Lyceum Bachelor of Science in Esports program details revealed

Lyceum of the Philippines University (LPU) has released official information on its Bachelor of Science in Esports program—the first of its kind to be offered in the Philippines.

During the program’s official launch held May 8, LPU along with leading esports and gaming talent agency Tier One Entertainment announced important details, such as major subjects, requirements, and opportunities.

The university’s OIC for Academic Affairs Jennifer Tucpi said the four-year BS Esports program will be effective beginning Academic Year 2021-2022. The program was only approved recently by the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), according to LPU University President, lawyer Roberto Laurel.

Tier One first announced in February 2020 that it was finalizing the draft curriculum for the BS Esports program in partnership with LPU. It said then that it would submit the curriculum to the CHED in March 2020.

The approved BS Esports program focuses on the back-end or business of esports. It prepares students to develop business plans, organize and coach teams, plan and implement events utilizing live streaming, and promote events via digital technology.

Students can choose from either the Esports Management track or the Game Design and Development track. Career opportunities for the former include Esports agents, team managers and owners, as well as marketing and PR executives, among others. Opportunities for the latter, meanwhile, include game designers, game testers, software developers, and many more.

Esports Core (24 units) courses include Introduction to Esports, Esports Game Technology, Esports Ecosystems, Esports Broadcasting, Introduction to Game Design and Development, Esports Digital Production 1, Event Planning and Strategy, and Esports Market Analytics and Global Trends. (Read: ESGS 2020 shortlisted for International Marketing Events Award for Best B2B Event)

Professional Courses (42 units) include Social Media and Professional Ethics, Introduction to Media, Sports Science: Physicality of Gaming, Introduction to Advertising, Single Player Gaming, Multiplayer Gaming, Player Management and Coaching Teams, Esports Digital Production 2, Immersive Gameplay, Esports Business Model, Contemporary Issues in Esports, Esports Live Event Production and Experience, and Marketing I – Esports and Gaming Marketing.

Moreover, LPU Manila Dean of College of Technology Arlene Caballero said the program complies with CHED’s minimum requirement for general education.

Caballero said the program’s current design is online flexible learning, but it depends on the situation. “If the government permits, then we could have blended learning. So a mix of face-to-face and online flexible learning,” she said.

Technical requirements for the course include a PC and mobile phone capable of running needed programs, according to Tier One Entertainment CEO Tryke Gutierrez.

However, only a gadget like a mobile phone is needed at first when a student enrolls in the BS Esports program, according to Caballero. This is needed to access the university’s myLPU learning portal that they are implementing during the flexible learning mode. “They will be needing at least a gadget for them to at least view the content of their courses,” the college dean said.

Course instructors will include master’s graduates with specialization in allied courses such as marketing, public relations, mathematics, and others. Tier One, as the university’s official partner, will also have some of their executives to teach in the course. The organization’s Director of Business Acquisitions and Licensing John Gonzales is also actively seeking professionals from other companies to help teach.

Gutierrez estimates that a total of 80 program slots will be available during the upcoming academic term.

The Tier One executive said that he can promise an internship program. “We will try to talk to other gaming organizations outside and possibly have internships abroad. Possibly pa lang,” he said. “But if not, local internships in Tier One, magiging available na ‘yun for this course. But not a job. Hindi 100%.”

The university has worked closely with Tier One, which has been actively involved in developing the curriculum from the start. “We will continue to work with them to make sure that curriculum and instruction will remain responsive and relevant to the needs of the rapidly growing esports industry,” Tucpi said.

Aside from Tier One, LPU is also consulting one of its industry advisory boards to improve the content of the BS Esports curriculum.

“Esports has seen tremendous growth and enthusiasm among the young, especially in this increasingly digital age. Esports is a clear pathway to future careers and jobs in the digital world. With BS in Esports, LPU takes the lead in esports education,” Laurel said

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