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Students play games in the Hudson Valley Commnity College esports room.
Academics and Degrees for Esports

Gaming and Esports Degrees at SUNY

Gamers welcome

The State University of New York offers a wide range of degrees and programs to launch your career in the booming gaming and esports industry. Across SUNY's leading colleges and universities, you’ll find degrees in game development, digital arts, esports management, marketing, and more to transform your passion into a thriving career.

The video game industry is big business in the US and around the globe.

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Supports 350,000 jobs in the US (2023)

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Contributes $66B U.S. GDP

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190 Million Americans play video games

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3.2 Billion Gamers Worldwide

(https://www.trade.gov/media-entertainment-video-games-sector)

Male student competes in esports tournament at the Albany Capital Center.

Careers in Esports

The esports industry continues to grow and now includes many career options from professional gaming to management, development, and more, such as:

  • Professional Player
  • Content Player and Streamer
  • Esports Coach and Analyst
  • Game Development and Design
  • Marketing, Communications, and Public Relations
  • Sports Management and Event Planning
  • Business Administration
  • Media Studies and Production
  • Visual Arts
  • Computer Science and Cybersecurity

Gaming-Related Programs at SUNY

3D Digital Fabrication and Design
Advertising: Graphic Design/Computer Graphics
Animation
Animation, Interactive Media & Game Design (BFA)
Business: Sports & Recreation Management
Business Administration: Marketing
Show All Progams
Business Administration: Sport Management
Sports and Events Management
Business: Marketing
Coaching
Computer Applications Programming
Computer Graphics & Design
Computer Graphics / Graphic Design (AAS)
Computer Hardware/Software Design
Computer Programming
Computer Programming & Information Systems
Digital & Studio Art
Degree Level: Bachelor's

This program has an 18 semester-hour requirement that gives students a strong foundation in basic drawing, design and digital skills. It also trains them in art history and the critical language of art.

Digital Art
Digital Cinema
Digital Design
Digital Media
Digital Media: Web Production
Digital Media and Animation
Digital Media and Marketing
Digital Media Arts
Digital Media Production
Direct and Interactive Marketing (BS)
Esports Management
Event and Sports Entertainment Management
Event Management
Event Management (Online Degree)
Event Management (Online only)
Fitness & Recreation Management
Game & Interactive Design
Game Art
Game Design and Development
Game Programming
Game Programming and Design
Graphic & Media Design
Graphic and Multimedia Design
Graphic Design
Graphic Design (BFA)
Graphic Design (BS)
Graphic Design and Digital Media
Graphic Design & New Media (BA)
Graphic Design & New Media (BFA)
Graphic Design Technology
Information Technology: Applications Software Development
Interaction Design
Interactive Media & Game Design
Interactive Technologies
Intl Trade & Mktg for the Fash Ind (BS)
Intl Trade & Mktg for the Fash Ind (BS) (E/W)
Intl Trade & Mktg for the Fash Ind (BS) (Online)
International Transportation & Trade
Liberal Arts & Sciences: Sport Management Studies
Marketing
Media Arts & Digital Technology
Media/Art/Culture
Multimedia Production
New Communication Media
New Media
Physical Education & Sport Management
Programming for Game Design
Recreation & Sports Facilities Management
Recreation & Sports Management
Degree Level: Associate

This program allows students to tailor their course of study to suit their career goals in the areas of sports, recreation, and physical education, outside of teaching. Students can also earn their New York State Coaching Certificate and complete their educational requirements to become certified as a Recreational Associate with the National Recreation and Park Association. Graduates enter the workforce with hands-on experience in real life situations with community and regional partners.

Recreation Leadership: Sports Management
Social Media
Social Media & Digital Communication
Degree Level: Associate

This degree allows students to take a holistic approach to social media by engaging with viewers, considering a brand strategy, developing speaking skills, and incorporating video production skills. Coursework helps students develop skills to tell creative online stories that will connect with target audiences.

Sport Management
Sport Management (AAS)
Degree Level: Associate

This program prepares students to start a career in many entry-level jobs in the sport and athletic industry. Students enroll in sport-related courses and electives based on their career goals and complete an internship with a local sports or athletics organization.

Sport Management (AS)
Degree Level: Associate

This two-year degree prepares students to enter careers in coaching, fitness, and facility management. They can also pursue marketing, business, public relations, law, and broadcasting related to sports and athletics.

Degree Level: Associate

A curriculum of sport management, business and general education courses, combined with a valuable sport event experience, provides students with a solid foundation for sport management careers. This transfer program is designed for students who plan to transfer to four-year sport management or business programs. Graduates continue their education or pursue careers in athletic administration, sport/recreational facility management, coaching, and event management. They also work in fitness centers, recreation centers, and camps.

Sport Marketing
Sport Studies
Sports Studies
Sports and Leisure Studies
Sports Management
Technological Communications
Visual Arts & New Media: Animation & Illustration (BFA)
Visual Arts & New Media: Graphic Design (BFA)
Degree Level: Bachelor's

Through studio-based courses, students you learn to critique, evaluate, and create stunning visual solutions to a variety of problems and project briefs. The nine design-specific department courses cover icon design, identity and branding, exhibition design, service design, visual narratives, book and editorial design, packaging design, user experience and interactive design (UI/UX), front-end web development, typeface design, design history, design for sustainability, print production, and animated motion graphics.

Visual Arts: Electronic Media
Degree Level: Bachelor's

This program organizes its courses of study in three levels. The foundation level allows students to differentiate between authentic personal decisions and those dictated by social and cultural conditions. A tutorial level allows students to focus on creative problems connected with their personal decisions and to understand their relation to the decisions of others. The final critical level enables students to develop a quality control for the formal solutions of the projects and to relate them to the contemporary art context.

Visual Communication Technology: Graphic Arts & Printing
Degree Level: Associate

This program prepares students in all aspects of visual communications and graphic design. These include layout, production, typography, commercial print processes, illustration and computer graphics for entry level positions in graphic design, printing, publishing, desktop publishing, advertising, marketing, presentation graphics, game design, animation, multimedia, and communications. It also prepares students for successful portfolio reviews leading to acceptance to BA or BFA programs.

Visual Communications: Art & Graphic Design
Degree Level: Bachelor's

This program provides a comprehensive and relevant educational experience that prepares students to be real-life creative problem-solvers in traditional and emerging fields. Graduates possess valuable professional skills and technological competencies vital for succeeding in an evolving creative environment.

Wellness Coaching & Health Management

Follow SUNY Esports:

Get a sense of SUNY Esports by following our socials, watching the gameplay, and keeping an eye out for community matches, events, tournaments, and other opportunities to get involved.

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