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What Does a Career in Hospitality Management Entail?

One of the top ten biggest industries, among 48 states, is Hospitality, according to the “American Hotel and Lodging Association” (AHLA).

Dictionary.com defines the word, “hospitality” as, “the friendly treatment and reception of strangers and guests.”

Although this sounds similar to customer service, there is a difference. Customer service representatives aim to solve customer issues, where those in the hospitality industry are looking to accommodate guests who may or may not have issues during their stay.

Someone working in the hospitality industry would ensure that guests are made to feel welcome, comfortable, and important in their place of business. The ability to cater to strangers is one of the many good qualities one must possess in this industry.

A survey conducted by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) estimated that in the hotel and restaurant industries alone, there are more than 328,000 business, management, and financial occupations and out of every 15 workers, one is employed in the hospitality industry.

Business Degrees & Career Paths

Components of a Successful Career in Hospitality Management

Education and experience are the most important components of being successful in a hospitality management career. However, even with experience or hands-on training, you may not get your dream job right away, you will usually have to start at the bottom and work your way up by way of an entry-level position that you use to get your foot in the door. It may take several years to grow in this industry, but patience is a virtue, hold true and you will get there.

Once you’re in, you can start providing quality service to guests and work to gain your employers recognition, which can earn you a promotion to a higher-level position and so on. For example, someone who starts off as a desk clerk and does well in his/her job, will eventually move up to a chief room clerk, then an assistant office manager, office manager, sales and promotions manager, until they finally reach their dream job as a hotel manager.

How to Earn a Degree in Hospitality Management

What can you do with a Hospitality Management Degree?

The hospitality industry is filled with a broad array of exciting fields to follow, such as lodging, transportation, traveling, gaming, food & beverage, entertainment, event planning, tourism, and more.

If you decide on working in the hospitality industry, you may work for…

• Theme Parks

• Casinos

• Hotels

• Cruise ships

• Theatres

• Restaurants

• Convention centers

• Resorts

• Spas

• Airlines

Some of the occupations in the hospitality industry include:

• Hotel Clerks

• General Managers

• Convention Center Planners

• Maître d’

• Reservation Ticket Agents

• Bellhops

• Gaming Dealers

• Executive chefs

• Housekeeping (Maids)

• Cleaners

• Concierges

Typical Hospitality Management Degree Requirements

According to the BLS, a lodging manager can take one of three educational paths:

• Earn a bachelor’s degree in Hotel Management or Hospitality

• Get a certificate in Hotel Management or an associate’s degree

• Have a combination of a high school diploma and extensive experience working in a hotel environment

The BLS estimates that around 25% of all hotel administrators graduated high school, 20% hold an associate’s degree, and 28% earned their bachelor’s degree. Although achieving a higher education is not required, most employers will choose the job applicant with the most training for a position.

Not everyone jumps right into the hospitality industry and lands a job fresh out of school, as most employers want to hire someone with experience or at least on-the-job training. Therefore, it would be wise to take a part-time summer job or an internship while attending college and gain some experience.

Typical Hospitality Management Certifications Needed

Many colleges and universities offer graduate or undergraduate level certification programs in hospitality or hotel management with 4 to 10 courses (depending on the program) that usually take just one year to complete.

However, the Certificate of Hotel Administration (CHA) is probably the most valuable of all certifications. The recipient of this certificate is recognized among the top credentialed professionals in the hospitality field. To obtain the CHA you will need six months of work experience or a 2-year degree.

