How to Verify Philippine University Degrees: CHED and PRC Guide

The Philippines' higher education system

The Philippines' higher education is overseen by the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), which regulates both public and private institutions. The Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) handles professional licensing. The Philippines has over 2,000 higher education institutions, making verification particularly important.

Verification steps

1. Check CHED recognition — Verify the institution has CHED government recognition. VerifyED includes CHED-recognized Philippine institutions.
2. Check program permit/recognition — CHED issues permits for specific programs. Not all programs may be CHED-approved.
3. Contact the institution — Philippine universities maintain registrar offices for verification. Request a Certificate of Graduation or Authentication.
4. DFA authentication — For international use, documents need authentication from the Department of Foreign Affairs. The Philippines joined the Hague Convention in 2019.

Key considerations

• UP system — The University of the Philippines system is the most prestigious public university system.
• Large private sector — Most Philippine HEIs are private. Quality varies enormously. CHED recognition is essential.
• Nursing and healthcare — The Philippines is a major source of healthcare professionals. PRC licensing provides additional verification for these fields.
• PACUCOA accreditation — Voluntary accreditation by PACUCOA or AACCUP indicates higher quality among recognized institutions.