collageBachelor’s degrees in hotel and restaurant management are 4-year programs that offer the management skills, financial knowledge and problem-solving abilities required to oversee staff and guarantee smooth operations at a tourism-related establishment. Most programs also require degree candidates to complete an internship or work-study experience at a local lodging or food service facility. Applicants need a high school diploma or GED to be admitted.
Bachelor of Science in Hotel and Restaurant Management
While enrolled in this program, students learn how to hire and train staff, make purchasing decisions, oversee a variety of personnel, handle payroll and more. They also study the sanitation and safety codes that hotels and restaurants must follow by law. Examples of other core topics include:
- Fundamentals of accounting
- Food preparation techniques
- Hospitality information systems
- Hotel front desk management
- Restaurant menu management
- Strategic marketing
The responsibilities of food and hospitality management give many professionals great satisfaction in their profession. Since we all depend on these services when vacationing, traveling for work, or simply enjoying a night out, hospitality professionals enjoy favorable prospects in the economy. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), meeting, convention, and event planners can expect an employment growth of 12% from 2016-2026, which is well above the national average of 7%.
So what kind of specialized education might you need in this industry? Obtaining a bachelor’s degree in hotel and restaurant management can help you on your way toward a food and hospitality management position. This piece gives you an overview of bachelor’s degree options in hotel and restaurant management, including how to pick the right program for you.
Should I Get a Bachelor’s in Hotel and Restaurant Management?
The ideal format for your bachelor’s degree in hotel and restaurant management depends on your needs as a student. Working professionals looking to switch careers usually prefer online programs for their flexibility. Many online programs come in an asynchronous format that works well with a professional’s busy schedule. A recent high school graduate with the intention of transitioning directly into the workforce; however, may prefer an on-campus program. On-campus programs generally offer more course options and greater ease of networking with faculty and peers.
A bachelor’s degree in hotel and restaurant management invokes knowledge in self-reliance, effective communication, and business literacy. Your communication skills allow you to effectively network with faculty and peers. Additionally, your self-reliance skills will impress your superiors in internships and jobs, which can lead to strong references for the future.
What Can I Do With a Bachelor’s in Hotel and Restaurant Management?
Your degree in hotel and restaurant management does not restrict you to the food and hospitality industry. A bachelor’s in hotel and restaurant management can also bring opportunity in jobs associated with corporate settings. Business and marketing knowledge can prepare you for marketing or sales management in a corporate environment. Additionally, this major often appeals to those interested in event planning jobs in hospitality and food services, corporate, and nonprofit settings.COLLAPSE ALLMeeting, Convention, and Event Planner
These experts arrange and coordinate all important details of different events and professional meetings. On a typical day, a meeting, convention, and event planner might communicate with catering and transportation services for events or travel to possible event locations.
Median Annual Salary: $48,290
Projected Growth Rate: 11%Lodging Manager
Lodging managers oversee the operations of hotels, motels, and other lodging establishments, ensuring guests enjoy their stay. Often, these managers work long hours and overtime, staying on call for much of the day to deal with different managerial issues.
Median Annual Salary: $51,800
Projected Growth Rate: 4%Food Services Manager
Food services managers run restaurants or other establishments. This fast-paced position involves ensuring customer satisfaction, directing employees, and completing tasks such as ordering inventory. This job does not usually require a bachelor’s degree; however, the bachelor’s in hotel and restaurant management business courses can help.
Median Annual Salary: $51,800
Projected Growth Rate: 9%
How to Choose a Bachelor’s Program in Hotel and Restaurant Management
Before choosing a hotel and restaurant management program, you should research each school’s program, keeping several important factors in mind. Consider whether or not the program allows students to take classes both part time and full time, as a working professional’s busy schedule may only allow them to take classes part time. How many years and credits does the program require? Remember that taking classes part-time extends program length, possibly costing you more overall. Only consider programs you can reasonably afford. Find out whether the program comes in both online and on-campus formats. Online programs can offer greater scheduling flexibility and lower tuition. Additionally, look into course offerings that interest you most.
