The Master of Arts in Nursing (MAN) Program of the Faculty of Management and Development Studies (FMDS), UP Open University (UPOU) recently conducted a workshop from 14 to 15 November 2023 at the Audio Visual Room, UPOU. The two-day event was a collaborative effort between UPOU MAN and UP College of Nursing (UPCN) to develop a curricular proposal for a joint Masters Degree to produce clinical faculty. Faculty members from UPOU and UPCN attended the event.

The workshop comprised of two parts. The first part aimed to discuss needs assessment results, and to develop curricular objectives. Dr. Joane V. Serrano, FMDS Dean, opened the workshop by highlighting the UPOU and UPCN’s roles in addressing the urgent need for more clinical faculty to teach nursing. Dr. Sheila R. Bonito, UPCN Dean, discussed the overview and rationale for the proposal development. She also elaborated on the plans and directions of the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) Technical Panel on the Master of Nursing Education which underscores the importance of producing clinical nursing faculty members. Dean Bonito tackled the curricula of the existing Master’s programs in UPOU and UPCN to highlight their difference from the proposed joint Master’s program.

UPOU MAN Program Chair, Asst. Prof. Ria Valerie D. Cabanes presented the needs assessment results and the proposed curriculum framework for the Master’s program. This was followed by Asst. Prof. Arnold B. Peralta (UPCN) who opened the discussion for the development of six curricular objectives/program outcomes: critical thinking, planning, implementing, evaluating clinical teaching, lifelong learning, and attitudinal attributes. The first part of the workshop concluded with the participants identifying indicators per outcome.

The second part of the workshop aimed to design the curriculum framework. Asst. Prof. Arnold B. Peralta started with a curriculum organization which proposed six (6) generic or core courses, two (2) specialty or major courses, and two (2) elective courses totaling to 10 courses for the proposed Master’s program. Asst. Prof. Queenie R. Ridulme (UPOU MAN) and Dr. Rita C. Ramos (UPOU MAN) followed with course mapping and curriculum mapping. Lastly, Asst. Prof. Aldin Gaspar (UPCN) led the identification of assigned units, number of hours for lectures, and number of hours for clinical practicum per proposed course.

The workshop concluded with plans to consult with the UPOU Faculty of Education for critique; further recommendations in improving the curricular proposal of the Master’s program; and action points for UPOU MAN and UPCN. The proposed joint Master’s program is targeted to be offered by 2024.