Esports management minor
With an expected 318 million esports enthusiasts worldwide by 2025, there is a growing need for trained Esports management leaders. The School of Kinesiology prepares students to be competitive applicants in the Esports industry and broader sport management field through our Esports minor. Within this program, students will better understand Esports athletes as well as how to manage Esports events and businesses.
Students will take a total of 15 credits to receive the Esports management minor. This minor has two primary Esports courses, described below.
- SMGT 3141 - Contemporary Esports Management: This course provides an overview of the Esports industry including an analysis of its history, development, and position within the broader sport management field. Upon conclusion of the course, students will understand the key stakeholders involved in Esports, as well as how esports will drive future innovation of the sports industry.
- SMGT 3181 - Esports Performance and Healthy Gaming: This course focuses on the emergence and challenges of Esports programs from a performance, health, and wellbeing point-of-view. Students will explore diversity, equity, and inclusion, corruption, and match fixing in Esports. They will also learn how to ethically develop Esports programs while ensuring the health of athletes.
You can also view the course catalog for a complete list of required courses and elective options, as well as a sample plan to see these courses applied to a student schedule.
If you're a student wanting to take sport management (SMGT) designated courses but need a permission number, please complete the permission number request form.
Be prepared for a variety of careers
Careers in Esports go beyond being an athlete. This minor supports other roles in the industry, including:
- Coach or referee
- Agent
- Event manager
- Graphic designer
- Journalist or broadcaster
- Communications and marketing specialists
- Public relations specialist
- Consultant
- And more
All University of Minnesota - Twin Cities students are invited to apply for the minor. To apply, submit the application form. Students will receive notice of their admission 1-2 weeks after applying. Please note, if you’re a non-CEHD student, the full admission process may take longer due to additional processing.
| Semester admitted | Application deadline |
|---|---|
| Fall semester | April 1 |
| Spring semester | November 1 |
Applying by the deadline ensures the minor will be on your record at the time of registration. Students are also encouraged to submit applications after the deadline. Applications submitted after the deadline will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the program is full.
Why earn an Esports minor?
Gain skills and expertise
Our Esports management minor will equip you with specialized skills and insights into the rapidly expanding gaming industry, opening doors to diverse career opportunities. You'll gain expertise in multiple dimensions of the Esports world:
- The athlete-side, focusing on how health and well-being plays a role in their performance
- The business-side, including the management of esports events, teams, leagues, players, and competitions
- The technology-side, specifically how technological proficiency plays a large role in the broader field of sport management
Have networking opportunities
In addition to being prepared for various careers in Esports, you’ll also being completing the program in a large Esports market. Minnesota Rokkr, T-Wolves Gaming, and Gopher Esports are some local Esport organizations.
The Gopher Esports team traveled to Michigan to play at the Big Esports Conference (BEC). Joining this team is a great way to network with peers and apply what you've learned from the Esports management minor.