Degree Overview: Bachelor of Science (B.S.) Degree in Hospitality Management
Majors Overview March 24, 2014Those interested in a career in management, business processing, and marketing to tourism, restaurants, and hotel industries should look at bachelor’s degree programs in Hospitality Management, also referred to as Hospitality and Tourism Management. The program combines hands-on work experience with classroom instruction to train future managers, supervisors, and executives in the hospitality industry.
B.S. Degree Programs in Hospitality Management
Students enrolled in BS degree programs in Hospitality Management are imparted management expertise aimed at preparing them for entry-level careers in business settings such as convention centers, gourmet restaurants, resorts and hotels. Students are imparted training in the software devised specifically for the hospitality industry, and can expect to become knowledgeable about the intricacies of industrial food production, as well as about state and federal sanitation laws. Schools may require enrolled students to choose one of many specialization or concentration options.
Marketing, human resources, finance, and operations would be featured under the expertise category, while hotel administration, gaming and resort management, and travel and tourism would be categorized under business options. It is possible to categorize these choices by area of expertise or business, which varies with the program students are enrolled in.
Education Requirements
While students enrolled in bachelor’s degree program in Hotel Management are required to meet very few educational prerequisites, a 2-year Lodging Management program is offered at high schools specifically targeted at juniors and seniors. Enrolled students are educated and trained in the principles of Hospitality Management. Graduates of the program are awarded professional certification and allowed to apply the credits earned towards earning a bachelor’s degree in Hotel Management.
Coursework
Apart from practical training in real-world professional environments, coursework may include topic areas such as:
•Hospitality accounting
•Customer service
•Hospitality marketing
•Hospitality law
•Commercial food production
Job and Wage Outlook
A negative job growth rate of 3% has been predicted for food service managers over the 2010-2020 decade (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS)); during the same period, lodging managers are expected to enjoy a positive job growth rate of 8%. The projections are attributable to the assumption that while restaurants and hotels will continue to be opened, fewer people will be hired with fewer services and amenities offered in new hotels. In 2012, food service managers earned an average annual wage of $47,960 (BLS), while lodging managers took home $46,810.