associate degree in hospitality and tourism management jobs

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Last updated: July 18, 2019

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12 Careers for Hospitality Management Graduates

Hospitality management degrees bring together the worlds of business and customer service. Students in these programs do more than learn to run a hotel or restaurant. They also gain basic accounting knowledge, develop their management abilities, explore the ins and outs of client relations, and more. Most graduate with a wide range of transferable skills, as well as a strong understanding of finance, culinary theory, human resources, organizational behavior, and business management.

With these qualifications, hospitality majors can find employment all over the world. Many work in resorts or other accommodation businesses, helping guests feel welcome and relaxed. Others manage flight centers, restaurants, or amusement parks. For a dedicated hospitality management major, the career options are endless! Let's take a look at just a few of the most common ones.

This article will be covering the following careers:

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1. Lodging Manager

Lodging management is one of the most popular career choices among hospitality majors. This role involves overseeing the core operations of accommodation businesses, like hotels, resorts, hostels, and bed and breakfasts. Lodging managers establish room fees, manage staff, balance finances, and even take charge of advertising and public relations.

Lodging Manager

A lodging manager is responsible for overseeing the operations and management of lodging establishments such as hotels, resorts, motels, or bed and breakfasts.

2. Tour Guide

Tourism is another exciting direction hospitality management students can pursue. Many become tour guides, helping visitors make the most of new museums, cities, historical sites, natural areas, and more. Their excellent social skills allow them to ensure their guests feel entertained and engaged. Their business knowledge, meanwhile, helps them stay on top of tour finances, sales, and marketing.

A tour guide provides assistance, information, and guidance to individuals or groups of tourists during their travels.

3. Food Server

Although many service jobs are entry-level, top positions are often held by hospitality majors. One such position is the maitre d'—the head waiter and public face of any restaurant. These personable professionals assign servers to tables, take customer reservations, supervise staff, and ensure all restaurant operations are running smoothly.

Food Server

At the heart of the hospitality industry's service sector, a food server serves as a linchpin, seamlessly connecting patrons with the dining establishment.

4. Event Planner

Many convention centers, resorts, hotels, and lodges host special events, like weddings and conferences. And each of these events needs a skilled event planner to take charge of organization and logistics. As event planners, hospitality management majors will manage budgets, create schedules, and arrange the entertainment, refreshments, transportation, and equipment needed to make the event a success.

Event Planner

An event planner specializes in organizing and executing various types of events, ranging from small gatherings to large-scale conferences and weddings.

5. Spa Manager

Spa managers play a similar role as lodging managers, but in a slightly different setting. They oversee all aspects of spas and relaxation centers to ensure the best possible experience for their clients. This can include hiring and supervising personnel, coordinating promotional campaigns, monitoring finances, and more.

Spa Manager

A spa manager is responsible for overseeing the daily operations of a spa, ensuring that it runs smoothly and efficiently.

6. Restaurant Manager

For more culinarily-minded graduates, becoming a restaurant manager can be an ideal fit. This career involves managing kitchen operations; ordering and monitoring inventory; hiring, scheduling, and supervising staff; and maintaining the highest quality of customer service possible.

Restaurant Manager

A restaurant manager oversees the daily operations of a restaurant, ensuring efficient and effective functioning in all areas.

7. Travel Agent

Another tourism-oriented career, becoming a travel agent can be a perfect next step for a hospitality student. Travel agents help customers book the flights, accommodations, and tours and experiences for upcoming trips. This can include researching different flight options or hotel rooms, proposing and adjusting travel itineraries, and recommending fun activities and restaurants for travelers to enjoy while away.

Travel Agent

A travel agent assists individuals or groups in planning, organizing, and booking various aspects of their travel arrangements.

8. Culinary Chef

For a true foodie, a career as an executive chef can be an exciting option. These top-level chefs are the creative masterminds behind a restaurant's culinary offerings. They plan and design meals, direct chefs and sous-chefs, and oversee the kitchen's operations to ensure the highest possible food standards. Hospitality majors have the social skills and customer awareness needed to thrive in this role.

Culinary Chef

A culinary chef is trained in the art and science of food preparation, specializing in creating and executing culinary dishes that delight the senses.

9. Concierge

Hospitality careers can be competitive. For recent graduates, obtaining an entry-level job, like concierge, can be a perfect way to get started in the industry. Concierges are at the center of any hotel or lodge's client relations. They help guests access local services, buy tickets to different tours and attractions, make dining reservations, and more.

A concierge is employed by hotels, resorts, luxury apartment complexes, or private clubs, whose primary role is to provide personalized assistance and services to guests or residents.

10. Human Resources Manager

Human resources (HR) is a core component of many hospitality degrees. With this qualification, graduates can pursue HR jobs in hotels, restaurants, casinos, and other hospitality-based businesses. HR managers are responsible for staff relations, a job that can include hiring and firing, resolving conflicts, administering paychecks, and much more.

Human Resources Manager

A human resources manager is responsible for overseeing various aspects of an organization's human resources department.

11. Flight Attendant

While a hospitality management degree isn't a requirement for becoming a flight attendant, it can be a major asset. Like many hospitality jobs, flight attending is all about providing the highest possible customer service. Flight attendants serve refreshments, answer passenger questions, and maintain the safety of the plane during takeoff, turbulence, and landing.

Flight Attendant

A flight attendant is a member of an airline's cabin crew who is responsible for ensuring the safety and comfort of passengers during flights.

