Awards and Recognitions
ISO 9001:2015 certification
Accreditations
To ensure consistent delivery of high-quality education and services, Saint Mary’s University (SMU) launched a Quality Management System (QMS) in November 2022. This system measures customer satisfaction and ensures compliance with industry standards and regulatory requirements.
In February 2023, SMU’s dedication to quality led to the successful attainment of ISO 9001:2015 certification. This international standard recognizes organizations that maintain a QMS for providing effective and efficient services. The certification was granted by NQA Philippines, a leading assessment and certification body, following a rigorous external audit.
Since receiving the certification, SMU has maintained its ISO status. The most recent audit, conducted in April 2024, confirmed the university’s continued adherence to the ISO standards. This achievement reaffirms SMU’s commitment to providing exceptional education and services that meet the highest standards of quality.
Institutional Self-Assessment (ISA)
Saint Mary’s University initiated its pursuit of institutional accreditation by the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) in 2019. The COVID-19 pandemic temporarily halted this process. However, the university used this time to intensify its efforts to improve its systems and practices.
In May 2021, Saint Mary’s University resubmitted its application to the CHED Regional Office II. As part of the accreditation process, the university conducted a thorough Institutional Self-Assessment (ISA). This comprehensive evaluation assessed the university’s performance in five key areas: governance and management, teaching and learning quality, professional exposure, research and creative work, student support, and community relations.
The ISA serves as a catalyst for identifying areas for improvement and developing strategies to enhance the university’s overall quality. By rigorously examining its operations, SMU strengthened its commitment to providing a high-quality education for its students.
PAASCU Accreditations
SMU demonstrates its dedication to academic excellence through its numerous FAAP-accredited programs. Forty-nine programs, including 16 graduate, 31 undergraduate, and two basic education programs, have achieved accreditation from the Federation of Accrediting Associations of the Philippines (FAAP) through the Philippine Accrediting Association of Schools, Colleges, and Universities (PAASCU). Of these, 41 are at Level III, 7 are at Level II, two are at Level I, and one is in the accreditation process.
| Arts and Sciences | Program BA English (now BA in English Language Studies) |
Level III Re-accredited Status | Validity 2023-2028 |
|
| AB major in Journalism | Level III Re-accredited Status | 2023-2028 | Level 3-Bachelor of Arts Programs-2023-2028.pdf | |
| BA Philosophy | Level III Re-accredited Status | 2023-2028 | Level 3-Bachelor of Arts Programs-2023-2028.pdf | |
| BS Biology | Level III Re-accredited Status | 2023-2028 | Level 3-Bachelor of Science Programs-2023-2028.pdf | |
| BS Mathematics | Level III Re-accredited Status | 2023-2028 | Level 3-Bachelor of Science Programs-2023-2028.pdf | |
| BA Political Science | Level III Re-accredited Status | 2023-2028 | Level 3-Bachelor of Arts Programs-2023-2028.pdf | |
| BS Public Administration (now Bachelor in Public Administration) | Level III Re-accredited Status | 2023-2028 | Level 3-Bachelor of Science Programs-2023-2028.pdf | |
| BS Psychology | Level III Re-accredited Status | 2023-2028 | Level 3-Bachelor of Science Programs-2023-2028.pdf | |
| BSED Physical Science (now BSED with Certificate in Religious Education, major in Physical Science) | Level III Re-accredited Status | 2023-2028 | 2023-2028 Level III re-accredited status Secondary Educ.pdf | |
