Information on Master’s Degree Program in Hospitality and Tourism Management
Majors Overview June 4, 2015This article talks about master’s degree programs in hospitality and tourism management and their education requirements, coursework, career choices, job and wage outlook, and continuing education choices.
Master’s Programs in Hospitality and Tourism Management
Students enrolled in master’s degree programs in hospitality and tourism management can seek leadership roles in resorts, hotels, and restaurants. The curriculum involves an examination of the marketing, development and management of hospitality industry organizations at the international, national and regional levels. Students enrolled in the program engage in the analysis of current investment patterns of restaurants, hotels, resorts, and cruise lines to identify potential tourism markets.
A thesis or research project is typically in the Master of Science (M.S.) in Hospitality and Tourism Management program. These programs give scholars the opportunity to participate in hands-on management or internship experiences in the tourism and hospitality fields. Incoming students can complete the program that involves 36-39 credit hours of study in just over a year.
Education Requirements
Admission criteria typically require incoming students to hold a bachelor’s degree in hospitality and tourism management or a related field. They may also have to submit a resume, three letters of recommendation and a letter or essay detailing professional and research goals. Applicants to some schools are also required to submit Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) or Graduate Record Examination (GRE) results.
Coursework
Coursework involves research of current issues in the tourism and hospitality franchise and is devised to teach students marketing strategies and hone their leadership skills. Core coursework may cover topic areas such as:
•Issues in hospitality and tourism management
•Tourism policy
•Strategic management
•Hospitality marketing
•Hospitality administration
Career Choices
Program graduates can pursue management and leadership positions in large international and regional hotel, restaurant and tourism corporations and franchises. They may choose from possible job options such as:
•Purchase director
•Hotel or restaurant general manager
•Marketing director
•Conventions manager
•Events manager
Job and Wage Outlook
Over the 2012 – 2022 decade, a slower-than-average job growth rate of one percent has been predicted for lodging managers (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics). In 2012, these professionals brought in an average annual wage of $46,810 (BLS).
Continuing Education Choices
Program graduates may pursue continued education by earning a Ph.D. in Business Administration or Hospitality Management that could lead to careers in academia or research or to administrative careers in hospitality and tourism franchises.
