DLSU-D granted Autonomous status, October 27, 2003. DLSU-D is conferred Autonomous Status by the Commission on Higher Education (CHeD) which allows the University such as exemption from the issuance of Special Order, freedom from monitoring and evaluation activities of CHEd, entitlement to grant of subsidies and other financial incentives/assistance from the CHED whenever funds are available, privilege to determine and prescribe curricular programs to achieve global competence, and authority to grant Honoris Causa to deserving individuals.