| BSED Science (now BSED with Certificate in Religious Education, major in Science) | Level III Re-accredited Status | 2023-2028 | 2023-2028 Level III re-accredited status Secondary Educ.pdf | |
| BSED English ((now BSED with Certificate in Religious Education, major in English) | Level III Re-accredited Status | 2023-2028 | 2023-2028 Level III re-accredited status Secondary Educ.pdf | |
| BSED Filipino (now BSED with Certificate in Religious Education, major in Filipino) | Level III Re-accredited Status | 2023-2028 | 2023-2028 Level III re-accredited status Secondary Educ.pdf | |
| BSED Mathematics (now BSED with Certificate in Religious Education, major in Mathematics) | Level III Re-accredited Status | 2023-2028 | 2023-2028 Level III re-accredited status Secondary Educ.pdf | |
| BSED Religious and Values Education (now BSED with Certificate in Religious Education, major in Religious and Values Education) | Level II Re-accredited Status | 2023-2028 | 2023-2028 Level III re-accredited status Secondary Educ.pdf | |
| BSED Social Studies (now BSED with Certificate in Religious Education, major in Social Studies) | Level III Re-accredited Status | 2023-2028 | 2023-2028 Level III re-accredited status Secondary Educ.pdf | |
| BEED General Elementary Education (now Bachelor of Elementary Education with Certificate in Religious Education) | Level III Re-accredited Status | 2023-2028 | Level 3-Elementary Education-2023-2028.pdf | |
| BEED Preschool Education (now Bachelor of Early Childhood Education) | Level III Re-accredited Status | 2023-2028 | Level 3-Elementary Education-2023-2028.pdf | |
| BSED MAPEH (now Bachelor of Physical Education) | Level III Re-accredited Status | 2023-2028 | Level 3-Elementary Education-2023-2028.pdf | |
| Bachelor of Library and Information Science | Level III Re-accredited Status | 2023-2028 | Level 3-Bachelor of Science Programs-2023-2028.pdf | |
| BSBA Financial Management | Level III Re-accredited Status | 2023-2028 | Level 3-Business Administration-2023-2028.pdf | |
| BSBA Marketing Management | Level III Re-accredited Status | 2023-2028 | Level 3-Business Administration-2023-2028.pdf | |
| BS Entrepreneurial Management | Level III Re-accredited Status | 2023-2028 | 2023-2028 Level III re-accredited status Entrepreneurship program.pdf | |
| BS Office Administration | Level III Re-accredited Status | 2023-2028 | Level 3-Business Administration-2023-2028.pdf | |
| Engineering | BS Civil Engineering | Level III Re-accredited Status | 2023-2028 | Level 3-Civil Engineering-2023-2028.pdf |
| Information Technology | BS Information Technology | Level II | Scheduled for a formal survey visit on Oct. 24-25, 2024 | Confirmation Letter for IT Visit-SMU.pdf |
| Accountancy | BS Accountancy | Level II Re-accredited Status | 2024-2029 | 2024 – 2029 FAAP Certificate Level II Accountancy Program.jpg |
| BS Management Accounting | Level II Re-accredited Status | 2024-2029 | PAASCU Certificate-SMU, Bayombong Accty & Mngt Accty.-RS.pdf | |
| Tourism and Hospitality Management | BS Hospitality Management | Level II Re-accredited Status | 2023-2028 | 2023 – 2028 Level II re-accredited status hospitality management program 2023-2028.pdf |
| BS Tourism Management | Level II Re-accredited Status | 2023-2028 | Level 2-Tourism Management-2023-2028.pdf | |
| Health Sciences | BS Nursing | Level II Re-accredited Status | 2024-2029 | 2024-2029 FAAP Level II Nursing Program.jpg |
| Graduate Programs | MAED Educational Administration | Level III Re-accredited Status | 2024-2029 | 2024-2029 FAAP Level III MAED Programs.jpg |
| MAED Guidance and Counseling | Level III Re-accredited Status | 2024-2029 | 2024-2029 FAAP Level III MAED Programs.jpg | |
| MAED Physical Education | Level III Re-accredited Status | 2024-2029 | 2024-2029 FAAP Level III MAED Programs.jpg | |
| MAED Reading | Level III Re-accredited Status | 2024-2029 | 2024-2029 FAAP Level III MAED Programs.jpg | |