There are a number of educational elements necessary to be considered a certified hotel administrator capable of excellent job performance. Those seeking to receive certification in hotel administration must demonstrate their level of expertise and continue to sharpen and improve their skills while staying up to date in the field after they achieve the award. Generally, the skills that must be demonstrated are:

• Managerial excellence

• Organizational skills

• Analytics proficiency

• Administrative protocols

• Leadership; Ability to oversee professional individuals or groups

• Capable of ensuring operations run smoothly and standards are maintained

Academic Standards for a Hospitality Management Degree

There are several standards you will need to meet in order to obtain a degree in hospitality management. First, you must maintain a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of, usually, at least a 3.0 every semester. In addition, you may also be required to complete the following courses:

• Accounting

• Marketing

• Food & Beverage Management

• Administration

• Electronic Reservation Systems

• Maintenance

• Economics

• Housekeeping

You can get started in high school if you would like to get a head start, but first, you would need to find a school that offers the “Lodging Management” training program provided by the “American Hotel & Lodging Educational Institute,” which takes two years to complete.

Exam/Experience Needed for a Hospitality Management Degree

In order to earn a certificate, you will be required to take an exam. There are both graduate and undergraduate certificates available. You can study online but will need to attend an internship in-person. There will be similar topics and additional courses in a graduate certificate program that may include hotel business statistics, hospitality industry ethics, hospitality finance, front office accounting, etc.

If you wish to pursue a certificate offered by the “American Hotel & Lodging Association,” you will need exam preparation materials. You can complete the exams online, however, they must be taken under a proctor’s supervision.

For the CHS credentials, you can purchase a series of exam workbooks that cover topics such as staff scheduling methods and time management techniques.

Important Questions To Ask

How long does it take to earn a Hospitality Management bachelor's degree online?

Typically, it takes four years to obtain a bachelor’s degree in hospitality management; however, there are many ways to reduce that time, such as a fast-track or online distance learning programs.

How much does a Hospitality Management bachelor’s degree cost?

According to the “College Board” the average tuition and fees cost of a four-year bachelor’s degree program for in-state students is $8,655 per year and for those out-of-state students $21,706 per year. The cost at private institutions is even higher. However, each institution sets their own tuition cost, so you should do some research at the institutions near you or the online programs you are considering before assuming an institution is out of your financial reach.

Hospitality Management Bachelor's Degree Coursework

The coursework required to obtain a bachelor’s degree in hospitality management will equal about 60 credits of major classes and another 60 credits of general education courses. The courses for your major may include the following…

• Restaurant & Hotel Marketing & Sales

• Hospitality Financial Management

• Facilities Management

• Restaurant Management

• Hospitality Law

• Security

• Hotel Operations

Does the school have the major(s) you’re considering?

While declaring a major when applying to a college may be a good idea at some schools, as it shows you know what path you want to take, and you are committed to it, this can also lead to your status being compared to others who are interested in the same major. Thus, your test scores, math aptitude, and course rigor will go up against others applying for the same major.

Of course, declaring a major in a competitive field can complicate things at some schools, but it can also lead to some generous scholarship programs and financial aid for you.

Does the school have the major(s) you’re considering?

While declaring a major when applying to a college may be a good idea at some schools, as it shows you know what path you want to take, and you are committed to it, this can also lead to your status being compared to others who are interested in the same major. Thus, your test scores, math aptitude, and course rigor will go up against others applying for the same major.

Of course, declaring a major in a competitive field can complicate things at some schools, but it can also lead to some generous scholarship programs and financial aid for you.

Schools differ in the way they consider majors; some colleges may not even take the major you are interested in into account, thinking you are still too young to know what you want, as many students tend to change their mind later about the major they choose. In fact, it is estimated that 50-70% of students will change their mind and choose a new major at least once.

These are all good reasons why it is important for you to do some research first, ensure that the major you are interested in is available, and find out the policies the school has on majors.

How many students graduate “on time,” in four years?

There are many reasons why a student won’t get their degree on time as intended. One reason is that they might bite off more than they can chew by taking extra courses that they don’t even need to earn their degree and all it does is add time to graduation.

Some research found that a higher percentage of students who are undecided about what they want to major in and wait up to two years before choosing a major, graduate on time in four years. These first two years are mostly focused on completing general education courses and trying out a couple programs that you might want to major in, so this isn’t a bad strategy.

