Straight and Ladderized Programs
18 April 2005
The following guidelines are promulgated to streamline and clarify policies and procedures regarding straight and ladderized programs:
Definition of terms
Straight program.聽The degree is only earned when the student finishes the program. In a straight doctoral program, for example, the PhD is only earned when all the requirements have been met.
Ladderized program. The lower degree is earned as soon as the required units for it have been earned. A student can only proceed to earn the higher degree if all the requirements for the lower degree have been met. In a BS-MS program, for example, the student receives the BS degree after satisfying all the BS components of the program. The ladderized program should be planned such that there is a clear distinction between the lower degree components and the higher degree components. As a matter of policy, therefore, all our Bachelor-Master programs should be ladderized, and not straight, to enable students who do not finish the entire program to earn a bachelor’s degree.
Comparison of features
| Particulars | Regular | Ladderized | Straight |
| Admission1 | Per level | Per level | Once |
| ID Number2 | Per level | Per level | One (1) |
| Tuition and other fees3 | Per level | Per level | Masters |
| Advanced-level crediting4 | Not allowed | Allowed | Allowed |
| Academic honors and awards5 | Per level | Per level | Graduate level |
| Thesis/Dissertation requirement6 | Per level | Per level | Dissertation only |
| Transcript of Records7 | Per level | Per level | One (1) |
| Diploma8 | Per level | Per level | One (1) |
Notes:
| 1 | Admission requirements, such as the entrance examination, are waived. Admission is for documentation purposes only. |
| 2 | A different ID number is necessary to create distinction in the student record system, for such purposes as the applicable tuition and fees and the generation of Transcript of Records. |
| 3 | In straight programs, the lower rates applicable for master’s programs are used. |
| 4 | Students may take courses in a higher level in fulfillment of requirements for lower degree. A student in the bachelor’s program, for example, is allowed to take master’s courses to complete the number of units required in the bachelor’s program, even as the same courses are also credited at the start of the master’s program. |
| 5 | Students in ladderized programs are qualified to receive academic honors and awards both in the undergraduate and graduate level, following the criteria set for each level. |
| 6 | In ladderized programs, the thesis requirement, if any, should be fulfilled at each level. |
| 7 | Students in straight programs may not break down credits into master’s and doctoral programs. |
| 8 | Students in straight programs receive one (1) diploma with the higher degree, earned under a straight program, indicated therein. |