You are adventurous, ambitious, and innovative. You aspire to take the next step in your career by amping up your skills in the best hospitality degree program. With numerous options available, you might question, “Which program is right for me?”

We are here to help you make an informed decision for your education. Follow our guide to understand different types of hospitality degree programs and evaluate their alignment with your career goals, personal needs, and professional background.

In this guide:

Why Hospitality? Experience Innovation: Make a Difference in Any Industry

Reflecting on the purpose and meaning of hospitality can help you find the right path for your education and career. You are interested in pursuing a degree in hospitality because you enjoy working with people. You might envision yourself working at hotels, restaurants, and other entertainment venues, but did you know that hospitality can be so much more than that?

Hospitality builds and strengthens relationships that drive results. It makes people feel seen, heard, and valued by understanding who they are and their needs—and it holds utility within any organization wanting to connect with internal and external audiences.

Choose hospitality because you are not afraid to challenge the status quo and redefine the industry with Experience Innovation: the use of human interaction to meet strategic objectives and optimize stakeholder value in any type of organization.

More reasons to study hospitality.

Types of Hospitality Degrees—Which One Is Right for You?

As you start searching for your fit, you will notice that there are many types of hospitality management programs, from master’s degrees to short certificates. Below, we explain the differences between the options and help you understand their unique features.

Career-Focus Hospitality Programs

A career-focused degree program emphasizes the real-world application of hospitality skills and knowledge. It typically includes opportunities for internships, industry conferences, and many other practical elements that can prepare students for the workforce. Experience-based in nature, this type of program offers more flexibility in learning format to help balance class and work schedules.

Boston University (BU) School of Hospitality Administration (SHA), for example, offers a Master of Management in Hospitality (MMH) and a Master of Science in Hospitality Real Estate (MSHRE), both of which can be finished in as little as one year. Working professionals can choose to study part-time and finish the program in two years.

Ideal for: Students who are eager to build their resumes and accelerate career success as soon as possible. Many working professionals or current hospitality leaders find career-focused programs most helpful because they can apply practical skills directly in the workplace.

 

Research-Oriented Hospitality Programs

There are also programs in the market that focus more on data analytics and research. These encourage students to advance the hospitality industry by exploring cutting-edge topics.

BU SHA’s Master of Science in Hospitality Management (MSHM) degree is a PhD preparation program. Students work one-on-one with a faculty mentor to conduct original research. At the end of the program, they present their findings in a thesis.

Ideal for: Those who aspire to work in market research and academia. Students aim to become professors or pursue a PhD degree in hospitality.

STEM-Eligible Master’s Degree Programs

A STEM hospitality degree is a program related to the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. This type of program equips students with robust analytical and innovative problem-solving skills. 

Boston University SHA offers two STEM-designated degree programs approved by the Department of Homeland Security: MSHM and MSHRE.

Ideal for: Students who enjoy working with data and are interested in technical disciplines. STEM-eligible degrees also appeal to international students because they may apply for a 24-month extension for the optional practical training (OPT), which allows them to work in the US.

Learn more about OPT.

Accelerated Certificate Programs

In addition to master’s degree programs, there are graduate or professional certificates. Certificate programs offer a more flexible pathway to completion and require a lower financial commitment.

BU SHA’s graduate certificates in hospitality management provide fundamental knowledge and enhance students’ competency in just 3-4 months. 

Ideal for: Working professionals who want to develop their skills further for career advancement in a short period of time. 

