Hospitality management is likely in the Travel and tourism industry, both industries are co-related in general. The study of hospitality management in the United States may be a good choice for those who want to enter the travel industry, or simply enjoy traveling. This course will help you understand the basic concepts of this field, as well as how to apply them in your career. You will learn about the different types of hotels, restaurants, and other service providers that make up the hospitality industry.

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What is Hospitality all about?

Hospitality is defined as an activity that involves providing services to others, such as food, lodging, entertainment, etc., with the purpose of making people feel welcome, comfortable, and satisfied that comes under hospitality programs. It can also refer to the act of welcoming guests into one’s home. In short, it is the practice of creating a pleasant environment for customers.

Hospitality management is an exciting field that offers great opportunities to individuals who wish to pursue a career in the hospitality industry. It is important to select the right college because not all colleges offer the same kind of education and facilities. Therefore, it is essential to research well before enrolling yourself in any hospitality management program.

The hospitality industry has grown rapidly over the past few decades and continues to grow at a healthy rate. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), employment opportunities in this sector have increased by 14 percent between 2010 and 2020 and have a good state for career goals.

The hospitality industry includes many subsectors, including:

  • Foodservice – Includes dining facilities like fast-food chains, coffee shops, bakeries, delis, cafeterias, and grocery stores; catering businesses that provide meals and snacks to business establishments, schools, hospitals, and other organizations; and restaurant chains that specialize in serving prepared foods.
  • Hotels and motels – These include hotels, inns, bed & breakfasts, hostels, resorts, vacation rentals, and other properties that offer accommodations to travelers. It includes the hotel management sector.
  • Lodging – This refers to any type of accommodation, whether it is a hotel room, motel room, apartment, house, villa, cabin, guesthouse, or other property where people stay temporarily.
  • Entertainment – This covers activities that entertain visitors as the best tourist destination, such as museums, theaters, concert halls, amusement parks, zoos, aquariums, cinemas, theme parks, sports arenas, stadiums, and casinos. It also provides some specific places for event management.
  • Transportation – This includes companies that provide transportation services, such as airlines, bus lines, taxis, limousines, shuttle buses, tour operators, car rental agencies, and public transport systems.
  • Travel and tourism – This category includes travel agents, tour operators, cruise ships, package tours, and travel websites.

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Why Hospitality Management in the US?

Hospitality Management helps in the development of skills required by an individual to work in the food industry. The courses offered by this program help students develop their leadership abilities, communication skills, customer service skills, and teamwork skills. Students can also learn about the history of the hospitality industry, how to plan events, and how to manage restaurants. In addition, they can gain knowledge about the role of food service operators and managers in the workplace.

There are several reasons why you might consider studying Hospitality Management in the United States. Some of these include:

Expeditious growth in the tourism industry: The global economy is experiencing a rapid increase in the number of tourists visiting countries all over the world. This is leading to an increase in demand for hotels, restaurants, bars, and other related services. As a result, there is a huge opportunity for individuals who wish to enter this field.

Doorway to the world: This course will give you an insight into the various aspects of the hospitality industry. You will get to know the different types of establishments that exist in the hospitality sector. Moreover, you will also get to understand the roles played by people working in the hospitality industry. Furthermore, you will also learn about the different career paths that one can take up after completing this course.

Career choices: After completing this course, you will be able to make informed decisions regarding your future career path. If you want to become a manager then you must possess strong interpersonal skills. Similarly, if you want to become a chef then you should have a good understanding of culinary arts.

Job prospects: After completing a hospitality management degree course, you can expect to find numerous job openings in the hospitality sector. Therefore, it is important for you to keep yourself updated with the latest trends in the hospitality industry so that you can secure a suitable position in the near future.

Being creative: Hospitality management helps you to improve your creativity level and give a clear understanding of management skills. It gives you an opportunity to explore new ideas and concepts. Thus, it helps you to come up with innovative ways to solve problems.

Flexibility: You can easily switch between different jobs within the hospitality industry. Hence, you do not need to worry about having a fixed career path. We can get a degree in hospitality management and we can work in different sectors of the hospitality management program.

Variety of employers: As mentioned earlier, there are several companies offering employment opportunities in the hospitality industry across the globe. Therefore, you can choose the employer according to your preferences.

Job security: As compared to other industries, the hospitality industry offers excellent job security. Due to its high demand, the industry has been growing at a very fast pace. As a result, it is highly unlikely that you will lose your job even if you face any kind of financial crisis.

Good benefits: There are many benefits associated with this course which help to encourage students to careers in resort management, lodging management, food service managers, hospitality professionals, club Management, etc. Some of them include free training courses, medical insurance, paid vacation leave, lodging operations, leadership positions, etc.

Flexible scheduling: The flexibility offered by the hospitality industry makes it easy for students to balance their professional and personal life as it has a wide variety of elective courses. Additionally, they can work at their convenience without worrying about losing their job.