12. Entrepreneur

Finally, many hospitality majors decide to create their own jobs. With their business skills and customer-focused work ethic, they can make excellent entrepreneurs. Some start adventure tourism companies, helping clients discover the wonders of the natural world. Others open restaurants, travel agencies, or bed and breakfasts. When it comes to entrepreneurship, there is no shortage of opportunities to explore.

Entrepreneur

An entrepreneur is an individual who takes on financial risks in order to create and manage a business venture with the aim of achieving profit and growth.

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What Is Hospitality Management? Careers, Skills, Salaries, and More

Discover examples of jobs in the hospitality industry, needed skills and education, and hospitality courses you can take to advance your career.

Hospitality management involves all the tasks and aspects associated with managing a hospitality business. These businesses focus on welcoming customers and providing them with pleasant experiences, whether through dining, lodging, events, entertainment, or travel. 

Take a closer look at how hospitality management is different from hotel management and examples of hospitality management career paths. You'll also discover the skills and education you may need to succeed in this industry, the job outlook, and how to get started.

Hospitality management vs. hotel management

Hotel management has to do with the lodging industry only, and hospitality management involves a variety of industries. Hotel management is a type of hospitality administration. You'll find that most hospitality businesses fall under one of five key categories:

Food and beverage

Meetings and events

Travel and tourism 

Career paths in hospitality management 

A background in hospitality management may open a variety of job opportunities. Here are some of the career paths you can take.

*All salary data sourced from Glassdoor June 2022

Hotel general manager

Hotel general managers use business, management, and interpersonal skills to oversee the day-to-day operations of a hotel, motel, lodge, inn, or resort. The various hotel department heads report directly to them, and they must have knowledge of all areas of hotel management. Depending on size, the departments within a hotel might include:

Food and beverage services

Front office

Housekeeping

Human resources

Information technology

Kitchen and food production

Maintenance and engineering

Marketing and sales

The level of education needed for a hotel general manager depends on the size of the business. If you want to work for a full-service hotel, you'll likely need a bachelor's degree in hotel management or hospitality. Smaller hotels will often hire general managers with an associate degree. Luxury hotels may require you to have a master's degree in hospitality management. 

Average annual salary (US): $67,918

Property operations manager 

In addition to mechanical and engineering knowledge, property operations managers need good organizational skills, a knack for time management, and an ability to work well individually. This position may also be referred to as a property maintenance manager. 

As a property operations manager, you'll conduct regular inspections on properties such as resorts or hotels. Inspections help ensure that the property’s appearance is up to standard and that all parts of the property are operating normally. You will either do maintenance and repairs yourself or supervise your maintenance staff members. 

You can take a few routes to get a job as a property operations manager after graduating from high school. Consider getting an apprenticeship, going to trade school, or getting a bachelor's degree in industrial engineering.

Average annual salary (US): $51,004

Restaurant manager

Restaurant managers perform all the tasks that ensure a restaurant runs smoothly, such as:

Hiring restaurant staff

Setting schedules

Dealing with customer problems

Overseeing food prep and plating

Ordering food and restaurant supplies

Special skills that might benefit you in this job include the ability to work under pressure, flexibility with your schedule, and good communication skills. 

To become a restaurant manager, you can get a high school diploma and work your way up to the position in a restaurant, or you can get a degree. Many restaurant management positions call for at least an associate degree in restaurant management or hospitality management.  

Average annual salary (US): $49,789

Front office manager

Front office managers are responsible for the operation of a front office. In the hospitality industry, this might be the front office of a hotel, a casino, an event company, or an eco-adventure business. Some duties may include:

Overseeing the front office staff

Record keeping

Answering phone calls

Interacting with customers 

Some workplace skills you'll need include an ability to communicate in person and in writing, good supervisory skills, and the capacity to work well under pressure. 

You'll need at least a high school diploma or the equivalent to become a front office manager and some experience working in a front office. Or, you can get an associate or bachelor's degree in communications, business management, or human resources .  

Average annual salary (US): $42,740

Director of housekeeping

A director of housekeeping is in charge of the housekeeping department in a business that provides lodging like a hotel or resort. Some duties include:

Hiring and training housekeeping staff

Managing staff schedules

Overseeing housekeeping needs for regular business and events

Helping out with cleaning tasks 

To get a position as a director of housekeeping, you might only need a high school diploma or a GED and significant housekeeping experience. However, some housekeeping director positions require an associate degree in hotel management or hospitality management.

Special skills needed for this job include:

The ability to work well alone or with a team

Superior customer service

Good time management skills

Average annual salary (US): $55,266

Sommeliers have a deep knowledge of wine and understand how to recommend and serve it to customers. Their knowledge of wine might include:

Types of grapes used to make wines

Where wine grapes are grown

Select wine regions around the world

The proper way to taste wine  

To become a sommelier, it helps to have experience in a fine dining restaurant as a front-of-house attendant. It's possible to work your way up to a sommelier position, but an educational program designed specifically for sommeliers can be an efficient way to learn what you need to know. Examples of two institutions that offer sommelier education programs include the Wine & Spirit Education Trust (WSET) and the Court of Master Sommeliers (CMS). The time it takes to get these certifications typically spans from about 18 months to three years.

Average annual salary (US): $60,908

Catering assistant

Catering assistants work for catering companies, which prepare and serve meals for events. Special skills needed for this position include knowledge of food preparation, food service, and food safety. You'll also need good time management and customer service skills . 