Investigate whether programs include direct experience. The program may even culminate in a final project, which varies by school. Carefully consider the location of each school for on-campus programs or in case the program involves in-person elements. A lower cost of living for the area can seem beneficial initially but could entail lower standards of living. Investigate whether you could likely get a job in the area upon graduation, based on the economic climate. A tourist-oriented or major metropolitan area could offer many job opportunities for a professional with a bachelor’s degree in hotel and restaurant management. Strongly consider programs that offer specializations in potential areas of interest. Remember that not all programs offer specializations.
Programmatic Accreditation for Bachelor’s Programs in Hotel and Restaurant Management
Programmatic accrediting bodies maintain educational standards for specialized areas of education and training, such as law and medicine. Agencies like the American Bar Association ensure that all college programs in a specific field adhere to the same standards.
The Accrediting Commission for Programs in Hospitality Administration (ACPHA) handles programmatic accreditation for bachelor’s programs in hotel and restaurant management. Attending a program with ACPHA accreditation guarantees a quality education. If you do not attend an accredited program and choose to transfer, your prospective school may not recognize some of your credits, requiring you to repeat coursework. Additionally, some employers may not consider your bachelor’s degree in hotel and restaurant management valid if it lacks ACPHA accreditation.
Bachelor’s in Hotel and Restaurant Management Program Admissions
Only apply to programs that best suit your needs, and note that applying to an on-campus program may entail an in-person interview. However, admissions for online programs can be more complicated, as some online programs require admission to both the online and on-campus school. Nevertheless, the admission processes for both online and on-campus programs hold the same basic requirements.
Apply to between five and eight schools. If you apply to too many, you run the risk of becoming overwhelmed. Alternately, applying to too few could create problems if you do not get into your top choices. Only apply to ACPHA-accredited programs that offer coursework and concentrations of interest to you. A strong interest in each potential school prevents future problems if you do not gain admission to your top choice.
Prerequisites
- Minimum GPA: Most undergraduate programs require a minimum GPA of 2.0. Some schools may choose to waive this requirement if you show high SAT or ACT test scores.
Admission Materials
- Application: Your application asks for basic information about you and your academic plans. Completing applications typically takes about an hour each, though The Common Application allows you to apply to multiple institutions with one standardized admissions application.
- Transcripts: You need to include your high school transcript and transcripts from any previous colleges or universities attended. To obtain a transcript, fill out a request form and include fees.
- Letters of Recommendation: You may also need to include letters of recommendation with your application, preferably from previous instructors. Give your references at least two weeks notice prior to asking for a letter.
- Test Scores: Most college admissions require either SAT or ACT test scores. Score standards vary by school, but most look for those in the top 25th percentile.
- Application Fee: Application fees cost around $45 on average. Some schools offer waivers in the case of financial hardship.
What Else Can I Expect From a Bachelor’s Program in Hotel and Restaurant Management?
Bachelor’s in hotel and restaurant management coursework varies by school, not all offering the same electives or concentrations. Choose your program carefully if you think you may want to pursue a specific specialization after graduation.
