Stockton University announced this week it will be the first New Jersey public institution – and one of just a few in the country – to feature an undergraduate degree in esports, a burgeoning sector.

The Bachelor of Science in Esports Management will be offered beginning this fall through Stockton’s School of Business.

The university says the program will include:

• business fundamentals
• professional work experience
• a hands-on internship requirement, and
• educational work opportunities.

The degree will offer esports-specific courses, such as “Esports and Events Industry” and “Esports Event Production,” to prepare students for related-careers in the industry.

“As Stockton University has grown, so have its offerings related to hospitality, tourism, event management and business studies,” said Warren Kleinsmith, the dean of the School of Business, in a press release. “As a school, we strive to provide programming that is relevant and timely. This is one example of existing talent in our Hospitality, Tourism and Event Management programming seeing synergies between industries and building the necessary networks and curriculum to offer a highly competitive and academically rigorous degree.”

Kleinsmith added that students will graduate from the program with 300-plus hours of experience.

Leveling the playing field

The announcement follows a number of exciting developments for Stockton in this space. In October, the Esports Innovation Center (EIC) at Stockton University opened. And the school has made a name for itself in the esports community via the success of its Rocket League team, which finished second in the Collegiate World Championship last year and will compete again this year in early June.

Noel Criscione-Naylor, interim esports program chair, noted that Stockton does more than just play games when it comes to esports.

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“Our Bachelor of Science in Esports Management builds the transferable skills necessary to fill the esports ecosystem talent pipeline,” she said, adding that the esports team is part of a robust community at Stockton that supports students in the program. “Students enrolled in this program gain hands-on experience within the university’s esports student community, local professional esports organizations, and business partners including the Atlantic City Esports Innovation Center located in Stockton’s residential complex.”

Criscione-Naylor also stressed that the courses are designed to engage students in the esports community and are integrated with Stockton’s Hospitality, Tourism, and Event Management program. She believes esports has the potential to revolutionize and stimulate the local tourism industry and economy by attracting businesses.

“Esports has a direct connection to traditional hospitality centers, such as hotel, food and beverage, events and tourism,” she explained. “Although esports exists within the digital space, there is a demonstrated desire from institutions and gamers themselves to root these practices within a physical space.”

The efforts to grow the ecosystem include building relationships with esports professional associations and developing dual-credit agreements with high schools and community colleges around New Jersey.

“We have actively engaged with high school educators, esports leagues and associations, and industry partners to support students’ academic interests related to esports and create greater access to resources across the varying stakeholder groups,” said Criscione-Naylor.