Hospitality degree programs vary in concentration, degree type, and delivery method. Students can specialize in culinary, hotel, or resort management, among other options, and earn certificates, diplomas, associate, bachelor’s, or master’s degrees. Programs can be conducted online or in the classroom and can be offered by public, private, or for-profit schools. It’s important to research each school’s reputation and accreditation before selecting a program.
Many colleges and universities offer a variety of hospitality degree programs. An important difference between the programs is concentration; students can focus on culinary, hotel or resort management, among other options. Another is the resulting degree type, as programs are available for certificates and diplomas in addition to associate, bachelor’s, and master’s degrees. In addition, programs can be conducted online or in the classroom and can be offered by public, private, or for-profit schools.
Hospitality degree programs can lead to multiple degrees. Bachelor-level programs usually take about four years to complete and culminate in a Bachelor of Arts (BA). Associate programs usually take about two years and can result in an Associate of Arts (AA) or an Associate of Applied Sciences (AAS). Master’s level programs are rare, but they do exist. Other programs allow students to earn certificates or degrees.
Most hospitality degree programs, especially those at the associate or bachelor’s level, allow the student to choose a focus, sometimes called a track or specialty. This can include a wide variety of restaurant-related focuses, including business management and front-of-house management, although these programs can be classified as culinary degrees. Other common focuses include aspects of hotel or resort management such as recreation, operations, special events and more. Certificate programs are often very specific in nature. Examples might include managing water sports, organizing activities for children or social media for hospitality.
In some cases, certificate and diploma programs may focus on tourism in general. This prepares students to work with tourism or travel agency boards rather than hospitality entities such as hotels. These degrees can alternatively be classified as tourism degrees, but fall under the category of hospitality at many universities.
The presentation of classes is another important difference between degree programs in hospitality. Some programs are offered completely online, while others are only offered in a traditional classroom setting. Still other programs are hybrids, meaning they combine classroom and online learning methods. Some programs include internship components, while others do not.
Public colleges and universities are those sponsored by a public entity, such as a government. Private and for-profit colleges are often owned by independent entities such as organizations, churches, or corporations. Any type of college can offer degree programs in hospitality. Some colleges, however, are better known in the industry and may be accredited or certified by recognized bodies. Students interested in pursuing degree programs in hospitality should research each school’s reputation and accreditation before selecting a program.
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