Greater earning potential: Due to the increasing demand for skilled professionals in the hospitality industry, the salaries provided by employers are on the rise. According to the BLS, the hourly wages were $19.28 in 2021. However, the hourly wages increased to $19.35 in 2015.

Lack of competition: Due to the limited number of vacancies available in the hospitality sector, the competition among candidates is quite low. This means that you have a better chance of getting selected for the interview process.

How to Study Hospitality Management in the US?

You must first decide what kind of education program would suit you best. There are two main options available:

  • Online Degree programs
  • Onsite Degree programs

Online Programs: An online program allows students to enroll from anywhere in the world. They do not require physical presence at the school, but they still need to be able to access their classes via the internet. The advantage of online courses is that they allow flexibility in terms of scheduling. You can start when you want, finish when you want, and take them whenever you want. However, there are also some disadvantages associated with online learning. For example, if you miss a class, you will not receive feedback until the next lesson. Also, your instructor cannot see how well you understand the material.

Onsite Programs: An onsite program requires you to attend classes at an actual location. The advantage of this option is that you can interact with your instructors face-to-face. In addition, you have direct contact with fellow students who share similar interests. However, the disadvantage of onsite programs is that you may find yourself spending too much time commuting to and from campus. If you live far away from the school, you will probably spend most of your time traveling. Moreover, if you are unable to meet the academic requirements for graduation, you will not be able to graduate.

10 Best Hospitality Management University in US

If you prefer to study onsite, then you should look into the following schools:

1. American Intercontinental University (AIU)

American Intercontinental University offers both onsite and online degrees. It has campuses located in New York City, Los Angeles, Chicago, Dallas, Houston, San Francisco, Seattle, Boston, Washington DC, Philadelphia, Atlanta, Miami, Orlando, Phoenix, Las Vegas, Denver, Minneapolis, Columbus, Detroit, and Toronto.

2. DeVry University

DeVry University offers both onsite and distance learning programs. Its course offerings cover various majors including Business Administration, Computer Information Systems, Human Resources, Marketing, Accounting, Finance, Criminal Justice, Nursing, Pharmacy, and Engineering.

3. Kaplan University

Kaplan University provides both onsite and online degree programs. It has different programs in hospitality and tourism management. It has campuses located across the country including Nashville, Tennessee; Fort Lauderdale, Florida; and West Palm Beach, Florida.

4. Strayer University

Strayer University’s onsite and online programs offer numerous career paths such as business administration, computer information systems, human resources, marketing, accounting, finance, criminal justice, nursing, pharmacy, engineering, and healthcare.

5. Walden University

Walden University offers both onsite programs and online degrees. It offers degrees in hospitality and tourism management. Its onsite programs include a Bachelor of Science in Hotel & Restaurant Management and a Master of Arts in Hospitality Management.

6. Webster University

Webster University offers both onsite education and online degrees in hospitality and tourism. Its onsite programs consist of bachelor’s degrees in hotel, restaurant, and beverage management and master’s degrees in hospitality management.

7. Western Governors University

Western Governors University offers both onsite degrees and online certificates. It has several programs available for those interested in hospitality and tourism management including bachelor’s degrees, master’s degrees, and doctorate degrees.

8. University of Pennsylvania

The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania offers a variety of onsite and online degrees in hospitality management. Some of its programs include bachelor’s degrees and master’s degrees in hospitality management.

9. Florida International University

This college is located at Florida International University in Miami, Florida. The program offered by this institution includes both onsite and online courses. Students can earn an associate degree or a bachelor’s degree. Rosen College of Hospitality Management also offers certificate programs. These programs are designed to meet the needs of students who want to enter the field but do not have enough time to complete their undergraduate studies. Rosen College of Hospitality Management accepts transfer credits from other accredited colleges and universities.

10. George Washington University

George Washington University offers both onsite courses and online degrees in hospitality. The school offers a number of bachelor’s degree programs in the area of hospitality and tourism management. George Washington University also offers graduate degrees in hospitality management. Its online degree programs include a master’s degree in hotel and restaurant operations and a Ph.D. in hospitality management.

Duration of Study of Hospitality Management

The duration of study varies from one university to another. The minimum duration of study is two years while some universities offer four-year programs. In general, the duration of study depends upon the type of program and the requirements of the institution. For example, most colleges provide internship or practicum experience during the last semester of the program.

Admission Requirements for Hospitality Management Programs

Most institutions require applicants to submit transcripts of previous academic records along with test scores. Furthermore, they also ask for GRE/GMAT score reports.

Some schools may also conduct interviews before admission.

In addition to these, some institutions may also request additional documents such as resumes, letters of recommendation, portfolios, etc.

Job Outlook

After completing a bachelor’s degree in hotel administration, there are numerous career opportunities available. Some of them include:

  • Food & beverage manager
  • Club manager
  • Restaurant manager
  • Event planner
  • Travel agent
  • Sales representative
  • Marketing manager
  • Resort manager
  • Human resource manager
  • Accountant
  • Financial analyst
  • Business consultant
  • Administrative assistant
  • Office manager
  • Receptionist
  • Hotel manager