FULFILLING the dream of becoming a lawyer is now within reach, as a state university in Cebu becomes the first in Central Visayas to offer a Juris Doctor (JD) program in the first semester of the academic year 2025-2026, this August.
Cebu Normal University (CNU) received the Certificate of Government Permit Level I (GP 1), Number 2, Series of 2025, from Legal Education Board (LEB) chairperson Jason Barlis on Tuesday, March 11, 2025, in Quezon City.
“When I assumed the presidency, I committed to further expand knowledge, ability and capability for CNU in helping fulfill for the Cebuanos and nearby islands, by way of giving them more programs to choose from. Part of our institution’s thrust and priority under my administration is to offer Juris Doctor,” said CNU president Daniel Ariaso Sr. during the formal announcement of the JD program on Saturday, March 15.
Ariaso said the certificate received by CNU, dated March 10, grants the university permission to conduct and operate the first year of the JD program.
According to Ariaso, the path to CNU’s JD program began with their petition, which was submitted to the LEB in September 2024 followed by an ocular inspection in November 2024.
The permit was issued in accordance with Republic Act 7662 (The Legal Education Reform Act of 1993) and was approved during the 243rd meeting of the LEB last Feb. 26.
The JD program is under the LEB and not the Commission on Higher Education.
Ariaso clarified that the certificate is only for the first year after which, the university will be complying with other processes to gain the next level certificate for the second year.
First in Central Visayas
Ariaso said the CNU will be the first state university in Central Visayas to offer a JD program.
“The program is accessible, reasonable and cheaper among all the higher institutions in Central Visayas,” he said.
For the first semester, CNU will offer 17 units at P1,000 per unit plus P5,000 for miscellaneous fees amounting to a total P22,000 tuition for the first semester.
“(Our main target are) those who are financially challenged and have a dream of becoming a lawyer and a passion of promoting justice in the Philippines especially serving the poor. That’s our main target, not actually the rich,” Ariaso said.
The CNU JD curriculum is composed of 140 units with 120 units of mandated core courses, five units of mandated non-core courses, five units of institutionally-required courses and 10 units of electives or tracks.
When asked what’s unique about CNU’s JD program, Ariaso said it will have three distinct tracks from Civil Registration, Government Procurement and International Law which is, by far, not offered in other JD programs.
Ariaso said CNU established the JD program to “complement” the diverse needs of the community, especially by making the program more accessible to those with a passion in defending justice.
He described the development as a significant milestone in the university’s pursuit of academic excellence.
The university is targeting 100 applicants for the JD program, beginning with the application process and providing admission guidelines for interested applicants on April 15.
Ariaso also said there are ongoing applications for the five teaching positions of the program.
Meanwhile, Joseph Elvir Tubilan, CNU vice-president for Academic Affairs and Internationalization, said the JD program will be housed on the fourth floor of the Teaching Arts Centrum building which has four lecture rooms, four rooms for the administration and its own library. / CDF