid parenthood.
Valerie Concepcion graduated from Arellano University with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology in 2018.
Ruffa Gutierrez graduated from the Philippine Women's University with a degree in AB Communication Arts in 2022.
In 2023, Jhong Hilario completed an AB Political Science degree from Arellano University through ETEEAP.
Read more about parents who earned their college degrees through ETEEAP here.
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