Apply to the MSHM
A Curriculum Built for Data-Driven Hospitality Leaders and Scholars
The Master of Science in Hospitality Management (MSHM) offers a rigorous, research-focused curriculum designed to support two distinct student pathways: those pursuing academic research and PhD preparation, and those aiming for advanced industry roles in hospitality analytics, leadership, and strategy. With faculty mentorship and a customizable curriculum, students develop deep expertise in research methodology, data analysis, and the critical skills needed for impact in both academia and the hospitality industry. Whether you’re an experienced hospitality professional ready to advance your career, or a future academic researcher, the MSHM gives you the tools and flexibility to pursue your goals.
Program Tracks
Thesis Track: Designed for students interested in doctoral study or an academic career. Students complete a self-directed research project culminating in a master’s thesis.Non-Thesis Track: Ideal for students seeking applied industry roles. Students complete a graduate internship and a research-based professional paper in place of a thesis.
All students are paired with an SHA research faculty mentor in their first semester to guide their academic and professional development.
Curriculum Learning Outcomes
Analyze the evolving global hospitality landscape, including major sectors, service expectations, and innovations.
Conduct advanced quantitative and qualitative research in core hospitality disciplines.
Integrate knowledge across finance, operations, marketing, HR, and experience design to propose data-driven solutions.
Effectively communicate research findings to academic and industry audiences through writing and presentations.
Produce a publishable-quality thesis or a professional research paper and recommendations relevant to the hospitality industry.
Compare the Two Tracks
Curriculum Feature
Thesis Track
Non-Thesis Track
Career Focus
PhD preparation, academic research, teaching careers
Leadership roles in hospitality analytics, strategy, and operations
Capstone Requirement
Master’s Thesis
Professional Paper + Graduate Internship
Research Courses
12 credits (Faculty/Independent Research + Thesis)
8 credits (Research Methods + Professional Paper)
Required Courses
24 credits
20 credits
Internship
Optional
Required – 300-hour internship
Ideal For
Students pursuing research careers or future doctoral study
Students seeking to lead data-informed innovation in hospitality
Credit Requirement Summary
Requirement
Credits
Required Courses
20–24 credits
Elective Courses
12–16 credits
Research Courses
8–12 credits
Total Credits 44 credits
Program Duration and STEM OPT Eligibility
The MSHM is a two-year, full-time program. It is designated by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security as a STEM-eligible degree program . International students in F-1 status may apply for a 24-month extension of their 12-month Optional Practical Training (OPT). Learn more from BU’s International Students & Scholars Office.
The full course breakdown, elective options, and semester-by-semester sequencing for each track are listed below. Students follow a full-time course load in year one. In year two, students complete their thesis, internship, or professional paper with more flexible scheduling.
Course descriptions and details are provided through the expandable sections below.
Explore the MSHM Thesis Curriculum
Fall Semester 1 (16 credits):
SHA HF 801: Hospitality Research (4 cr.)
SHA HF 801 4 credits. Fall
Students enrolled in the course will develop an understanding of the process of conducting social science research, especially as it pertains to the hospitality industry. This course will introduce students to the scientific method of inquiry and explain important considerations pertaining to quantitative, qualitative, and mixed-method approaches. Students will develop skills in conducting literature searches, reading empirical research studies, and applying these methods. Students leave the course better able to understand and critically examine published research findings as well as generate their own research questions and design robust research interventions to provide answers to these inquiries.
CAS MA 614: Statistical Methods 2 (4 cr.)
Choose 2 of the Following Courses:
SHA HF 701: Hospitality Operations (4 cr.)
SHA HF 701 4 credits. Fall and Spring
This course investigates the distinctive operational characteristics, operational mechanics, technology and management practices of hotels and restaurants. Throughout the course, students will be provided with advanced techniques and tools to analyze and improve operational capabilities of a hospitality organization. Analysis of daily operations with a focus on developing viable solutions to problems is emphasized. The first half of the course will focus on the theoretical principles and operational tactics of lodging operations and on how the departments within the rooms division of an individual hotel operate. Students will explore the managerial aspects of hotel reservation, the front office, housekeeping, engineering and security. The second half of the course will focus on principal operating problems facing managers in the restaurant industry. Topics such as concept development, pricing strategies and restaurant revenue management, menu performance analysis, cost control, labor management and customer service processes are addressed. 4 cr. Offered Summer II.
SHA HF 711: Hospitality Financial Management (4 cr.)
