Leading the way in health care for esports athletes
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 specialized medical care for this emerging field and has developed the Esports Medicine Graduate Certificate.
Shenandoah University’s 15-credit Graduate Certificate in Esports Medicine provides health care professionals an opportunity to specialize in and be leaders in the health, assessment and treatment of injuries and illnesses related to esports. Shenandoah is home to one of the nation’s first academic esports programs, at the undergraduate and graduate levels, as well as a robust varsity esports team.
The health care professionals this certificate is designed for include:
- Medical doctors
- Physical Therapists
- Certified Athletic Trainers
- Occupational Therapists
- Podiatrists
- Chiropractors
- Physician Assistants
- Nurse Practitioners
The certificate consists of foundational courses on the core principles of injury/illness prevention, nutritional requirements and the integration of mind and body techniques to enhance performance. It is designed to provide health care practitioners with the knowledge and skills to provide injury prevention, identification and treatment to esports athletes. It will also develop student skills to enable them to not only help prevent esports injuries, but also enhance, and potentially prolong, the career of an esports athlete.
Students in this hybrid program will apply evidence-based approaches to esports medicine, implement techniques that prevent injury or improve performance, contribute to the knowledge base regarding esports medicine and more.
Classes
| Summer II Year 1 | Credits |
| ESM 700 Esports Terminology | 1 |
| Fall 1 | |
| ESM 702 Kinesiology and Ergonomics for Esports | 3 |
| ESM 703 Nutrition for Esports | 3 |
| Spring 1 | |
| ESM 705 Management and Assessment of Esports Injuries | 3 |
| Summer II Year 2 | |
| ESM 706 Esports Research Seminar | 2 |
| Fall 2 | |
| ESM 707 Psychology and Neurocognitive Treatment for Esports | 2 |
| Spring 2 | |
| ESM 709 Capstone in Esports | 1 |
| Total | 15 |
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 our Loudoun location, 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:
Current Shenandoah Students
Current Shenandoah University enrollees and applicants from articulated programs within the School of Health Professions may apply to this program for study in addition to their entry-level curriculum. These students must submit a graduate application for admission, as well as a letter requesting admission into the program to the Esports Medicine Program Director. They must also have a letter of support for this endeavor from their respective Dean/Program Director. These students must be in good academic standing from their entry-level program in order to be considered.
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.
- A photocopy of your most current US/state license to practice medicine, physical therapy, athletic training, occupational therapy, podiatry, chiropractic medicine, physician assistant, nurse practitioner.
- 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.