Hospitality management is also known as hotel administration, hotel and tourism management, and hotel management. Hospitality management studies combine the fundamentals of business management concepts and practices in tourism and recreation, food services, and contract services.
Hospitality management is a customer service oriented field. Strong management skills are required to ensure smooth functioning of operations in order to satisfy customers. Thus, a Master of Business Administration (MBA) in hospitality management is becoming a popular choice among professionals in the hospitality industry.
Master of Business Administration in Hospitality Management
A MBA in hospitality management program helps prepare students for senior level positions by focusing on problem solving, strategic business, data-driven decision making, and leadership development.
Online Hospitality Management MBA Programs
Nowadays, online degree programs are offered for working students who wish to maintain some balance in their personal, academic, and professional lives. Online students should have access to a computer that meets the technology requirements of their online program.
Curriculum
The curriculum of the program is developed to ensure relevance to industry demands. It comprises of leadership lectures, project collaboration with hospitality companies, a thesis for some programs, and specialization courses.
The following is an example of the courses students may take in their program:
Year 1
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Leadership and Development
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Strategic Hospitality Management
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Trends in Tourism and Hospitality
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Data Analysis and Decision Making
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Management Across Cultures
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Strategic Operational Management
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Hospitality Financial Management
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Budgeting and sustainability
Year 2
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Strategic Management
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Business Economics
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Pricing and revenue Management
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Tourism Destination and Event Planning
The specialization courses include:
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Corporate finance
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Hospitality real estate
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Investment strategies
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Consumer behavior
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Brand marketing
The above mentioned curriculum is common for many schools; however, there may differences in exact course titles, required classes, and specialized courses offered. For exact information, consult with your college advisor.
Career Outlook
After completing your hospitality management Master program, could for apply for positions in sectors such as accounting, food and beverage, business unit, consulting, human resources, purchasing, E-commerce, revenue management, rooms division, finance, and sales.
Some common hospitality management professions include:
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General Manager
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Operations Manager
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Lodging Manager
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Food Service Manager
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Room Division Manager
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Convention Services Manager
Lodging Manager
Median annual salary as of May 2012: $46,880 (US Bureau of Labor Statistics - BLS)
Lodging managers ensure that operations of their lodging facilities are run efficiently, so that the guests have a pleasant experience.
Food Service Manager
Median annual salary as of May 2012: $48,130 (BLS)
Food service managers ensure customer satisfaction in their dining experience. They handle the daily operations of the restaurants involving preparation of food, and its service to their patrons.
Operations Manager
Median annual salary as of May 2012: $96,430 (BLS)
An operations manager plans, directs, and coordinates operations of public and private sector organizations. His or her duties include formulating policies, planning the use of materials and resources, and managing daily operations.