Catering assistant duties include:

Loading and unloading food and catering supplies

Washing, cutting, and peeling foods

Preparing salads and sauces

Setting up dining areas and buffets 

To become a catering assistant, you'll usually need a high school diploma or the equivalent and some experience working in the food industry. 

Average annual salary (US): $32,671

Travel agent

Travel agents plan different aspects of trips for travelers. Duties typically include conducting research and consulting with customers. They’re also responsible for booking flights, cruises, car rentals, hotels, tours, restaurant reservations, and event tickets. Special skills useful to travel agents include good verbal communication, time management, and the ability to work under pressure.  

To become a travel agent, you'll need a high school diploma or the equivalent and at least a few courses in travel planning from a community college or a vocational school. 

Average annual salary (US): $39,189

As a tour guide, you'll provide visitors or travelers with information about a particular place or a group of places. Examples include museums, government buildings, historic sites, parks, neighborhoods, and whole towns or cities. Additional job duties might include:

Collecting fees

Providing maps and brochures

Translating for foreign visitors

Giving briefings on safety procedures

Special skills that benefit tour guides include:

An engaging personality

Comfortable at public speaking

The ability to stay organized

Foreign language skills 

Average annual salary (US): $33,312

Event planner

When you're an event planner, you're responsible for the activities that ensure an event goes smoothly. Your duties often include:

Booking event sites 

Hiring caterers, entertainment, photographers, and other vendors

Consulting with customers

Overseeing staff

Negotiating vendor contracts

Supervising event setup and breakdown 

Important event planner skills include time management, the ability to work under pressure, and attention to detail.

While some event planning jobs require an associate or bachelor's degree in hospitality management. Several certifications may also help you qualify for more positions. A few examples include Certificate in Meeting Management (CMM) or Certified Special Events Professional (CSEP). 

Average annual salary (US): $41,189

Hotel marketing manager

As a marketing manager at a hotel, you're responsible for maximizing profits by boosting customer awareness and satisfaction. Duties typically include:

Managing hotel marketing staff 

Promoting the hotel through print, radio, video, and online marketing

Conducting market research to determine the needs of customers 

Building good customer relations 

To become a hotel marketing manager it's common to have a bachelor's degree in marketing or hotel management and have some experience in sales or marketing.   

Average annual salary (US): $54,579

Do you need a degree to work in hospitality management?

Whether or not you need a degree to work in hospitality management depends on the job. While a tour guide may not need a college degree, a hotel general manager often requires a master's degree. 

What skills do you need to work in hospitality management?

Having good communication skills, attention to detail, and proficiency in the technical skills specific to your job may help you succeed in hospitality management. Here's a look at the workplace skills and technical skills you will typically need.  

Workplace skills

Since jobs in the hospitality industry focus on giving customers enjoyable experiences, certain people skills are valuable. These often include:

Communication

Time management

Ability to multitask

Attention to detail

A positive attitude

Problem-solving

Flexibility

Technical skills

The types of technical skills you'll need for a job in the hospitality industry depend on the particular job. For instance, if you have a position as a front office manager, you may need to be good with numbers and have familiarity with accounting software. For an event planning position, you'd want to know about design, and as a hotel marketing manager, you would benefit from having a strong grasp of social media.

Read more: Hard Skills vs. Soft Skills: What’s the Difference?

What is the job outlook for hospitality management?

The coronavirus pandemic greatly affected the leisure and hospitality industry. In April 2020, jobs in the industry decreased by 48 percent, but employment has steadily risen since January 2021 and the industry has made a significant rebound to recover almost all of that employment loss as of March 2022 [ 1 ]. This is especially true for the private industry, as opposed to government employers. Therefore, the job outlook appears relatively bright.  

To pursue your interest in a career in hospitality management, here are a few ways to get started:

Consider an internship or an entry-level job in the hospitality industry to determine if it's a good fit for you.

Identify if you have special knowledge or skills that would transfer to a hospitality management position.

Get a better understanding of the industry by taking a few hospitality courses. 

If you're interested in being a general manager, front office manager, or marketing manager in a hotel, check out this hotel management specialization offered by ESSEC Business School on Coursera. If the travel and tourism industry is more to your liking, you might be interested in a course on sustainable tourism from the University of Copenhagen. 

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Article sources

1. US Travel Association. " Leisure and Hospitality Employment Update , https://www.ustravel.org/sites/default/files/2022-03/leisure-hospitality-employment _march-2022-update.pdf." Accessed March 30, 2022.

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This content has been made available for informational purposes only. Learners are advised to conduct additional research to ensure that courses and other credentials pursued meet their personal, professional, and financial goals.

Hospitality Management Degrees

Top Resources for Aspiring Hospitality Management Professionals

What Can I Do With an Associates in Hospitality Management?

First off: what is hospitality management.

Hospitality is a long-standing tradition in many cultures. Across the United States, hospitality is as diverse as the landscape. Tourism changes with location- whether winding your way through historic cities and towns that dot the east coast or hiking the Rockies and surfing the Pacific on the West Coast, there’s something for everyone to explore. The people in the U.S. are equally diverse bringing with them traditional and fused culinary traditions passed down through generations. The restaurant industry booms in cities like New Orleans, San Francisco, and Chicago. Regionally speaking, there’s something unique to discover in even the most remote locations. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics leisure and hospitality is the third fastest growing industry only after health care and business. This means that a wide-range of professions are open to individuals with an entrepreneurial spirit and a flare for the creative. Whether running a restaurant or hotel or planning events, hospitality management careers span a wide spectrum. Let’s take a look at the hospitality management career gambit below!