| MAED Religious Education | Level III Re-accredited Status | 2024-2029 | 2024-2029 FAAP Level III MAED Programs.jpg | |
| MAED Pedagogy | Level III Re-accredited Status | 2024-2029 | 2024-2029 FAAP Level III MAED Programs.jpg | |
| MAT Biology | Level III Re-accredited Status | 2024-2029 | 2024-2029 FAAP Level III MAT Programs.jpg | |
| MAT Chemistry | Level III Re-accredited Status | 2024-2029 | 2024-2029 FAAP Level III MAT Programs.jpg | |
| MAT Physics | Level III Re-accredited Status | 2024-2029 | 2024-2029 FAAP Level III MAT Programs.jpg | |
| MAT English | Level III Re-accredited Status | 2024-2029 | 2024-2029 FAAP Level III MAT Programs.jpg | |
| MAT Filipino | Level III Re-accredited Status | 2024-2029 | 2024-2029 FAAP Level III MAT Programs.jpg | |
| MAT Social Studies | Level III Re-accredited Status | 2024-2029 | 2024-2029 FAAP Level III MAT Programs.jpg | |
| MST Mathematics | Level III Re-accredited Status | 2024-2029 | 2024-2029 FAAP Level III MST Mathematics Program.jpg | |
| Master of Library and Information Science | Level III Re-accredited Status | 2024-2029 | 2024-2029 FAAP Level III MLIS Program.jpg | |
| MA Business Administration | Level III Re-accredited Status | 2024-2029 | 2024-2029 FAAP Level III MBA Program.jpg | |
| PhD | Doctor of Philosophy – Educational Management | Level III Re-accredited Status | 2024-2029 | 2024-2029 FAAP Level III Ed D Educ Mgmt Program.jpg |
| Grade School Department | Grade School Program | Level III Re-accredited Status | 2022-2027 | Level 3 -Grade School-2022-2027.pdf |
| JuniorHigh School and Science High School | High School Program | Level II Re-accredited Status | 2022-2027 | Level 2-Junior High School:Science High School-2022-2027.pdf |
| Senior High School | Senior High Program | Candidate Status | 2023-2025 | Candidate Status-Senior High School 2023-2025.jpg |
PQA
Saint Mary’s University secured its Level 2 Recognition for Proficiency in Quality Management in the Philippine Quality Award (PQA) Regionalization Program.
The journey toward Level 2 Recognition involved assessment of various aspects of the university’s operations, including leadership, strategic planning, customer focus, measurement and analysis, workforce focus, and process management.
This recognition is a testament to the collaborative efforts of the entire university community—faculty, staff, students, and administrators—who have consistently demonstrated a commitment to excellence.
The PQA provides an internationally comparable framework and criteria for assessing organizational performance. It is a template for competitiveness based on the principles of Total Quality Management (TQM).
World University Rankings for Innovation (WURI)
Rankings
SMU has solidified its position as a global leader in innovation, earning recognition in the World University Rankings for Innovation (WURI) 2024. The university’s commitment to real-world impact was recognized with a 4th-place ranking in Student Support and Engagement, a 9th-place ranking in Entrepreneurial Spirit, and a 21st-place ranking in Social Responsibility.
SMU’s inclusion in the top 300 global innovative universities underscores its exceptional contributions to industry and society. The WURI rankings, which assess institutions based on innovative education, research, and societal engagement, provide a comprehensive measure of an institution’s creative impact. SMU’s recognition highlights its dedication to fostering a culture of innovation and its ability to drive positive change in the world.
AppliedHE Private University Ranking: ASEAN
SMU has consistently demonstrated its excellence in higher education, as evidenced by its impressive rankings in the AppliedHE University Ranking: ASEAN. In 2021, SMU ranked 24th overall, showcasing its strengths in teaching and learning, employability, research, community engagement, and internationalization.
