Republic of the Philippines

OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT

COMMISSION ON HIGHER EDUCATION
CHED MEMORANDUM ORDER
No. _______
Series of 2016

SUBJECT: POLICIES, STANDARDS AND GUIDELINES FOR GRADUATE PROGRAMS IN BUSINESS

ADMINISTRATION

In accordance with the pertinent provisions of Republic Act (RA) No. 7722, otherwise known as the
Higher Education Act of 1994, and in pursuance of an outcomes-based quality assurance system
as advocated under CMO 46 s. 2012, the following policies, standards and guidelines (PSGs) are
hereby adopted and promulgated by the Commission.

ARTICLE I
INTRODUCTION
Section 1. Rationale
Based on the Guidelines for the Implementation of CMO 46 s 2012, this PSG implements the
shift to learning competency-based standards/outcomes-based education. It specifies the
core competencies expected of Masteral and Doctoral Programs in Business
Administration graduates regardless of the type of HEI they graduate from. However, in
recognition of the spirit of outcomes-based education and in alignment with the typology
of HEIs, this PSG also provides ample space for HEIs to innovate their curriculum in line
with the assessment on how best to achieve learning outcomes in their particular contexts
and their respective missions ....

ARTICLE II
AUTHORITY TO OPERATE

Section 2. Government Recognition

All higher education institutions (HEIs) intending to offer masteral and doctoral program
in Business must first secure proper authority from the Commission in accordance with
the provisions of this PSG. All HEIs are required to shift to an outcomes-based approach
based on these PSGs. State universities and colleges should likewise strictly adhere to the
provisions in these policies, standards and guidelines.

The graduate program in Business may be offered by an HEI with either:

a. Level III accredited undergraduate programs in business administration or
related course in business may apply to offer the Masteral Program OR
b. Center of Excellence/Center of Development in the specific undergraduate
program being applied for OR
c. Level II accreditation with a strong research program as shown by:
c.1 presence of research unit with research facilities
c.2 pool of qualified faculty
c.3 presence of research agenda
c.4 documented and published research outputs in refereed journals
c.5 research budget

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 Specifically, a strong research program as stated above should be indicated by
the following:

1. Research Unit. The university should have a research unit that

manages, monitors and evaluates research activities and manned by
permanent staff.

2. Pool of qualified faculty. The HEI should have faculty members who
are holders of masteral and/or doctorate degree responsible for
handling the research activities specific to the discipline being
applied for. For those applying to offer a Masteral degree program,
the faculty profile should be 25% Masteral degree in business degree
holders and 75% should be Ph.D holders. For those applying to offer
doctorate degree programs, all faculty members must be Ph.D.
holders.

3. Policies. The HEI should have policies and guidelines on benefits and
incentives for faculty undertaking research work e.g., deloading,
research awards, patents and intellectual property rights (IPR).

4. Research Agenda. The HEI should have a clearly stated research

agenda that includes the discipline being applied for. This agenda
ideally should: 1) be anchored on the institutions philosophy and
framework, 2) be responsive to identified goals and prioritized niches
in the arts and sciences, 3) be aligned with the National Higher
Education Research Agenda (NHERA) and other research thrusts, and
4) answer the needs of industry for economic development.

5. Publication and Presentation in Conferences. The HEI should show

proof of publications in refereed national and international journals
in the specified discipline. The faculty members should likewise
present their research accomplishments in local and international
fora.

6. Research Unit Facilities. The research unit shall have adequate

facilities for the conduct of research in the specified discipline.

7. Research Budget. In order to ensure the continuous operation of the

Research Unit and the conduct of research in the college/university,
it is imperative that a provision for a reasonable budget of at least 2%
of the total school budget be allotted for its research undertakings.

For offering the doctoral program, HEIs that have a recognized Masteral program in
Business Administration or related business degree with at least Level I accreditation and having
offered a successful Masteral degree program for at least five (5) years may apply to offer the
Doctoral program.

