First Esports Degree Pathway Program in NJ Created with Camden County College

On Nov 3, 2023

Stockton University’s Bachelor of Science in Esports Management undergraduate degree program, which debuted this fall, has joined with Camden County College’s Associate in Applied Science in Esports Production degree – the only one of its kind in the region – to create the first esports degree pathway program in the state.

“This program is a testament to our shared vision of providing high quality education and opportunities for the next generation of esports professionals,” said Stockton President Joe Bertolino during an articulation agreement signing on Nov. 1 at Stockton’s Galloway campus. “We recognize the potential of esports as a growing global phenomenon and the need for qualified professionals to drive its continued success.”

The schools worked closely to align their curricula so that it’s seamless for the students to complete both an associate degree and a bachelor’s degree in eight semesters, said Bob Heinrich, Stockton’s vice president for Enrollment Management. The university will accept Camden’s classes as course equivalents to satisfy Stockton’s requirements for an undergraduate degree.

“This partnership highlights both Camden County College’s and Stockton’s initiative to be at the forefront of new technology and to prepare students for new and emerging career opportunities — some of which didn’t even exist just a short time ago,” said Lovell Pugh-Bassett, president of Camden County College (CCC). “We are proud to offer this opportunity to students who have found their passion in the fast-growing esports industry.”

This is not a program “that just produces kids who play video games,” said Sarah Iepson, CCC’s dean of Liberal Arts and Professional Studies.

“This is a program that produces critical thinkers and students who have really powerful skills of analysis and thought, as well as these great skills in the world of business and marketing,” Iepson said. “It’s just a really phenomenal opportunity for our students.”

The partnership will also help create a “whole new caliber of student” that’s interested in an esports career, said Noel Criscione-Naylor, a Stockton associate professor and program chair of Esports Management. Criscione-Naylor said CCC’s focus on esports production provides students with extremely valuable technical experience on how to stream and broadcast events, and Stockton’s program will build on that.

“Not only are our students going to have the technical ability to maneuver as the industry emerges, but on top of that our students are going to have solid foundations in business, finance, marketing and event management that will allow them to enter the esports ecosystem in a way that no other student can today,” she said.

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