Mount Royal University Faculty of Continuing Education & Extension's new Esports Management Certificate will position students for a role in this $1 billion business. Offered in partnership with the University of California, Irvine Division of Continuing Education, the program's overview course begins Sept. 7.
Esports - video games played at a professional and organized level - involves competitors, individuals or teams competing for prizes and championship titles. Fans around the world attend live events (at least they did and hopefully will again soon) or tune in online and on TV. The esports industry is driving global demand for professionals with the training and passion to manage this surging form of entertainment.
The MRU certificate's four courses offer practical communications and project management skills tailored to planning and executing an esport event. They will also explore the structures of an esports organization, providing an in-depth understanding of the industry and its operations.
"Esports is an exploding segment of entertainment requiring trained professionals," said Brad Mahon, PhD, Dean of the Faculty of Continuing Education & Extension. "With this program, students can go behind the scenes to get the management skills needed to be successful in an esports enterprise,"
"The instructors are passionate about esports and active in the esports community. Each one brings to the program years of experience in the field: they are excited to share their knowledge with our students."
Stephane Muller, Director of Business & Technology Programs at UCI Division of Continuing Education, says "Esports is a rapidly changing industry creating many career opportunities. To stay on the forefront of the industry and to be able to pursue a successful career in esports, one must develop a strong foundation through education.
"We developed the first professional esports certificate program in the world in 2018, have hundreds of graduates and provide students a chance to bridge into the field and be a part of this exciting community in a unique way. UCI is delighted to partner with a reputable university like MRU to educate the next esports professionals in Canada."
Victor Ly, an MRU Esports Program instructor and co-founder of the Alberta Esports Association, says rapid growth of esports is creating a demand for educated professionals.
"This is a great opportunity both for new and returning students interested in becoming leaders in an emerging industry, as well as for those within existing organizations and businesses seeking to incorporate esports. As esports grows in Alberta, it is creating opportunities to establish a proactive and sustainable ecosystem of businesses and communities to meet the growing demands."
Learn more about the esports extension certificate here.
