Becker College Announces First-in-Nation Esports Management Degree

Recognizing the economic and professional opportunities generated by the burgeoning esports, or competitive gaming, industry, Becker College announced a new Bachelor of Science in Esports Management. The four-year degree is the latest academic offering launched by Becker’s School of Design and Technology, joining the Masters in Fine Arts in Interactive Media, which also debuts this fall.

First of its kind in the country, Becker’s Esports Management major — offered through the College’s business department — will equip students with the knowledge and experience needed to excel in one of the fastest-growing sectors in the sports and entertainment industries. Focused on providing students with practical, hands-on learning and an entrepreneurial outlook, the degree will prepare students for the future of work in the booming esports industry. Careers in esports encompass content creators, streamers, influencers, community managers, game developers, producers, and commentators, in addition to marketers, accountants, lawyers, a host of other experts who work for esports and game companies, and, of course, professional gamers.

“The rapid growth of esports brings with it new jobs and demands from the industry. That translates to tremendous career opportunities for our students” said Alan Ritacco, dean of the School of Design and Technology.  “With a spirited college community that gets video games, adding esports management is a perfect fit.”

Building on Becker’s reputation as a future-focused institution and a leader in game design, the Esports Management curriculum emphasizes the business side of this exciting industry. Students will be immersed in the culture and climate of esports, and will gain skills in planning and strategy, event management and promotion, business development, game technology, marketing, and finance. They will also explore the dominant game genres that make up the industry.

Transfer students interested in the esports management major can begin inquiring about January admission immediately. Enrollment for first-year students begins in the fall of 2019.  Becker — ranked fourth in world for game design by The Princeton Review, and sixth for its Master in Fine Arts in Interactive Media design — is the only college in Massachusetts to offer varsity esports scholarships.

Last year, there were 588 major global esports events, including League of Legends World Championship, which was the most watched program on Amazon’s Twitch, with 49.5 million hours, according to industry researcher Newzoo. By 2021, the esports audience is expected to grow to 557 million. Companies like Mercedes Benz, Gillette, Red Bull and many others have already jumped on the esports bandwagon. Professional sports teams like the Boston Celtics are fielding squads in the new NBA 2K League, and New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft recently spent $20 million to buy Boston Uprising, a team in Blizzard’s Overwatch League. Plus, esports is being eyed as a demonstration event in the Paris 2024 Summer Olympics.

“It’s great to see a school like Becker College leading the field in establishing its new Esports Management degree,” said Marco Mereu, CEO of Estarz, a pioneer in esports entertainment and an advisory board member of the School of Design and Technology. “Much as they did with their game design program, Becker will enable students to be prepared for the fast-moving and growing industry of esports.”

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