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 ARTICLE III
GENERAL PROVISIONS

Section 3 The Articles that follow provides for the minimum standards and other requirements
which are expressed as a set of desired program outcomes as stated in Article IV Section
6. The minimum number of units of this curriculum is hereby prescribed under Section 13
of RA 7722. A brief description of the curriculum map is shown in Article V Section 11.

In addition, using a learner-centered and outcomes-based education, the suggested

curriculum delivery methods are shown in Article V Section 9. The description of course
syllabi provided in Article V Section 12 contains some of these methods.

Based on the curriculum and the means of its delivery, these guidelines provide the
physical resource requirements for the library, laboratories and other facilities and the
human resource requirements in terms of administration and faculty as shown in Article
VI.

Section 4 The HEIs are allowed to design curricula suited to their own contexts and missions
provided that they can demonstrate that the same leads to the attainment of the
required minimum set of outcomes, albeit by a different route. In the same vein, they
have latitude in terms of curriculum delivery and in terms of specification and
deployment of human and physical resources as long as they can show that the
attainment of the program outcomes and satisfaction of program educational objectives
can be assured by the alternative means they propose.

The HEIs can use the CHED Implementation Handbook for Outcomes-Based Education
(OBE) and the Institutional Sustainability Assessment (ISA) as a guide in making their
submissions for Sections 6, 7 and 8 of Artcle VII.

ARTICLE IV
PROGRAM SPECIFICATIONS
Section 5. Program Description

5.1 Degree Name

5.1.1 Masteral program
a. Thesis
1. Master in Business Administration (MBA) /Master in Management
(MM) or
2. Master in Business Administration/Master in Management
(i.e. MBA/MM major in Administration Management)
b. Non-thesis
1. Master in Business Administration (MBA)/
Master in Management (MM) or
2. Master in Business Administration/Master in Management
(i.e. MBA/MM major in Innovation

5.1.2 Doctoral Program

a. Doctor of Philosophy in Business Administration /
Business Management
(Ph.D. in Business Administration/ Ph.D. in Business Management) or
b. Doctor of Philosophy with specialization in any business
functional/professional area or

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 c. Doctor in Business Administration with specialization in any business
functional/professional area (DBA)

5.2 Nature of the Field of Study

5.2.1 Masteral Program

a. Thesis Masteral Program

The Thesis program in business administration aims to develop the
competencies of business professionals to undertake research in
specific areas within the field of management science and practice.
Such programs shall focus on replication, verification, validation,
contextualization, and/or application of theoretical knowledge about
the different aspects of the business process. It provides an
intellectual environment in which students can develop high-level
leadership and management skills and understand and apply new
technologies necessary for solving business problems in both the
national and international environments

MBA is a general broad degree program covering a wide variety of

business issues and training students for careers in managing any area
of business. MBA students study accounting, finance, marketing,
statistics, management, economics, strategy, policy, leadership and
similar courses. MBA program requires students with degrees in any
field of specialization other than business and with a minimum of 2
years work experience.

MM is a degree program that concentrates study in a specific field,

such as finance, accounting, marketing, human resource, economics,
and operations management. It trains students for careers in high level
staff positions often involving research. The admission to the MM
program does not require previous job experience.

b. Non-thesis Masteral Program

Non-thesis program in business administration aims to improve
decision making capabilities of our students by providing a functional
business foundation and enhancing their analytical, communication,
and technological skills needed to attain high level of competencies in
professional practice.

5.2.2 Doctoral Programs

The Ph.D. in Business Administration and DBA programs aim to develop the
capacities of business professionals for developing new knowledge and
strategies in specific areas within the broad field of management science
and practice. Such programs shall focus on the development and validation
of new theories, Theory testing, models, programs, and practices about the
different aspects of the business process.

