CIP Code: 52.0901

The goal of the Master of Science in Hospitality Management is a business-focused hospitality degree designed to help students with hospitality industry experience rise to new levels. It provides the executive management, leadership and analytical skills needed to advance within the industry. The curriculum is designed to be experiential, and project orientated. There is a strong focus on the business side of the hospitality industry to prepare students to solve the real challenges of working at an advanced level as managers in a range of hospitality environments.

Managers must be able to express themselves clearly and compellingly if they are to serve as leaders in business, government entities, and not-for-profit organizations. Thus, the program has a strong emphasis on the development and demonstration of the ability to communicate effectively in both written and oral formats. Students are provided with opportunities in each course to develop and improve these skills.

On completion of the program, the graduate will be able to identify problems within an organization, specify the causes of the problems, develop an appropriate solution, and implement the change required. Further, graduates will be able to articulate their approach and findings clearly and effectively to both a technical and lay audience in both written and oral forms.

Of the 12 required courses to earn an MSHM, 2 common core master’s courses provide a survey of contemporary management and the inclusion of technology within every aspect of today’s workplace, 5 program core courses provide the tools necessary to address problems that face managers in a range of hospitality industry organizations, 4 elective courses comprise required and student-selected courses in a specific discipline or across disciplines, and 1 capstone course enables each student to develop an integrated final project.

It is expected that full-time students will take two courses per term throughout their programs. Due to the fact that most students opt to take one vacation term per year during their program, the normal program length is 24 months, and the maximum time students are given to complete the program is 36 months.