How to Earn a Graduate Degree in Hospitality Management

Hospitality is a booming industry with career opportunities in many areas. From hotels and cruise ships to restaurants and night clubs, the hospitality industry covers a wide range of services offered to tourists and business travelers alike. Similar in nature to MBA studies, hospitality management prepares learners for high level jobs. Earn a graduate degree in hospitality management if you enjoy traveling, entertainment and providing excellent service as a manager.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

1. Know that just about any experience or education you've received either in tourism or business will benefit your career in hospitality. Realize it's about people, so if you are social or just enjoy helping people have a good time, hospitality is for you.

2. Use whatever knowledge you've gained obtaining your bachelor's degree toward a career in hospitality. Find that it's not necessary to have a four-year degree in hospitality or even business to get accepted into a program and earn a graduate degree in hospitality management.

3. Know that any related experience you get before applying and attending graduate school will be beneficial. Expose yourself to the industry, especially if you don't plan to attend graduate school for a year or so. Take a related course or check out travel agent short-courses. Work for a summer as a tour guide, or work part-time at a hotel.

4. Look for universities in your area that have graduate programs in hospitality management. Explore similar programs that may be entitled something a little different. Find out from a college adviser about schools offering such programs.

5. See university websites online where you can earn a graduate degree in hospitality management (e.g., "Cornell University School of Hotel Administration.") Check your school or local library for collections of college/university catalogues they may have available.

6. Choose a location, school and program that suit you. Get a hold of an application either online or via mail. Fill out your application and learn about prerequisites and other requirements for admissions to earn a graduate degree in hospitality management.

7. Make a plan for preliminary requirements and work that need to be accomplished before getting accepted into the hospitality graduate program you've chosen. Be patient since the application procedure usually takes some time. Know you might need to take the Graduate Record Exam (GRE) first, for instance, or you may have to take prerequisite courses. Talk to an adviser at the school you wish to attend.

8. Contact the school also to see what financial opportunities are available, such as teaching assistant positions or internships in hospitality. Ask your employer if they offer a tuition reimbursement program if you're already working in the hospitality industry.

Resources

• Check out the hotel school at Cornell.
• Discover information about the hospitality industry and job outlook.

Who Can Help Sponsored

• Earn your degree from industry experts at University of Phoenix. Take the next step in your career.

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on 10/18/2009 Sales Experience is a must to be successful in the hospitality business. It's about the people, but you have to know how to drive revenue or there is no need for the hotel. You can learn on-line how to succeed in hotel sales and contribute to revenue generation at www.aprinda.com

Another option is www.ecornell.com

The most successful General Managers have a strong hotel sales background