The Ph.D. program prepares graduates for careers in teaching, research and
consulting in various functional areas of business. Graduates of the
program are expected to make significant contributions to the
advancement of knowledge of business practices through research and
consulting and to disseminate such knowledge through their teaching.
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 Graduates of the Ph.D. program are qualified for an academic career in a
university or college, career in a research agency/organization or in a
specialist research section of a big organization.

The DBA program is designed for the advanced practitioners in the

international business community interested in expanding their knowledge
base, professional networks, and options for the future. The goal of the
program is to offer a combination of research skills training, exposure to
the latest business research, original applied research and to apply
theoretical knowledge to the advancement of business and other
organizational management practices .Likewise, a DBA degree holder are
qualified for an academic career in a university or college.

5.3 Program Objectives (POs)

5.3.1 Masteral Program
The Masteral degree program aims to develop business competencies
necessary to design and implement strategies to improve overall
organization results. These competencies are developed from a cross-
functional and general management perspective taking into consideration
the ethical and international issues of the business environment. The
MBA/MM program seeks to expand competencies in problem analysis and
resolution, team management, performance management, communication
and interpersonal skills and project management. The program strives to
equip the students with the necessary knowledge, theoretical as well as
practical, which can benefit them tremendously in managerial and
administrative jobs.

5.3.2 Doctoral Program

The doctoral degree program aims to develop expertise and advanced skills
in teaching, research, managerial, entrepreneurial, and strategic knowledge
and skills necessary for leading and managing all facets of contemporary
organizations. The doctoral program is designed to enhance the
management skills, critical analysis and innovative-problem solving skills of
students needed to function effectively within an organization. Students
will create and defend their solutions to the problems of crisis
management, profitable growth opportunities, and change leadership.

5.4 Specific Professions, careers, occupations for graduates

5.4.1 Masteral Program

The Masteral degree program provides innumerable career opportunities in
various fields. The program enables students to perform effectively in
various functional areas. While it is primarily designed to provide students
with the knowledge, skills and abilities expected of an organizations chief
executive officer, students will be prepared to operate effectively in a
broad range of organizational positions.

Students will develop the ability to analyze problems and develop solutions
from a broad organizational perspective rather than from a narrow
functional point-of-view.

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 Graduates of the Masteral degree program may occupy a broad range of
positions including chairman & chief executive officer, president, chief
operating officer, chief financial officer, general manager, executive vice
president, managing director and manager in a variety of industries.
Graduates are employed in a number of functional areas, including
information technology, marketing, operations, human resources, project
management, corporate accounting, financial management, systems
planning, auditing, manufacturing, sales and strategic planning.

5.4.2 Doctoral Program

The doctoral degree program qualifies graduates for a career as researchers
and lecturers at higher education institutions or for specialist/consultancy
jobs in the part of the private sector that requires correspondingly broad
analytical and methodological skills, critical judgment, and the ability to
engage in specialized professional work.

Graduates of the program are expected to make significant contributions to

the advancement of knowledge of business practices through research and
consulting and to disseminate such knowledge through their teaching. The
program can prepare the student for advanced positions such as financial
management, executive management, marketing, sales and advertising,
human resources, planning, and consulting. The student who completes
this program will be prepared for positions in middle and upper
management in their career of choice.

Section 6. Program Outcomes

The minimum standards for the Graduate Business program are expressed in the folowing
minimum set of learning outcomes:

6.1 Common to all programs in all types of schools

6.1.1 to keep abreast of the developments in the specific field of practice. (PQF
level 6 descriptor)
6.1.2 the ability to effectively communicate orally and in writing using both
English and Filipino
6.1.3 The ability to work effectively and independently in multi-disciplinary and
multi-cultural teams. (PQF level 6 descriptor)
6.1.4 A recognition of professional, social, and ethical responsibility
6.1.5 An appreciation of Filipino historical and cultural heritage (based on RA
7722)

6.2 Common to the Graduate program in Business

A graduate of a Graduate program in Business should be able to:
a. Assess business environment and industry structure using different
theoretical or conceptual framework
b. Formulate and execute strategic direction and action plan
c. Analyse, recommend and justify courses of action or possible solutions to
an existing challenges or issues.
d. Demonstrate Managerial and leadership skills.
e. Keep abreast with economic trends and issues
f. Identify and develop new ideas, process and systems for a business
entity
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 g. Understand and Integrate technology in any business model.

