The University of North Dakota will become the first university in the state to offer an undergraduate degree in esports, following recent approval by the State Board of Higher Education. UND joins a growing number of universities across the country that offer the degree.

Students will be able to start the new degree program beginning in the fall. In pursuit of the degree, people will study kinesiology, communication, business and computer science, among other subjects. The major will be offered online and in person following its fall semester launch.

The program will focus on competitive gaming, and arrives after two years of esports activity and development at UND, including the establishment of North Dakota Varsity esports. The varsity esports program features students competing against other students across multiple game. An esports coaching minor was put on offer in the fall of 2020.

Fighting Hawks enrolled in the esports degree program will also study such topics as biomechanics, exercise physiology and motor learning. Those courses will help tie gaming performance and esports coaching with well-established practices in the traditional sports world.

The program has a requirement for an internship experience, which will help connect it with UND’s ongoing varsity esports program. Dozens of students on campus already represent UND across a number of game titles including “Rocket League,” “League of Legends” and “Super Smash Bros.” for North Dakota Varsity esports.