Esports and Gaming Administration
- Overview
It’s the era of gaming, sports and entertainment all rolled into one—yes, esports has exploded into one of the hottest and most lucrative industries. Are you ready to take your passion and put it into action?
The global esports industry is estimated to grow at a rate of 400% in the next seven years to $4.28 billion by 2027, according to Data Bridge Market Research. The worlds 2.7 billion gamers are expected to spend nearly $160 billion on games in 2020 and projections surpass $200 billion by 2027. With such tremendous growth, the demand for professionals with the education and experience are inevitable.
People spend more time playing video games than they do participating in physical sporting activities, and esports are projected to become bigger than the NFL, NBA, MLB and NHL combined. Additionally, the NFL, NBA and many professional athletes are investing in the esporting industries as they see the lucrative growth potential.
The BA in Esports & Gaming Administration at William Peace University provides an opportunity for students to expand their knowledge and experience in the business and administrative side of esports as well as meet the technology needs in the industry. The degree will be available in Fall 2021. In this program, students will be prepared to manage and launch a conference, convention or large scale esport competition. They will also be well versed in the technology and logistical needs to support an interactive event. Learning about the IT integration, bandwidth, server connectivity that is required in combination with event management will ensure graduates can leverage their knowledge to be leaders in this lucrative and global industry.
Don’t stand on the sidelines and watch—expand your future with a BA in Esports & Gaming Administration with William Peace University.
The Simulation and Game Design Lab provides the technology and tools needed for students to expand their knowledge and application of gaming technology. Degree option available Fall 2021. - Courses
The courses listed below are for the Academic Catalog and are subject to change. Please reference the Academic Catalog for further information and course descriptions. If you are a current student, please reference the catalog in which you come under.
Bachelor of Arts in Esports & Gaming Administration
*While the majority of the coursework is taught by WPU faculty, note that a small number of courses will be taught online through our consortium partner, LCMC. LCMC offers a convenient way for students to gain access to specialized courses not taught at their home institution, helping them stay on track to graduate.
- Faculty
Assistant Professor of Simulation and Game Design
Department Chair of Art, Communication, and SGD; Associate Professor of Art, Communication, and SGD - Careers
Esports is one of the hottest industries with promising career and salary opportunities
Esport and Gaming Administration major focuses on learning the creative, analytical and business aspects of this exciting environment. Esport events, competitions, venues and league organizations are growing at a phenomenal rate, as well as the demand for talent to support this expanding market. A degree that encompasses these areas will enable you to be prepared for leadership roles.
According to Talent.com, entry level positions start at $41,050 per year, with an Esports Manager salary in the USA is $96,250. North Carolina salaries average $65,000 per year (ZipRecruiter). Job posting on Indeed for esport positions rose 43% during the first three months of 2020.
The esports workforce can include content creators, analysts, game designers, social media specialists, journalists, marketers, partnership managers, advertising and sponsorship, event managers, venue operators and technical support.
Insider Intelligence estimates that esports viewership will grow from 454 million in 2019 to 646 million in 2021, that is almost double from the 2017 audience of 335 million. The social component of esports with live streaming and gaming have elevated the interest and participation globally. The explosive revenue growth will lead to opportunities in career potentials.
Forbes has ranked Raleigh as the second-hottest city in the US for tech jobs and a tech hub to watch by VertureBeat. The Greater Raleigh Esports Local Organizing Committee (GRELOC) is supported and lead by an expansive group of local civic, sports and business leaders who envision Raleigh to be part of the growing esports and gaming industry. With top video game and esports companies having headquarters in the area, Raleigh is poised to provide a robust job market for talent in esports.
Potential internship and employment sites include:
- Epic Games
- IBM
- Icarus Studios
- Lenovo
- Red Storm Entertainment
- Ubisoft
- Insomniac Games
- Imangi Studios
- Limited Run Games
- Horizon Productions
- Lucid Dreams VR
- Raleigh Convention Center
- PNC Arena
- Pharaoh’s Conclave (Atlanta)
- Front Row Fantasy Sports (Charlotte)
- Scuf Gaming (Atlanta)
- CLT Sports (Charlotte)
