Department of Educational Communication

About the DZLB Online Seasonal

Aside from its regular programs. DZLB Online also produces 2 seasonal programs: Kwentong Sablay every midyear, produced by DDBT interns, and PAK! Para sa Agrikultura at Kalikasan, an educational and discussion program produced in partnership with the UP Professional School for Agriculture and the Environment (UP PSAE) various agricultural, environmental, and ecological concepts.

Doctor of Philosophy program

CDC instituted its PhD degree program – the first of its kind – in 1977. Since then, the program has produced many PhD graduates here and abroad that contributed largely in their respective fields and careers. The curriculum was revised in 2015 to sharpen the competencies and goals of the program. The revised curriculum aims to train PhD students in four competencies: (1) Critique and construction of theories; (2) Conduct and management of research in development communication; (3) Exercise of professional leadership in development communication education and practice; and (4) Formulation of communication policies for development programs.

Graduates of the PhD in Development Communication program should be able to:

Explain the process of theory construction and critiquing towards theory formulation in development communication;

Analyze the research and research management process in development communication programs;

Conduct development communication research;

Examine issues and challenges towards setting directions in development communication education and practice; and

Formulate development communication policies for development programs.

To get the degree, students are required to pass 42-49 units of academic workload. This includes 20-22 units of core courses, 3 units of elective courses, 9-12 units of cognate courses, and 12 units of Doctoral dissertation. Aside from these requirements, all PhD in Devcom students are required to pass a qualifying examination, oral and written comprehensive examinations, and a final examination. The dissertation must undergo external review, and a journal article based on the dissertation is also needed to get the degree.

Doctor of Philosophy courses*

DEVC 310: Theorizing in Development Communication

DEVC 311: Organizational Communication and Leadership

DEVC 320: Communication Systems Policies and Planning

DEVC 363: Public Communication of Science

DEVC 393: Qualitative Approaches to Communication Research

DEVC 390: Special Problems

DEVC 391: Special Topics

DEVC 399: Graduate Seminar in Development Communication

DEVC 400: Dissertation

*PhD students are also required to enroll AERS 281: Theory Construction.

Master's degree program

CDC started to offer a Master’s degree program in agricultural communication in 1965. It was renamed as Master of Science in Development Communication in 1973. Many curricular reviews and revisions had been made since then to keep the contents and skills up to date, the most recent of which was approved in 2015. The program was designed to emphasize four competencies of an MSDC graduate: (1) Analysis of communication and development theories and paradigms, current and emerging development issues and the role of communication in development; (2) Development of education and training programs that address development issues and challenges; (3) Conduct research and evaluation; and (4) Design and management of systems, programs and projects in development.

The graduates of MS Development Communication program should be able to:

Compare and contrast theories, principles, strategies and schools of thought of communication in the context of development;

Analyze issues and challenges in development that may be addressed by education and training in development communication;

Conduct research and evaluation in development communication; and

Apply development communication concepts and skills in the design and management of systems, programs, and projects in development.

To get the degree, students are required to pass 33-37 units of academic workload. This includes 11-13 units of core courses, 7-9 units of elective courses, 9 units of cognate courses, and 6 units of Master’s thesis. Aside from these requirements, all MSDC students are required to pass an oral comprehensive examination and a final examination. The thesis must undergo external review, and a journal article based on the MS thesis is also needed to get the degree.

Master of Science Courses:

DEVC 202: Communication Theory in Development

DEVC 205: Communication and Development

DEVC 208: Communication Approaches in Development Programs

DEVC 212: Environmental Communication

DEVC 215: Communication and Culture

DEVC 230: Educational Communication Systems

DEVC 231: Educational Communication Systems Management

DEVC 234: Information and Communication Technologies for Development

DEVC 290: Special Problems

DEVC 291: Special Topics

DEVC 295: Development Communication Research

DEVC 299: Graduate Seminar in Development Communication

DEVC 300: Master’s thesis

Associate degree program

Since its offering of the first agricultural communication course in 1960, and becoming into a full-fledged program in 1974, CDC’s BS Development Communication curriculum has undergone several reviews throughout the years to ensure that the program addresses the needs of the time. In 2011, the curriculum was revised from one with four major fields of specialization (development journalism, community broadcasting, educational communication, and science communication) to the generalist track. Under the generalist curriculum, students are trained to have skills in four general areas of competency: reportage; media- based learning systems; multi-media materials design, production, and management; and management and communication of technical information.