| CONCENTRATION | DESCRIPTION | CAREERS |
|---|---|---|
| Concentrations Offered for a Bachelor’s Degree in Hotel and Restaurant Management | In this concentration, coursework focuses strongly on the food industry, unique considerations for managing workflow, and human resources issues in this field. Programs may culminate in an internship specifically within the food industry. | Food services manager |
| Meetings and Event Management | A meetings and events management concentration tailors to those looking to work as event, convention, and professional meeting planners after graduation. Coursework may include topics like event resources management, festivals, and meeting planning. Program may culminate in an internship specifically relating to meeting and event management. | Meeting and event planner |
| Sales and Marketing Management | This concentration equips students to work in sales and marketing management positions. Curriculum emphasis fluency in marketing concepts and skills in salesmanship and sales management. Additionally, the concentration may feature more math-related coursework, such as statistics and algebra. Program may culminate in a generalized hospitality internship. | Sales manager, marketing manager |
| Beverage Management | A beverage management concentration prepares students to work in bars in managerial positions. Coursework can include merchandising strategies for coffee, tea, and alcoholic beverages. Programs may require students to travel to wineries, craft breweries, and distilleries for in-person study elements. | Food services manager |
| Hotel and Lodging Management | This concentration is tailored to those interested in lodging and hotel management positions. Holders get a comprehensive overview of managing hospitality operations, both practical and business settings. Coursework may include hospitality accounting, loss prevention/risk management, and hotel sales. The program may culminate in an internship for a hospitality position. | Lodging manager |
Courses in a Bachelor’s in Hotel and Restaurant Management Program
The classes listed below represent standard coursework for most accredited programs in hotel and restaurant management. Generally, programs feature coursework geared toward business, marketing, and sales. Most also feature an internship or strongly encourage one prior to graduation.COLLAPSE ALLFood and Beverage Management
A food and beverage management course teaches learners how to successfully run a food and beverage establishment to build profits, manage workflow, and tackle unique problems in this competitive and fast-paced field. Learners build business skills through topics that include supply chain management, building customer loyalty, and analyzing operational data.Human Resources Management in Hospitality
Learners examine the unique human resources concerns in the hospitality industry, including effective goal-setting, planning, and workplace communication. Topics may include workplace violence, performance management, and effective discipline. Learners leave the course equipped to work in human resource management positions in hotels, restaurants, and other hospitality environments.Hospitality Marketing
A hospitality marketing course equips learners to successfully identify market trends and use this in analyzing operational data. Learners examine the discipline of services marketing and leave the course equipped to successfully market within the hospitality industry. Topics may include digital marketing, customer behavioral data, and services marketing communications.Advanced Hospitality Management
An advanced hospitality management course builds skills in managing hospitality finances, effective communication, and leadership. Learners leave the course equipped to develop a successful business model for a hospitality establishment and manage practical operational issues. Topics may include loss prevention/risk management, scheduling, and turnover issues.Internship
Many hotel and restaurant management programs culminate in an internship. Select an internship relevant to your career goals, such as sales, event planning, and hospitality management. The internship typically takes between six and eight weeks to complete.
How Long Does It Take to Get a Bachelor’s in Hotel and Restaurant Management?
A bachelor’s degree in hotel and restaurant management takes around four years to complete. On-campus programs often require more time to complete coursework than online programs. Some online programs may come in an accelerated format, which allows students to complete their studies in as little as two years. Degree completion programs require less time than regular programs.
Supervised internships and other direct-experience requirements can lengthen the time spent on a bachelor’s in hotel and restaurant management. Finally, the bachelor’s degree length varies depending on the number of credits you transfer.
How Much Is a Bachelor’s in Hotel and Restaurant Management?
Annual tuition at a four-year college or university can vary widely, running between $5,000 and $50,000. Public schools generally cost far less than private schools, with public schools offering in-state tuition. Additionally, you should also consider the costs beyond tuition: housing, transit, textbook, and technology costs. Many schools also offer a lower tuition rate for online students. The self-paced nature of online courses reduces time spent on the degree, and consequently reduces the cost. Learners on a budget should strongly consider pursuing an online bachelor’s degree.
Annual tuition for a bachelor’s in hotel and restaurant management degree varies depending on the school, though you can easily find many in an affordable price range.
Certifications and Licenses a Bachelor’s in Hotel and Restaurant Management Prepares For
COLLAPSE ALLCertified Hotel Administrator
A bachelor’s in hotel and restaurant management prepares you to take the test for CHA certification, which is available through the American Hotel and Lodging Educational Institute for a $100 fee. You must receive a grade of 70% to pass the CHA exam, which you may retake twice.Food Handler Certification
Jobs in food and beverage services require employees to take the food handler certification test administered by ServSafe. You need to wait 30 days to retake the certification exam if you do not initially pass. On your third attempt, you must wait 60 days for a retake.Food Protection Management Certification
Some jobs in food and beverage services require managers to take the food protection management certification test administered by ServSafe. The same retake stipulations stand for the food protection management certification as the food handler certification.
