Online MBA in Esports Management Degree
Qualify for High-Level Management Roles in Esports
100% Online
As few as 12 Months
36 Credit Hours
$775 Per Credit
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Gain an Edge in an Emerging Field With an MBA Esports
- Apply By: 04/27/26
- Start Class: 05/11/26
Whether you’re ready to launch your esports business or want to advance in an established organization, the fully online MBA in Esports Management will give you industry knowledge with an emphasis on practical applications. Shenandoah’s nationally recognized esports faculty will teach you to develop, manage and market esports business entities across digital platforms.
Use the skills you learn right away with SU’s remote practicum experience. In the practicum, you will engage with esports organizations across the globe to crystallize, integrate, further develop, and apply your knowledge. Plus, you can compete on the university esports team remotely throughout your MBA esports degree program.
Concentration Details
- AACSB-accredited MBA program
- No entrance exams
- 11-1 student-to-faculty ratio
- Curriculum developed by award-winning faculty
Learn From the EsportsU Collegiate Awards Director of the Year1
This AACSB-accredited program’s curriculum is developed by Alyssa Duran, an award-winning esports expert who also serves on the Competition Council for the National Association of Collegiate Esports.1 In addition to providing essential industry knowledge, the 100% online coursework also focuses on increasing access for women in esports, as players and administrators.
Combine specialized esports management expertise with broad-based business know-how when you join a university recognized by U.S. News & World Report for being among the best part-time MBA programs.2
Esports Management Required Courses
This course provides an in-depth examination of business aspects of the esports industry. Students will examine esports concepts related, but not limited to, marketing, revenue generation and economics.
This course teaches students how to start-up and manage a Esports business with an emphasis on practical advice and guidelines. The course also covers elements of finance, law and event operations relevant to Esports.
This course teaches students how to use digital media in Esports. Specific topics include content creation, online communication, streaming, social media, gaming platforms and brand development.
Shenandoah’s MBA core courses will strengthen your business fundamentals, giving you the versatile critical thinking skills necessary for a variety of upper-level roles. Deepen your understanding of data-driven decision-making, organizational leadership, internal business operations, international business opportunities and more.
View Program CurriculumLevel Up Your Career With an Esports Degree
As a Shenandoah esports student, you’ll learn about the business of esports firsthand as you collaborate and partner with esports programs and organizations around the world, travel to and work at live esports events, attend esports national conferences, and manage events in our state-of-the-art esports arena.
Upon graduation, you will be prepared for careers in esports management with interscholastic, intercollegiate and professional esports organizations.
Gaming Manager $97,000 per year3
Esports Manager $79,000 per year4
Learn from Industry-Experienced Faculty
Imagine participating in interesting conversations led by engaging professors who’ve already done what you dream of doing. You’ll be in a small class with professors who know your name, care about your success and provide advice as you pursue your academic and career goals.
Zander Merle-Smith, Lecturer in Esports, MBA in Esports Management
Faculty Spotlight: Zander Merle-Smith
Zander Merle-Smith received his Bachelor of Arts from Virginia Tech and an MBA with a focus in Esports Management from Shenandoah University. He has plans to continue his education with an EdD in the future.
His previous experience as a broadcast production lead, esports commentator, and event operations specialist has given him the background knowledge to prepare the next generation for the esports industry. Merle-Smith has also performed as on-camera talent for high school, collegiate, and professional esports events.
His contributions to esports education were recognized with the 2025 Scholastic Esports Awards – Educator of the Year.
Explore More MBA Concentrations
Pick the MBA concentration that makes sense for your career goals or skip the concentration altogether. In Shenandoah’s general MBA program, you can tailor your degree plan to your interests by choosing elective courses from a broad range of industry-specific options.
Sources
- Shenandoah University. “Shenandoah University Esports Welcomes Familiar Faces to New Roles in 2024.” Retrieved April 15, 2025, from https://www.su.edu/blog/2024/06/18/shenandoah-university-esports-welcomes-familiar-faces-to-new-roles-in-2024/.
- U.S. News & World Report. “Best Part-Time MBA Programs.” Retrieved April 14, 2025, from https://www.usnews.com/best-graduate-schools/top-business-schools/part-time-rankings.
- Glassdoor. “Gaming Manager Salaries.” Retrieved April 15, 2025, from https://www.glassdoor.com/Salaries/gaming-manager-salary-SRCH_KO0,14.htm.
- Glassdoor. “Esports Manager Salaries.” Retrieved April 15, 2025, from https://www.glassdoor.com/Salaries/esports-manager-salary-SRCH_KO0,15.htm.