The graduates of BS Development Communication program are expected to be:

Proactive members of society, promoting social change through communication; and

Highly skilled professionals in devcom teaching, research, and practice.

The curriculum is guided by eleven program learning outcomes to help the students achieve the program goals above. Graduates of BS Development Communication program must be able to:

Assess problems and issues of development in the local, national, and global contexts;

Practice interpersonal and participatory communication skills;

Perform skills in development reportage and writing;

Plan, design, and produce multi-media materials for development projects;

Manage and evaluate media-based and non-media based development communication campaigns and projects;

Implement media-based learning systems for development;

Process information to facilitate communication for science and technology;

Conduct and critique development communication research;

Address development problems and issues using concepts, principles, and theories of development communication;

Uphold professional ethics and standards at all times; and

Practice creative, entrepreneurial, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills in development communication praxis.

To get the degree, students are required to pass 145 units of academic workload. This includes 27 units of General Education courses, 6 units of foundation courses, 46 units of core courses, 33 units of specialization courses, 21 units of technical elective, 12 units of social science electives, and Physical Education and National Service Training Program (NSTP) courses.

Undergraduate degree program

Since its offering of the first agricultural communication course in 1960, and becoming into a full-fledged program in 1974, CDC’s BS Development Communication curriculum has undergone several reviews throughout the years to ensure that the program addresses the needs of the time. In 2011, the curriculum was revised from one with four major fields of specialization (development journalism, community broadcasting, educational communication, and science communication) to the generalist track. Under the generalist curriculum, students are trained to have skills in four general areas of competency: reportage; media- based learning systems; multi-media materials design, production, and management; and management and communication of technical information.

The graduates of BS Development Communication program are expected to be:

Proactive members of society, promoting social change through communication; and

Highly skilled professionals in devcom teaching, research, and practice.

The curriculum is guided by eleven program learning outcomes to help the students achieve the program goals above. Graduates of BS Development Communication program must be able to:

Assess problems and issues of development in the local, national, and global contexts;

Practice interpersonal and participatory communication skills;

Perform skills in development reportage and writing;

Plan, design, and produce multi-media materials for development projects;

Manage and evaluate media-based and non-media based development communication campaigns and projects;

Implement media-based learning systems for development;

Process information to facilitate communication for science and technology;

Conduct and critique development communication research;

Address development problems and issues using concepts, principles, and theories of development communication;

Uphold professional ethics and standards at all times; and

Practice creative, entrepreneurial, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills in development communication praxis.

To get the degree, students are required to pass 145 units of academic workload. This includes 27 units of General Education courses, 6 units of foundation courses, 46 units of core courses, 33 units of specialization courses, 21 units of technical elective, 12 units of social science electives, and Physical Education and National Service Training Program (NSTP) courses.

About the Department

The core thrust of the Department of Educational Communication (DEC) is to study and practice communication that constitutes and facilitates learning that is empowering, ethical, and inclusive among various learners in different development contexts. Composed of a competent array of faculty members, extension staff, and administrative personnel, DEC aims to advance the study and practice of educational communication through instruction, scholarly outputs, and extension and public service initiatives towards the empowerment of development stakeholders.

DEC mentors development students in designing learning systems, producing visual and audio-visual media for learning, and planning and implementing media-based and distance learning systems. Students are trained to facilitate capacity building initiatives and produce educational media such as big books, videos, modules, and games that make learning an engaging, worthwhile, and meaningful experience for various learners from our partners organizations and communities.

DEC staff regularly conduct research across various topics related to education, communication, and development. Some of its most recent research projects centered on gamification in learning, remote learning and teaching during the pandemic, thematization of existing educational communication research, and documenting educational communication extension and public service initiatives. The Department presents its research findings in local and international conferences and publish them in reputable academic journals.

The Department implements extension and public service initiatives that aim to provide alternative educational opportunities for development stakeholders. For more than ten years, DEC has spearheaded Kalinga sa Eskwela, a project that provides instructional support and capacity building for its partner institution, Bernaldo N. Calara Elementary School in Anos, Los Baños. It also regularly produces content for EdComics, an online comic page that provides informational or opinion-related content on various university, regional, and national issues. Through a public forum called EdCom Talks, DEC intends to share to various audiences research studies about and best practices in educational communication. DEC also facilitates training-workshops on visual design, photography, and video production to staff of government offices and academic units within and outside Los Baños.

DEC is currently chaired by Asst. Prof. Elijah Jesse M. Pine, MA.
The Department may be reached through email at cdc_dec.uplb@up.edu.ph.