6.3 Master in Business Administration or related business fields

A graduate of a Master in Business Administration or related business fields should be

able to:
6.3.1 Prepare and recommend integrated strategic, functional and operational
plans for business value creation in a sustainable socially responsible and
ethical manner considering the needs of the community and national
development.
6.3.2 communicate through various business channels and/or multimedia such as
oral and written in order to create alignment and implement strategies for
business results
6.3.3 Make decision using various decision making tools.
6.3.4 analyze and evaluate management challenges and opportunities and
propose action plans based on professionalism and good governance
6.3.5 Implement action plans effectively and efficiently in a collaborative effort

6.4 Ph.D. in Business or Doctor in Business Administration

A graduate of a Doctor in Business Administration should be able to:

6.4.1 Undertake business research
6.4.2 Develop or design new business model, theories or principles
6.4.3 Develop and Present research papers
6.4.4 Introduce new and innovative business concept ,strategies and
programs or projects.

6.5 Common to a horizontal type as defined in CMO 46 s 2012

6.5.1 For professional institutions: a service orientation in ones profession
6.5.2 For colleges: an ability to participate in various types of employment,
development activities, and public discourses particularly in response to the
needs of the communities one serves
6.5.3 For universities: an ability to participate in the generation of new
knowledge or in research and development projects

Graduates of State Universities and Colleges must, in addition, have the competencies
to support national, regional and local development plans. (RA 7722)

A PHEI, at its option, may adopt mission-related program outcomes that are not
included in the minimum set.

ARTICLE V
CURRICULUM

Section 7. Curriculum Description

The curriculum for graduate programs in business administration shall be consistent
with the specifications and competency standards. Moreover, in all types of graduate
programs in business administration, the culture for inquiry and research must be
developed. The curriculum is designed to provide graduates with in-depth exposure to
a specific business content area, sophisticated analytical methods, and adult education
techniques.

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Section 8. Sample Curriculum

8.2 Components:

8.2.1 Masteral Program

NO. OF UNITS
TYPE OF COURSES
THESIS NON-THESIS
Core/Foundation Courses 9 9
Social Responsibility and Good Governance 3 3
Statistics with Computer Application 3 3
Business Research 3 3
Major courses 15 15
Marketing Management 3 3
Operations Management 3 3
Financial Management 3 3
Human Resource Management 3 3
Organizational Behavior 3 3
*Cognates/Electives 6 6
Comprehensive Examination REQUIRED
Thesis Writing (Thesis) 6
**Integrating Courses(non-thesis) 6
TOTAL 36 units
*HEIs may offer cognate/elective courses according to the needs and requirements of the
region, community and industry.

**In lieu of the thesis requirement, one of the integrating courses for the non-thesis
program should require a feasibility study/project study/case study or applied research in
their major field.

8.2.2 Doctoral Program

TYPE OF COURSES
Ph.D/DBA
Core/Foundation Courses 12
Advanced Statistics with computer application 3
Advanced Business Research 3
Advanced Good Governance and Corporate Social 3
Responsibility
Transformational Leadership 3
Major Courses 18
Cognates/Electives 6
Comprehensive Examination REQUIRED
Dissertation Writing 12
TOTAL 48 units

8.3 Thesis/Dissertation Requirements

The HEI shall constitute a Thesis Committee composed of three (3) graduate faculty
members for the thesis requirements of Masteral programs, and a Dissertation
Committee of five (5) faculty members for the dissertations requirements of doctoral
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 program. Faculty research advisers shall be chosen on the basis of their expertise in the
area of research study and of their availability.

