In today’s cut-throat job market, upskilling is more important than ever. Learning on the job is all fine and good, but proactively taking credentials is even better.
Over the last 10 years, I’ve worked in four different companies across the UAE, but the best career move I made was not inside the workplace – it was online when I pursued higher studies.
Last December, I didn’t just go home to the Philippines as a balikbayan – I went home as an Iska, a graduate of the University of the Philippines Open University’s (UPOU) Master of Development Communication program.
Here’s a quick guide on how to get an online master’s degree from the University of the Philippines Open University (UPOU) – as an OFW.
Contents
Q: What is UPOU?
A: Headquartered in Los Baños, UPOU is a constituent of the UP system that needs no further introduction. It offers accredited Degree Programs (Associate, Bachelor’s, Master’s, Graduate Certificates and Diplomas, and Doctorate) and Non-Degree Programs – some of which are completely free. You can check out UPOU’s full list of academic offerings at upou.edu.ph.
As a linguistics and literature major currently working in marketing and communications, I enrolled in the Master of Development Communication (MDC) program.
MDC combines theoretical knowledge with practical application to provide students with a deeper understanding of development communication – the strategic use of communication principles and practices to promote positive social change.
Q: Who is UPOU for?
A: As the Philippines’ leading university for open and distance e-learning, UPOU is for individuals who cannot attend classes in person on campus – including OFWs and foreign students.
Q: How long does it take to complete a UPOU program?
UPOU lets students learn at their own pace and their own time from anywhere in the world.
Based on my experience, by following the Plan of Study (6 units per semester), I was able to complete the MDC program in 2 1/2 years – starting from September 2021, completing my master’s thesis defense in March 2024, and graduating in December 2024.
Q: How much is the tuition fee?
This varies from program to program. During my MDC coursework between 2021-2023, I paid PHP 8,000+ for 6 units (2 major subjects) per semester. During my thesis work in 2024, I paid a minimal fee of PHP 1,000+.
Q: What is the admission process?
UPOU has a dedicated page on How to Apply for Admission with complete details on eligibility, requirements, and procedures. Based on my experience, I’ll take you through the admission process for the MDC program.
Eligibility
To apply, the candidate must have a bachelor’s degree (any field) and one year of work experience for students with undergraduate degrees in communication – or three years without:
NOTE: Some master’s programs may require admission exams.
Documentary Requirements
The candidate must submit a set of documents – both online (soft copies) and to the UPOU mailing address (hard copies) – on or before the deadline of their selected program based on the Academic Calendar.
TIP: Be sure to request your Letters of Recommendation in parallel to preparing your documentary requirements to save time.
Admission Procedures
Once you have all your documentary requirements, create a new account or login to the Online Application System. Complete the online application, submit hard copies to the UPOU mailing address, and wait for the official email with your admission results.
Q: How can OFWs balance full-time work and online studies?
As OFWs, we don’t have the luxury to give up our day jobs and side hustles to focus on studies alone. UPOU offers inclusive quality education and accessible online courses designed to integrate into any lifestyle.
Most of my MDC classmates were working professionals in universities, corporations, and non-governmental organizations. Some were also parents – parents with very young children, parents expecting their first child, and even grandparents.
Mental preparation is key to balancing full-time work and online studies. It took me over a year to decide whether to apply in UPOU – thanks in part to missing the deadline of applications! During that time, I enrolled in short-term courses in LinkedIn Learning, Coursera, and edX to prepare me for an online master’s degree while meticulously preparing my documentary requirements.
When requesting for letters of recommendation from my managers, I took the opportunity to open up about my interest in pursuing higher studies and advancing my career. Over the course of my studies, I worked in three different companies and received full support from all my managers – no exceptions!
But of course, there were days when I felt I wasn’t enough. When the work piled up and the deadlines drew nearer, impostor syndrome hit hard. Some of my classmates – especially the original Iskos and Iskas from their college days – hit the ground running right from day one. Some who stood out during the orientation with highly intellectual questions ended up dropping out. I, on the other hand, who was barely able to make sense of the course materials each semester, ended up being the first in our class to complete my master’s thesis and defense. On a side note, I ended up publishing my master’s thesis on academic persistence, which is now openly and freely available on the UPOU Repository.
You don’t have to be a brilliant student to succeed in higher studies; you just need to be goal-focused, results-driven, and exceptionally persistent – which, lucky for us OFWs, we already are.
Remember, this is just a quick guide for OFWs who are interested in getting a master’s degree from UPOU. If you’re ready to unlock your potential and future-proof your career, visit upou.edu.ph.
About the Author: Nicholette
Nicholette retired from teaching hormonal teenagers at the tender age of twenty-two to pursue a career in adulting in Dubai. From an early age, she has struggled with an incurable case of sarcasm, which she now channels through her writing. She reads fiction voraciously, eats anything edible heartily, and travels every chance she gets. She is less of a writer and more of a collector of stories penning her travels, thoughts, and things in between in her inappropriately-titled blog: https://nicholettejeannepl.wixsite.com/portfolio/blog
Check out Nicholette’s other articles on DubaiOFW below:
- My Short Visit to Lebanon
- Travel Tips: An ABC’s Guide to Egypt
- How To Apply For An Egypt Tourist Visa in Dubai
- How to Apply for a Philippine Visa for UAE Expats
- How to Apply for a Lebanon Visa in Dubai
- How to Get Married in UAE Courts for Expats
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