Hospitality Management Trends

Under the bracket of hospitality management there’s so much opportunity. Once upon a time the term hospitality was centered around hotels, and though hospitality management most certainly includes hotel management, the industry has blossomed to include so much more. One of the reasons is of course the changing times and how that has impacted the industry. Let’s take a quick glance at what influences change in the industry.

• Technology: with so many individuals taking matters into their own hands they are free to work wherever and whenever. Restaurants, cafes, hotels, and bed and breakfasts fill up with savvy and innovative individuals. As a result, the industry has upgraded-offering better quality equipment, high speed internet, and more. Technology doesn’t just mean computers, it also ties in with travel and tourism. We’re about to make it from New York to Shanghai in 39 minutes so the tourism industry is going to have to brace for impact!
• Millenials: According to research at the SC Johnson College of Business at Cornell University, Millenial behavior will change how restaurants, hotels, night clubs and more offer various packages. For instance, if catering to a group of people who make many and varied spontaneous decisions, restaurants may want to include an in-house bar, and bars may want to allow for the delivery of services like Uber Eats etc.. When considering discounts on travel, marketers may focus on the ever-evolving rather than the original “tried and true” market of decades past.

What this means is that hospitality is, more so than ever, innovative. Sustainability has entered the realm of supply chain management and hospitality behaviors. People of different cultures may seek to cross them or find something that feels like home. Does your menu reflect your market? Are you ensuring that packaging is not just recyclable and compostable but maybe even giving back to a greater cause? These are the emerging trends that continue to impact and change this thriving field.

Now is the time to get an associate degree in hospitality management. An associate degree in hospitality management is the academic point of entry for individuals looking to make a career in hospitality, and are seeking the most cutting edge information.

What is an Associates in Hospitality Management Degree?

In other fields, an associate degree prepares the individual for an entry-level position. However, in the case of hospitality management, an associate degree can bring you quite a bit further along your career path. Chances are that you have spent some time working in hospitality, service, tourism, or in night life, and are ready to step up your level. An associate degree in hospitality management brings you to the next phase in your career.

An associate’s in hospitality management equips you to learn about the ins and outs of restaurant and lodging operations. Many programs include other areas of interest like event planning, night club management, travel and leisure, tour operations and more. You will learn the fundamentals of business, understand the specifics of your chosen area of interest, and for some, prepare for entrance into a bachelor’s level program.

Every Associates’ in Hospitality Management will vary but the key components of your program will include the following course material:

• Practical Accounting
• Principles of Accounting
• Business Law
• Organizations and Government Regulations
• Food and Beverage Management
• Introduction to Hotel Management Industry
• Hotel/Lodging Front Office Operations
• Travel and Leisure
• Human Resource Hospitality Management
• Customer Service and Conflict Resolution
• Work Experience Practicum
• Introduction to Information Management
• Principles of Management
• Commercial Law
• Convention Sales and Management
• Food and Beverage Services
• Principles of Marketing
• Microeconomics

Looking Forward: Salary of A Hospitality Manager

According to Payscale, the Average Salary of a Hospitality Manager is $54,638. Here is why:

In a hospitality management position you will be in charge of the general oversight of potentially a restaurant or hotel. You will attend to the finances of the establishment, inspect the premises for code, oversee employee performance, and attend to conflict resolution with customers. As we mentioned above, the are a vast array of careers available under the umbrellas of hospitality management. For those interested in kitchen management specifically, the job duties will be more concentrated and that is certainly reflected in the average salary. An associate’s degree in hospitality management with the position of “kitchen manager” averages a salary of $42,750 according to Payscale. Travel agents mak an average of $35,000 a year, and meeting and event planners will make closer on average to $60,000 per year. In many of these positions salary increases about $15,000-$20,000 annually for individuals holding a bachelor’s degree. As we mentioned earlier and associate in hospitality management, is a great place to start!

Highlights: What Can I do with and Associate in Hospitality Management?

Just to recapitulate the arch of how you can wield your newly acquired Associate in Hospitality management :

• Gain some years of experience in the industry
• Pick an area of interest
• Apply to program that serves as the best fit for your career. Take a look through these associate’s degrees in hospitality management
• tailor your programming with electives that work for your career

What to Know About Hospitality and Tourism Management Degree Programs

Hospitality management degrees are designed to train future leaders in the hospitality industry.

How to Study Hospitality Management

Getty Images

Running a company in any segment of the hospitality industry requires not only financial and marketing prowess, but also an understanding of how to create an inviting environment for guests.

The art and science of hosting strangers is an essential skill for people working in many kinds of businesses, including airlines, casinos, cruise ships, festivals, hotels and restaurants.

Running a company in any segment of the hospitality industry requires not only financial and marketing prowess, but also an understanding of how to create an inviting environment for guests. Cultivating that marketable skill set is the goal of associate, bachelor's and graduate programs in hospitality management.

What a Hospitality Management Degree Is and What Classes It Requires

The goal of any course of study in hospitality management is to train people to create and maintain spaces where others will immediately feel at home.

“Understanding how to take care of the customer is a foundational aspect of the hospitality discipline,” Angela Ramsey, senior director of communication at the University of Nevada—Las Vegas William F. Harrah College of Hospitality, explained in an email.

