Country Preview : Online/Distance doctorate degrees in the PI.

[bjcheung77]

A few universities for further review, here are some of them that interest me with doctoral programs.
University of the Philippines is the best university in the country, they also have an open university.
Education may be cheap and/or free in the Philippines if you're a national and do not have a degree yet.
For those wondering, the free tuition is in the FAQ or linked page below, it may be outdated already:

Cebu Technological University
Doctor of Development Education, PhD in Technology Management, Doctor of Public Administration
Link: https://www.ctu.edu.ph/graduate-studies/
FAQ: https://www.ctu.edu.ph/frequently-asked-questions/
Free Tuition in the FAQ!

Central Luzon State University - Open University
PhD Development Education, Rural Development
PhD Sustainable Food System by Research (Dual Degree)
Programs Link: https://dotclsu.edu.ph/DotUni/Program
Fees Link: https://dotclsu.edu.ph/DotUni/SchoolFees

Holy Angel University
DBA with concentrations, PhD Education Management, PhD Psychology, Doctor of Technology, Doctor of Nursing
Programs Link: https://www.hau.edu.ph/gs/gsprogramofferings.php
IACBE Info: https://www.hau.edu.ph/academics/sba/sbaiacbe.php

University of the Philippines - Open University
PhD in Communication, PhD in Education
Academics Link: https://www.upou.edu.ph/academics/
Future Info: https://www.upou.edu.ph/university-of-the-future/
Free Tuition: https://www.upou.edu.ph/announcement/fre...n-at-upou/

[JPN]

The University of the Philippines Open University Doctorate of Communications and PhD in Education programs are actually quite interesting options. By virtue of being in the University of the Philippines system, it's very well regarded in Filipino circles.

UPOU will return a favourable evaluation result through WES. It was designed with overseas Filipinos in mind, and has a global asynchronous learning structure. Exams are completed over Google Meets.

It's not the cheapest option due to the Educational Development Fund for Non Filipino Students (adds about $4000 USD to the price of the ~$2000 USD doctorate paid by Filipino citizens), but it seems like a worthy contender to UCN?

[JPN]

From what I'm hearing from the grapevine at UP, there are plans to introduce 2 additional doctoral programs at the University of the Philippines: a Doctor of Sustainability program and a Doctor of Archipelagic and Ocean Sciences (exact title of this one to be determined).

From the 1379th BOR MEETING PROVISIONAL AGENDA:

C. Institution of Doctor of Sustainability Program of UPOU (1375th BOR Meeting)
[...]
2. Establishment of the UP Archipelagic and Ocean Virtual University [which is expected to include a doctoral program]

[smartdegree]

The University of the Philippines Open University Doctorate of Communications and PhD in Education programs are actually quite interesting options. By virtue of being in the University of the Philippines system, it's very well regarded in Filipino circles.

UPOU will return a favourable evaluation result through WES. It was designed with overseas Filipinos in mind, and has a global asynchronous learning structure. Exams are completed over Google Meets.

It's not the cheapest option due to the Educational Development Fund for Non Filipino Students (adds about $4000 USD to the price of the ~$2000 USD doctorate paid by Filipino citizens), but it seems like a worthy contender to UCN?

The University of the Philippines is a university system comprised of several "autonomous" or independent universities.  It's no different than the US state university systems like University of California, UNC, SUNY etc.  Just like US university systems, each university within a system can vary in terms of curriculum, admissions standards, accreditation, etc.  

UP Open University is not well regarded by WES.  Its degrees are considered inferior to UP Diliman (the flagship campus).  Here's what the WES equivalency states for PhD at UP Diliman vs PhD at UP Open University.  In summary, even if some universities overseas share the same name or system, it does not mean WES will evaluate them as equivalent.

WES Degree Equivalency (source: https://applications.wes.org/degree-equivalency-tool/ )

Credential 1
Country of Education:     Philippines
Name of Degree:     Doctor of Philosophy
Name of Institution:    University of the Philippines, Diliman
Equivalency in U.S.:    Earned doctorate (Ph.D.)

Credential 2
Country of Education:     Philippines
Name of Degree:     Doctor of Philosophy
Name of Institution:    University of the Philippines, Open University
Equivalency in U.S.:    Master's degree