Information on Bachelor’s Degree Programs in Hospitality Management
Majors Overview March 24, 2014Receive information about a bachelor’s degree in Hospitality Management and its coursework, career choices, and continuing education choices.
B.S. Programs in Hospitality Management (Travel and Tourism)
Schools frequently offer undergraduate degrees in hospitality management, travel and tourism, as Bachelor of Science (B.S.), or Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) programs; transfer students or industry professionals may choose to enroll in the Bachelor of Professional Studies (B.P.S.) degree program. Coursework in bachelor’s degree programs emphasize business knowledge pertinent to resort and hotel management and operations, including amenities management, promotion, marketing, personnel management, and financial planning. While some schools devise programs aimed at educating high school graduates, others are devised especially to meet the needs of non-traditional students and working professionals.
Coursework
Concepts in managerial accounting, facilities management and front office management are explored in Hospitality Management programs. Apart from coursework, the program may give students the opportunity to complete a hospitality project.
Coursework may include topic areas such as:
•Hospitality law
•Food and beverage management
•Purchasing fundamentals
•Tourism and lodging computer applications
•Hospitality or tourism marketing
Career Choices
The program is devised to equip graduates with the skills necessary for seeking occupations at different service-oriented establishments, such as banquet halls, convention centers, and resort and hotel properties. They may seek entry-level occupations with different travel providers, including cruise lines, tour or event planning companies, and travel agencies. They may choose from various career options such as:
•Tour sales and marketing manager
•Resort manager
•Travel agent
•Hotel events coordinator
Continuing Education Choices
Company-sponsored training programs are included within the working conditions relating to many hotel management positions (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS)). Continuing education is likely to benefit travel agents owing to the heavy reliance of the industry on technology, and consequently, agents need to stay abreast of the latest trends.
Graduate work may also be required in tourism marketing, travel and hospitality positions; often, this may translate into the requirement of a Master of Business Administration (M.B.A.) degree or a master’s degree in Marketing (BLS). Graduate degrees in Tourism Management, Hospitality Management or Administration, apart from other related disciplines, are also offered by many schools. Coursework may include subject areas such as financial management, hospitality marketing, organizational communication and human resource management.