Comparing BU’s Hospitality Graduate Programs

Program Name Overview Time to Complete Program Structure Concentrations
Master of Management in Hospitality Best for leadership advancement 1 year (full-time)

2 years (part-time)

 Lectures, hands-on projects, and internships. Optional international experience. 6 concentration options
MS in Hospitality Management Best for PhD preparation 2 years (full-time study only) 1:1 mentorship with research faculty –
MS in Hospitality Real Estate Best for careers in real estate and business innovation 1 year (full-time)

2 years (part-time)

 Lectures, hands-on projects, and internships –
Graduate Certificates Best for short-term career development 3–4 months Lectures and some hands-on projects 3 certificate options

How to Choose the Best Hospitality Program

After learning about the program options, you can choose the right program for yourself by evaluating these key factors:

1. Think about Your Career Trajectory

Find a program that best serves your professional aspirations. For example, if your career goal is to become a restaurateur, you might want to apply to a program in restaurant management. If you wish to pursue a role in finance or real estate analysis, you might choose a program that specializes in these areas, such as BU’s MS in Hospitality Real Estate. Not sure what career you want to pursue in hospitality? Learn more about your options.

2. Consider the School’s Industry Partnerships

When evaluating the program or school you’re interested in, it’s important to know if it retains strong relationships with reputable hospitality employers. Industry partnerships between a university and companies in the field can go a long way for your career. You may have the opportunity to intern at partnered businesses or expand your professional network through career fairs. 

At BU SHA, you can participate in leading-edge hospitality conferences like the Hospitality Leadership Summit and the Dean’s Distinguished Speakers Series. Learn more about our events.

3. Opportunity for Global Experience

Hospitality is an international business. Studying abroad empowers you to explore different cultures and gain a global perspective. Experience Innovation has no borders at BU. We offer the opportunity to study at the ESSEC Business School in Paris and work overseas. Explore SHA’s international experience.

4. Evaluate the Program’s Ranking and Reputation

When evaluating a hospitality school or program, it is essential to check its accreditation. Accreditation indicates that a school or program meets a strict set of standards to provide quality education to students. Program rankings and reputation can also tell you if the hospitality program is worth your investment. Boston University is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE). BU School of Hospitality Administration ranks as one of the top schools for a master’s degree in hospitality. Therefore, you can be confident that you will receive a top-notch education at SHA and be well-prepared for your career.

Tips to Find the Best School for You

Are you almost ready to finalize your decision? Here are some more actionable tips to help you determine whether the hospitality program you plan to apply to is the best fit for you.

Talk to an Admission Counselor

Before you start your application, you can schedule an appointment with an admission counselor at the university and ask for more details about the program to make sure that it suits your needs.

Here are some questions that you could ask your counselor:

  • What courses will I take in the program?
  • How long will it take to complete the program?
  • What jobs can I get with a degree in hospitality?
  • Who are the professors leading this program?
  • What are the admission requirements and what does the application process look like?
  • Are there any scholarships and financial aid opportunities?

Plan a Visit and Talk to Current Students

The university’s location plays a crucial role in shaping your future. Being situated in an innovation hub like Boston, where hospitality career opportunities abound, significantly boosts your chances of securing valuable employment and internships. Embrace the advantage of being in a vibrant market, and take proactive steps to connect with current students to know more about the program.

You may plan a visit to the campus and get a first-hand feel of the university culture. Take a campus tour and attend a class with current students to make sure that you like the course content and the learning environment. 

Advice from BU School of Hospitality Administration’s Students

Peter Beheda MMH’21: “After four decades of experience as a senior-level hotel executive, I find myself in an environment where I have learned so much over the last year, not from only the faculty of BU SHA but the students who are in my class.” 

Calvin Juwono MMH’21: “I decided to take my concentration in Digital Marketing because it allows me to bring some of my past experience with me. My internship in a digital marketing agency bolstered my appreciation of the field, and I understand how it is relevant not only from a marketing perspective but also strategically.” 

Gabriel Stein MMH’19: “I knew I wanted a strong program, but also didn’t want to spend more than another year in school since I had just graduated with a culinary degree as well. SHA has a great mix of coursework. I knew I would be gaining critical skills in both operations and finance, which was important for me. ”

Come Experience Innovation—Only at Boston University SHA

Join us and influence the revolution of hospitality at BU SHA. Do you want to learn more about how to choose the best hospitality program? Need more help with your application? Contact us today to explore our hospitality master’s degrees and certificates! 

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