June 11, 2010

CHED MEMORANDUM ORDER NO. 015-10

 

In accordance with the pertinent provisions of Republic Act (RA) No. 7722, otherwise known as the "Higher Education Act of 1994" and by virtue of the Commission en Banc Resolution No. 502-2009 dated December 23, 2009 and for the purpose of making relevant the general principles and guidelines for the operation of Bachelor of Science in Development Communication program in all Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) in the country, this set of policies and standards is hereby adopted and promulgated by this Commission.

ARTICLE I

Introduction

SECTION 1. Rationale. — Communication is an integrative and constitutive element that enables various actors and entities in development to fulfill their respective functions and responsibilities. Development-oriented professionals who understand the communication process and can apply strategic communication skills in addressing the multifaceted concerns of development have a critical role in developing countries like the Philippines.

ARTICLE II

Authority to Operate

SECTION 2. Authority. — All Private Higher Education Institutions (PHEIs) intending to offer BS in Development Communication program must first secure proper authority from the Commission on Higher Education in accordance with existing rules and regulations. State Universities and Colleges (SUCs) and Local Colleges and Universities (LCUs) should likewise strictly adhere to the provisions in this set of policies and standards.

ARTICLE III

Program Specification

SECTION 3. Degree Name. — The degree name under this program shall be called Bachelor of Science in Development Communication (BS in Dev't. Comm.). DHIETc

SECTION 4. Program Description/Objectives. — This program aims to develop communication professionals equipped with the knowledge and skills needed in teaching, managing and implementing communication programs for development.

SECTION 5. Specific Professions/Careers/Occupations that Graduates of this Program May Go into. — Graduates of this program may find employment as public and corporate communication/information officers, communication researchers/analysts, communication/media planners and managers, program/project development officers, public relations and advertising practitioners, media practitioners, learning system designers, multimedia designers, and allied/related professions.

SECTION 6. Allied Programs. — The allied programs for BS Development Communication are Journalism, Broadcasting, Multimedia (Digital Media) studies, Public Relations and Advertising, and Development Studies.

ARTICLE IV

Competency Standards

SECTION 7. Graduates of this program are expected to have acquired the following competencies:

1. competencies in multi-media materials design and production;

2. interpersonal and participatory communication;

3. planning, organizing, implementing, and evaluating development communication projects;

4. planning, managing and evaluating development communication campaigns;

5. conducting communication research;

6. designing media-based learning systems; IEDaAc

7. the use of information and communication technology for development projects; and

8. graduates are also expected to uphold professional ethics and standards and to practice social responsibility at all times.

ARTICLE V

Curriculum

SECTION 8. Curriculum Description. — The BS in Development Communication has a total of 150 units, of which 63 units are General Education Courses, 6 units are Core Courses, 25 units are Required Courses, 36 units are Electives, 6 units are Thesis and Internship, 8 units are Physical Education and 6 units are National Service Training Program (NSTP).

However, the subjects listed under the General Education courses shall automatically be considered as revised once a new CMO on General Education is issued by CHED, without the need for additional action on the part of the concerned Technical Panel. An amendment to this CMO will be issued by the Office of Programs and Standards (OPS) at such time to show the revised curriculum.

