A Guide to Choosing the Best Hospitality Program
You are adventurous, ambitious, and innovative. You aspire to pursue an exciting career in the hospitality industry—planning events, managing a hotel or a restaurant, or starting your own business. To pursue your dream career, you are ready to take your first step and earn a degree in hospitality.
However, researching the best hospitality program and choosing the right one that fits your goal can be a challenging task. How should you make the best decision for your education?
In this article, we will walk you through the types of degrees available and things to consider when evaluating your hospitality program options.
Types of Hospitality Degrees—Which One is Right for You?
When starting your research on hospitality management programs, you might notice that there are many options available in the market—from accelerated programs to certificates. What are the differences between these options?
Career-Focus Hospitality Programs
A career-focused degree program emphasizes the real-world application of hospitality skills and knowledge. It usually involves internships in the curriculum in order to help students gain professional experience while they are working toward their degrees. This type of program is perfect for those who want to build their resume and be ready for a corporate hospitality job right after graduation.
Boston University School of Hospitality Administration (SHA), for example, offers a Master of Management in Hospitality (MMH) degree program that can be finished in as little as one year. The MMH program allows students to take internships in the summer and it offers a part-time learning option for working professionals to balance their full-time work and graduate studies.
Research-Oriented Hospitality Programs
There are also programs in the market that are more analytic and research-oriented. This type of program is typically designed for those who aspire to work in market research and academia. It would be ideal for you if your goal is to become a professor or pursue a PhD degree in hospitality.
BU SHA’s Master of Science in Hospitality Management (MSHM) degree is a PhD preparation program. It gives students the opportunity to conduct original research in their areas of interest under the guidance of expert faculty. At the end of the program, students will present their research findings with a thesis.
Short-term Certificates
Besides degree programs, there are also options for graduate or professional certificates. Graduate certificates are typically ideal for working professionals who want to further develop their skills for career advancement in a short period of time.
BU SHA also offers Graduate Certificates in Hospitality Management that provide fundamental knowledge in hospitality. The program can be completed in just 3-4 months.
Things to Consider and Evaluate
After knowing the program options, you should also evaluate the following criteria to determine if a program is right for you.
Specialization or Concentration Options
Specializations or concentrations in a hospitality management program allow you to focus on a specific area that you are interested in. For example, if your career goal is to become a restaurateur, you might want to apply to a program that has a concentration in restaurant management. Or if you want to become a marketing manager in the hospitality industry, you should consider a program that has a concentration in marketing.
Boston University’s MMH program offers five concentrations including Innovation & Entrepreneurship, Real Estate Development & Finance, Digital Marketing, Restaurant Management, and Revenue Management & Analytics.
Employer Relations or Industry Partnerships
When evaluating the program or school that you’re interested in, it’s important to know if it retains a strong relationship 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.
Global Experience
Does the program you are interested in have a study abroad program? Studying abroad empowers you to explore different cultures and gain a global perspective. BU SHA’s hospitality management program, for example, offers the opportunity to study at the ESSEC Business School in Paris and obtain international work experience.
Program Rankings & Accreditation
When you are evaluating a hospitality school or program, it is important to check its accreditation. If a school or a program is accredited, it indicates that it meets a strict set of standards to provide quality education to students. In addition, program rankings and reputation can also tell you if the hospitality program is worth your investment.
For example, Boston University is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE). BU School Hospitality Administration ranks the top 3 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 for Finding the Right Hospitality Program for You
In addition to doing your research on the university and program, here are some more actionable tips to help you find out if the hospitality program that 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
Another step you should take before applying to a hospitality management program is to visit the campus and get a first-hand feel of the university culture. Take a campus tour to see the facilities and meet with the professors and admissions officers to solidify your decision.
The location of the university is important too. If the campus is located in a big city like Boston where hospitality career opportunities abound, you might have a better chance at finding employment or internships.
Sit in a Class if Possible
It’s also a good idea to attend an actual class to make sure that you like the course content and the learning environment. At BU School of Hospitality Administration, you can plan a visit to the campus and attend a hospitality class with the current SHA students!
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. ”
Find the Hospitality Program that Suits Your Need at Boston University
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 BU SHA’s hospitality programs!