SMU’s commitment to quality education is further highlighted by its top-tier rankings in specific categories. In 2024, the university secured 10th place in Teaching and Learning and 11th place in Research, reflecting its dedication to providing a high-quality learning experience and fostering research excellence.
Moreover, SMU’s graduates have proven to be sought-after by employers. The university ranked 29th in Employability, based on a survey of 80 ASEAN universities. This achievement demonstrates the success of SMU graduates in securing employment or pursuing advanced studies within six months of graduation.
The AppliedHE University Ranking: ASEAN is a rigorous ranking system that evaluates institutions based on a wide range of criteria. By consistently achieving top rankings, SMU has solidified its position as a leading university in the ASEAN region.
2024 ranking- Private University Ranking ASEAN 2024 – AppliedHE
Centers of Development (COD)/Centers of Excellence (COE)
Institutional Recognitions
SMU remains one of the 36 Centers of Excellence in Teacher Education and one of the 11 Centers of Excellence/Development in Civil Engineering in the Philippines demonstrating its excellent performance in the areas of instruction, research and publication, extension and linkages for these programs
Philippine Research Ethics Board (PHREB)
The SMU Research Ethics Board (SMUREB) achieved Level 1 accreditation from the Philippine Health Research Ethics Board (PHREB) on October 10, 2023.
Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA)
Program Recognitions
The Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) recognized SMU as an accredited assessment center for national certifications in the following sectors:
Accounting:
Bookkeeping NC III (2020-2022)
Bookkeeping NCII (2019-2021
Tourism:
Bread and Pastry Production NC II (2019-2021)
Front Office Services NC II (2019-2021)
Food and Beverages Services NC II (2019-2021)
Bread and Pastry Production NC III (2019-2021)
Cookery NC II (2019-2021)
Housekeeping NC II (2019-2021)
Bartending NC II
Health:
Health Care Services NC II
Caregiving NC II (2020)
Furthermore, TESDA has awarded SMU a Certificate of Program to offer Caregiving NC II under a Modified Blended Learning Modality.
TESDA Certificate of Recognition (2018)TESDA Certificate of Recognition.png
Bookkeeping NC III (2018-2020)- Bookkeeping NC III.png
Bookkeeping NC II (2020-2022)- TESDA-Bookkeeping NC II.png
Bread &Pastry Production NC II (2019-2021)- Bread and Pastry Production NC II.png
Front Services NC II (2019-2021)- Front Service Offices NC II.png
Food & Beverages Services NC II (2019-2021) Food and Beverage Services NC II.png
Bread & Pastry Production NC II (2019-2021)- Bread and Pastry Production NC II.png
Cookery NC II (2019-2021)- Cookery NC II.png
Housekeeping NC II (2019-2021) – Housekeeping NC II.png
Caregiving NCII (2020)
Legal Education Board (LEB)
Saint Mary’s University (SMU) has been accredited by the Legal Education Board (LEB) to offer refresher courses for the bar examination in the academic year 2020-2021. As of June 2020, SMU is the only university in the Cagayan Valley Region and one of the six law schools approved to offer these courses.
The LEB’s accreditation is based on the law school’s performance rating in the Bar Examinations.
As a result of the LEB accreditation, enrollment in SMU’s refresher course increased to 19 students in 2020-2021, compared to eight students in the previous year.
Additionally, SMU was designated as one of the 24 testing venues in the Philippines for the November 2021 bar examination.
Cert. of Special Gov’t. Permit (2024-2025, 2025-2026, 2026-2027)- SMU College of Law Granted Government Permit for Refresher Course Program.jpeg
LEB Memo Circular No. 144 (2023-2024) COL-Permit to Offer Refresher Course-LEBMC-No.-144-Refresher-List-for-AY-2023-2024.pdf
Cert. of Special Gov’t. Permit (2022-2023)- Permit-to-operate-a-Refresher-Course-Program.pdf