SHA HF 711 4 credits. Fall and Spring
Accounting has been described as the language of business. Consequently, the ability to speak and understand this language is a fundamental competency for practitioners of business. A central aspect of accounting is the composition of financial statements that depict the underlying economic reality of the firm being operated. This course is intended to introduce fundamental elements that are used to compose these financial reports. Specifically, course content will include an examination and quantitative analysis of the balance sheet, income statement and statement of cash flows from both a conceptual and pragmatic perspective. How these statements are both composed and relate to business planning, control and decision making in hospitality enterprise will be a central topic. 4 cr. Offered Summer II.
SHA HF 733: Hospitality Organizational Leadership (4 cr.)
SHA HF 733 4 credits. Fall and Spring
Graduate Prerequisites: SHA HF 701 - The hospitality / travel and tourism industry employs over 284 million people, representing about 1 in 11 jobs worldwide. In such a labor intensive field, leading and managing people are two critical elements for operating successful organizations. This course will focus on leadership and management for the hospitality industry. Using a leadership continuum as a framework, we will explore several different levels of leadership, from a traditional leadership role as the head of a major corporation, team leadership and the personal aspect of self-leadership. Several different leadership models will be analyzed and applied to the hospitality industry. An emphasis on creating organizational culture through human resource strategies and how to manage change effectively will be two critical components of the course. The course explores key aspects of human resources functions such as employment law, employee recruitment & selection, compensation and benefits, labor relations, diversity and managing hospitality human resources in a global environment. 4 cr. Offered Fall Semester.
SHA HF 762: Hospitality Branding and Marketing (4 cr.)
SHA HF 762 4 credits. Fall and Spring
This course offers participants innovative and practical approaches for addressing strategic marketing challenges to improve revenue, profit, and customer loyalty. Using case studies from hotels, restaurants, and hospitality firms worldwide, and referencing cutting-edge research, students will learn the latest applications of strategic thinking and analysis to marketing challenges facing the hospitality industry. They will understand strategic-marketing concepts and principles, and apply the ideas, concepts, and principles to develop innovative and profitable strategies. Recent evolutions in globalization, technology and sustainability necessitate that modern marketing be reconstituted to move into the digital age. Given the role and critical importance of a digital mindset in operating today's businesses, the course will also leverage case studies and real-world examples to help students master the "new marketing" on a strategic and tactical level. In so doing, the course will enable students to explore the design and implementation of marketing programs and activities to build, measure, and manage brand equity for a sustainable competitive advantage. 4 cr. Offered Summer II.
Spring Semester 1 (16 credits):
SHA HF 802: Faculty Directed Research (4 cr.) (taken twice for 8 credits total)
SHA HF 802 4 credits. Spring
FACDIR RESEARCH
Choose 1 of the Following Boston University Research Courses:
COM CM 722: Communication Research Methods (4 cr.)
COM CM 722 4 credits. Fall and Spring
CM722 Communication Research Methods is an introduction to the social scientific method of inquiry and the fundamental concepts and processes of social scientific methods that are used in media science, advertising, and public relations. Assorted research methods are covered, including both quantitative and qualitative. Also included are literature review, research design, research execution, quantitative and qualitative data analysis, and reporting of findings.
MET UA 703: Urban Research Methods (4 cr.)
MET UA 703 4 credits. Fall and Spring
Mixed-Methods Design for Urban Research is intended to develop skills in the evaluation and utilization of quantitative, qualitative, and mixed-methods approaches to scholarship in social-science research. The course will explore survey, experimental, observational, interview, ethnographic, and case-study research methods in depth, and students will learn how to collect, organize, and evaluate data in various forms. Students will create a fully developed research proposal drawing upon mixed-methods techniques to investigate a topic of interest.
WED RS 600: Intro to Research (4 cr.)
WED RS 600 4 credits. Fall and Spring
Designed to introduce students to social science research methods including quantitative, qualitative, and mixed method approaches to education inquiry. Students will develop skills in conducting literature searches, reading empirical research studies and applying these methods. Students leave the course better able to critically examine research presented in the mass media, critically engage with research in the workplace, and participate in research- based efforts to improve education. 4 cr.
WED RS 652: Qualitative Research Methods (4 cr.)
WED RS 652 4 credits. Fall and Spring
The philosophical and theoretical underpinnings and the techniques for conducting qualitative research. Students are introduced to different kinds of qualitative research, consideration of ethical issues, and criteria for rigorous qualitative research studies. Students critique published research and engage in planning a study, collecting and analyzing data, and writing up a report. 4 cr.
WED RS 653: Quantitative Research Methods (4 cr.)
WED RS 653 4 credits. Fall and Spring
Conceptualization of quantitative research problems. Study descriptive and inferential statistics most commonly used for analyzing data in educational research including t-tests, ANOVAs, multiple comparisons, correlation, regression, and chi square. Emphasis placed on interpretation. Research project requires identifying a problem, gathering and analyzing data, and writing the results in APA format. 4 cr.
