News Summary
The University of Alabama at Birmingham will introduce a Bachelor’s degree in Esports Performance Management and Coaching in the fall semester. This makes UAB the first university in Alabama to offer a dedicated program in the growing esports field. The curriculum focuses on health, wellness, and coaching skills specific to esports, building on UAB’s existing resources in kinesiology. With plans for an esports team and elective courses in related subjects, the program aims to prepare graduates for various career opportunities in the esports industry.
Birmingham, AL – The University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) is set to launch a groundbreaking Bachelor’s degree in Esports Performance Management and Coaching starting in the upcoming fall semester. This new program positions UAB as the first university in Alabama to offer an academic curriculum dedicated to the rapidly expanding field of esports.
Teresa Taber Doughty, the dean of the School of Education and Human Sciences, highlights the importance of preparing students for careers in esports through an academic lens. This initiative will also involve the establishment of a formal esports team and the necessary infrastructure on campus to support students and foster a competitive environment.
Prior to this announcement, UAB introduced an introductory class on digital gaming that quickly reached full enrollment. This class will now serve as a core course within the new bachelor’s program. Currently, UAB offers a graduate certificate in esports, with plans for an undergraduate certificate to follow.
The curriculum for the new program will focus on essential skills and knowledge specific to esports athletes’ health and wellness. It aims to tackle various factors such as stamina, nutrition, and overall physical fitness essential for gamers. Courses will teach students how to maintain alertness and enhance hand-eye coordination during extended gaming periods, emphasizing the physical demands of esports.
UAB’s existing expertise in kinesiology ensures that the faculty can offer strong support for esports-related courses. With the job market for esports coaching and related careers on the rise, the program prepares students with foundational coaching techniques and concepts related to physical education and motor development.
Students will have the opportunity to take elective courses in areas such as sports economics, marketing, and sports commentary. These electives will aim to enrich students’ understanding of the business and communication aspects of sports within the esports industry. Graduates of the program may find job opportunities in various sectors, including direct coaching roles, or further their education in fields related to physical therapy, neuroscience, or artificial intelligence.
As acceptance of esports as a legitimate career option grows among parents and school counselors, UAB’s program reflects a broader shift in societal perceptions about esports. This pioneering effort is being supported by students actively engaged in esports through the university’s existing esports team and the student organization, Good Games UAB, which is dedicated to both esports and tabletop gaming.
UAB encourages interested students to reach out for further information on undergraduate and graduate opportunities. Recruitment inquiries can be directed to Caran Kennedy for undergraduates, while inquiries related to graduate-level studies can be sent to Mary Frances Lembke.
The introduction of the Esports Performance Management and Coaching program at UAB signifies a milestone in Alabama’s educational landscape, ensuring that students are well-prepared to enter a burgeoning field that continues to attract a growing audience and increasing professional recognition.
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Additional Resources
- AL.com: Alabama College to Offer Degree in Esports
- Wikipedia: Esports
- AL.com: UAB’s Construction and Renovations
- Google Search: Esports Careers
- WBRC: Esports Program at JSU
- Google Scholar: Esports Education
- OTMJ: Vestavia Native Graduates from UAB
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Esports
- Learfield: UAB Athletics Multimedia Rights
- Google News: Esports Programs
Author: STAFF HERE BIRMINGHAM WRITER
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