Teaching certificate program in the Philippines
The Professional Regulations Commission (PRC) is requiring non-education graduates to earn 18 units in professional education before they can be eligible to take the licensure exam for teachers or LET.
Hence, a lot of teacher education institutions around the country have developed their respective teaching certificate programs. This course can be typically completed in two semesters. Keep in mind though that some TEIs offer more units other than what the PRC requires before their students can complete the program.
I taught at the tertiary level from 2012 to 2016. During those years, I never seriously considered enrolling in a teaching certificate program because my priority at that time is to finish my masters. After all, having a masters degree is the basic requirement to be granted a permanent teaching position in colleges and universities. However, that changed in 2016 when I successfully applied for a senior high school teaching post at the Department of Education Quezon City.
According to Republic Act 7836 or the Teaches Professionalization Act of 1994, having a teaching license should be required for those teaching at the elementary and secondary levels.
In deciding where to take my 18-units in professional education, I considered the following things:
1) For me to earn the necessary units in one or two semesters, keeping in mind that the licensure exam for teachers is only administered during March and September
2) The work load for students must be manageable, considering that I have a full-time job
3) It should not be very costly
I visited National Teachers’ College, New Era University, TIP Quezon City, and the University of Manila to inquire about their respective TCPs. In the end, I decided to enroll in TIP QC. Although the P30,000 tuition is such a pain in the pockets, at least I can assure myself that the way they’ll be handling the program there is really trustworthy. I taught there for two years, after all.
And since I ultimately passed the LET even without enrolling in a review center, I can say now that the investment I made for TIP QC is really worth it. I must note here though that University of the Philippines-Diliman is the one listed in my official PRC registration because that is where I earned my degree.
WHAT COURSES SHOULD YOU TAKE?
According to PRC, twelve (12) units must have been earned by completing one subject or its equivalent in each of the four (4) clusters enumerated below:
1) EDUCATIONAL PSYCHOLOGY, or
Adolescent Psychology (Adolescent Growth & Development)
Psychology of Learning
Psychology Applied to Education
Child Growth, Development, and Learning (Developmental Education)
Child Study (Child Psychology)
Human Growth, Learning, and Development*
Foundation of Education I (Psychological & Sociological Foundation of Education)
2) PRINCIPLES AND TECHNIQUES OF TEACHING, or
Principles of Teaching*
Teaching Strategies
Teaching Strategies I (Teaching Communication Arts)
Teaching Strategies II (Teaching Social Studies)
Teaching Strategies III (Teaching Science and Math)
Teaching Strategies IV (Teaching Values)
Teaching Strategies in Other Special Fields
Teaching and Content of Elementary Subjects (Curriculum & Instructions)
Teaching and Content in Secondary Subjects
Principles of Teaching & Educational Technology
Methods of Teaching
Models of Teaching
Principles of Secondary Education
Seminar on Secondary Education
3) PRINCIPLES OF EDUCATION, or
Introduction to Education including Phil. Educational System
Foundation of Education II (Historical, Philosophical and Legal Foundation of Education)*
Non-formal Education
History of Education
Philippine Educational System
Philosophy of Education
4) MEASUREMENT AND EVALUATION*, or
Research and Evaluation
Test and Measurements
Student Program/Project/Curriculum Evaluation
Educational Research and Evaluation
Introduction to Educational Research
Meanwhile, the remaining six units may be met by completing any two of the following professional education courses:
1. Principle and Techniques of Guidance and any other Guidance Course
2. Educational Sociology
3. Observation and Participation/Observation and Community Immersion*
4. Audio-Visual Education
5. Curriculum Development*
6. Preparation of Curriculum Materials
7. Administration and Supervision
8. The Child and the Curriculum
9. Student Teaching/Internship/Practicum
10. Educational Leadership
11. Values Education
12. Special Education
13. Early Childhood Education
The courses marked with an asterisk (*) the ones I enrolled in at TIP Quezon City.
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