CAS PS 712: Statistics in Psychology II (4 cr.)
Choose 2 Electives from the MMH Curriculum. Recommended Electives include:
SHA HF 679: Financial Reporting and Analysis (4 cr.)
SHA HF 679 4 credits. Fall and Spring
This course will teach students the process of examining a company's performance in the context of its industry and economic environment in order to arrive at a decision or recommendation. The central focus of financial analysis is financial statement analysis and interpretation of financial disclosures on evaluating the company's performance to improve risk assessment and decision-making. Students will be able to understand company's future risk performance by analyzing the financial statements.
SHA HF 778: Hospitality Analytics (4 cr.)
SHA HF 778 4 credits. Fall and Spring
Graduate Prerequisites: SHA HF 701, SHA HF 711, and SHA HF 762 - This course will provide students with fundamental knowledge of business analytics and information visualization combined with extensive opportunities for developing hands-on skills for applying hospitality business analytics to managerial decision-making. Students will learn fundamental mathematical and statistical concepts as well as statistical modeling techniques to solve operational, financial and marketing issues that hospitality organizations face today. Students will also learn how to leverage widely used Microsoft Excel to build out data-driven insights and craft story telling visualization around the data-driven insights. 4 cr. Offered Fall semester.
Summer Semester:
SHA HF 840: Self-Directed Research (0 cr.)
Fall Semester 2 (8 credits):
SHA HF 802: Faculty Directed Research (4 cr.) (taken twice for 8 credits total)
SHA HF 802 4 credits. Spring
FACDIR RESEARCH
Choose 1 of the Following Boston University Research Courses:
COM CM 722: Communication Research Methods (4 cr.)
COM CM 722 4 credits. Fall and Spring
CM722 Communication Research Methods is an introduction to the social scientific method of inquiry and the fundamental concepts and processes of social scientific methods that are used in media science, advertising, and public relations. Assorted research methods are covered, including both quantitative and qualitative. Also included are literature review, research design, research execution, quantitative and qualitative data analysis, and reporting of findings.
MET UA 703: Urban Research Methods (4 cr.)
MET UA 703 4 credits. Fall and Spring
Mixed-Methods Design for Urban Research is intended to develop skills in the evaluation and utilization of quantitative, qualitative, and mixed-methods approaches to scholarship in social-science research. The course will explore survey, experimental, observational, interview, ethnographic, and case-study research methods in depth, and students will learn how to collect, organize, and evaluate data in various forms. Students will create a fully developed research proposal drawing upon mixed-methods techniques to investigate a topic of interest.
WED RS 600: Intro to Research (4 cr.)
WED RS 600 4 credits. Fall and Spring
Designed to introduce students to social science research methods including quantitative, qualitative, and mixed method approaches to education inquiry. Students will develop skills in conducting literature searches, reading empirical research studies and applying these methods. Students leave the course better able to critically examine research presented in the mass media, critically engage with research in the workplace, and participate in research- based efforts to improve education. 4 cr.
WED RS 652: Qualitative Research Methods (4 cr.)
WED RS 652 4 credits. Fall and Spring
The philosophical and theoretical underpinnings and the techniques for conducting qualitative research. Students are introduced to different kinds of qualitative research, consideration of ethical issues, and criteria for rigorous qualitative research studies. Students critique published research and engage in planning a study, collecting and analyzing data, and writing up a report. 4 cr.
WED RS 653: Quantitative Research Methods (4 cr.)
WED RS 653 4 credits. Fall and Spring
Conceptualization of quantitative research problems. Study descriptive and inferential statistics most commonly used for analyzing data in educational research including t-tests, ANOVAs, multiple comparisons, correlation, regression, and chi square. Emphasis placed on interpretation. Research project requires identifying a problem, gathering and analyzing data, and writing the results in APA format. 4 cr.
CAS PS 712: Statistics in Psychology II (4 cr.)
Spring Semester 2 (4 credits):
SHA HF 899: Thesis (0 cr.)
SHA HF 899 0 credits. Spring
Under the close supervision of a faculty member, students pursuing a Master of Science degree will complete an original research project that meaningfully contributes to the body of knowledge in the field of hospitality. The student and faculty member will determine a set of deliverables that should be completed by the end of the semester to ensure the timely completion of the student's thesis project.
Choose 1 of the Following Boston University Research Courses:
COM CM 722: Communication Research Methods (4 cr.)