What kind of accreditation does the program hold? How is it regarded in the field?

There are actually two types of accreditation and two types of branches. The two types of accreditation are programmatic and institutional, and the two branches are regional and national. Institutional accreditation refers to accrediting the college or institution where programmatic accrediting involves accrediting programs within the institution. National accreditation tends to be awarded to schools who focus on student career success and Regionally accredited institutions focus more on academic success and teaching excellence.

Regional Accreditation

Regional accrediting is considered as the top form of accreditation. It covers both two and four-year institutions with degree-granting public, private, and non-profit institutions. Generally, regional accrediting organizations oversee almost 3,000 institutions and provide quality education to more than 17 million students in six regions of the U.S. that include:

• South

• North

• West

• Northwest

• Middle

• New England

National Accreditation

National Accreditation doesn’t only focus on a few regions; rather they focus on the whole nation (and internationally) and oversee nontraditional and specialized institutions nationwide such as:

• technical colleges

• online universities

• religious colleges

• vocational colleges

Even though national accreditation may be well regarded, it has its flaws and the main one is that some of the regionally accredited institutions will not accept course credits from nationally accredited institutions.

National accreditation also has two branches– career-related and faith-related. Career-related accredits most non-degree-granting, for-profit, and single-purpose schools that are career based. Faith-related generally oversees degree granting, non-profit, faith-based institutions.

Software/Technology/Skills Needed

In today’s world, information technology (IT) applications are vital to hotel operations, yet they are often not covered enough in hospitality program courses. However, hospitality schools aim to change that and provide students with the tools and skills necessary to help them succeed in a rapidly changing world of technology.

An in-depth literature review was conducted that involved collecting data from 110 professionals in the hospitality industry who were given a questionnaire to answer. The results of the study indicated that students attending hospitality schools need more training in the following areas:

• Using spreadsheet programs such as Microsoft Excel

• Using email systems that include Outlook Express and Thunderbird

• Using word processing programs like Microsoft Word

• Manners that are more efficient, need to be practiced when presenting data

• Using the point of sale systems in programs like Micros

• Analyzing numerical data with computers for SPSS and Excel

Degrees work like levels, after reaching one level you can continue your education to move up to the next. The order starts with associate’s degree, then bachelors, masters, and doctorate. Thus, the higher the level, the better the position you stand to get, but higher levels also comes with higher prices as well.

Students who attend college in their home state will see a significantly lower cost than those who attend school out-of-state. Additionally, it will also cost more to attend a brick-and-mortar school as opposed to taking online classes.

Associates Degree in Hospitality Management

The hospitality management associate degree program is broken up into two types: an associate of science in tourism and hospitality management and associate of science applied in hospitality management.

The science in hospitality & tourism associate degree program mainly focuses on event planning, cruises, and travel sales management principles. The applied science associate degree program focuses mostly on sanitation, food safety, hotel management, and hospitality accounting. Both programs require at least 60 hours of coursework, although some may require over 90 credit hours.

You can typically earn your associate degree in hospitality within two years of study both online or on campus, although some may offer part-time or accelerated programs that can help speed things up a bit. Part-time programs allow you to complete your degree coursework gradually. Moreover, the volume of coursework is more spread out with much lighter workloads than other programs.

Depending on the school, accelerated programs may take 12 to 18 months to complete and the coursework is heavier and more intense.

Cost Range

Cost can range from as low as $6,000 per year to as high as $45,000 annually.

ASSOCIATE DEGREE SAMPLE COURSES

• Hospitality Supervision

• Front Office Management

• Business Topics: including Accounting and Math

• Hospitality Legality

• Purchasing

• Facilities Planning

• Cost Control

• Marketing

• House Management

Bachelor’s Degree in Hospitality Management

The hotel management bachelor’s degree program is generally offered as a concentration in hospitality management. You will be trained in marketing, management, overseeing employees, organization, conferring with executive board members or hotel owners, quality control measures, making schedules, purchasing materials, training new personnel, creating marketing campaigns, setting or laying out budgets, developing profitability models, monitoring hotel security, and more to oversee hotels

The courses for hotel management will be combined with other courses like communications and business. Moreover, field experiences in lodging and internship opportunities may also be included in the program.