Hospitality management degrees are, foremost, degrees in business, says Michael Sabitoni, chair of the food and beverage management department and the international travel and tourism studies department at Johnson & Wales University in Rhode Island. They include classes in accounting, finance, human resources, law and technology, he says.

However, unlike a general business degree, a hospitality degree typically includes specialized coursework focusing on the hospitality industry, such as classes on food service business operations, event management principles, and hotel and resort leadership, Sabitoni says. An overview class about tourism is also typically included in hospitality management programs, and industry internships are often mandatory, he adds.

Many hospitality degree programs require students to participate in experiential learning by helping to operate a student-run hotel or restaurant. They may also contain classes on:

• Eco-tourism or sustainable travel
• Global tourism and special considerations involved with international trips
• Customer service protocols
• Assessing the quality of guest experiences
• Specific types of hospitality establishments, such as country clubs, golf courses, resorts, stadiums, timeshares or theme parks
• Nuances involved in planning certain kinds of events, such as conventions or weddings
• Concerns that face certain demographics of customers, including women and people of color
• Various types of tourism, including business trips and visits to cultural destinations or historical sites

Top Undergraduate Schools With Hospitality Management Majors

Many U.S. colleges and universities allow undergraduates to major in hospitality management, including multiple nationally renowned academic institutions. Cornell University of New York, an Ivy League college, has a school devoted to hospitality.

Exceptional hospitality programs are often based in major metropolitan areas that attract significant tourism. For example, New York University and Boston University in Massachusetts offer a hospitality management degree.

How to Know if a Hospitality Management Degree Is Right for You

An interest in the food and beverage sector, a love for travel or an interest in entertaining people may lead someone to consider pursuing a degree in hospitality management. But prospective students should be aware that the hospitality sector has leadership roles for people with all kinds of interests and personalities.

Though some managerial positions in the hospitality industry are customer-facing jobs that require significant people skills, there are also back-of-the-house managerial jobs that concentrate on logistics, Sabitoni says.

Significant cultural awareness and strong communication abilities are essential in hospitality. Foreign language skills are also valuable but not mandatory, Sabitoni says.

What You Can Do With a Hospitality Management Degree

Hospitality programs are designed to train future leaders in the sector.

“It can include anything within the hospitality vertical, from hotel investment companies to real estate firms to our big brands which are the Marriotts, the Hiltons, the Four Seasons, to data analytics companies to Googles to Amazons,” says Kate Walsh, dean of the Peter and Stephanie Nolan School of Hotel Administration at Cornell. “Anything that touches hospitality as a part of their business product is something where our students get involved.”

Real estate investment firms often invest in hotel buildings, so people with degrees in hospitality management sometimes find jobs in the real estate sector, Walsh says. Alumni of hospitality management programs sometimes become management consultants who concentrate on assisting companies in the hospitality industry, she adds.

Executive and director roles in the industry typically require at least a bachelor's degree. Many high-level leadership positions at U.S. hospitality firms pay annual salaries above $70,000, according to an article published by Monster.com, a job website.

In 2020, graduates of Cornell's Nolan School had an average base salary of slightly over $69,000 and an average bonus of nearly $15,000, according to the school's employment report .

Considerations for Potential Hospitality Students

Aspiring hospitality managers should be aware of trends that may affect them when they enter the industry, experts say.

This sector has severe labor shortages at hotels and restaurants, many of which laid off workers due to pandemic-related safety measures and now have struggled to replace those workers even after raising wages.

Because of these staffing concerns, many hospitality companies have introduced initiatives to recruit and retain talented staff, improve working conditions, increase job satisfaction and reduce employee turnover, Walsh says.

When comparing hospitality programs, prospective students should investigate whether those programs include experiential learning opportunities, experts say, noting that hands-on projects are one of the best ways to gain hospitality skills. It’s also optimal if hospitality schools offer courses on design, which can inform aesthetic choices about how a hospitality venue looks, according to experts.

“I think the industry needs innovative thinkers," Walsh says. "They need people who think big culturally, who are comfortable with different modes of work, so it’s a great time to join the industry. The industry is trying to be extremely intentional in providing compelling career paths.”

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HOSPITALITY MANAGEMENT ASSOCIATE DEGREE

Do you love the food service industry? Tourism? Restaurants? Event planning? Beverage operations? The hospitality industry as a whole? Are you looking for an education—perhaps an associate degree in tourism and hospitality—that will help you make the most of a career in the fast-paced field of food, beverage and lodging services? You found it with the associate degree in hospitality management from Bryant & Stratton College.

The Hospitality Management Program You’ve Been Looking For Develop a strong background in business management with a specialized focus on hospitality with the associate degree in hospitality management from Bryant & Stratton College. Students in this applied science program will gain a strong understanding of the hospitality industry and be prepared to take on roles with hotels, sports venues, casinos, travel and tourism, and even the food and beverage industry, to name a few.

The hospitality management associate degree program includes courses in human resources, marketing, and sales and finance, and teaches key fundamental hospitality practices and principles. Students not only gain the education necessary to begin a career in the hospitality field, but have the opportunity to pursue additional educational opportunities in the hospitality or management fields.

The hospitality management associate degree program will provide students with the ability to:

• Recognize the significant core concepts in the areas of hospitality services, planning, accounting, human resources, marketing, and operations.
• Classify the entities, facets, and professions that comprise the hospitality industry.
• Compare and contrast management principles and behaviors used in making hospitality-related decisions.
• Relate social, interpersonal, legal, and ethical issues when making hospitality management decisions.
• Recommend solutions to hospitality-related situations through the examination of restaurant, hotel operations, and event-planning scenarios.