The evaluation of the Masteral thesis and of the doctoral dissertation shall involve an
oral examination by the Thesis or Dissertation Committee.

ARTICLE VI
REQUIRED RESOURCES

Section 13. Administration

The dean/director/chair/head of the program shall be a holder of an earned doctoral
degree in business administration or allied fields, with research experience and published
works in professional journals.

A non-Business Administration bachelors degree holder may qualify provided he/she

has a Masteral degree in Business and earned a Doctoral degree in Business
Administration or related fields.

Section 14. Faculty

14.1 Masteral Program
For Masteral program, there shall be at least three (3) full-time faculty members
who are at least masteral' degree holders in business administration or related
fields and who have published works in professional journals. Moreover, the three
(3) full-time faculty members should have advanced learning in the specialization or
major area being offered; at least one (1) of the three (3) full-time faculty member
should have a doctoral degree.

14.2 Doctoral Program

For doctoral degree program, there shall be at least three (3) full-time faculty
members who are doctoral degree holders in business administration or related
fields and have published works in professional journals, at least one (1) of whom
shall have advanced training in the specialization or major area being offered. All
faculty members must be a Ph.D. or DBA degree holder.

14.3 HEIs are encouraged to form consortium arrangements among themselves and
professional associations in order to strengthen their faculty resources for their
graduate programs.

Section 15. Library

In addition to the library requirements for the undergraduate business administration
program, the HEIs offering graduate programs in business administration shall comply
with the following:

15.1 subscription to at least five (5) peer reviewed professional journals for each area
of specialization offered in the graduate programs ;
15.2 at least five (5) titles of graduate reference book for each graduate course/subject;
and
15.3 access to Internet and information and communication technology-based learning
resources and reference materials.

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Section 16. Laboratory and Facilities

The laboratories and facilities of HEIs for the graduate business administration program
shall be augmented with:

16.1 appropriate research facilities

16.2 instructional laboratories, as needed;
16.3 resources needed for research (e.g., statistical software and other equipment for
analysis of research data); and information and communication technology
facilities.

The laboratories and facilities of HEIs for the graduate business administration program
shall be augmented with:

Section 18. Admission

A bachelors degree in business or its equivalent is required for admission to masteral and
doctoral programs in business. Other specific admission policies for the above stated
programs shall be upon the discretion of the institution.

Section 19. Retention and Residency Requirements

The institution shall have specific admission and retention policies for its graduate
students. All curricular requirements for a Masteral degree must be completed within five
(5) years after the students first enrollment in the Masteral program, and those for the
doctoral degrees must be completed within seven (7) years after the students first
enrollment in the doctoral program. The thesis must be successfully defended within two
(2) years after the completion of the academic requirements. Likewise, dissertation must
be successfully defended within three (3) years after the completion of the academic
requirements.

ARTICLE VII
COMPLIANCE OF HEIs

Using the CHED Implementation Handbook for OBE and ISA as reference, a HEI shall develop the
following items which will be submitted to CHED when they apply for a permit for a new program or the
approval of the transformation of existing programs to outcomes-based framework:

Section 20. The complete set of program outcomes, including its proposed additional program
outcomes.

Section 21. Its proposed curriculum, and its justification including a curriculum map.

Section 22. Proposed performance indicators for each outcome. Proposed measurement system for
the level of attainment of each indicator.

Section 23. Proposed outcomes-based syllabus for each course. This should already be indicative of
the plan of delivery of the curriculum, student assessment and of the resources to be
deployed.

Section 24. Proposed system of program assessment and evaluation

Section 25. Proposed system of program Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI).

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 ARTICLE VIII
TRANSITORY, REPEALING and EFFECTIVITY PROVISIONS

Section 26 Transitory Provision

HEIs that have been granted permit or recognition for Graduate Business
Administration program are required to fully comply with all the requirements in this
CMO within a non-extendable period of three (3) years after the date of its effectivity.
State Colleges and Universities (SUCs) and Local Universities and Colleges (LUCs) shall
also comply with the requirements herein set forth.