Employment Outlook and Salary Info
Lodging managers held over 52,600 jobs in the United States as of 2018, while food service operations managers held about 356,400 jobs, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). That same source stated that lodging managers were expected to have little to no change and food service manager positions were expected to show faster than average employment growth change from 2018 to 2028. In 2018, the median annual salary for lodging managers was $53,390 while restaurant managers earned $54,240 the same year.
Continuing Education
There are some advanced degree options available to graduates of a bachelor’s degree program in hotel and restaurant management. The most common type of degree offered at the graduate level is the Master of Science in Hospitality Management. This 2-year degree program offers students the opportunity to gain a more advanced understanding of management and business principles, as well as a broader overview of the hospitality industry. Students learn about advanced and emerging technologies in the areas of payroll calculating, reservations and employee training. Those with this degree can often use it to leverage higher positions and salaries as managers in the field.
A bachelor’s program in hotel and restaurant management includes lecture-based classes and hands-on activities in purchasing, personnel oversight, menu management and related topics. Entry-level work in the hospitality industry is a possibility for graduates. They can also go on to pursue master’s degrees in hospitality management.
What are the best hotel and restaurant management programs of 2020? Here are our top 5:
| Rank | School | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Florida International University | Miami, FL |
| 2 | The University of Alabama | Tuscaloosa, AL |
| 3 | Johnson & Wales University | Providence, RI |
| 4 | Texas Tech University | Lubbock, TX |
| 5 | University of Missouri | Columbia, MO |
Choosing a Program
Students in a hotel management bachelor’s program build interpersonal communication skills and business knowledge that allow them to serve the needs of customers and clients. Common course topics include financial accounting, strategic management, human resources, marketing principles, and hospitality services operations. After completing coursework in fundamental theories and best practices, students can take advanced classes, usually in an area of concentration. Online bachelor’s degree in hotel and restaurant management programs often offer subfields in marketing, office management, and special event planning.
Hospitality businesses become successful by making individual people happy. Since these customer service skills are vital, practical work experience stands as a crucial part of the best online bachelor’s degree in hotel and restaurant management programs. You should expect a capstone requirement, usually in the form of an internship. Depending on the program, you may be able to complete an internship where you live or at your current place of employment. Some schools offer summer placement options with their business partners.
What Are The Best Online Bachelor’s in Hotel and Restaurant Management Programs?
| 1 | Florida International University | Miami, FL | COST:$$$$$ | GRADUATION RATE: 58% | FIU serves about 58,000 students each year through various programs, including an online bachelor of science in hospitality management. Students can complete all of the program’s coursework online through the Canvas platform or take some courses at FIU’s Miami campus.The program’s 120-credit curriculum covers topics like commercial food production, lodging operations control, and hospitality analytics and revenue management. Learners can pursue a complementary minor such as hotel management or restaurant/food service management. Students round out the program by completing at least 500 hours of practical industry training.Applicants must submit ACT or SAT scores. FIU also offers a dual-degree track that enables learners to obtain a bachelor’s and master’s in five years.TWEET THISSHARE THIS | |
| 2 | The University of Alabama | Tuscaloosa, AL | COST:$$$$$ | GRADUATION RATE: 72% | UA powers distance education through its Bama By Distance program, which uses the Blackboard Learn platform. Undergraduate students can enroll in UA’s fully online bachelor of science in hospitality management program. Throughout the program’s 120-credit curriculum, students gain the skills needed to pursue careers in convention sales and marketing, food service management, and the hotel and resort industry.Program coursework includes principles of food preparation, catering management and quantity food, and employee recruitment and supervision. Students also delve into managerial accounting and computer information systems. Participants also complete a 500-hour internship.Applicants need a minimum 2.0 GPA. Individuals who graduated from high school at least four years before applying do not need to submit ACT/SAT scores. UA provides a variety of financial aid, including scholarships specifically for distance learners.TWEET THISSHARE THIS | |
