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The Dominican House of Studies traces its mission to the preaching charism and Catholic intellectual heritage bequeathed to the Order of Preachers by its founder, St. Dominic de Guzman. Dominic constructed a religious order international in scope yet decentralized in structure to address the needs of the Church by preparing preachers, both intellectually informed and pastorally competent. This evangelizing mission is asserted in the primary claim of the Fundamental Constitution of the Order of Preachers that the Order was instituted "especially for preaching and the salvation of souls." To prepare preachers, Dominic established houses near the leading universities of his time. Students of the Order could follow a prescribed course of study in preparation for their pastoral work. Dominic insisted that spiritual formation is essential to the intellectual formation. The academic study was situated within a religious community shaped by ordinary life, liturgical prayer, modified monastic observance, a democratic form of government, and fraternal charity. St. Thomas Aquinas completed this vision by sharpening the speculative quest for truth within a broad Aristotelian framework, marked by a respect for the scientific method, freedom of inquiry, the broadness of scope, the precision of concepts, and largeness of spirit. Thomas remains even today guide and model of the Dominican intellectual life because of his docility of mind to Revelation, unwavering respect for the visible world and the human person, and unflagging commitment to think with and within the Church. The Dominican House of Studies is the direct heir to this theological and spiritual tradition that Dominic founded. Thomas developed a theological heritage, both speculatively inclined and pastorally charged, that spans eight centuries. In service to the Dominican Order's evangelizing mission, the primary purpose of the Dominican House of Studies is to provide a Catholic theological education that prepares students for the ordained ministry in the Province of St. Joseph. Recognizing the broad appeal of theological education in the Dominican tradition, the Dominican House of Studies accepts all interested and qualified students without regard to race, gender, religion, or ethnic background. The Dominican House of Studies is committed to imparting to all of its students a capacity for serious scholarship and basic competence in philosophy and theology through the study of St. Thomas Aquinas in dialogue with the best of contemporary thought. For ministry preparation, it offers a comprehensive program of studies integrated with spiritual and pastoral components to form students imbued with a desire for holiness, capable of effective preaching, and competent pastoral ministry. With an academic environment shaped by a Thomistic focus, a small student enrollment, and a high faculty-student ratio, the Dominican House of Studies fosters among students and faculty an intimacy conducive to the personal formation in the spiritual, intellectual, and ministerial spheres of preaching, teaching, and other ministries. The Pontifical Faculty believes that a bachelor's degree is essential preparation for theological study. Applicants for admission to the Pontifical Faculty are required to hold a bachelor's degree or equivalent, from a college or university, regionally accredited in the United States or Canada. Taking courses at the Pontifical Faculty of the Immaculate Conception is a great way to continue to learn and grow in the Catholic Faith. To serve those who wish to further their education and their professional competence, but who do not currently desire to embark on a full degree program, the PFIC offers courses on an individual basis. Courses may be audited or taken for credit throughout the year. Persons who have earned a B.A. degree or equivalent from an accredited institution may take up to four courses per semester as a non-matriculated student. Admission as a Non-Degree Seeking (N.D.S.) student does not constitute admission to any degree program. However, suppose such a student should later apply for admission to a degree program. In that case, course credits earned in the non-degree seeking study may be applied to the degree, and the application fee for the degree would also be waived. Persons may also audit courses to understand that no papers or examinations will be required or graded, and no academic credit will be given. All N.D.S. students must submit an application, official transcripts, an application fee, and a recent photo. Students who attend the PFIC are most concerned with intellectual and spiritual growth, and the school is ordered to provide an atmosphere conducive to that end. As the genuine study of theology requires living a life of grace, the PFIC offers many opportunities to grow spiritually. All students are welcome to join the Dominican community for prayer, both for Mass and the Divine Office. The chapel is open for personal prayer throughout the day. Many Dominican priests are available as confessors or spiritual directors, and special Masses and adoration are offered for the students throughout the year. One of the unique benefits of study at the PFIC is studying alongside many Dominicans and other diocesan and religious seminarians and priests, whose joy and dedication foster hope for the future of the Church. There is a student lounge where students gather between classes to relax with some coffee and conversation, and the library provides a pleasant and quiet place to study. Also, throughout the year, there are occasional casual gatherings and outings planned for the non-Dominican students. The students elect a student representative who regularly meets with the administration to foster a healthy and happy relationship and experience. View full university

