Caldwell University Launches ‘E-Sports’ Degree Program

CALDWELLS, NJ — A university in Essex County has launched an “e-sports” degree program for students who want to turn their video game hobbies into jobs.

Last week, Caldwell University announced that it’s rolling out a bachelor of science program in e-sports management. The degree will help prepare students for careers in the electronic sports gaming industry with opportunities for employment in finance, marketing, event planning, operations and entertainment, administrators said.

E-sports – or competitive video gaming – is now followed by millions of fans across the globe and is an "explosive billion-dollar industry," CNN News reported last year.

The university is also embracing competitive video gaming in other ways. In the autumn of 2019, Caldwell University plans to launch its first esports team. And in the spring 2019 semester, the university began offering an elective in e-sports within the Business School’s Sport Management major.

The program is being offered within Caldwell University’s School of Business and Computer Science, which is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs. Click here for more information.

According to a Caldwell University news release, Newzoo, a global provider of games and global analytics, estimates that the global e-sports economy will reach $900 million in 2019, representing a 38% growth from 2018, with audience growth reaching 180 million in 2019.

“This is an exciting undergraduate program that will focus on the world of esports from the business and sport side of the industry,” said Professor Virginia Rich, associate dean of the School of Business.

“This growing industry is in need of professionals with business acumen,” Rich added.

Another Essex County school, Bloomfield College, held a soft launch for a non-academic e-sports program last year.

• See related article: Bloomfield College Launches Video Game 'Esports' Program

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