Benedict College to offer degree in esports

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Benedict College will offer a bachelor’s degree is Esports Administration this fall.

The new major, spurred by the popularity of recreational gaming, will include required core classes in esports and sports management, according to a news release from the Columbia school. Esports will be part of the Health and Physical Education and Recreation Department in Benedict’s School of Education, Health and Human Services.

“Benedict College has been carefully monitoring this growing industry, and our industry forecast was a key motivator in establishing the program,” Roslyn Clark Artis, Benedict College president, said in the release. “We believe our students will become leaders and decision-makers in the emerging ecosystem of esports. They will master a combination of skills related to planning, organizing, managing, budgeting, and marketing. They will not only be the best in gaming but the best in game design and management.”  

Paula Shelby, chair of the HPER Department, launched the school’s esports club a year ago.

“Our esports major seeks to prepare students to work in the Esports professional, collegiate, public, and private schools’ arenas, as well as recreational centers,”  Shelby said. “Our esports program of study also provides our students with a solid foundation for continued graduate studies in the sporting discipline.”