Earning a Hospitality Management Degree
Hospitality managers oversee the operations of hotels, resorts, casinos, restaurants, and other event facilities. At its core, hospitality management focuses on the guest experience, ensuring that patrons feel welcome and comfortable.
A master's in hospitality management prepares graduates for advanced management positions. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that lodging managers earn an annual median salary of $54,430, but top managers in the hospitality field can earn six-figure salaries.
This guide ranks the best online master's in hospitality management programs for 2021. It also covers other important information for prospective students, such as common courses and scholarship opportunities for hospitality management students.
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Frequently Asked Questions Surrounding Hospitality Management
What kinds of jobs can you get with a hospitality management degree?
Hospitality management graduates can pursue management positions in industries like travel and tourism, event planning, hotels and lodging, and food service.
How long does it take to get a hospitality management degree?
Full-time students typically complete a master's in hospitality management degree in 1-2 years.
How much money can you make with a hospitality management degree?
Annual salaries for hospitality management graduates range from $54,430 for hotel managers to six figures for top managers.
What does a hotel manager do all day?
Hotel managers oversee the administrative functions of hotels, including budgeting, employee hiring, and general management. They also direct other employees to ensure hotels operate efficiently.
Why Get a Degree in Hospitality Management?
Master's in hospitality management programs build advanced skills in general business and hospitality. These programs prepare students for rewarding roles in diverse industries. Graduates often pursue mid- to upper-level management positions. They work as managers for major hospitality corporations in industries including tourism and travel, casinos, event management, hotels and lodging, and restaurants.
How Much Does a Hospitality Management Degree Cost?
Tuition rates for master's in hospitality management programs vary by school, enrollment status, and delivery format. In general, public schools offer more affordable tuition than private schools. Some public schools also offer in-state tuition rates to online students regardless of where they live. On average, graduate students pay around $30,000-$40,000 for a master's degree.
Colleges commonly offer reduced tuition rates to online students. Additionally, online students can avoid many of the expenses that on-campus students incur, such as housing and commuting costs. Online learning also enables students to complete coursework at home, which can reduce childcare expenses.
Online programs commonly cater to working students, offering flexible course scheduling. Many students can maintain full-time employment while in school.
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How Much Do Hospitality Management Majors Make?
Hospitality management graduates can pursue careers in fields such as travel and tourism, food service, hotels and lodging, and event management. Lodging managers make a median annual salary of $54,430, according to the BLS. In the event management field, meeting, convention, and event planners earn an annual median salary of $50,600, while administrative services and facilities managers earn an annual median salary of $96,940.
Master's in hospitality management graduates can also pursue upper-management positions in marketing, training development, human resources, and other key departments for hospitality companies. These positions typically provide high salaries. For example, human resources managers earn an annual median salary of $116,720, while training and development managers earn an annual median salary of $113,350.
Courses in Hospitality Management
Hospitality management master's degrees touch on business fundamentals, including marketing, economics, finance, and business law. Learners also study advanced hospitality management topics, such as hospitality service administration. Students often demonstrate their skills through a major final project, such as a capstone or a thesis.
Courses vary by program, but this list highlights three courses commonly found in master's in hospitality management programs.
Hospitality and Tourism Leadership
This course examines leadership theory and practice in relation to the hospitality industry. Students explore various theories and perspectives on leadership and its effect on organizational development. Topics may include communication, team dynamics, organizational behavior, and motivation strategies.
Hospitality Business Law
Hospitality management frequently intersects with laws and regulations at the local, national, and international level. This course focuses on topics such as employment law, contract law, licensing, and real estate law. Students often use legal case studies to enhance their understanding of real-world law applications.
Hospitality Marketing Management
This course highlights marketing strategies for hospitality organizations, such as integrated marketing and consumer trend forecasting. Students also learn how to analyze and evaluate the effectiveness of marketing strategies.
Certifications and Licensure for Hospitality Management
Hospitality management professionals can obtain certifications to demonstrate mastery of key industry skills and improve their career prospects. Certifications serve hospitality professionals at all stages of their career. This list highlights three popular hospitality certifications.
Demonstrating management and leadership skills, this credential typically serves managers with at least two years of professional hospitality experience. However, applicants with a college degree need only one year of experience to qualify for this certification.
This certification qualifies recipients to deliver hospitality training on safety procedures, job skills, and hospitality policy. Applicants must submit a current resume, job description, education history, and current certifications. Applicants must also pass a proctored exam.
This certification serves hospitality professionals focused on guest room or meeting space sales. Applicants need at least six months of relevant hospitality experience or a college degree.
Scholarships for Hospitality Management
Master's in hospitality management students looking to reduce their college tuition expenses can apply for various scholarships. Offering financial assistance that recipients never need to repay, these scholarships serve students pursuing hospitality programs.
Hospitality Management Scholarships
| Scholarship |
Amount |
Who Can Apply |
Doc Cohen Franchising Scholarship |
$1,500 |
The International Franchise Association offers this scholarship to students enrolled in hospitality or food service programs. Applicants must submit a 10-page business plan on a franchise concept they would like to own. |
NEWH Scholarships |
Varies |
EWH offers several scholarships to students pursuing academic programs in hospitality. Many scholarships include paid travel to award ceremonies and other industry events. |
Helen Brett Scholarship |
Up to $5,000 |
The International Association of Exhibitions and Events offers this scholarship to students pursuing academic programs related to events management. Applicants must submit a short essay, a current resume, and two recommendation letters. |
Online Master's In Hospitality Management Programs
#1 Online Master’s In Hospitality Management
University of Central Florida
- Orlando, FL
- 4 years
- Online + Campus
Learners attending the University of Central Florida can choose from top-ranked online master's programs in many fields, including hospitality management. With a variety of online offerings, the public institution enrolls 41,097 distance students. Busy learners often benefit from online programs' scheduling flexibility and complete academic requirements around their schedule.
