"The DHVSU’s Master of Arts in Guidance and Counseling will be approved by the commission en banc by October 16. Once approved, it will be launched as a new program in November."

This statement was made by Dr. Roel P. Anicas, Education Supervisor of the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) and a Gender and Development (GAD) specialist, during his message delivered at the orientation-workshop on the finalization of the Gender and Development Agenda of Don Honorio Ventura State University (DHVSU) on October 12, 2023 in Calasiao, Pangasinan.

In relation to this, an initiative came in response to the community's expressed needs and requests because the DHVSU - Graduate School (GS) underwent a comprehensive evaluation by the CHED Technical Panel for the proposed Master of Arts programs majoring in Guidance and Counseling, as well as Psychology, on September 12, 2023.

The CHED - Technical Panel included Dr. Irene Oael, a member of the Technical Committee for Guidance and Counseling; Dr. Ma. Claudette Agnes, Chair of the Technical Committee for Psychology; Ms. Charity Barrera, representing the Office of Programs and Standards Development at CHED Central Office, and Dr. Roel Palo Anicas, Education Supervisor II at CHED-Regional Office 3.

The evaluation encompassed a thorough review of critical aspects such as the administration, curriculum and instruction, faculty qualifications, research agenda, graduate research laboratory, library resources, and facilities.

According to Dr. Dolores T. Quiambao, Dean of DHVSU-GS, the potential offering for graduate programs in the areas of guidance and counseling and psychology is demand-driven upon the request of various agency partners and stakeholders of the university.

Presently, DHVSU-GS offers different graduate programs, namely Doctor of Education, Doctor of Public Administration, Master in Public Administration, and Master in Business Administration both having Professional and Academic Tracks, Master of Science in Social Work, and Master of Arts in Education with specialization in Educational Management, Filipino, Mathematics, English, Physical Education, Technology and Livelihood Education, General Science, and Social Studies.

DHVSU-GS was awarded in the Gawad Parangal due to its commitment to quality and excellence, indicating that it fully complies with the policies, standards, and guidelines of CHED's Certificate of Program Compliance (COPC).

All the graduate programs are also accredited by the Accrediting Agency of Chartered Colleges and Universities in the Philippines (AACCUP), Inc.

Words by Samantha F. Batalla | Information Officer
Contributed photos by Norman Kim Quizon | Office of Data Protection and Public Information