Section 27. Repealing Clause

Any provision of this Order, which may thereafter be held invalid, shall not affect the
remaining provisions.

All CHED issuances or part thereof inconsistent with the provision in this CMO shall be
deemed modified or repealed

Section 27. Effectivity Clause

This CMO shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in the Official Gazette or
in a newspaper of general circulation. This CMO shall be implemented beginning
Academic Year 2016-17.

SO ORDERED.

Quezon City, Philippines ________________.

FOR THE COMMISSION

PATRICIA B. LICUANAN
Chairman

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Annex A Curriculum Delivery
COURSE SPECIFICATIONS
Master in Business Administration/Master in Management

Course Name : Social Responsibility and Good Governance

Course Description : The course focuses on the basic concepts, principles and practices of social
responsibility and good governance. It analyzes the business framework
that guides social responsibility and good governance practice. It combines
theory with field experience aimed at inspiring leaders to become
responsible citizens and entrepreneurs.
Course Credits : 3 units
Contact Hours/week : 3 hours/wk

Course Name : Statistics with Computer Application

Course Description : An introduction to the study of concept and theory formation and an
overview of the scope of statistical techniques in research, analysis of which
are fundamental but not necessarily peculiar to any specialized field
needing statistical and computer application.
Course Credits : 3 units
Contact Hours/week : 3 hours/wk

Course Name : Business Research

Course Description : The course describes the theory of research, strategies and methods
followed in a disciplined search for solutions to problems or confirmation of
previous findings, adhering to principles of logic and order of data.
Course Credits : 3 units
Contact Hours/week : 3 hours/wk

Doctor of Philosophy in Business Administration/Management

Doctor of Business Administration

Course Name : Advanced Statistics with Computer Application

Course Description : This applied course is designed for graduate students with a prior
background in statistics. This aid students in developing the skills necessary
to identify an appropriate technique, estimate models, and interprets
results for independent research and to critically evaluate contemporary
social research using advanced quantitative methods. The course is
considered applied for it will focus on estimating models and interpreting
the results, rather than understanding in detail the mathematics behind the
techniques with computer application.
Course Credits : 3 units
Contact Hours/week : 3 hours/wk

Course Name : Advanced Business Research

Course Description : This course is considered a practitioners' or a professional research degree
that provides degree holders with advanced analytical and research skills. It
is designed to equip students with the essential tools of research which
forms the basis of sound decisionmaking. Using real case studies, the
students gain knowledge of how a business issue is converted into a
research problem and what approach is used to bring out the most
appropriate alternatives within a given situation. Understanding of basic
and advance techniques of business research enhances analytical
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 capabilities and grounds decisions in logical and factual information.
Course Credits : 3 units
Contact Hours/week : 3 hours/wk

Course Name : Advanced Good Governance and Corporate

Social Responsibility
Course Description : This course is to provide students a broad view of good governance and
corporate social responsibility with an appreciation of its importance, an
understanding of the mechanisms, and an overview of the particular issues
and practices of corporate governance and corporate social responsibility
from existing companies and start-ups, More precisely, this course will
address corporate governance from an organizational and institutional point
of view, with an illustration on how corporate governance and corporate
social responsibility has evolved over time based theories and relevant
practices.
Course Credits : 3 units
Contact Hours/week : 3 hours/wk

Course Name : Transformational Leadership

Course Description : This course is designed for learning associates with knowledge and
strategies to foster transformative change in organizations, and in
individuals. It will focus on the human or dispositional elements that allow
leaders to foster higher levels of performance with clearly above average
results, thus this system of leadership retains employees, creates a social
process for interaction, and fosters communication at all levels. In this
course, students will explore their own dispositions as well as those of great
leaders and will create their own personal growth plans to enhance their
effectiveness.
Course Credits : 3 units
Contact Hours/week : 3 hours/wk

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