• Hospitality
• Human & Legal Services
• Accounting Assistant Business Assistant Diploma Criminal Justice & Security Services Diploma Digital Marketing Specialist Diploma Early Childhood Care & Development Diploma Health Services Administration Assistant Diploma Hospitality Assistant Diploma Human & Social Services Assistant Diploma Information Technology Assistant Diploma Legal Office Assistant Diploma Medical Assisting Diploma Medical Billing and Coding Diploma Medical Office Assistant Diploma Office Administrative Assistant Diploma Practical Nursing Diploma
• Associate Degrees
• AAS Accounting AAS Business AAS Criminal Justice Studies AAS Digital Marketing AAS Early Childhood Education AAS Electronic Technology AAS Graphic Design AAS Health Services Administration AAS Hospitality Management AAS Human & Social Services AAS Human Resources Specialist AAS Medical Administrative Assistant AAS Medical Assisting AAS Medical Reimbursement & Coding AAS Networking Technology AAS Occupational Therapy Assistant AAS Office Management AAS Paralegal Studies AAS Physical Therapist Assistant AAS Restaurant & Hotel Management AAS/ADN Nursing AAS/ADN Nursing NY
• Bachelor Degrees
• BBA Accounting BBA Digital Marketing BBA General Management BBA Human Resources BBA Medical Services Management BPS Organizational Leadership BS Degree in Nursing (NY) BS Electronic Engineering Technology BS Health Services Administration BS Human & Social Services BS Nursing - RN to BSN BS Nursing Generalist (OH, WI)
• Academic Calendar
• Campus Term Dates 2019-2021 Campus Term Dates 2021-2023 Campus Term Dates 2024-2026 Online Education Term Dates 2019-2021 Online Education Term Dates 2021-2023 Online Education Term Dates 2024-2026
• Accreditation
• Blended Learning
• Student Right to Know

Online Hospitality Management Degree

The hospitality management associate degree program is available for study with Bryant & Stratton College Online. The online hospitality management associate degree program follows the same outcomes and curriculum as the campus-based program with the added flexibility and convenience of an online program . Students of the online associate degree in hospitality management can expect to receive the same personal touch and support as provided by our campus faculty and staff.

Credits earned in online classes at Bryant & Stratton College are the same as credits earned in campus-based classes at Bryant & Stratton College.

Hospitality managers may be involved in staffing decisions, event planning, or financial management of restaurants, hotels or camps, but their primary function is to support a positive guest experience. Our hospitality management and our restaurant management associate degrees will help prepare you to work as a lodging manager, food services manager, or concierge.

Key Courses

Major Requirements for this hospitality management program (39 Credits)

To learn more about the courses included in the Hospitality Management associate degree program, please refer to our course catalog.

Start Your Associate Degree in Hospitality Management Program Today!

Thinking about pursuing a career in food service and hospitality management? Want to learn the ins and outs of what it takes to make guests feel welcome and diners want to come back for more? Ready to investigate career opportunities in tourism, event planning, beverage operations and more? Bryant & Stratton College is here to help. Get the conversation started here .

2024-25 Catalog

Hospitality and tourism management, hospitality and tourism management (a.s. career path and a.s. to b.s. degree), bar and beverage management specialization.

• Event Planning and Management Specialization 
• Hotel Operations and Management Specialization 
• Restaurant and Food Service Management Specialization 
• Theme Park Specialization

Associate in Science Degree (CIP# 1252090101)

The Hospitality Industry and its corresponding requirement for trained management employees is expanding. Whether you are interested in learning employable skills for the hospitality industry or upgrading your current talents, Valencia has courses that may interest you. Valencia's Hospitality program combines classroom instruction with on-the-job training to help students move into supervisory and mid-management positions in lodging, Food Service, tourism and hospitality.

This program provides two Career Paths. One that is designated for students who seek immediate employment in the field of Hospitality and Tourism Management and/or a second Career Path for those who plan to utilize the articulated A.S. to B.S. career path to transfer to the University of Central Florida or Florida International University as a junior to complete a four-year Bachelor's degree in Hospitality Administration/Management.

Students are strongly encouraged to consult a Career Program Advisor in the department office for assistance in determining the best education plan for their career goals.

Students wishing to transfer any credits from this program to another institution must accept responsibility for securing approval from the transfer institution.

Although scheduling may not always provide for the following progression of courses, students should use the foundation, intermediate and advanced course sequence as a guide in program planning.

All degree-seeking students must satisfy entry testing requirements and satisfactorily complete all mandatory courses in reading, student success, mathematics, English, and English for Academic Purposes in which the student is placed.

Alternative Ways to Earn Credit toward this Degree

Graduates of specific programs at Orange Technical College and Osceola Technical College, as well as other institutions may be eligible to receive college credit for courses in this program. You may also be eligible to receive credit toward this degree if you have earned one of the approved Gold Standard industry certifications or Career Pathways credit. To learn more about Valencia’s award of credit options, visit valenciacollege.edu/transfer-agreements/ . Eligible students should contact the Career Program Advisor in their academic department for more information about the requirements for the award of credit.