The master's degree in hospitality and tourism management's rigorous curriculum helps degree-seekers develop transferable career skills while gaining advanced knowledge in hospitality management. Students can customize the master's curriculum based on their interests and professional goals. The online program prioritizes flexible scheduling and career-specific training. After completing the hospitality management degree, graduates land competitive roles in their field. The institution offers career services to help students and alumni locate professional opportunities.
In addition to career advising, learners can access financial aid counseling to ensure they explore all funding options. Affordable tuition rates and institutional funding make pursuing graduate studies easier for many learners. Students may also qualify for scholarships and fellowships.
Percent Online Enrollment
59%
Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
#2 Online Master’s In Hospitality Management
Florida International University
- Miami, FL
- 4 years
- Online + Campus
Degree-seekers can enroll in online and in-person programs from Florida International University. Learners who want to maintain full-time employment while earning their degree can pursue one of the school's online master's programs.
The institution's online master's degree in hospitality management benefits distance degree-seekers seeking career advancement in the hospitality management field. After earning the master's degree in hospitality management, graduates often qualify for promotions or raises. To help students succeed academically and professionally, the school provides a variety of support services, including academic advising and career counseling.
Online enrollees at the school pay affordable tuition rates and can apply for institutional funding to further reduce the financial burden of earning a master's degree. The institution holds accreditation, which means students can submit the FAFSA and determine whether they qualify for federal financial aid. Learners pursuing a master's degree can research additional financial aid options, including private scholarships and fellowships.
Florida International University Numbers:
Students Receiving Aid: 90%
Students Receiving Loans: 29%
Total Master's Programs: 96
Total Online Master's Programs: 96
Transfer Credits Toward Degree: No
Percent Online Enrollment
68%
Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
#3 Online Master’s In Hospitality Management
University of North Texas
- Denton, TX
- 4 years
- Online + Campus
The University of North Texas delivers online and in-person graduate programs from its Denton campus. The public institution's master's programs include an online hospitality management program for distance learners. Graduates often benefit from increased hospitality management career opportunities after earning their master's degree.
Graduate students work with faculty advisors while earning their master's degree and preparing for hospitality management careers. The program features a rigorous curriculum that meets high academic standards. Along with building core hospitality management knowledge, master's coursework helps students hone crucial analytical and leadership skills.
The school charges online learners affordable tuition rates, making graduate studies more accessible. Financial aid counselors help degree-seekers locate and apply for scholarships, grants, and fellowships.
University of North Texas Fast Facts:
Online Master's Programs: 85
Total Online Programs: 20
Number of Online Students: 19,118
Graduate Tuition In-State: $5,900
Graduate Tuition Out-of-State: $13,496
Transfer Credits Counted: No
Percent Online Enrollment
49%
Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
#4 Online Master’s In Hospitality Management
University of Nevada, Las Vegas
- Las Vegas, NV
- 4 years
- Online + Campus
The University of Nevada, Las Vegas delivers graduate programs in various fields. At the public institution, learners can earn their online executive master of hospitality administration. The hospitality management master's degree can qualify graduates for promotions to leadership positions.
In the hospitality administration program, faculty advisors work closely with graduate students. The program's rigorous curriculum provides foundational knowledge through core coursework. In addition to covering foundational hospitality management knowledge, the curriculum emphasizes career-specific analytical and leadership skills.
Learners pursuing their master's degree online benefit from the school's affordable tuition rates and can apply for institutional funding. Financial aid counselors help degree-seekers explore funding options.
University of Nevada, Las Vegas Fast Facts:
Online Master's Programs: 71
Total Online Programs: 10
Number of Online Students: 13,776
Graduate Tuition In-State: $5,459
Graduate Tuition Out-of-State: $20,510
Allows Transfer Credits: No
Percent Online Enrollment
44%
Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes
Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities
#5 Online Master’s In Hospitality Management
Johnson & Wales University
- Providence, RI
- 4 years
- Online
Based in Providence, Rhode Island, Johnson & Wales University educates graduate degree-seekers through in-person and flexible online programs. The private institution's offerings include online master's programs. Students enrolled in the flexible master's in hospitality management program often work full time while earning their hospitality management degree.
Master's students begin the online hospitality management program by completing core coursework. The curriculum also features advanced hospitality management coursework and elective options. Faculty mentorship, experiential learning opportunities, and electives help graduate students individualize the program.
After earning the master's in hospitality management, graduates often qualify for leadership positions. During their master's studies and after graduation, individuals can receive support from faculty advisors and career counselors.
The institution holds accreditation, which means degree-seekers can receive federal grants and loans. Learners may qualify for scholarships, fellowships, and employer-sponsored tuition plans. At the school, 50% of students receive financial aid to fund their graduate education.
Percent Online Enrollment
Not provided
Accreditation
Yes
New England Commission on Higher Education
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