05/10/2026
UST Journalism earns highest PACUCOA accreditation, eyes continued development
By Joshua Emmanuel Camacho and Rey Emmanuel Hasigan
The University of Santo Tomas’ Bachelor of Arts in Journalism program has obtained a Level IV accreditation, the highest level granted by the Philippine Accrediting Association of Schools, Colleges and Universities (PACUCOA).
The program was among five Faculty of Arts and Letters programs to receive the distinction, advancing from its previous Level III accreditation first awarded in academic year (AY) 2017–2018 and renewed in AY 2021–2022.
Journalism Department Chair Asst. Prof. Joselito B. Zulueta, PhD said the accreditation puts the program in good stead.
“As Chair, I am dedicated to building upon the legacy of the UST Department of Journalism—the oldest journalism program and communication school in the region,” Zulueta said.
The department is currently pursuing research documenting UST’s pioneering role in Philippine journalism education, he added.
“Through rigorous scholarship and steadfast ethical standards, we aim to ensure this legacy continues to serve the truth,” Zulueta said.
Former department chair Jeremaiah Opiniano, who oversaw the accreditation process earlier this year, said the Level IV accreditation reflected years of improvements in teaching, faculty expertise, research, community service and student services.
Opiniano, who served as chair in AY 2025-2026, paid tribute to his predecessor for laying the groundwork needed to improve the department.
“In the case of Level IV [accreditation], the milestone primarily reflected the eight years of work by then coordinator and chair, Asst. Prof. Felipe Salvosa II, after BA in Journalism became accredited Level III twice,” Opiniano said.
Asst. Prof. Felipe Salvosa II served as the program coordinator and department chair from AY 2017–2018 to AY 2024–2025.
Opiniano said the Level IV accreditation required the department to demonstrate a balance across several areas, including faculty qualifications, research productivity, student services, student achievements, community extension, alumni performance and quality assurance.
For former UST Journalism Society president Kirstien Dominique Santos, the program’s students and student leaders were also part of the accreditation process.
During her term in AY 2025–2026, Santos said the Society supported the department through its programs and initiatives. Community development programs implemented over the previous five years were also used to demonstrate the program’s commitment to giving back to the wider community.
The Society’s executive board also participated in the accreditation exhibit and in interviews about the University, she said.
“Anything that Sir [Opiniano] needed, the Society was happy to assist in any way, shape or form,” Santos said.
Santos also recognized students’ academic and journalistic work.
“The program wouldn’t be accredited without the students’ work,” she said. “Their theses and articles published showed that the program was effective in honing students’ skills.”
She also described the program as student-centered during the appeal, saying faculty members continued to listen to students despite challenges during the academic year.
Opiniano said the Level IV distinction should not mark the end of the department’s development but should instead encourage it to further improve its systems and pursue international recognition.
“As our degree program reaches a century in 2029, the new generation of journalism teachers and students will work to make UST a more internationalized degree program that makes us competitive—as a journalism program—with the rest of the world,” Opiniano said.
