Esports Management (MBA)
As one of the first graduate esports curriculums in the country, our program provides you with the skills you need to be a leader in the esports field.
The Esports Management MBA focus prepares students for advanced positions in esports management. The focus consists of three elective courses. The program complements the foundation and core of the MBA program with courses that focus on the unique knowledge, skills and experiences needed to be successful in esports.
This program prepares students for high-level management of esports business entities across the esports ecosystem, as well as for starting their own esports venture. Potential careers include esports mid-level organizational administration, senior marketing management, and esports strategy management.
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.
Flexibility At Our Core
We know your busy life makes it hard to go back to school, so our program is designed with flexibility and convenience in mind.
All classes in the MBA program are taught in a flex-format from Zoom enabled classrooms. Students have the option to attend face-to-face classes at our Winchester or Loudoun locations or attend virtually via Zoom. Classes are scheduled in the evenings or alternating weekends.
You can complete your MBA in as little as 12 months as a full-time student or at your own pace as a part-time student.
Small classes guarantee you individualized attention with support from accomplished and caring faculty who deliver high-quality courses based on real-world experiences. Classes emphasize practical, hands-on applications that will make your MBA work for you in the marketplace.
Locally and Globally Recognized
Shenandoah University enjoys a strong reputation locally, regionally and nationally. Our MBA graduates are recognized within the business community as knowledgeable, capable, and able to excel in the workplace. With AACSB International accreditation, you’ll get a world-class education from one of a very select group of universities across the globe.
You’ll have opportunities to develop rich, collaborative relationships with premier faculty and fellow students who, like you, have diverse work and life experiences.
Here’s how we’re unique:
- No GMAT required
- 36-48 credit hours for degree completion (depending on transcript)
- Attend classes in-person or via zoom
- A small-classroom environment at an AACSB International-accredited university where the focus is on discussions, seminars and integrated case studies
- Emphasis on practical, hands-on applications that will make your MBA work for you in the marketplace
- Opportunities to develop rich, collaborative relationships with premier faculty and fellow students who, like you, have diverse work and life experiences
- Access to both our executive-in-residence and our senior executive counselor, who provide one-on-one advice and counsel on coursework and careers
- Additional hours offered to fulfill the CPA licensure requirement
Learn more about our program through our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) page or at one of the open houses we offer for prospective students.
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 focus/certificate, and an online Coaching Certificate.
Esports Programs :
- Esports Management (MBA)
- Esports Management (BBA)
- Esports Management (BS)
- Esports Media and 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.
The Esports Management MBA focus prepares students for careers like esports event mangers, esports administration, and esports marketing. Students work closely with the varsity esports program at Shenandoah University to gain working experience. The average starting salary range for esports professional is $40K-60K.
You can advance your career with this program by being one of the first in the country to graduate with an academic focus in esports management. 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.
You will learn about the management of esports organizations through project-based learning that compliments your MBA degree. You will learn how to start an esports organization as well as how to manage existing esports businesses and digital media.
We focus on combining classroom learning with experiential learning through travel opportunities, partnerships with professional organizations, and in our esports arena on the main campus.
Course Requirements
Academic Modules (24 credits)
| Course Number | Course Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| MBA 601 | Making Decisions With Data | 6 |
| MBA 602 | Leading People & Organizations | 6 |
| MBA 603 | Creating Value for Business and Society | 6 |
| MBA 604 | Exploring International Opportunities | 6 |
| MBA 605 | MBA Career Development | 0 |
| TOTAL | 24 |
Foundation Course (12 credits)
Up to 12 foundation credits may be waived for students with the appropriate undergraduate or graduate preparation.
| Course Number | Course Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| ACCT 501 | Foundations of Accounting | 3 |
| FIN 502 | Foundations of Finance | 1.5 |
| ECN 501 | Foundations of Economics | 3 |
| MKT 502 | Foundations of Marketing | 1.5 |
| QM 502 | Business Statistics | 1.5 |
| 504 | Business Analytics | 1.5 |
| TOTAL | 12 |
Esports Core (9 credits)
| Course Number | Course Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| ESPT 520 | Esports Consumerism | 3 |
| ESPT 570 | Esports Entrepreneurship | 3 |
| ESPT 590 | Esports Digital Media Management | 3 |
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
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.
I’ve been spending most of my weeknights and at least one day on the weekend on campus working with the Esports teams. I am the captain of the Overwatch team, and we have practices three nights a week, and I would usually be in there an extra night to help whenever I could and hang out with the other people on the teams. Much like the dorms, the Esports program has brought a lot of people together and know we’re a close knit community, and we like hanging out together. So even though I live off campus, I spend a lot of my free time helping and hanging out.
Morgan Keeler ’20 | Criminology & Criminal Justice Major, Esports Minor, and Psychology Minor
Shenandoah has one of the first esports arenas on the East coast and the first collegiate, spectator esports arena in Virginia!
The 1,571-square-foot arena accommodates the growing esports demand in the region. It serves as both a practice facility for Shenandoah’s 45-member varsity team and as a public esports venue where spectators can watch weekly matches.
The arena is mobile, so the equipment will be able to be packed up and taken on the road for matches and events off campus. This allows our esports students the chance to plan events for regional gamers and develop their management and communications skills.
The MBA Admission Committee will give full consideration to your entire application packet, but admission to the program is competitive. When your complete application is received, MBA Program Director will evaluate it and determines your eligibility. If you are found eligible, an interview with the MBA Admissions Committee will be scheduled.
4 + 1 Option
Students enrolled in Shenandoah’s four-year Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) program can take advantage of the new 4 + 1 option to earn an MBA with one additional year of classes.
2 + 2 + 1 Option
Transfer students with two years of college credits can take advantage of the 2 + 2 + 1 option that allows them to transition from an associate of arts degree in business degree to the BBA degree and subsequently to the MBA degree — all in five years.
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.
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.