COM CM 722 4 credits. Fall and Spring
CM722 Communication Research Methods is an introduction to the social scientific method of inquiry and the fundamental concepts and processes of social scientific methods that are used in media science, advertising, and public relations. Assorted research methods are covered, including both quantitative and qualitative. Also included are literature review, research design, research execution, quantitative and qualitative data analysis, and reporting of findings.
MET UA 703: Urban Research Methods (4 cr.)
MET UA 703 4 credits. Fall and Spring
Mixed-Methods Design for Urban Research is intended to develop skills in the evaluation and utilization of quantitative, qualitative, and mixed-methods approaches to scholarship in social-science research. The course will explore survey, experimental, observational, interview, ethnographic, and case-study research methods in depth, and students will learn how to collect, organize, and evaluate data in various forms. Students will create a fully developed research proposal drawing upon mixed-methods techniques to investigate a topic of interest.
WED RS 600: Intro to Research (4 cr.)
WED RS 600 4 credits. Fall and Spring
Designed to introduce students to social science research methods including quantitative, qualitative, and mixed method approaches to education inquiry. Students will develop skills in conducting literature searches, reading empirical research studies and applying these methods. Students leave the course better able to critically examine research presented in the mass media, critically engage with research in the workplace, and participate in research- based efforts to improve education. 4 cr.
WED RS 652: Qualitative Research Methods (4 cr.)
WED RS 652 4 credits. Fall and Spring
The philosophical and theoretical underpinnings and the techniques for conducting qualitative research. Students are introduced to different kinds of qualitative research, consideration of ethical issues, and criteria for rigorous qualitative research studies. Students critique published research and engage in planning a study, collecting and analyzing data, and writing up a report. 4 cr.
WED RS 653: Quantitative Research Methods (4 cr.)
WED RS 653 4 credits. Fall and Spring
Conceptualization of quantitative research problems. Study descriptive and inferential statistics most commonly used for analyzing data in educational research including t-tests, ANOVAs, multiple comparisons, correlation, regression, and chi square. Emphasis placed on interpretation. Research project requires identifying a problem, gathering and analyzing data, and writing the results in APA format. 4 cr.
CAS PS 712: Statistics in Psychology II (4 cr.)
Explore the MSHM Non-Thesis Curriculum
Fall Semester 1 (16 credits):
SHA HF 801: Hospitality Research (4 cr.)
SHA HF 801 4 credits. Fall
Students enrolled in the course will develop an understanding of the process of conducting social science research, especially as it pertains to the hospitality industry. This course will introduce students to the scientific method of inquiry and explain important considerations pertaining to quantitative, qualitative, and mixed-method approaches. Students will develop skills in conducting literature searches, reading empirical research studies, and applying these methods. Students leave the course better able to understand and critically examine published research findings as well as generate their own research questions and design robust research interventions to provide answers to these inquiries.
CAS MA 614: Statistical Methods 2 (4 cr.)
Choose 2 of the Following Courses:
SHA HF 701: Hospitality Operations (4 cr.)
SHA HF 701 4 credits. Fall and Spring
This course investigates the distinctive operational characteristics, operational mechanics, technology and management practices of hotels and restaurants. Throughout the course, students will be provided with advanced techniques and tools to analyze and improve operational capabilities of a hospitality organization. Analysis of daily operations with a focus on developing viable solutions to problems is emphasized. The first half of the course will focus on the theoretical principles and operational tactics of lodging operations and on how the departments within the rooms division of an individual hotel operate. Students will explore the managerial aspects of hotel reservation, the front office, housekeeping, engineering and security. The second half of the course will focus on principal operating problems facing managers in the restaurant industry. Topics such as concept development, pricing strategies and restaurant revenue management, menu performance analysis, cost control, labor management and customer service processes are addressed. 4 cr. Offered Summer II.
SHA HF 711: Hospitality Financial Management (4 cr.)
SHA HF 711 4 credits. Fall and Spring
Accounting has been described as the language of business. Consequently, the ability to speak and understand this language is a fundamental competency for practitioners of business. A central aspect of accounting is the composition of financial statements that depict the underlying economic reality of the firm being operated. This course is intended to introduce fundamental elements that are used to compose these financial reports. Specifically, course content will include an examination and quantitative analysis of the balance sheet, income statement and statement of cash flows from both a conceptual and pragmatic perspective. How these statements are both composed and relate to business planning, control and decision making in hospitality enterprise will be a central topic. 4 cr. Offered Summer II.
SHA HF 733: Hospitality Organizational Leadership (4 cr.)