SECTION 9. Curriculum Outline. —

						Equivalent
				No. of	Units Per	Total
				Subjects	Subject	Units
1.	General Education (GE) Courses		21			63
	Language and Literature			8	24
		English	3
		Filipino	3
		Literature	2
	Mathematics and Natural Sciences				15
		Mathematics	2		6
		Natural Sciences	2		6
		Science Elective	1		3
	Humanities and Social Sciences	6			18
		Humanities
			Arts			3
			Philosophy			3
		Social Sciences
			Basic Economics (with Taxation and Agrarian Reform)			3
			General Psychology			3
			Politics and Governance (with Philippine Constitution			3
			Society and Culture (with Family Planning)			3
		Mandated Subjects	2			6
			Life and Worlds of Rizal			3
			Philippine History			3
2.	Core Courses	2				6
	Introduction to Development Communication			3
	Introduction to Communication Research			3
3.	Required Courses	9				25
	Communication and Society			3
	Fundamentals of Community Broadcasting			3
	Fundamentals of Development Journalism			3
	Fundamentals of Educational Communication			3
	Interpersonal Communication and Participatory			3
		Development Communication
	Introduction to Communication Theory			3
	Introduction to Media Writing			3
	Strategic Communication in Development			3
	Seminar (1-unit course)			1
4.	Electives			12			36
	4.1.	Specialized Courses	4		3
		Advanced Development Writing
		Audiovisual Planning and Production
		Broadcast-based Distance Learning Systems
		Broadcast Speech, Performance and Production
		Development Writing
		Environmental Communication
		Fundamentals of Science Communication
		Fundamentals of Video Production
		Health Communication
		Introduction to Information and Communication Technology
		Introduction to Telecommunication for Development
		Management and Production of a Community Newspaper
		Multi-Media Production
		Organizational Communication
		Principles and Development Applications of
			Knowledge Management
		Photography in Development
		Publications Writing and Editing
		Radio Drama and Documentary
		Radio and Television Production
		Science Reporting
		Scientific and Technical Information Processing
		Technical Writing and Editing
		Visual Communication
		Visual Design and Techniques
		Writing and Program Planning for Community Radio    TCHcAE
		Writing for Educational Communication Media
	4.2.	*Technical	5
	4.3.	*Social Science	3
* Taken in other departments/colleges within the same university
5.	Thesis and Internship	2				6
	Thesis					3
	Internship				3
6.	Physical Education (P.E.)	4		2		8
7.	National Service Training Program (NSTP)	2		3		6
8.	Summary of Units
	General Education Courses		21		63
	Core Courses			2		6
	Required Courses		9		25
	Electives			12		36
		Specialized Communication	4
		Technical	5
		Social Sciences	3
	Thesis and Internship		2		6
	Physical Education		4		8
	National Service Training Program (NSTP)		2		6
							––––
			Total No. of Units				150
							====

SECTION 10. Sample Program of Study. — AECDHS

Year I — 46 units
First Semester		Second Semester
Subject	Units	Subject	Units
English 1 (GE)	3	English 2 (GE)	3
Filipino 1 (GE)	3	Filipino 2 (GE)	3
Mathematics 1 (GE)	3	Mathematics 2 (GE)	3
Natural Sciences 1 (GE)	3	Natural Sciences 2 (GE)	3
Philippine History (GE)	3	Humanities — Arts (GE)	3
General Psychology (GE)	3	Intro to Development Communication	3
PE	2	PE		2
NSTP	3	NSTP	3
	––––			––––
Total	23	Total	23
	====			====
Year II — 40 units
First Semester			Second Semester
Subject	Units	Subject	Units
English 3 (GE)	3	Literature 2 (GE)	3
Literature 1 (GE)	3	Society and Culture (GE)	3
Science Elective (GE)	3	Basic Economics (GE)	3
Politics and Governance (GE)	3	Fundamentals of Development
Introduction to Media Writing	3		Journalism	3
Intro to Communication Theory	3	Introduction to Communication
PE	2		Research	3
		Fundamentals of Educational
			Communication	3
		PE		2
	––––			––––
Total	20		Total	20
	====			====
Year III — 37 units
First Semester			Second Semester
Subject	Units		Subject	Units
Filipino 3 (GE)	3	Interpersonal Communication and
Specialized Elective 1	3		Participatory Development
Technical Elective 1	3		Communication (Junior)	3
Communication and Society (Junior)		Specialized Elective 2	3
Fundamentals of Community Broadcasting	3	Technical Elective 2	3
Strategic Communication in Development		Technical Elective 3	3
	3	Social Science Elective 1	3
		Life and Works of Rizal (GE)	3
	3	Seminar (1 unit)	1
	––––			––––
Total	18		Total	19
	====			====
Summer
Subject	Units
Internship	3
Year IV — 24 units
First Semester			Second Semester
Subject	Units		Subject	Units
Humanities — Philosophy (GE)	3	Specialized Elective 4	3
Technical Elective 4	3	Technical Elective 5	3
Social Science Elective 3	3	Thesis or Special Project	3
Specialized Elective 3	3
Social Science Elective 2	3
	––––			––––
Total	15		Total	9
	====			====
Total			150 units
Note:  The institution is free to enhance and to follow different patterns and modalities based on the needs of its clientele.

