By Shayne Elizabeth T. Flores

Through the College Advance Credit Program (CACP), Far Eastern University (FEU) Academic Affairs Office (AAO) in collaboration with Admissions and Financial Assistance (AFA) launched an opportunity for incoming FEU freshmen to earn credits on select general education (GE) courses ahead of S.Y. 2025-2026.

These credits pertain to the hours or volume of learning workloads required by the courses, which the program allows the participants to fulfill in advance.

Specifically, the three GE courses offered include: Art Appreciation (GED0106); Culture, Society, Innovations and Ideas (GED0117); and Popular Culture (GED0123), formerly Talakayan sa Makabuluhang Araling Pangkultura, Panlipunan at Reyalistikong Usapin sa Wika (GED0118).

Once they have completed the program, the participants will receive a grade that will be credited for the specific GE course they took. As a result, they will no longer be required to attend the credited course at the official start of the semester, in which the subject is originally offered.

“For example… come the regular semester that they have to enroll in GED0106, they don’t have to go to the class anymore kasi may grade na sila (since they already have a grade). It’s an internal arrangement na with AAO, with the registrar’s office, with AFA,” AAO Coordinator Dianafe Castillo explained in an interview with FEU Advocate.

According to Castillo, the program aims to prepare incoming first-year students as they begin their FEU college journey.

“So that they can get to know the college, the University, the different courses that they have, the kind of teaching that we do or we offer here in FEU… Giving the incoming students a headstart for their college journey here in FEU,” she shared.

Moreover, the CACP was inspired by FEU Senior High School’s (SHS) existing advance credit program, which integrates college lessons into the SHS curriculum, resulting in six credited units for incoming freshmen who would enroll in the University.

It is also part of the Administration’s marketing efforts as the program’s participants range from enrolled incoming freshmen to those who are undecided yet interested in enrolling in FEU.

Furthermore, the courses are offered for three separate batches.

The first batch was conducted last June 26 to July 4, while the second batch was held last July 7 to 16. On the other hand, the third batch will run from the 17th to the 25th of the month.

Running for a total of seven days each batch, the CACP involves a three-hour academic session and a one-hour non-academic session per day.

The academic session simulates a regular class, involving formative and summative assessments.

Meanwhile, group dynamics activities such as games, mindfulness exercises, wellness and recreation activities, orientation about FEU campus life, as well as special talks on college adjustment are held during the non-academic session.

Moreover, the Office of Student Involvement (OSI), formerly Student Development, has organized initiatives for incoming students to get to know the University better every Tuesday of the week (July 1, 8, and 22), such as a campus tour and a screening of the film ‘Be Brave’ as part of the non-academic session.

OSI-accredited organizations have also been given the opportunity to promote their advocacies and conduct engaging activities for the participants.

This includes FEU Buklurang Mag-aaral sa Filipino, One FEU Music and Records, TAMang Boto, Young Women’s Christian Association, The Entrepreneurship Club, and Film Society last July 1.

Additionally, FEU Junior People Management Association of the Philippines, Red Cross Youth Council, Muslim Circle, ACP3 Peace To All Youth Organization, Oratorical and Debate Council, as well as Scholars’ Society held their activities last July 8.

Lastly, FEU College Y Club, Tams FX, Sexuality and Gender Alliance, Tamaraw Volunteers - Manila/Makati, along with the NSTP and Community Relations are set to facilitate their sessions on July 22.

Per the AAO Coordinator, the CACP will be a continuous initiative. In line with this, they plan on extending the program offerings to Grade 11 students by next year, allowing them to have a headstart before their last year in SHS.

(Photo by Ma. Louela Luna/FEU Advocate)