Gain a Competitive Edge in the Booming Esports Industry
New in Summer 2025, Point Park University's Center for Experiential Narrative Technologies and School of Continuing and Professional Studies offer a new online certificate program in esports program facilitation. Designed for educators, administrators and industry professionals, this course provides a comprehensive overview of esports, covering its history, structure and key stakeholders before diving into tournament management and financial operations.
Learn how to organize and execute successful esports events, from grassroots competitions to large-scale tournaments. Understand the money flow within the industry, including sponsorships, revenue models, prize pools and budget management. This program is perfect for those looking to fast-track their esports proficiency, equipping them with the essential knowledge and skills needed to integrate esports into educational settings, student programs and competitive organizations.
This four-course certificate program covers the following topics:
Course 1: Esports Fundamentals
Course 2: Esports Digital Marketing and Consumer Engagement
Course 3: Esports Coaching Skills
Course 4: Esports Tournament Planning
Enroll today and take the first step toward mastering the business and operations of esports!
Registration and Course Schedule
- The registration period is April 21 to June 25, 2025.
- The 7-week program runs from Mon., June 30 to Fri., Aug 15.
Topics Covered in Course 1: Esports Fundamentals.
Module 1: Intro to Esports Management
Module 2: Streaming, Esports Games and Franchises
Module 3: Esports Publishing
Module 4: Tournaments, Marketing, Feedback Loops
Module 5: Esports Athletes and Teams
Module 6: What's Ahead for Esports
Module 7: Esports and Education
Tuition and Refund Policy
- Tuition is $250 for each course, plus a 3.5% credit card processing fee upon registration.
- There are no additional costs or required materials.
Refund Policy
Students who register for a course, but do not open the course or begin any coursework, are eligible for a refund at the discretion of the department offering the course. Those seeking a refund must contact the School of Continuing and Professional Studies at SCPS@PointPark.Edu to begin the process. If your request complies with the cancellation policy, a refund will be issued to your credit card (within 45 days of purchase), or a check will be mailed to your home address.
Meet Our Faculty
Dr. Donald Marinelli (right) is the founding director of the Center for Experiential Narrative Technologies (CENT) at Point Park. He spent 31 years at Carnegie Mellon University, where he served as associate head of drama from 1981–1995 and co-founded the world-renowned Carnegie Mellon Entertainment Technology Center (ETC). During his tenure working with the ETC, he developed a connection with South Korea, where esports were born. He consulted with esports company and esports journalism leader Inven Korea to bring their company to the United States, where it became Inven Global. Marinelli teaches at multiple universities on the topics of technology and education.
Chris Gaul (left) has served as the director and head coach of Point Park's esports team for four years and is the assistant director of CENT. Before this, he was the director and head coach of esports at Northern Virginia Community College, developing an esports program for the second-largest community college in the nation. Gaul is a graduate of Allegheny College with a degree in economics and a minor in physics. Gaul has been involved in collegiate esports for a decade. Additionally, he has used his knowledge and background to build a curriculum and has served as an adjunct professor at Point Park teaching esports management.
Contact Us
Any questions regarding the program should be sent to the School of Continuing and Professional Studies at SCPS@PointPark.Edu