SECTION 11. Thesis/Special Project Requirements. — The subject of the thesis or special project must have prior approval of a thesis adviser.

A special project may be any of the following: a) media production where the student-proponent plays a major role in the technical and creative aspect of the production; b) training or instructional modules on any aspect of communication; c) communication plan; or d) any similar project approved by the special projects adviser.

SECTION 12. On-the-Job Training/Practicum/Internship Requirements. —

The student must render a minimum of 200 hours undertaking a communication-related job in a media/communication organization or a development organization, i.e., a government agency, civil society organization, or people's organization engaged in the use of communication resources for development. The HEI should make a formal arrangement with the student's supervisor in such organization on his/her work assignments, supervision, and evaluation. ASTcaE 

The HEI must conform to detailed guidelines and requirements for internship of BS Development Communication students as provided for in a distinct PSG issued by the Commission.

ARTICLE VI

Description and Specification of Courses

SECTION 13. For description and specification of courses, please refer to Annex A (BS in Dev't. Comm.).

ARTICLE VII

Other Requirements

SECTION 14. Program Administration. —

The BS in Development Communication program should be administered by a Dean and/or Department Chair, Head, and/or Coordinator with appropriate qualifications specified below.

A. Qualifications, Functions/Responsibilities and Teaching Load of the Dean or Head

1. Qualifications. The Dean or Head of a college or institution must be:

a. a master's degree holder in development communication or allied fields;

b. preferably a holder of an earned doctoral degree in development communication or allied fields;

c. with at least five (5) years teaching experience; and

d. with three (3) years administrative experience.

2. Functions/Responsibilities of the Dean

a. Provides overall direction in the attainment of the objectives of the program. AIaHES

b. Appoints qualified faculty members to teach in the program, on the recommendation of the Department Chair, Head or Coordinator.

c. Provides administrative support to the Department.

d. Attends department meetings upon invitation of the Chair, Head or Coordinator.

e. Undertakes all other functions as may be explicitly required by the institution.

3. Teaching Load

 The Dean shall be allowed to teach provided the teaching load shall not exceed 6 units per semester or term.

B. Qualifications, Functions/Responsibilities and Teaching Load of the Department Chair, Head or Coordinator

1. Qualifications. The Chair, Head or Coordinator of a department or program in Development Communication must be a full-time faculty with the following qualifications:

a. at least a master's degree holder in Development Communication, Journalism, Broadcasting, Film, Communication Research or any communication related fields; and

b. with at least five (5) years teaching experience.

2. Functions/Responsibilities of the Department/Unit Chairperson

a. Reviews periodically the curriculum along with the department faculty.

b. Ensures that the syllabus of each course in the program is fully implemented within the term.

c. Recommends the appointment of qualified faculty members.

d. Convenes regular and special departmental faculty meetings. EDIaSH

e. Schedules classes and assigns faculty-teaching load.

f. Ensures that student grades are submitted on time by the faculty.

g. Supervises student evaluation of faculty.

h. Monitors progress of students.

i. Asserts strategic leadership by spearheading strategic planning and initiatives, including the development of programs for training, research and extension of the department.

j. Fulfills other functions as may be assigned by the Dean.

SECTION 15. Faculty. —

A. Qualifications

1. Graduates of Master of Arts/Science degree in Development Communication or any communication program from a recognized HEI; or

2. Holders of Master of Arts/Science degree in any field related to communication from a recognized HEI, with at least five (5) years part-time teaching experience; or

3. Recognized professionals in the field of communication who do not meet the above requirements but have achieved demonstrably distinguished practice characterized by:

• Minimum of five (5) year active practice in media and related fields

• Must have an outstanding track record (e.g., awards received)

• Must have held senior positions (i.e., at least a managerial position)

B. Teaching Load

The regular teaching load of full-time academic teaching personnel shall be determined by the higher education institution but in no case shall exceed 24 units per semester or term. TacESD

All faculty or academic personnel who do not meet the above requirement are considered part-time.

