Welcome To The Home Of One Of The Nation’s First Academic Esports Programs!
The Esports Management Track of the Bachelor of Science in Esports is designed to prepare you for a career in esports management with interscholastic, intercollegiate and professional esports organizations’ esports event organizers, entrepreneurial esports ventures and more.
We prepare you to be a leader in the field of esports management by providing a robust esports background with a focus in business management within one of Virginia’s top esports programs.
You will gain one-of-a-kind experiences through international partnerships with universities and esports organizations around the world, including places in England, Finland, France, China, and South Korea, as well as with our state-of-the-art esports arena and mobile gaming setup, which allow you to learn about the business of esports firsthand.
Shenandoah’s program is extremely special because of the opportunities it can bring you. While the competitive aspect is great, one quickly learns that the professional development within SU’s esports program is second to none, allowing for students to learn and network with various professionals in the industry.
Colin Tracy ’22 | Bachelor of Business Administration and B.S. Esports Management
Director of Esports, Columbia College, South Carolina
We at Shenandoah are proud innovators in merging academics with needs in the larger economy, and we recognize the growing power of the esports industry.
We offer one of the first multi-track esports majors in the United States, and the first esports major in Virginia.
A new world has arrived, right at your fingertips.
We’re ready to pick up the controller and play. Are you?
Esports Programs at Shenandoah
Shenandoah offers the most robust esports program in the country, featuring not only varsity competitive teams and club teams, but also undergraduate majors/minors/certificates in esports, a graduate-level concentration/certificate, and an online Coaching Certificate.
Esports Programs :
- Esports Management (MBA)
- Esports Management (BBA)
- Esports Management (BS)
- Esports Media & Communication (BS)
- Esports Coaching Certificate
- Esports Management Undergraduate Certificate
- Esports Management Graduate Certificate
- Esports Management Minor
All School of Business programs are accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS), and all School of Business programs (except for esports-related programs), are accredited by AACSB International.
Minor in This Program
The Esports Management Minor prepares students for working in the business of esports. Through international experiences like collaborations with esports employees and players from around the world and trips abroad, internships with major esport and video game companies, and hands-on experiences with industry executives as well as the varsity esports team at Shenandoah, such as event management, esports marketing, and administration.
Declaring A Minor
Shenandoah students work with their Academic Advisor to declare a minor. Academic Advisors will continue to work with students to ensure that they fulfill all of the requirements to complete the minor.
Incoming students should not indicate their intended minor on their Shenandoah application. Applications are for intended majors only.
Internship Possibilities
Students in the Esports Management Track of the Bachelor of Science in Esports may pursue internships with major esport and video game companies, and hands-on experiences with industry executives as well as the varsity esports team at Shenandoah, they will be ready for careers like esports event mangers, esports administration, and esports marketing.
The Career & Professional Development staff helps Shenandoah students search and apply for internships related to their major and career goals. Internships differentiate you as an applicant in your future job searches, provide hands on experience in your field, allow you to sample different career paths for your major, and help you find a specific position that fits your passion before graduation.
Career and Salary Possibilities
Potential careers for graduates include esports organizational administration, esports event management, esports finance and accounting, and human resource management.
The Esports Management Track of the Bachelor of Science in Esports prepares students for careers like esports event mangers, esports administration, and esports marketing. The average starting salary range for esports professional is $40K-60K.
This program gives you the tools, experiences and connections necessary to advance your esports management career.
Career & Professional Development provides a comprehensive range of services and resources to assist Shenandoah students in their career search. Services offered include resume and cover letter building, mock interviews, and professional dining etiquette workshops.
Classes
You will be introduced to the esports industry and understand how esports operates as a form of commercial entertainment. You will learn how to govern esports, market esports, and manage esports events and organizations.
We focus on combining classroom learning with experiential learning through travel opportunities, partnerships with professional organizations, and our esports arena on the main campus.
Course Requirements
Esports Major with Esports Management Track
- Shen Ed- 30 credits
- Esports Major- 45 credits
- Esports Management Track- 21 credits
- Open electives- 24 credits
All esports majors take these core esports courses:
- Introduction to Esports
- Contemporary Issues in Esports
- Esports Performance; Esports Ergogenic Aids
- Esports Physical Training
- Injuries & Rehabilitation
- Esports Consumerism
- Esports Structure and Governance
- Esports Event Management
- Experiential Learning
Esports Management Track
- Required Business Administration minor
- Statistics and Data Analysis for Business
- Principles of Financial Accounting
- Principles of Managerial Accounting
- Introduction to Management and Organizational Behavior
- Principles of Macroeconomics
- Principles of Microeconomics
Esports Electives | Choose 5 courses
- Introduction to Neuroscience
- Neuroscience of Motor Systems
- The Performing Athlete
- Research Methods in Exercise Science
- Sport and Exercise Psychology
- Sports Nutrition for Health and Performance
- Adapted Physical Education
- Introduction to Computer Programming I
- Introduction to Computer Programming II
- Introduction to Cybersecurity
- Networking
- Machine Learning
- Introduction to Computer Architecture and Electronics
- Introduction to Sport Management
- Contemporary Issues in Sport Management
- Legal Environment of Business
- Introduction to Management and Organizational Behavior
- Introduction to Marketing
Learning support services are available to all students in every course at Shenandoah. Free peer tutoring with a student who has previously succeeded in the course is available for any course across the university. The Writing Center is available for every stage of the writing process from thesis development to proofreading and bibliography assistance. The Math Enrichment Center is available for math and science assistance. Professors and Academic Advisors across the university also have office hours and open door policies to ensure Shenandoah students succeed academically.
