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Get your gaming on

Esports Performance & Management

Get Your Gaming On
  • 1st

    Program of Its Kind in North Carolina

  • $2 B

    Industry

  • 35%

    Annual Job Growth Expected

What are Esports?

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Esports are competitive games played electronically by professionals and amateurs who compete in high stakes events.

Esports Jobs

Students in this program may explore a variety of career fields in Esports including:

  • Esports broadcaster
  • Streaming
  • Multimedia designer
  • Multimedia developer
  • Event manager
  • Team manager
  • Esports coach
  • Data Analytics
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Offers

Program that is the first of its kind in North Carolina and among the first in the nation

Courses taught by faculty with expertise in gaming, game design and coordination

Program designed to provide students with real world experience and a portfolio

Program for students in any field of study

Courses as early as freshman year

“ To have these players say, ‘Wait, I can go to a university and pursue Esports?’ is a really good start. ”
Patrick '22 Esports Certificate
Patrick '22 , Esports Certificate
Esports Performance and Management Certificate Program Overview

A GROWING FIELD

Our Esports program is designed for students interested in gaming, streaming and exploring career options in this rapidly growing field. Introduced in 2020, UNCW’s program is the first of its kind in North Carolina and among the first in the nation.

TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE

Course content connects four sectors of Esports:

  • strategists,
  • organizers,
  • content creators and
  • entrepreneurs.

The curriculum is based on the model developed by the North American Scholastic Esports Federation, gaming professionals and industry leaders to meet the needs of a growing Esports workforce.

Through coursework and applied learning opportunities, participants will grow knowledge and skills needed to lead Esports teams, create Esports and gaming content and media, incorporate Esports and gaming into education, and design and manage Esports programs and events.

View Student Learning Outcomes

Vibrant Student Organization

UNCW introduced the Esports Club in 2019 with the goal of bringing together a community to learn, play and teach electronic sports. In just two years, the Seahawk Esports Club has grown from four students to more than 500!

Students playing a video game on a projector screen

Esports Events

The Seahawk Esports Club fields teams that compete nationally at the club level, hosts campus and community events and works to establish connections with the local and statewide Esports community including other clubs, companies and schools.

Want to Join?
Dr. Pastore taking a selfie with students in the background

Esports Certificate Program

UNCW introduced an Esports certificate program in fall 2020 for individuals interested in gaming, streaming and exploring Esports career options, and K-12 educators looking to start an Esports program in their school or district. The program is open to both undergraduate and graduate students.

Students playing a video game on a projector screen
Youtube thumbnail of a combat video

Student Spotlight: Scott Swartz

Scott Swartz ’21, business major and Call of Duty Captain for the UNCW Seahawk Esports Club, was one of the first students to earn an Esports Performance and Management certificate at UNCW. In March of 2021, he was awarded a full scholarship by St. Edward’s University in Austin to play COD on the varsity team while pursuing his MBA.

Sample Courses

Sample Courses
MIT 470 Introduction to Esports
MIT 472 Streaming Audio and Video for Esports and Gaming
MIT 473 Esports Media and Content
MIT 498 Gaming and Esports Performance and Practice Internship
MIT 476 Esports and Gaming Capstone
MIT 150 Game Theory

View more Sample Courses >

 

See The Full Curriculum

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Esports PROGRAM DETAILS

Learn MORE about our 

INSTRUCTIONAL TECHNOLOGY PROGRAMS

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