Do I need to take CWTS/NSTP?

Generally speaking, yes. UPOU offers PE and CWTS/CWS/NSTP in the same mode as other courses – online. 

Exemptions

The following are exempted from NSTP:

• Foreign students
• Graduate of a Bachelor's degree or Associate degree
• Students who are currently elected officers of a local government unit. (Update, 2 September 2020) Please note that the exemption of SK officials is only for NSTP 2 and it is only pertaining to the attendance and participation in the activities of the course. Officials still need to enroll in the course. Please see the guidelines listed in ⇗CHED Memorandum Circular 01 Series of 2019 regarding the NSTP exemption of SK Officials.

There may be other circumstances under which you are exempted from NSTP; see the ⇗AA Program Freshdesk article⇗ for the complete guidelines on exemptions from NSTP/CWTS and on the process for applying for NSTP exemption. 

Age, health reasons, or having a disability does not exempt you from NSTP. 

If you are an active volunteer member of an NGO that performs activities promoting social and civic welfare, your activities in that NGO may possibly be used towards your NSTP requirements, but you might still need to register for the course. 

How do I apply for an NSTP exemption?

If you qualify for NSTP exemption as discussed above, please send your application for NSTP exemption to the FICS Faculty Secretary and cite this article when you do so. 

In order to be officially exempted from the NSTP requirement, write a letter of request addressed to the current Dean of the Faculty of Information and Communication Studies. State the reason for your exemption request, and attach certification (and reports, if applicable). A template for your letter request is attached at the bottom of this article. Once you've drafted your letter request, digitally sign it. You may send it directly to the FICS Faculty Secretary.

If you have other concerns about the NSTP program, do not file a ticket using this system. The AADDA Program Chair and Program Support Staff will be unable to answer any questions regarding the NSTP program.