A typical bachelor’s degree program in hospitality can take 4 years to complete or you can take some of the faster routes available such as continuing your courses through the summer.

Cost Range

Cost can range from as low as $9,000 per year to as high as $60,000 annually

BACHELOR’S DEGREE SAMPLE COURSES

• Hospitality Ethics & Systems

• Operational Analysis

• Lodging Operations

• Industry Experience Intro.

• Organizational Behavior

• Facility Management

• Service Operations Management

• Legal Issues

• Human Resources & Personnel Management

• Information Systems

• Systems & Control in Foodservice

CONCENTRATIONS

Events and Conventions Coordination (Event management), Casino Management, Restaurant Management, Hotel & Lodging Management, Hospitality Law, Food Service/Restaurant Management, Recreation-related Industries, Club Management, Hospitality Financial Management, Restaurant & Hotel Sales and Marketing, Food and Beverage, Travel and Tourism Management, and Hotel Operations.

Master’s Degree in Hospitality Management

After you have obtained a bachelor’s degree in hospitality management, you can continue your education for another two years or more and earn your master’s in hospitality management. However, the UK offers programs to earn your master’s degree in hospitality management that can be completed in just one year.

A master’s degree in hospitality management is the best choice for those who enjoy putting a smile on people’s faces and ensuring their comfort in an environment away from home. It takes a professional demeanor to hold such a position with big responsibility involved. As a hospitality leader, you must possess soft skills such as leadership, communication, and problem-solving along with business and marketing knowledge, while having patience and tolerance. You could work for one of the top corporations in the industry such as The Hilton, and Marriot, or for major cruise ships, casinos, and more.

Studying at a post-graduate level for hospitality management will involve learning to assess alternative methods, approaches, and decision-making for issues that those in hospitality management are faced with most often. Although the teaching methods may differ between institutions, your curricula will most likely include a combination of lectures, seminars, web-based study, field trips, and work placement opportunities that will give you some on-the-job training and experience.

Cost Range

Cost can range from as low as $10,000 per year to as high as $90,000 annually

MASTER’S DEGREE SAMPLE COURSES

• Human Resources Management

• Investment Strategies

• Hospitality Legality

• Financial Accounting

• Leadership and Management

• Event planning

• Culinary Theory and Practice

• Facility Assessment and Operations

• Interpersonal Skills

• Finance

• Hospitality Financial Management

• Hospitality Marketing

• Managerial Accounting

CONCENTRATIONS

Asset Management, International Hospitality Management, Beverage Management, Event Planning and Management, Hotel Management, Hospitality Market Analysis, Restaurant Management, Hospitality Digital Marketing, Sustainability Management, and Hospitality & Tourism.

Because of the truth that the institution is recognized for focusing on the hospitality market, finishing from one of these management colleges can help bankability. Some area universities supply an associate level in hospitality management. There are typically two choices: the associate degree, which uses training courses in hospitality, along with general education training courses that prepare trainees to enter into the bachelor's program, or the applied associate level, which prepares students to relocate into their chosen occupation when university graduation.

The diploma/certificate option can either prepare grads with no previous friendliness background to swiftly go into the marketplace, or it can complement a person that currently has a hospitality history along with enhance their job possible customers and likewise bankability. A four-year college or university is the area to choose those that desire to run at a complete solution hotel chain or equal location.

There will additionally be an extra comprehensive degree of instructions in areas such as hospitality accountancy as well as likewise an advanced teaching fellowship. What should students look for in a kindness management organization? There are numerous factors that can make a difference when it pertains to developing the "list" of possibilities. Given that hospitality consists of several feasible places, such as food, holiday accommodations, visitor as well as likewise recreation, any type of sort of level in friendliness covers an instead wide collection of topics.

