UAB Launches Alabama’s First Esports Performance Degree

News Summary

The University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) is launching Alabama’s first bachelor’s degree in Esports Performance Management and Coaching for the upcoming fall semester. This innovative program aims to equip students with skills for the growing esports industry, covering coaching techniques, health, nutrition, and performance management. UAB is also introducing a graduate certificate in esports, with further plans for undergraduate certificates. As esports continues to expand, this initiative highlights UAB’s commitment to developing career pathways in this dynamic field, along with an active esports team and community engagement.

Birmingham, Alabama – The University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) is set to become the first institution in Alabama to offer a bachelor’s degree in Esports Performance Management and Coaching, commencing in the fall semester. This innovative program comes as a response to the growing field of esports, aiming to equip students with the necessary skills for careers in this dynamic industry.

The new degree program is designed to provide a comprehensive academic approach for students interested in pursuing opportunities within the esports sector. The curriculum will focus not only on coaching techniques tailored for esports but also on the health and wellness aspects essential for peak performance in gaming. This arrangement emphasizes the importance of stamina, balanced diets, and overall mental and physical fitness for esports athletes.

To support this initiative, UAB has already introduced a digital gaming class that gained considerable traction by filling up immediately. This class will serve as a core course within the upcoming degree program, demonstrating an interest and demand for studies related to esports.

In addition to the bachelor’s degree, UAB has unveiled a graduate certificate in esports, with plans for an undergraduate certificate to follow. This expansion reflects the university’s commitment to developing robust educational pathways within the realm of esports.

The curriculum will cover a wide range of topics essential for success in esports, including nutrition, long-term sitting endurance, maintaining alertness, and developing hand-eye coordination. Students will gain insights into coaching strategies applicable to the esports environment, while also having opportunities to study relevant fields such as physical education, mass media management, and motor development. Elective courses will further enhance students’ experiences, offering subjects like sports economics and marketing.

Mass media communication classes will provide avenues for aspiring esports commentators and “shoutcasters,” broadening career opportunities related to esports and gaming. Graduates from the program will not only be equipped for roles in coaching and performance management but will also be well-prepared for further studies in physical therapy, neuroscience, or artificial intelligence.

UAB’s School of Education and Human Sciences, led by Dean Teresa Taber Doughty, is at the helm of this new academic venture. The program seeks to establish a solid foundation for students while ensuring that school counselors are well-informed about these new career pathways available for students interested in esports.

Moreover, UAB currently boasts an active esports team along with a student organization known as Good Games UAB, which focuses on esports and tabletop gaming. This active engagement within the community of gamers further aligns with the university’s initiative to foster a nurturing environment for students pursuing careers in esports.

As the growth of esports continues to gain traction, the establishment of this unique program at UAB marks a significant step toward legitimizing esports as a viable career pathway. Program designers anticipate that there will be less resistance from parents in recognizing esports as a legitimate field of study, paving the way for future generations interested in this arena.

For prospective students eager to learn more about the bachelor’s and certificate programs in Esports Performance Management and Coaching, UAB encourages inquiries through specific recruitment officials, inviting the next wave of students to explore this emerging discipline.

The announcement regarding the launch of the bachelor’s degree in esports was updated on May 7, confirming UAB’s distinctive position as the first institution to offer such a program in the state of Alabama.