College Credit Technical Certificates

The Hospitality and Tourism A.S. degree also offers the following college credit certificate programs.  These certificates can put you on the fast-track to reaching your career goals. They are designed to equip you with a specialized skill set for entry-level employment or to upgrade your skills for job advancement. Most can be completed in one year or less, and all of the courses in the certificates are embedded in the A.S. degree. You can earn the certificates as you progress through your A.S. Degree or as a separate, stand-alone credential. Click on the Certificate tab at the top of the page for more information about the certificates that are offered.

• Bar and Beverage Management (18 credits) (CIP# 0252090508)
• Event Planning and Management (24 credits) (CIP# 0252090905)
• Guest Services Specialist (15 credits) (CIP# 0252090403)
• Hotel Operations and Management (30 credits) (CIP# 0252090402)
• Restaurant and Food Service Management (30 credits) (CIP# 0252090503)

Start Right

Degree-seeking students enrolling at Valencia for the first time will have a limited range of courses from which to choose for their first 18 college-level credits. Within the first 18 college credit hours, you will be required to take ENC 1101 (3 credits), and if applicable, SLS 1122 (3 credits) and a mathematics course appropriate to your selected meta-major (3 credits).  The remaining courses will be chosen from the General Education Core Courses in humanities (3 credits), science (3 credits), or social science (3 credits), and/or the introductory courses within the A.S. degree programs. For specific courses see the Foundation Courses on the “Program Requirements” tab. For course sequencing recommendations, see your Career Program Advisor or create an education plan by logging into Atlas, clicking on the LifeMap tab and clicking My Education Plan.

Potential Careers

• Guest Services Specialist
• Front Office Supervisor/Manager
• Dining Room Manager
• Reservations Supervisor
• Food & Beverage Manager
• Lodging Manager/Assistant Manager
• Event Planner
• Catering/Sales & Service
• Convention Services
• Revenue Manager

Salary & Earnings Information

For career information related to this program, please visit  O*Net OnLine .

Future Students

To learn more about this program, contact Enrollment Services at [email protected] or 407-582-1507 or visit https://valenciacollege.edu/hospitality-management

Current Students

Your Career Program Advisor contact information can be found in Atlas. Log into Atlas, click on the Courses tab, and check your Academic Profile information to find a link to your Advisor. 

Faculty Program Chair Craig J. Rapp: 407-582-5617 [email protected]

Internship and Workforce Services

If you need assistance with job resources or in locating an internship, please visit: valenciacollege.edu/internship .

Career Path in Hospitality and Tourism Management

This degree is designed for students who seek immediate employment in the field of Hospitality and Tourism Management.

Program Outcomes

• Analyze information for decision making.
• Identify ethical and legal responsibilities specific to the field.
• Communicate clearly with technical and non-technical audiences.

Hotel Operations and Management Specialization

• Perform hospitality industry-specific workplace skills, related to hotel operations and management.

Event Planning and Management Specialization

• Perform hospitality industry-specific workplace skills, related to event planning and management.

Theme Park & Attractions Management Specialization

• Perform hospitality industry-specific workplace skills, related to Theme Park & Attractions Management.

Restaurant and Foodservice Management Specialization

• Perform hospitality industry-specific workplace skills, related to restaurant and foodservice management.
• Perform hospitality industry-specific workplace skills, related to bar and beverage management.

This course must be completed with a grade of C or better.

This course has a prerequisite; check description in Valencia catalog.

This is a general education course.

Any HFT or FSS course for which you meet the prerequisites, FOS 2201 Food Service Sanitation Management, or HUN 1004 Healthy Cuisine and Nutrition, TPA 1200 Basic Stagecraft, or TPA 2600 Stage and Production Management*, or TPA 2343 Computer Assisted Drafting for the Entertainment Industry

EVR 1001 : Introduction to Environmental Science is recommended for hospitality majors.

This course, HFT 2245, fulfills the hospitality management A.S. Career Path requirement, but it is  not  equivalent to UCF HFT 3540.

Career Path to B.S. in Hospitality and Tourism Management (Articulated A.S. to B.S.)

This degree is designed for students who wish to transfer to a four-year Florida public university as a junior to complete a Bachelor's degree in Hospitality Administration/Management.

• Perform hospitality industry-specific workplace skills, related to Theme Park & Attractions Management.

Any HFT or FSS course for which you meet the prerequisites, FOS 2201 Food Service Sanitation Management, or HUN 1004 Healthy Cuisine and Nutrition, TPA 1200 Basic Stagecraft, or TPA 2600 Stage and Production Management*, or TPA 2343 Computer Assisted Drafting for the Entertainment Industry

Specialized courses are mostly at the Downtown Campus and may not be offered every session or on every campus.

For students who are pursuing the A.S. to B.S. path, an additional 15 hours of General Education are required to satisfy the required 36 hours for the Bachelor of Science degree.  If completing the additional 15 hours at the University, 6 hours will be in Cultural and Historical Foundations (Gordon Rule writing), 3 hours in Science Foundations, 3 hours in Social Science Foundations, and 3 hours in Communications Foundations. It is recommended for students complete their General Education requirements at Valencia prior to transfer. Students are strongly encouraged to speak with an advisor before selecting the additional General Education courses since requirements are different between the two institutions. Please see a Financial Aid advisor so that your enrollment is covered in these courses .

Please note the State University System foreign language admission requirement https://catalog.valenciacollege.edu/degrees/associateinarts/courserequirements/#Foreign_Language_Proficiency_Requirement

Upon earning the Hospitality and Tourism A.S. degree, you can also continue at Valencia to complete the B.A.S. degree in Business & Organizational Leadership .   Additional education at the bachelor’s level can enhance your skills and create more career opportunities. 

