Helping Esports Athletes Improve Performance and Health through Fitness
Shenandoah is home to one of the nation’s first academic esports programs at the undergraduate and graduate levels. As the field continues to grow, the School of Health Professions recognizes the need for health and fitness in this emerging field and has developed the Esports Health and Fitness Graduate Certificate.
With Shenandoah University’s 15-credit Graduate Certificate in Esports Health & Fitness, esports educators, athletes, coaches and fitness practitioners can gain expertise in the primary health and fitness concerns of esports athletes.
The certificate provides foundational courses on the core principles of injury/illness prevention, strength and conditioning, nutritional requirements, and the integration of mind and body techniques to enhance performance in this growing field.
Students in this hybrid program will apply evidence-based approaches to esports health and fitness, implement techniques that prevent injury or improve performance, contribute to the knowledge base regarding esports health and fitness and more.
Classes
| Summer I Year 1 | Credits |
| ESHF 700 Musculoskeletal Terminology for Esports | 1 |
| Fall 1 | |
| ESHF 703 Nutrition for Esports | 3 |
| ESHF 702 Kinesiology and Ergonomics for Esports | 3 |
| Spring 1 | |
| ESHF 705 Health and Fitness for Esports | 3 |
| Summer 2 | |
| ESHF 706 Esport Research Seminar | 2 |
| Fall 2 | |
| ESHF 707 Psychology and Neurocognitive Treatment for Esports | 2 |
| Spring 2 | |
| ESHF 709 Capstone in Esports | 1 |
| Total | 15 |
Students must maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5, and each course must be passed with a grade of C or higher.
Facilities
Walk Through Shenandoah’s Incredible Health Professions Spaces & Check Out Our Esports Arena
Enjoy this virtual walk-through of some of Shenandoah University’s incredible Health Professions spaces. From the Winchester campus, to the Health Professions Building on the campus of Winchester Medical Center, to Scholar Plaza, Loudoun, there are so many incredible resources available to our Health Professions students.
Shenandoah has one of the first collegiate esports arenas on the East Coast. The 1,571-square-foot space is located in the armory garage on Shenandoah’s main campus.
It features:
- 12 competitor stations
- 21-inch stage
- 70 spectator seats
- broadcasting booth
- three 12-foot projector screens on three walls
Discover more about the Esports Arena at https://www.su.edu/esports/esports-arena.
Related Programs
This graduate certificate meshes well with these Shenandoah graduate programs:
Esports Management Graduate Certificate
Master of Science in Education, Individualized Focus
See also degree programs within Shenandoah’s School of Health Professions
Faculty
Michele Pye
Associate Director Performing Arts Medicine Program, Assistant Professor Division of Athletic Training
Full BiographyApplication Information
Application materials are reviewed as they are received.
Applicants must submit the following:
Applicants must have a bachelor’s degree or near completion of their bachelor’s degree with approval by the program director. Required prerequisite courses include Anatomy I (4 credits) and Biomechanics, kinesiology, or exercise physiology (3 credits). Course substitution can be approved by the program director. The following credentials may be submitted in substitution of required prerequisite courses: Certified professional trainer (CPT), Licensed Massage Therapist, or NSCA certified strength and conditioning specialist (CSCS).
Outside Applicants
All applicants from outside of Shenandoah University must submit:
- A completed Shenandoah university graduate application for admission including the $30 application fee.
- All official higher education transcripts.
- Foreign-educated students must submit above information as well as verification of full-time employment for at least six months in the U.S. in one’s respective health profession.