The Commission on Higher Education Technical Committee for Guidance and Counseling and the CHED Regional Quality Assessment Team highly recommended the Master of Arts in Counseling for a Certificate of Program Compliance this afternoon (October 9) during the closing program of the on-site validation at the CASS Theater Room.
Dr. Roel Anicas, CHED Education Supervisor II, said the university's psychology program has exceeded the number of qualified faculty members required to offer the Master of Arts in Counseling program.
"The program is highly recommended upon submission of stated recommendations," Dr. Anicas said.
The Master of Arts in Education major in Guidance and Counseling (former name of MAC) was first offered under the College of Education. Previously, CHED visited the program for its COPC, but the RQAT decided to give the COPC only if the program is transferred to CASS.
Dr. Anicas said the psychology faculty members only need to design a program, review prerequisite subjects and cognates, and prepare a syllabus that includes local publications and a practicum course.
He also suggested reducing the number of units from 39 to 33, strengthening the internet connection in the IT laboratory, and installing two-way mirrors and speakers.
"We're very glad na nakapasa ang ating Master of Arts in Counseling, and we are very grateful [to] the CHED Technical Committee for Guidance and Counseling for providing us assistance in terms of assessment and evaluation. And we hope to be able to receive the Certificate of Program Compliance before we start the semester for the master's program. We are excited to open it, and hopefully, by next [the next trimester], we will be able to do it," Dr. Editha Villavicencio, MAC chairperson, said in an interview.
Vice President for Academic Affairs Dr. Agnes M. Macaraeg thanked the RQAT and the Technical Committee for their effort, saying that all recommendations are 100 percent doable.
"With the kind of support, commitment, and service that you are providing to the university and our program, specifically, we know that success is just around the corner. Sabi nga po natin, 'Success is not an accident, but success is a product of our hard work. Success is a product of our teamwork, and success is a product of our good interpersonal relationship,' and that is what we have here at Tarlac State University," VP Macaraeg said.
In a message read by Dr. Ronnie A. Dungo, executive secretary, TSU President Dr. Arnold E. Velasco emphasized the need to follow the requirements of CHED before offering a new program and to continue the culture of quality in the university.
"Always remember that we do assessments to highlight our strengths, maintain the practices and approaches that we use best, and enhance what is necessary as well. Likewise, we undergo quality assurance to uphold the standards of excellence and eminence to improve our programs at our humble university," Dr. Dungo read.
In addition to the recommendations for the MAC program, the RQAT recommended to open a non-thesis MAC program, given the number of qualified faculty members.
Next year, the college may apply for two more COPCs for the Master of Science in Psychology and Doctor of Philosophy in Psychology.
The evaluation team is composed of Dr. Carmencita Pabiton and Dr. Irene Oael under the CHED Technical Committee, while the CHED RQAT members are Dr. Edna Calma, Dr. Anicas, and Ms. Charity Barrera. (jlmm-OPA)
Photo by Jodie Andrea G. Pangilinan
