What to Expect From an Esports Management Degree

What is an Esports Degree?

Over 728 million individuals are expected to tune in for the 2021 Global Esports Games (GEG). Unlike your traditional sports competition, the event follows the world of organized and professional video gaming.

Competitors from around the world face off in some of the most popular games to date, including Call of Duty, Madden NFL, League of Legends, and Counter-Strike. Those who win stand to gain millions in prize money and endorsements.

And opportunities aren’t just limited to the players. Esports events managers, marketers, and coaches also stand to benefit from the revenue coming in. An esports management degree remains one of the most effective ways to break into the esports periphery. Below, we’ll detail just what you can expect from these kinds of programs and the benefits they offer.

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What Does an Esports Management Degree Cover?

A degree in esports management prepares students for supportive aspects of the esports industry. These programs cover a variety of operations, including varsity esports team management, esports event planning, strategic planning, content development, social media management, and more.

Pursuing an esports management major also means nurturing your ability to manage tasks efficiently, interact with clients, and remain organized. The development of business and communication skills will be folded into your esports program as well.

Esports Curriculum

Core courses included in an esports management program include:

Digital Shooting and Editing
Digital Marketing
Esports Management
Business Administration
College Writing (COM Core)
Business Management
Esports Event Management
Digital Editing
Field Shooting
Lighting
Accounting
Introduction to Game Development
Principles of Management

General education courses are also required. These may include:

Communications
Math
Humanities
Social Sciences
Arts
Foreign Language

Elective courses may include:

Sport Psychology
Introduction to Networking
Contemporary Issues in Esports
Machine Learning

Schools That Offer Esports Degrees

As the esports industry continues to balloon, a number of higher education institutions are opening their doors to aspiring esports professionals. Below, you’ll find some of the best available programs in esports marketing and management.

New England Institute of Technology, Rhode Island

You can earn an Associate’s Degree in Esports Management from the New England Institute of Technology. The six-term course hones your esports business administration skills. It qualifies you to handle multiple areas such as esports event management, finance, accounting, and human resource management. Experiential learning is also part of the curriculum.

Students can also join the school’s club team and compete through the National Association of Collegiate Esports (NACE). Become a Tech Tiger today!

Northwood University, Michigan

Northwood University in Midland, Michigan offers both an esports training facility as well a Bachelor’s Degree Program in Esports Management. The curriculum also emphasizes experiential knowledge by way of internships, practical experiences, and special projects in the esports industry.

Harrisburg University, Pennsylvania

Harrisburg University offers a Bachelor of Science in Esports Management, Production, and Performance. Throughout the program, students will have the opportunity to develop their knowledge of business administration, interactive media, and technology integration.

Career opportunities after graduation include media content creator, specialized coach, event manager, team manager, marketing manager, analyst, and more.

Is an Esports Degree Worth It?

earn a degree and learn to manage esports teams

Experts predict global sports revenues to exceed $1.6 billion by 2024. During that same period, the global games live-streaming audience will grow to over 920 million. That kind of fanfare has led to tremendous opportunities in the esports arena.

Benefits of a Career in Esports

A degree in esports not only arms you with the knowledge and skills needed to navigate the space but also connects you to a network of individuals with important ties to the industry.

Most universities offering degrees are members of organizations like the National Association of Collegiate Esports, the National Esports Collegiate Conference, or the College Call of Duty League. These esports organizations provide access to important networking events, tournaments, and even meet-and-greets with famous players.

All the Big Companies Are Getting Into It

It’s not just the college world that’s taken an interest in the world of esports. Major corporations are now looking to become part of this evolving global industry.

Back in 2020, Nike launched its first esports ad. The TV spot features professional players for the League of Legends Pro League (LPL) in China. Retired League of Legends star Jian “Uzi” Zi-Hao also makes an appearance.

Last year, PUMA partnered with German esports organization MOUZ. A few months later, they launched their gaming and esports apparel collection with game industry personality Erin Ashley Simon.

Not to be left out, Coca-Cola announced a multi-year partnership with Riot Games earlier this year. For those who aren’t already familiar, that’s the game developer that originally introduced League of Legends back in 2009. The soft drink manufacturer is now planning to co-create unique fan experiences for the brand along with custom rewards and experiences

People Are Spending a Lot More Time Online

The esports ecosystem has evolved dramatically over the past two years. Experiencing that kind of growth during the pandemic era is no coincidence. During the lockdowns, participation in the live-streaming market spiked. Consumers spend significantly more time on these platforms, using them both for the sake of entertainment, and interaction.

That’s not to say the esports market only experienced good news during this time. The cancellation of live events led to significant decreases in ticket revenues and merchandise. Still, global audiences managed to grow by over 11 percent between 2019 and 2020.

There’s Already Tons of Interest and Investment

During an economic forecasting luncheon back in 2018, economist Bob Froehlich predicted that esports will have a dedicated Olympic event by 2024. As it turns out, his prediction wasn’t too far off.

While the International Olympic Committee agrees 2024 may be a bit “premature” for this kind of development, the door remains open for the 2028 games. Before that can happen, however, the industry must overcome a few internal hurdles.

The industry will need to establish a global governing body, something the IOC requires for approval. Beyond that, it’ll have to square away with the violent undertones of some of its most popular games, which infringe upon the Olympic values of friendship and respect.

What esports Olympic hopefuls do have on their side is money, and that tends to attract the Committee’s attention. As stated, the industry pulled in almost a billion dollars in revenue last year. If the industry continues to expand as expected, the top players may be looking at medals in addition to money.

What Can You Do With an Esports Degree?

Internships

Internships provide important experiences for graduates who aren’t quite ready to enter the world of professional esports. Global leaders in interactive entertainment like Hitmaker, Metro Esports, and MinuteMedia offer opportunities in marketing, gaming operations, graphic design, and data science.

Career Opportunities

A degree in esports can pave the way for many exciting careers in the esports field. From team management or marketing to event planning and more. There are also a number of new companies getting involved in the space, with more opportunities opening up around the country. Spotlight Sports Group, Gearbox Software, and Twitch have all been named among the best companies to work for.

Salary Potential

With the amount of money the industry attracts, it’s no surprise that an esports professional enjoys a fairly generous income. Some reports suggest the average annual salary for an esports manager hovers around $95,000, depending on education and experience.

Those who decide to step into the center stage can also earn a comfortable living. Esports players can make around $50-70,000 annually, and that doesn’t even include earnings from tournament winnings, sponsorships, and streaming.

Of course, that’s nothing compared to top earners. Professionals like Dota and Starcraft have pulled in over seven figures in prize money alone.

Conclusion

a degree in esports will prepare students for an exciting career

A career in esports will introduce you to a wide variety of exciting new opportunities. Not only is the field fast-growing, but lucrative. With the right tools and education, you’ll be prepared to pursue several careers, from management to marketing and beyond.

The New England Institute of Technology is excited to present our Associate Degree in Esports Management. Upon completion, students will be prepared to pursue entry-level positions in the esports arena. Students may also choose to continue their education with a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Management.

Call us today or request more information to learn about our program offerings. Our representatives will be happy to discuss how NEIT can help you achieve your goals.