| 3 | Johnson & Wales University | Providence, RI | COST:$$$$$ | GRADUATION RATE: 72% | Based in Providence, Rhode Island, JWU serves over 7,300 students, many of whom study online. JWU’s undergraduate offerings include an online bachelor’s degree in hospitality management. Distance learners in this program use the Blackboard platform to access 11-week, asynchronous classes. Participants may graduate in under four years.Major courses include strategic marketing, operations analysis, and dynamics of tourism and sustainability. Students also learn to manage the hotel guest experience, focusing on industry standards and quality control. Learners gain hands-on skills by completing an internship, and they can also expand their education by pursuing a human resource management minor.JWU offers four yearly start dates. Program applicants need at least two years of full-time work experience after graduating from high school.TWEET THISSHARE THIS | |
| 4 | Texas Tech University | Lubbock, TX | COST:$$$$$ | GRADUATION RATE: 60% | TTU is a public research institution that delivers over 300 academic programs. Undergraduate students can earn an online bachelor’s degree in hotel and restaurant management. This degree completion program targets students who already hold an associate of applied sciences degree, and participants can graduate in two years.Online courses cover topics like personnel management, marketing and sales, and strategic purchasing practices. Students complete 1,200 hours of hands-on work experience through labs and internships. They personalize their curriculum with 36 elective credits, choosing from advanced courses like wine tourism and lodging operations. The program delivers coursework asynchronously through the Blackboard platform.TTU’s bachelor’s in hotel and restaurant management program is accredited by the Commission for Programs in Hospitality Administration.TWEET THISSHARE THIS | |
| 5 | University of Missouri | Columbia, MO | COST:$$$$$ | GRADUATION RATE: 69% | Mizzou serves about 30,000 students through more than 300 academic programs, including a fully online bachelor of science in hospitality management that emphasizes hands-on business skill development. Requiring 120 credits, the curriculum consists of classes like hospitality law and strategic management.Students take advanced courses in their chosen specialty area, selecting from options like food and beverage management, conference and events management, and lodging management. Learners can also pursue a sport venue management track, learning to coordinate facilities maintenance and oversee live entertainment events. Students in all tracks must complete an internship.Mizzou offers spring, fall, and summer start dates. First-year applicants must meet minimum ACT or SAT score requirements that scale based on their high school GPA and class rank. Transfer applicants must have a 2.5 GPA or higher.TWEET THISSHARE THIS |
What Else Can I Expect From a Bachelor’s in Hotel and Restaurant Management Program?
Each online bachelor’s degree in hotel and restaurant management varies slightly based on specific coursework and the school’s teaching philosophy. For example, you might find more electives in a program grounded in the liberal arts, or an intensive capstone requirement at a career-oriented school. Even in a two-year program, students can customize their education through electives and concentration options.
Curriculum for an Online Bachelor’s in Hotel and Restaurant Management
Students pursuing a bachelor’s degree in restaurant management usually take the same foundational business courses regardless of the school they attend. However, programs vary based on departmental focus and faculty expertise. Do your research carefully. Don’t be shy when talking to the admission counselors at your prospective colleges or universities to ensure that the program you enroll in fits all of your academic and professional needs. Below are some common courses available in most bachelor’s degrees in hotel and restaurant management.
- Food and Beverage Operations: This class provides an overview of how to run food and beverage venues, including bars, restaurants, hotels, and catering services. Topics include sanitation, purchasing, menu creation, staff training, and liability concerns. Coursework often involves case studies and group work in the form of a project or presentation.
- Strategic Management: Another course which emphasizes collaborative learning, this class teaches students how to design, actualize, and analyze business initiatives. Students learn how to create strategies that promote efficiency and growth within an organization. The class usually culminates in original research or a project. Students also examine real-world scenarios using such tools as SWOT analysis.
