Education Options for the Hospitality Business

Nassau - January 12, 2012 (www.hospitalitybusinessnews.com - By Jenna Winkler) Whether you’re considering starting a career in the hospitality business or moving up in the field, you should consider the many education options available to you. Here is what you need to know about the various degree concentrations and types of degrees available in hospitality.

Degree Concentrations

Within the field of hospitality, it’s possible to earn a general degree or a specific one that focuses on a certain area such as restaurants or tourism. Here are a few popular hospitality degree options:

Hospitality Management – This is the main degree concentration in the hospitality business. It may be a unique degree or a specific concentration within a business degree. Courses generally follow a business curriculum with an emphasis on hospitality, with topics such as administration, finance, marketing, public relations, law, and strategic planning. Some programs may offer options to concentrate on a specific area within hospitality, such as restaurants, tourism, or event planning.

Hotel Management – Degree programs in hotel management or administration will focus more specifically on what it takes to run a successful hotel or resort. Classes will cover everything from hotel services and human resources to the laws and theories behind running a successful hotel.

Restaurant/Foodservice Management – Programs in restaurant and foodservice management cover both the business side and the food preparation side. Students will learn what it takes to manage a kitchen and create an appealing restaurant. These programs may also offer concentrations in wine and beverage  or pastry management.

Travel/Tourism – These programs cover the main aspects of hospitality management with a focus on travel planning. Many go on to become travel agents or managers of resorts, cruise ships, or casinos. Classes may cover topics on culture, travel law, airline systems, and tourism marketing.

Types of Degrees

There are several levels of education in the field of hospitality management. Each degree level takes longer to complete but provides you with more expertise to excel in the hospitality industry.

Certificate – Certificates in the various hospitality fields are available for both undergraduate and graduate students. These programs generally last one semester or one year if taken full-time, but they can also be earned part-time. Many schools offer certificates in certain fields, such as foodservice management, wine & beverage management, or event planning. Certificates are good for those who already have experience in hospitality and wish to gain more knowledge about a specific area.

Associates – An associate’s degree in hospitality is a professional degree for those who want to start a career in the field but don’t have much experience. The degree generally takes two years to complete and provides students with the management and leadership skills they need to succeed in the hospitality business.

Bachelors – A traditional four-year bachelor’s degree provides students with more in-depth studies of the nuances of hospitality management, along with the breadth of more classes in related fields such as business, finance, and marketing. Many bachelor’s degree programs also allow students to specialize in a certain area of hospitality as well as gain practical experience through an internship in the field.

Masters – Master’s degrees in hospitality are for those with a few years of experience in the field who want to advance their careers. Most programs will focus on management and leadership skills that help students rise to the top of their field as corporate managers, industry analysts, and owners of successful hotels and restaurants.

Online Degrees

Earning a degree online is a great option for someone already working in the hospitality industry who wants to keep their job and take classes part time. There are many advantages, such as the flexibility to take classes when you want, cost savings from taking classes at home, and the quality and variety of classes you can find online from a number of institutions.

This article was written by Jenna Winkler, who has worked in hotel management for over 20 years. She also owns the site Hospitality Management Degree for students interested in getting a degree in hospitality management.