The Ric Edelman College of Communication and Creative Arts has a variety of academic programs within the college, from Sports Communication & Media to Radio, Television, & Film. 

However, the latest academic program that the college offers is Esports. The Esports program offers three undergraduate programs; a Bachelor of Arts in Esports that will require one concentration from either the communication, business, or computing aspects, a minor in Esports, or a Certificate in Undergraduate Study (CUGS). 

Assistant Teaching Professor Dr. Kacey Doran explained that the Esports major was founded to help students gain valuable skills in different parts of the Esports industry. 

“It connects all the different values and skills that we’re trying to help students that are interested in getting into the different parts of the Esports industry to help them gain those skills,” said Doran.

For this new major at Rowan University, the way that the classes are handled is very different from traditional classes. Esports Advisor Gina Gondos explained that all Esports classes are held online and generally the class size is between 15-25. 

“We do keep the class size relatively small, depending on the class,” said Gondos. “There could be anywhere from 15 to 25 students in a class. I can say with certainty is that those the five online communication courses. They run without fail every fall and spring and then pretty frequently in the summer.”

With the Esports major, there are multiple ways that students can find ways of meeting new people with the same interest in Esports through Localhost. 

Localhost is the first collegiate Esports venue for the Center for Esports and the Ric Edelman College of Communication and Creative Arts. Localhost offers 50 PCs and the capacity for the building to hold 300 people in the 7,100 square-foot area to host competitions for the Rowan esports team.

Aaron Talasnik, the Director of Marketing and Media for Nerd Street Gaming, said that Localhost was created to build relationships and friendships. 

“It’s a space for everyone to come and build friendships, build a community, build a place where they feel safe and comfortable doing the things that they love,” said Talasnik. 

For students who enjoy playing competitive games in the esports industry, Localhost is a hub for tournaments. 

“I think Localhost is a great place to host tournaments,” said Leah Thorpe, Rowan Sports Communication & Media student and intern for Nerd Street. 

One of the main reasons Localhost could be a hotbed for students is to hang out after class or play video games with their friends. 

“I think the most important part about Localhost is that it is a space for everyone,” said Talasnik. “From a casual gamer to a hardcore gamer, to someone who isn’t even sure if they want to game, but they’re curious about it, giving that to students is so valuable because I think a lot of students are looking for their home, right? Their home away from home and I think that’s what Localhost can and should be, and that should be the focus of it.” 

Within the Esports academic programs exists the Esports Club which hosts events at Localhost. TJ Wyskiewicz, President of the Esports Club, stated that he likes what Rowan is doing with being more creative with the CCCA with the Esports major.  

“I like what Rowan is trying to do with being more creative,” said Wyskiewicz. 

One aspect that the Esports major can provide is internships for students who are interested in pursuing it as their career and doing more cross-disciplinary work with different departments.  

“I am really excited to create more internships that stretch to the many different things that you can do in the Esports industry,” said Dr. Doran. “I’m excited to do more cross-disciplinary work with different departments and see if we can come up with new courses.”

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