The University of the Immaculate Conception (UIC) traces its roots to the Beaterio de la Compaňia, the first community of indigenous women formed during Hispanic colonial times. Ignacia del Espiritu Santo, a mestiza from Binondo who decided to serve the Divine Majesty by the sweat of her brow, started the Beaterio de la Compañia 1684. This community of indigenous women, now better known as the Congregation of the Religious of the Virgin Mary (RVM), has grown through the years. It has extended itself through its different ministries, especially in the area of education. The mission of the RVM in Mindanao started in 1902 when the late Rev. Superior General, M. Ma. Efigenia Alvarez sent three Sisters to Davao City. They were M. Severina Santos, Superior, M. Clara Ramirez, and M. Engracia Herrera. When they arrived in Davao, they met with the Hon. Teodoro Palma Gil, who was appointed Davao deputy representative to Governor-General Harrison. The pioneer Sisters stayed in the residence of the Palma Gil Family. University of the Immaculate Conception is committed to providing quality Ignatian Marian education to mold students to be Ignatian Marian leaders of faith, excellence, and service wherever they are at all times.UIC commits to collaboratively maintain and comply with an effective quality management system by periodically reviewing and validating its instruction, processes, and services against quality objectives and standards for continual improvement. The PAASCU accreditations characterize UIC's commitment to providing transformative quality Ignatian Marian education to all of its stakeholders to most of the institution's academic programs. This status about a university already hints that the organization focuses on achieving the highest performance it can deliver to establish effectiveness. To approximate our vision and live our mission, we dedicate all our human resources to transform the UIC family members to become enlightened, empowered, pro-active and liberated Christian leaders living in a humane and harmonious community for the love of God and love of country. With the increase in enrollment in 1906, the house of Mr. Cenon Rasay in San Pedro-Anda intersection was used as classrooms. In 1907, the construction of the Sisters' Convent was started in the San Pedro-Bolton-Claveria site. At the end of the year, the Sisters transferred to their new convent. Originally established exclusively for girls, the RVM Sisters laid the foundation starting as a parochial school named "Escuela Catolica de San Pedro" with only the introductory and intermediate courses offered and were given government recognition in 1933. When the high school opened in 1934, the school assumed the name "Immaculate Conception Academy," By 1938, the first batch of high school students graduated. By then, the school had been re-named "Immaculate Conception Institute." As World War II broke out in 1941, the school closed and was re-opened five years later. The school received government recognition for the high school level in 1947. A year later, the school was named "Immaculate Conception College (ICC)," which then offered initial two collegiate courses: Collegiate Secretarial and Pharmacy. In the fifties, from 1951-1958, Immaculate Conception College (ICC) opened additional courses: BS in Education, BS in Home Economics, BS in Music, and BS in Elementary Education. With the increasing enrollment and the demand for more courses, the following programs were added in 1961-62, namely: Liberal Arts, BS Commerce, and BS Medical Technology. In 1969, the Grade and High School Departments were moved to ICC's new site at Fr. Selga St. and followed by the College Department in 1971. Three more courses were then added: BS Chemistry, Pharmacy Aide, and BS in Nutrition and Dietetics. Moreover, in 1983-1986, four more courses were opened: Cafeteria Management, BS in Civil Engineering, MA in Theology, and MA in Elementary Education. In December 2016, as UIC continuously strive for quality education through accreditation, the Federation of Accrediting Agencies of the Philippines (FAAP) through PAASCU awards UIC an Institutional Accreditation valid until November 2018. This type of accreditation is comprehensive. It indicates that the institution has achieved quality standards in all areas and is held in high regard in education (Source: PAASCU Handbook on Accreditation, p.9). Likewise, in the same year, Liberal Arts, Elementary and Secondary Education, and Business Administration programs were granted Level IV Accredited Status, valid until November 2018. Level IV accredited status is granted to highly respected institutions possessing very high-quality academic programs in the Philippines and prestige and authority comparable to similar programs in excellent foreign universities (Source: MORPHE p. 55). In May 2017, the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) upgraded UIC's status from Deregulated to Autonomous. The University of the Immaculate Conception (UIC) takes on the challenge to lead in Humanities, Science, and Technology in a globalized society. She desires to provide transformative quality Ignatian Marian education, be relevant to the demands of the time, able to produce the ideal RVM Ignatian Marian graduate imbued with profound faith in God, inspired by the spirituality of humble service committed to a continuous search for excellence and achieve its vision of a transformed society where persons live their dignity as children of God enjoying the fullness of life in Jesus Christ. View full university