Types of Hotel Management Courses
If you are interested in a career in hospitality, hotel management, tourism or travel, you can enroll in a professional training program at a hotel management college. Many of today's leading hotel management schools offer comprehensive degree and diploma programs in both offline and online formats, and prepare students for a career in the field of hotel administration, hospitality management, travel advising, casino and resort operations, and food service management.
Training Programs at Hotel Management Institutes
Some hotel management institutes offer specialized degrees and diplomas in the field of event management or restaurant management, while others offer more generalized programs of study. Many courses and classes can be completed online. Training programs typically include both classroom and hands-on training, and some schools have event centers or restaurants onsite so that students can get the practical experience they need to fulfill their training requirements.
Most hotel management colleges offer four-year programs, diploma programs, graduate degree programs and even PhD programs. Students may have the chance to gain experience through computer simulations, mock hotel and restaurant services, and by working at a local hotel or restaurant as part of their hotel management course of study.
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Some also offer programs in related fields, such as:
- Hotel and Motel Administration
- Recreation Marketing Operations
- Restaurant and Food Services
- Resort Management
- Tourism and Travel Management
- Hospitality Marketing and Operations
Types of Hotel Management Classes
Some of the most common types of hotel management classes that are part of a degree program or training program at hotel management institutes include:
- Hospitality Human Resources Management
- Hospitality and Tourism Marketing
- Guest Services Management
- Leadership and Strategic Management in Hospitality
- Hospitality Industry Finance
- Lodging Operations
- Restaurant Management and Operations
- Tourism Management
- Theme Park or Resort Management
Hotel Management Degree and Diploma Programs
Most of the courses in a bachelor's degree program are focused on hotel administration, economics, finance, and hospitality operations. Some employers prefer to hire graduates who have a master's degree.
Students interested in entry-level positions or those who want to complete a hotel management education as quickly as possible may choose to pursue a diploma program, instead of a traditional degree. A hotel management diploma program is an accelerated, two-year program that focuses on basic courses, including accounting, hotel maintenance and hotel operations.
Some colleges also offer hotel management certification for those who have completed an undergraduate degree in hotel management or a related field. The most commonly available types of degree and diploma programs include:
- Two-Year Associates Degree in Hospitality Management
- Bachelor's Degree in Hotel Management
- Bachelor's Degree in Hospitality Management
- Masters Degree in Hotel Management
- Masters Degree in Hospitality Management
- Certificate Program in Hospitality Management
- Hotel Management Diploma Program
Getting a Hotel Management Degree or Diploma
Most hotel management degree programs are available at the bachelor's degree level from major colleges and universities. Students need to have a strong business background and a passion for marketing, travel management, hospitality, finance and communications.
Many training programs require students to complete an internship and practicum component so that they can gain hands-on experience in the field. Students who have acquired work experience in the field may be able to find a job more easily immediately after graduation.
Career Options with a Hotel Management Degree
Hotel management diploma programs typically prepare students for entry-level courses in their field. Programs at the bachelor and masters degree level prepare students for positions beyond the entry-level, including supervisor and managerial positions. Popular career paths include positions as a hotel general manager, food and beverage manager, restaurant manager, lodging manager for a B&B, casino or resort manager, or casino beverage manager.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual wages of lodging managers were $45,800 in May 2008.
