Notre Dame University (NDU), formerly Notre Dame Colleges of Cotabato upon its founding mainly taught courses traditionally offered through the College of Arts and Sciences (CAS), currently one among its 5 Colleges in the university. The birth of the said college, CAS, may well be traced in the words of Fr. Jose Arong, OMI in 1976: “Notre Dame University came into being to meet the need for a religious liberal arts college education in the region.” Further, the university’s earliest beginnings as a liberal arts college could be inferred from the detailed account of its first ever appointed rector, Fr. Robert Sullivan, OMI. The latter said: 

Our curriculum included courses leading to AB., Bachelor of Science in Commerce degrees and also the Elementary School Teachers’ Certificate. The Faculty included myself teaching English 1 and Ethics as Philosophy 1. Bro. Herbert Daniel, F.M.S., taught educational Psychology and Logic; Bro. Maurus James, F.M.S. taught Spanish; Mrs. Nilda Quintana taught Music and Educational Methods; Atty. Vicente Cusi took care of Political Science and History; Bro. Humbert Damian, F.M.S., taught Mathematics and Mother Puring taught Psychology and Principles of Teaching.

Thus, the pioneering 128 students’ educational experiences as the first “Notre Damers” of NDU was mainly about taking of the following subjects: English 1, Ethics as Philosophy 1, Educational Psychology and Logic, Spanish, Music and Educational methods, Political Science and History, Mathematics and Principles of Teaching, most of which are subjects that are offered by the College or Arts and Sciences to date, under the same name, or if not, at least very close to its former name or description. 

Notre Dame Colleges became Notre Dame University (NDU) on March 11, 1969. As a college in the institution, College of Arts and Sciences must grapple through the challenges that confronted the university one of which was MNLF wars in the early 70’s whose conflict did not spare NDU. The skirmishes affected not only the peace and order situation but also the economy. NDU was swarmed by soldiers belonging to the 21^st and 25^th Army Battalions who were on looked out for rebel snipers within the vicinity of the University. The student population at the University suddenly dropped to less than 2,000 by 1973. One student was killed and two others were wounded on different occasions by stray bullets.

But the period also saw qualitative developments at NDU particularly in the College of Arts and Sciences. In July 1970, the University offered Journalism for the first time. The courses were programmed eventually to become a minor field of study in Liberal Arts. On October 28, 1971, six administrative assistants were named and appointed Department Heads by the President, five of whom were in charge on programs that are offered through the College of Arts and Sciences in the present. Their primary function was to assist the Deans of the different colleges in the preparation of curricular offerings, scheduling of class programs, and supervision of instruction. The appointees were: Mr. Eugenio Echavez, Accounting; Mrs. Fe Angeles Lopez, English; Mrs. Editha Tugbo, Language; Mr. Ceferino Costales, Mathematics; Mrs. Luz Tolentino, Natural Science and Mrs. Angelina Reyes, Social Sciences.

The College of Arts and Sciences embodies the university’s take on education in all its endeavors. It was taking after the words of one of the university’s pioneering rector, Fr. Arong, OMI: “It is an expression of personal commitment to the development of human potential through education. A University is made up of people and for the people. That’s the commitment of Notre Dame University in Cotabato.” Such is rooted in the documents of the Philippine Provincial Congress of 1977 (B.2 On Schools 1, GA. GC): “…That we should share our basic OMI commitment with the faculty and other personnel of our schools; and that we should undertake positive creative innovations designed to keep our schools aligned with basic OMI commitments.” 

In 1980, the Philippine Accrediting Association of Schools, Colleges and Universities (PAASCU) granted the programs of the three colleges of the University — the College of Arts and Sciences along with the College of Commerce and the Teachers’ College Level I accreditation which was certified by the Federation of Accrediting Agencies of the Philippines (FAAP).

In April 1984, three Colleges earned PAASCU re-accreditation of their programs. These were the College of Arts and Sciences, Teachers’ College, and the College of Commerce, which were re-accredited for Level II. The College of Engineering was given accreditation for Level I. Such accreditation indicated that the University’s educational programs met the education standards of quality and excellence.

In May 2008, the FAAP awarded Level III accreditation to the Programs of Arts and Sciences and Business Education, and Level II Accreditation to the Teacher Education Program with PAASCU as the Accrediting Body. The accreditation is for a five-year period.

The College of Arts and Sciences partakes in NDU’s continuing mission to produce authentic persons and professionals of competence, conscience and compassionate commitment. NDU stands proudly as the capstone and crowning glory of the Oblates of Mary Immaculate in the Philippine Mission. In the same hand, the College of Arts and Sciences presently referred to as a service college provides quality instruction geared towards the development of the student’s core competencies and potentials; foster appreciation of arts, teaches proper and responsible application of sciences and promotes culture of peace, research and community extension.