- Conference, Meeting, and Event Planning: This course prepares students for careers as event planners, conference coordinators, and office managers. Topics include destination selection, venue management, travel arrangements, lodging, safety, and food service preparation. Depending on the nature of the program, the course may also cover seminar design and activities planning.
- Management Accounting Principles: Many of a hospitality manager’s duties involve careful fiscal planning. This class teaches students to manage money in a way that promotes growth while minimizing costs.
- Organizational Behavior for Hotels and Restaurants: Human resources is a fundamental part of earning a restaurant and hotel management bachelor’s degree online. This class trains students in the methodologies and techniques of team recruiting, training, organization, and reward. Workplace diversity is another common topic in the course and helps students cultivate a collaborative, innovative, and safe environment.
How Long Does it Take to get an Online Bachelor’s in Hotel and Restaurant Management?
Similar to other baccalaureate programs, bachelor’s degrees in hotel and restaurant management usually require students to complete 120 credits over the course of four years. More comprehensive programs, such as dual degree pathways, may take five or six years. Students who want to graduate quickly should examine schools that offer accelerated courses and summer sessions, which provide scheduling flexibility and enable you to take more courses each year. Additionally, an internship or practicum requirement may affect the length of a program, particularly if you need to travel to a specific location to complete it.
The structure of your online restaurant and hotel management bachelor’s degree also influences your graduation date. Most remote courses are taught asynchronously. However, a school may require you to take classes in a cohort, where you and a small group of peers progress through the program together, usually by taking one class at a time. While this is advantageous in some circumstances, it doesn’t allow for the same level of flexibility as individually paced learning.
Accreditation for Online Bachelor’s in Hotel and Restaurant Management Degrees
For colleges and universities to confer degrees recognized by employers, the government, and professional organizations, they must be accredited at the national or regional level. National accreditation means that schools have received recognition from an accrediting agency under the U.S. Department of Education (ED) or the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA). National accreditation ensures that schools meet certain academic and professional standards.
Regional accreditation is considered more prestigious and difficult to obtain than national accreditation. Schools receive regional accreditation from one of six organizations, depending on where they’re located. You should also consider program-specific forms of accreditation granted by organizations such as the Accrediting Commission for Programs in Hospitality Administration or the Association for the Advancement of Collegiate Schools of Business.
As a government organization, the ED takes charge of a school’s federal funding, including many loans and awards like the Pell Grant. The ED also ensures that the college or university follows national education mandates. Established in 1996, CHEA is a private nonprofit organization dedicated to ensuring the academic integrity of the more than 3,000 colleges and universities under its umbrella. CHEA also provides funding for research and advocates for the rights of its members. For more information on nationally accredited schools, go to the ED and CHEA websites.
Employment Outlook for Bachelor’s in Hotel and Restaurant Management
Bachelor’s in Hotel and Restaurant Management Salary
The table below aggregates salary information for careers in hotel and restaurant management. In all positions, salaries grow over time as employees gain more experience. Hospitality managers cultivate expertise primarily by working with their teams and interacting with customers, so it’s not surprising that more seasoned professionals enjoy a bigger paycheck. As with other industries, place of employment affects pay. A general manager of a hotel chain can earn more than one who manages a small bed-and-breakfast. Your level of education will also affect your salary.
| JOB TITLE | OVERALL MEDIAN SALARY | MEDIAN SALARY FOR ENTRY-LEVEL EMPLOYEES (0-5 YEARS) | MEDIAN SALARY FOR MID-CAREER EMPLOYEES (5-10 YEARS) | MEDIAN SALARY FOR LATE-CAREER EMPLOYEES (20+ YEARS) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hotel Manager | $46,972 | $40,591 | $46,880 | $58,870 |
| Restaurant Manager | $43,602 | $40,508 | $43,987 | $48,201 |
| Marketing Manager | $62,759 | $54,567 | $66,033 | $77,383 |
| Director of Events | $64,741 | $49,188 | $64,575 | $78,556 |
| Director of Sales | $87,372 | $56,269 | $79,060 | $110,892 |
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