A vast selection definitely along with direction is valuable, whether a trainee comprehends exactly where they would certainly such as to operate or is not sure in addition to desires one of the most options used. Accreditation accredits that a used program and/or degree provides for a marginal degree of standard in addition to educational high quality criteria. The Certification Payment for Programs in Kindness Management has provided certification for a huge nonetheless marginal selection of hospitality programs.

Pupils that obtain the greatest class education and learning as well as learning worldwide can still gain from obtaining actual globe experience. Great deals of hospitality scholastic facilities have internship demands in order to complete the degree. All else being equivalent, a degree with more hands-on experience will certainly be a whole lot a lot more practical to a graduate as a result of the fantastic understanding opportunity.

Not all hospitality program trainees will definitely plan to research abroad, however given that hospitality is a global sector, the opportunity to take a look at in another country can be really helpful. This is particularly real if a trainee wants to focus on a restaurant or culinary focus. Some hospitality management degree programs enable students to obtain both their bachelor's as well as additionally master's degree in 5 years.

For students that recognize they wish to get an academic degree in the friendliness area, a joint program should certainly be very considered. The entire element of finishing in friendliness management is to obtain a job working in hospitality. A school's profession services workplace plays an important duty in aiding its trainees obtain postgraduate employment.

Hospitality Management Degrees is not only good for job security in the career world, but they also help build connections that can lead to promotion. Hospitality industry is always in demand. And since tourism and hospitality jobs are expected to grow 10% or more in the next decade, the hospitality industry is well positioned to succeed. So, if you're thinking about a Hospitality Management Degree, here are the top hospitals in the country that offer the courses you need.

The average Hospitality manager salary among top hospitality companies typically range from $55,000 to $75,000. Want to pursue a Hospitality management degree with Hospitality Studies or Hospitality Management Degree? Check out rankings of the nation's top colleges for Hospitality Management Degrees right now!

A Hospitality Management Degree program is perfect for those who have a flair for leadership and management, as well as those who enjoy working with the public. Hospitality management studies include interning at luxury hotels and restaurants, as well as onsite training at local community colleges. Hospitality management degrees are also offered online.

For many people interested in Hospitality Management, an onsite internship is a must. Internships allow students to gain hands-on experience in the Hospitality Management world. Internships at local community colleges provide an excellent venue for students to gain valuable real-world skills and experience. Hospitality Management students will also find employment opportunities in hospitality settings such as hotel chains. Many Hospitality management degree programs also offer placements during the summer months after graduation. Many hospitality settings offer internships that can be applied toward a Hospitality Management degree.

Hospitality workers enjoy diverse career opportunities. In the hospitality industry, hospitality workers may work in restaurant operations, at airports, theme parks, hotels, motels, cabins, and more. Hospitality workers may also serve as groundskeepers, housekeeping workers, bell boys, bartenders, concierge, and more. Hospitality workers may also choose to specialize in one particular skill, such as flooring maintenance, housekeeping, food preparation/kitchen service, childcare, bar tending, and more. Hospitality workers often enjoy long periods of leave from their regular job due to long shifts, high demands, and unpleasant working conditions.

Hospitality management degrees often teach students how to recruit, train, and hire guest workers. Hospitality management degrees to teach students how to effectively manage staffing levels in high-end establishments. Hospitality management degrees to teach students how to properly select guest workers, where to find qualified workers, and how to conduct background checks on potential workers. Hospitality management degrees can also be used to work on hotel projects, such as those that deal with construction or equipment. Hospitality management degrees typically require an internship or externship programs.

Hospitality and hotel management degrees are popular, but there are many options to complete these degrees. Some universities even offer online programs, which allow students to take courses at times that meet their schedule and obligations. For many professionals, earning a Hospitality and hotel management degree allows them to advance in their careers quickly and easily.