Rampant Growth & Opportunity In Esports
The esports field is perfect for anyone interested in event management, communications, gameplay, coaching, exercise science, or in being part of a field that promises to grow more prominent and engaging with every passing year.
Established sports franchise owners understand the potential of esports, with Jerry Jones, owner of the Dallas Cowboys, recently purchasing a majority stake in an esports organization, and the New York Yankees entering into a partnership deal with the investment group Vision Esports, as noted by The Esports Observer.
“I predict that by 2024 esports will actually have an Olympic event!” visionary/economist Bob Froelich is quoted as saying in the Chicago Tribune.
But, as noted on CNBC by Peter Guber, a co-owner of the Golden State Warriors, Los Angeles Dodgers and the professional esports organization Team Liquid, being able to fill a particular place isn’t necessary for esports. “You’ll see that it’s everywhere, and it isn’t bound by geography,” he said. “You don’t use a stick or a bat to play, and you can play alone or with a whole group of people, play against the best.”
Shenandoah’s Esports Competition Team
Shenandoah’s esports team competes through the National Association of Collegiate Esports (NACE), with over 55+ team members playing seven esports titles against players at colleges and universities across the U.S., including Division I institutions. The team’s on-campus home is in the Esports Arena. Shenandoah has one of the first esports arenas on the East coast and the first collegiate, spectator esports arena in Virginia!
The competitive team and students in the degree program will work hand-in-hand, allowing both groups to have the best esport experience possible, which will help them in college and long after.
Esports Team Roster SU Esports Twitch Stream
Esports Team at Shenandoah
Many college students grew up playing esports, and now, they can merge their love of esports with their degree. Shenandoah University offers a varsity esports program, and plays teams from around the country as a member of the National Association of Collegiate Esports.
Application Information
Shenandoah University works on rolling admissions and accepts applications throughout the year. Applications are reviewed individually and holistically.
Submit your application, review required admission materials, and find our admissions standards.
Study Abroad
Make studying abroad the highlight of your college experience! Whether you go for a year, a semester, or just a few weeks. You will never forget learning in another culture! The Center for International Programs is here to help you plan your study abroad experience. Start your planning early to ensure the courses you complete abroad count toward your degree and you graduate on time.
Global Experiential Learning (GEL) Program
The Global Experiential Learning (GEL) Program offers Shenandoah students a short-term, faculty-led, study-abroad experience for academic credit. These short-term, credit-bearing, faculty-led programs are offered winter break, spring break, and during the summer. If a course is not within your major, it might be used as an elective.
The 11th Esports World Championship were held in Seoul, South Korea, and Shenandoah’s Esports students were there! Similar trips are anticipated in the future.
Study Abroad
Shenandoah University is a member of the International Student Exchange Program (ISEP), a global network of 300 universities. This partnership allows students to study for a full semester or year at other member campuses abroad. By working closely with their academic advisors and the study abroad advisor, students can take classes taught in English abroad while receiving Shenandoah credit.
Shenandoah University also maintains direct partnerships with several universities around the world. These relationships allow students from SU to study abroad as exchange students and students from these universities to study at SU. All partner universities offer courses taught in English.
Shenandoah’s esports program also has partnerships with schools in Finland, England, and China.
Join the Honors Programs
The Honors Program is a multidisciplinary Honors Program for students who are curious, creative, self-motivated, and eager to engage in their education and community.
Not only do Honors Program students partake in honors courses that emphasize collaboration, service, and communication, but they will also have the opportunity to develop aspects of the program based on their own interests and goals. By participating in the Honors Program you will acquire the tools, knowledge and experiences necessary to make meaningful contributions to your community – whether it be globally, locally, or specific to your life’s work. You will have access to unique courses, exciting experiences and a community of peers and faculty who never stop asking questions and striving for excellence.
Meet the Faculty
Imagine participating in interesting conversations led by engaging professors who’ve already done what you dream of doing. You’ll be in a small class with professors who know your name, care about your success and provide advice as you pursue your academic and career goals.