Except when permitted by the higher education institution, all faculty or academic personnel who are at the same time holding positions in the government, whether appointive or elective, shall also be considered part-time.

SECTION 16. Library. —

A. Librarians

Every college/institution/department offering development communication program shall have an adequately equipped library that will provide all the basic textbooks, as well as reference materials for research and other scholarly purposes, as well as resources for current trends. The following are the minimum staff requirements:

1. A college/institution/department library should have a full-time librarian who is a holder of Master in Library and Information Science degree with a valid license.

2. There should be one full-time librarian for the first 500 students enrolled, and for an enrollment of 1,000 students two (2) full-time librarians shall be required.

3. Library assistant/s must be a holder/s of Bachelor of Library and Information Science degree.

B. Library Holdings

Library holdings should conform to the CHED-existing requirements for libraries.

1. For the BS in Development Communication program, the libraries must provide five (5) book titles per course found in the curriculum. These titles must have been published within the last five (5) years.

2. The HEI is likewise required to subscribe to at least two peer reviewed or refereed journals and periodicals in communication and allied programs that are published locally and internationally. The subscriptions may be for hard/printed or electronic copies of the journal. aSTHDc

3. At least 100 audio-visual materials in the forms of tapes, films, records, CDs/DVDs and CD-ROMS. Fifty percent of the collections should have been published/produced within ten (10) years.

4. The library must provide internet access to faculty members and students for research and other academic activities.

SECTION 17. Facilities and Equipment. —

A. Classroom requirements

For lecture classes, ideal size is twenty (20) students per class, maximum of forty (40). Special lectures with class size of more than forty (40) may be allowed as long as the attendant facilities are provided.

B. Laboratory requirements

1. Compute laboratory

2. Photography laboratory

3. Broadcast equipment/facilities

HEIs should provide for an adequately-equipped radio production laboratory. For Television, electronic news gathering (ENG) and electronic field production (EFP) facilities should be available.

SECTION 18. Admission and Retention. —

A. Admission

Admission into the BS in Development Communication program requires submitting a high school diploma from a recognized institution, passing the particular college/university's required admission examinations, as well as meeting all other requirements (e.g., an interview and/or written examination) the admitting institution may impose.

B. Retention

Students admitted into the BS Development Communication program must maintain a grade-weighted average of at least 2.5 (or its equivalent) in all major subjects each semester/term. DTCAES

Students admitted into the BS Development Communication program must comply with the HEIs rules governing retention.

ARTICLE VIII

Transitory Provisions

SECTION 19. All HEIs with existing permit or recognition for Bachelor of Science in Development Communication program are hereby given a period of three (3) years from the effectivity thereof, within which to fully comply with all the requirements in this CMO. SUCs and LUCs shall also comply with the requirements herein set forth.

ARTICLE IX

Sanctions

SECTION 20. For violation of this Order, the Commission may impose such administrative sanction as it may deem appropriate pursuant to the pertinent provisions of RA 7722 in relation to Sections 68-69 of Batas Pambansa Blg. 232 otherwise known as the "Higher Education Act of 1982", Section 63 of Article XII and Sections 142-143 of Article XXVI of the Manual of Regulations for Private Higher Education of 2008, and other related laws.

ARTICLE X

Separability and Repealing Clause

SECTION 21. Any provision of this Order, which may thereafter be held invalid, shall not affect the remaining provisions.

All CHED issuances or part thereof inconsistent with the provision in this CMO shall be deemed modified or repealed.

ARTICLE XI

Effectivity Clause

SECTION 22. This Order shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.

Quezon City, Philippines, June 11, 2010.

(SGD.) EMMANUEL Y. ANGELESChairmanCommission on Higher Education

Attachments available upon request.