To get one of these Hospitality and hotel management degrees, you will need to take courses in business administration, public relations, and marketing. You will need to have experience in the hospitality industry, such as working at a local hotel or resort. You will need to be able to write clear, concise reports that are organized for effective management and communication. Your courses will include managerial and leadership skills, as well as business planning and decision making. Hospitality and day programs are ideal for you if you want to advance in your current job or start a new business that uses hospitality as its focus.

What Can I Do with a Hospitality Management Degree?

Hotels, Spas, Cruise Lines, and Resorts dot the map from coast to coast. The industry has become a major part of our economy. Some states even base much of their tax revenue on attracting tourists. Thus, it's very important that those who manage these Hospitality properties be fully versed in the issues their industry faces. A degree in Hospitality Management will help you launch a successful career with a hotel or some other part of the Hospitality industry. Considering that the perks of employment could include discounted vacations, who could possibly think of working anywhere else?

Fields of Study

• Travel Industry: In this field you might focus on running a resort or you could work for a company that focuses on providing travel itineraries or tours for tourists visiting faraway places. You may even end up planning the entertainment on a cruise ship. There are still plenty of options.

• Hospitality Marketing: Here’s another field where you’ll be able to branch out. You may end up consulting with a variety of hospitality endeavors as you plan marketing campaigns for each of them. You could market a specific hotel or resort franchise or work with a travel agency to prepare their offerings each year. Your imagination is the limit.

• Hotels & Resorts: This is one of the most enticing fields in hospitality. Not only do you have the chance to earn a fantastic living, but you could do so from exotic locales, with access to the most pristine beaches and wilderness in the world. These companies need experienced management when they are preparing for destination weddings and a packed summer getaway season.

• Casino Industries: This is a more specialized field, but you could still find yourself at a resort, in Vegas, or stashed away on a cruise ship that offers casino style entertainment. You might find yourself planning special events or searching for talented workers. You’ll need to stay on top of security for these locations too, with specialized fraud detection workers and a solid plan for if anything goes wrong. You aren’t likely to stop a heist, but that doesn’t mean it won’t be interesting.

Hospitality Management Careers and Salary

Between 2016 and 2026, hospitality management careers are estimated to increase by 4%, and from 2014 to 2024, the number of lodging managers employed will also increase by 8%, according to the Bureau for Labor Statistics (BLS). For lodging managers, the median annual salary was $47,680, in 2014.

Career Options for Hospitality Managers

• Restaurant managers are in charge of eating establishments where they hire and train staff, as well as create their schedules and keep pace with business demands. These professional leaders set standards for the quality of the food served at the restaurant and the services provided by staff and ensure these standards are met.

• Housekeeping Managers are in charge of overseeing all daily housekeeping operations along with hiring, training, scheduling, and ensuring staff keep up standards and regulations. They also set and maintain all quality standards, availability, and cleanliness — not only in public areas — but also in private areas as well.

• Hotel Managers have the responsibility of supervising tasks and leading staff at hotels. Their job duties include hiring, training, scheduling, and maintaining staff while ensuring hotel quality standards are met daily. They also oversee the maintenance of the hotel and assess the environment, create work orders, and coordinate service repairs when necessary to stay up to date. In addition, hotel managers are also responsible for payment processing and bookkeeping.

• Human Resource Managers have many roles in their organization relating to the company's employees that include: overseeing policies, compliance, and procedures. They ensure the employees' workplace is accommodating and harassment-free, handle complaints, recommend new standards for company policy, and maintain compliance with local, federal, and state laws. Typically, human resource managers also oversee insurance and work-related programs such as open enrollment, maternity, and sick leave, bereavement, retirement, and other arrangements pertaining to staff needs and fulfillment.

• Business Travel Sales Managers are generally employed by hotels. Their job is to market travel plans to companies for their employees contemplating business trips. This position entails marketing skills and strategies through written communication, oral presentation, and video productions. There are also some sales involved with this position.