Founding and Early Years
Established in 1930 by Very Rev. Fr. Silvestre Sancho, O.P., the College of Commerce began as a department within the College of Education, offering a two-year associate program in Commercial Science. In 1933, it gained independent status as the School of Commerce under the leadership of Dr. Stanley Prescott. Full autonomy was granted in 1934, with Dr. Prescott appointed as the first Dean and Rev. Fr. Ciriaco Pedrosa, O.P. as the first Regent.
Under the guidance of Rev. Fr. Pedro Mateos, O.P., the College introduced specialized programs in Accounting, Management, Marketing, Economics, and Banking and Finance in 1940. However, operations were suspended during World War II, resuming in June 1945. Dr. Mariano Apacible, as Dean, focused on strengthening the core programs of Accounting, Banking and Finance, Economics, and Management.
Expansion and Transformation
In 1988, the College was renamed the College of Commerce and Accountancy. Subsequent accreditations by FAAP and PACUCOA solidified its reputation. Recognized as a “Center of Development” by CHED in 1999, the College embarked on a journey to establish itself as a leading business school in the country.
The introduction of the Bachelor of Science in Commerce major in Entrepreneurship (Triple-E Program) in 2004 marked a significant milestone. This innovative program emphasized entrepreneurship and ethics.
In 2005, the Accountancy Department became an independent College, the UST Alfredo M. Velayo College of Accountancy.
To align with CHED’s Memorandum No. 39, the College underwent a major restructuring in 2006-2007 under Dean Helena Maria F. Cabrera. The Bachelor of Science in Commerce programs were phased out, replaced by the Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with specialized majors in Business Economics, Financial Management, Human Resource Development Management, and Marketing Management. The BS Entrepreneurship program was also introduced.
A Decade of Growth and Achievement
The College celebrated its 75th Diamond Anniversary in 2008 and was renamed the College of Commerce and Business Administration in 2011, coinciding with the University’s Quadricentennial. BSBA majors in Financial Management and Marketing Management were launched.
PACUCOA granted Level II First Reaccredited Status to the BSBA program in 2009-2010 and Candidate Status to the BS Entrepreneurship program. The first BS Entrepreneurship, BSBA Human Resource Development Management, and BSBA Business Economics graduates were conferred degrees in 2011.
To enhance accessibility, the College introduced straight BSBA programs in 2011-2012, eliminating the Pre-Commerce requirement. A partnership with the Junior Achievement of the Philippines aimed to strengthen the Marketing Management program.
Continued Excellence and Adaptation
In 2013, the BS Entrepreneurship program achieved Level I Formal Accredited Status from PACUCOA. Under Dean Mary Hildence M. Baluyot, the College earned Level III Re-Accredited Status for BSBA programs and Level II First Re-Accredited Status for BS Entrepreneurship in 2016. The BSBA major in Financial Management gained recognition from the CFA Institute in 2014.
Led by Assoc. Prof. Leonardo M. Canoy, Jr., PhD, the College successfully transitioned to the K-12 curriculum and renamed the BSBA major in Human Resource Development Management to Human Resource Management in 2017. In 2019, the BS Entrepreneurship program achieved Level III reaccredited status, becoming the first Level III BS Entrepreneurship program in NCR.