Prospective hotel managers can choose from three specialized degrees: an associate’s, bachelor’s, or master’s degree in hotel or hospitality management. A bachelor’s degree is the minimum requirement in some markets, while a master’s degree can increase chances of promotion. Related experience is also important.
Prospective university students who want a career in hotel management can opt for one of three specialized degrees. The options are an associate’s degree, a bachelor’s degree, and a master’s degree. The programs are usually called hotel or hospitality management degrees, but sometimes a master’s in business administration is appropriate. These degrees can be studied full-time or part-time, and schools can offer programs through distance learning programs. Sometimes, a degree in a related discipline or extensive experience is enough to qualify someone for the position of hotel manager.
An associate degree – also known as a certificate or diploma, depending on the country – takes about two years to complete. This qualification can be obtained through distance learning or in a classroom-based classroom format. The degree alone is probably not enough to qualify a graduate to work as a hotel manager, because it is designed to teach the management skills needed in areas such as the front desk or the dining room. The degree, along with extensive experience, may be enough to land a job as a hotel manager, but prospective students have a much better chance of advancing their career with a bachelor’s degree.
A bachelor’s degree takes about four years to complete and can be either a Bachelor of Science (BS) degree or a Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree. Both the BA and BS teach business, marketing, finance and management skills. A bachelor’s degree is the minimum requirement in some markets for an interview as a hotel manager. Bachelor’s degrees can be completed online or in person.
A bachelor’s degree suitable for prospective managers can have multiple designations. These are hotel management, hospitality management, hotel and tourism management, and even international hospitality management. Qualifications are generally the same, except for specialization in some programs. For example, an international hospitality management graduate has more experience in the way foreign hotels are managed.
If a potential manager has a primary bachelor’s degree that is not relevant to hotel management, or if he wants to increase his chances of promotion, he may choose to pursue a master’s degree. Industry-acceptable master’s degrees are those specific to hotel management and degrees related to business administration. These degrees take one to two years to complete, depending on whether you are a full-time or part-time student. A graduate school may prefer to enroll students who already have a few years of experience in the hospitality industry rather than recent graduates.
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