What is a Master of Business Administration: Hospitality Management Degree?

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What is a Master of Business Administration: Hospitality Management Degree?

Hospitality, an industry encompassing travel and tourism, is among the fastest-growing industries worldwide. Hospitality managers are extremely important to the success of facilities such as hotels and resorts, and perform vital tasks from managing money to hiring employees. An MBA in Hospitality Management teaches students the skills of the trade and introduces them to the problems and issues specific to the tourism and hospitality industry through classwork, directed projects and research.

Admission to the Program

Many schools offer programs in hospitality management. These degrees can take from two to four years to complete. Admission is competitive and requires a bachelor's degree, good grades, letters of recommendation, and a personal statement. Although your major doesn't matter in this graduate program, classes in accounting, finance, marketing, and hospitality will increase your chances and preparation for the program.

Required Courses

Classes in an MBA program for Hospitality Management are designed to develop students' ability to apply business and leadership strategies to hospitality industry-specific situations. Courses may include:

• Business Communication
• Economics
• Food and Beverage Cost Control
• Front Office Operations
• Hospitality Facilities Design
• Housekeeping Management
• Purchasing and Inventory Control
• Real Estate Finance and Investments
• Resort Development
• Retail and Consumer Behavior
• Sanitation and Safety

Career Information

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), www.bls.gov, job growth in the field of hospitality management is expected to increase significantly faster than in the economy as a whole through 2014. Those with the best chances for securing good employment will be holders of graduate degrees, such as an MBA in Hospitality Management, and relevant work experience. The BLS estimates that median annual earnings in the hospitality management field start at about $35,000, while those at the upper end of the earnings scale make in the range of $75,000 per year.