Students who wish to continue their education should consult with their Career Program Advisor to discuss transfer options and requirements, and determine the best education plan for their career goals. Students wishing to transfer credits from this program to another institution must accept responsibility for securing approval from the transfer institution for acceptance of this degree.

Hospitality - Bar and Beverage Management

Technical certificate.

This program prepares students for immediate employment in the hospitality and restaurant industry with employable skills in beverage management and service, beer, wine and beverage essentials, and fine spirits management and mixology.  

• Analyze information for decision-making.

Specialized courses may not be offered every session or on every campus.

This certificate program is eligible for Financial Aid.

Hospitality - Guest Services Specialist

This program is designed to prepare students for immediate employment in the hospitality industry in the guest services areas of hotels, resorts, and other hospitality-related sites.

• Perform hospitality industry-specific workplace skills, related to guest services.

Any HFT or FSS course for which you meet the prerequisites, FOS 2201 Food Service Sanitation Management, or HUN 1004 Healthy Cuisine and Nutrition,  or TPA 2600 Stage and Production Management*, or TPA 2343 Computer Assisted Drafting for the Entertainment Industry

All certificate courses are offered on the Downtown Campus; some courses are offered at other locations.

Hospitality - Hotel Operations and Management

This program is designed to prepare students for immediate employment in the hospitality industry in the rooms division of hotels, resorts, and other hospitality-related sites.  

Hospitality - Event Planning and Management

This program is designed to prepare students for immediate employment in the hospitality industry with employable skills in the events planning area of hotels, resorts, convention centers and other hospitality-related sites.  

Restaurant and Foodservice Management

This program is designed to prepare students for immediate employment in the hospitality industry in the food and beverage areas of hotels, resorts, and theme parks as well as in other hospitality-related sites.  

• Perform restaurant industry-specific workplace skills.

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The Gordon Rule

State Board of Education Rule 6A-10.030, the Gordon Rule, requires that students complete with grades of C or better 12 credits in designated courses in which the student is required to demonstrate college-level writing skills through multiple assignments and six credits of mathematics course work at the level of college algebra or higher. These courses must be completed successfully (grades of C or better) prior to the receipt of an A.A. degree and prior to entry into the upper division of a Florida public university.

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General Education

Click read more to see Gen. Ed. courses.

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Associate degree in hospitality management.

• Associate in Applied Science (AAS)

Hospitality Management

Monroe’s Hospitality Management associate degree program covers the basics of the industry, including room division, food and beverage, and travel and tourism, all with an emphasis on communication skills. It is highly recommended that graduates go on to pursue a bachelor degree in hospitality in order to accelerate advancement in the industry.

• Classes on campus, online, or a combination of both
• Targeted, career-focused skills

The Curriculum

Managing a restaurant or lodging operation, customer relations, and basic accounting principles are all essential to success in the hospitality industry. This program also includes several liberal arts electives and the opportunity to do an internship.

The program is preparing me for so many different career avenues to choose from!  Chantel Winstead AAS Hospitality Management, 2020

Dining Room Management

This course emphasizes customer service, basic table settings, buffet service, and wine and beverage service. Learn the fundamentals of point of sale systems, taking customers’ orders, and communication, plus traffic flow and event timing.

Professional Opportunities

Monroe’s on-campus restaurant, The Dining Lab ,  is run entirely by students, from the front of the house to the kitchen. You can also intern in our student-run café, The Pastry Kiosk.

Your Future Career

Some job possibilities with your associate degree in hospitality management include:

• Hotel/Motel/Resort/Spa Assistant Manager  
• Assistant Housekeeper/Housekeeping
• Front Desk Agent  
• Food Service Manager 
• Travel Coordinator 
• Tour Escort  

View factsheet

Featured Faculty

Stacey James

Professor of hospitality management.

Explosions occurred in Moscow region, several settlements lost power

E xplosions were heard in the town of Lytkarino, Moscow region, tonight, November 23. Several settlements in the Moscow region are without power, according to Baza.

Around 1 a.m., local residents allegedly heard a bright flash from the substation. Afterward, the lights went out in the Lytkarivsky district. A fire reportedly broke out at the site of the explosion.

According to Russian media, power was lost in several settlements in the Moscow region.

It should be noted that Lytkarino is situated 30 kilometers from the Russian capital.

Shots fired in Russia

In 2023, the number of attacks in a number of regions of the Russian Federation by attack drones increased. Also, something often burns and explodes on the territory of Russia. Different regions, including Moscow, are under attack.

At the same time, Ukrainian intelligence has already warned residents of the Russian capital that they should hardly relax, as the number of drone attacks will only increase.

In particular, on the evening of November 10, explosions occurred near the Design Bureau of Mechanical Engineering corporation in the Moscow region, where Kinzhals and Iskandars are manufactured.

One of the largest attacks took place on the night of July 30, when unidentified drones struck the business center of the Russian capital, Moscow City. The drones hit the so-called "government tower," which houses the offices of the Ministry of Economic Development, Ministry of Industry and Trade, and Ministry of Communications.

Brigadier General Sergei Baranov recently said that Ukrainian troops are preparing for a large-scale winter attack on various regions of Russia with the help of kamikaze drones.

Lytkarino Tourism

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Plan your customized day by day trip plan for Lytkarino. Choose from various experinces categories as adventure, romantic and family and kids friendly for your trip using using Lytkarino trip planner.

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