SHA HF 733 4 credits. Fall and Spring
Graduate Prerequisites: SHA HF 701 - The hospitality / travel and tourism industry employs over 284 million people, representing about 1 in 11 jobs worldwide. In such a labor intensive field, leading and managing people are two critical elements for operating successful organizations. This course will focus on leadership and management for the hospitality industry. Using a leadership continuum as a framework, we will explore several different levels of leadership, from a traditional leadership role as the head of a major corporation, team leadership and the personal aspect of self-leadership. Several different leadership models will be analyzed and applied to the hospitality industry. An emphasis on creating organizational culture through human resource strategies and how to manage change effectively will be two critical components of the course. The course explores key aspects of human resources functions such as employment law, employee recruitment & selection, compensation and benefits, labor relations, diversity and managing hospitality human resources in a global environment. 4 cr. Offered Fall Semester.
SHA HF 762: Hospitality Branding and Marketing (4 cr.)
SHA HF 762 4 credits. Fall and Spring
This course offers participants innovative and practical approaches for addressing strategic marketing challenges to improve revenue, profit, and customer loyalty. Using case studies from hotels, restaurants, and hospitality firms worldwide, and referencing cutting-edge research, students will learn the latest applications of strategic thinking and analysis to marketing challenges facing the hospitality industry. They will understand strategic-marketing concepts and principles, and apply the ideas, concepts, and principles to develop innovative and profitable strategies. Recent evolutions in globalization, technology and sustainability necessitate that modern marketing be reconstituted to move into the digital age. Given the role and critical importance of a digital mindset in operating today's businesses, the course will also leverage case studies and real-world examples to help students master the "new marketing" on a strategic and tactical level. In so doing, the course will enable students to explore the design and implementation of marketing programs and activities to build, measure, and manage brand equity for a sustainable competitive advantage. 4 cr. Offered Summer II.
Spring Semester 1 (16 credits):
SHA HF 778: Hospitality Analytics (4 cr.)
SHA HF 778 4 credits. Fall and Spring
Graduate Prerequisites: SHA HF 701, SHA HF 711, and SHA HF 762 - This course will provide students with fundamental knowledge of business analytics and information visualization combined with extensive opportunities for developing hands-on skills for applying hospitality business analytics to managerial decision-making. Students will learn fundamental mathematical and statistical concepts as well as statistical modeling techniques to solve operational, financial and marketing issues that hospitality organizations face today. Students will also learn how to leverage widely used Microsoft Excel to build out data-driven insights and craft story telling visualization around the data-driven insights. 4 cr. Offered Fall semester.
Choose 1 of the Following Boston University Research Courses:
COM CM 722: Communication Research Methods (4 cr.)
COM CM 722 4 credits. Fall and Spring
CM722 Communication Research Methods is an introduction to the social scientific method of inquiry and the fundamental concepts and processes of social scientific methods that are used in media science, advertising, and public relations. Assorted research methods are covered, including both quantitative and qualitative. Also included are literature review, research design, research execution, quantitative and qualitative data analysis, and reporting of findings.
MET UA 703: Urban Research Methods (4 cr.)
MET UA 703 4 credits. Fall and Spring
Mixed-Methods Design for Urban Research is intended to develop skills in the evaluation and utilization of quantitative, qualitative, and mixed-methods approaches to scholarship in social-science research. The course will explore survey, experimental, observational, interview, ethnographic, and case-study research methods in depth, and students will learn how to collect, organize, and evaluate data in various forms. Students will create a fully developed research proposal drawing upon mixed-methods techniques to investigate a topic of interest.
WED RS 600: Intro to Research (4 cr.)
WED RS 600 4 credits. Fall and Spring
Designed to introduce students to social science research methods including quantitative, qualitative, and mixed method approaches to education inquiry. Students will develop skills in conducting literature searches, reading empirical research studies and applying these methods. Students leave the course better able to critically examine research presented in the mass media, critically engage with research in the workplace, and participate in research- based efforts to improve education. 4 cr.
WED RS 653: Quantitative Research Methods (4 cr.)
WED RS 653 4 credits. Fall and Spring
Conceptualization of quantitative research problems. Study descriptive and inferential statistics most commonly used for analyzing data in educational research including t-tests, ANOVAs, multiple comparisons, correlation, regression, and chi square. Emphasis placed on interpretation. Research project requires identifying a problem, gathering and analyzing data, and writing the results in APA format. 4 cr.
Choose 2 Electives from the MMH Curriculum. Recommended Electives include:
SHA HF 702: Innovation & Disruption (4 cr.)
SHA HF 702 4 credits. Fall and Spring
In today's suddenly uncertain world, disruptions are the norm and are mandating that we adapt our organizations and our individual selves. To stay ahead and remain resilient, businesses must ready themselves for crisis and change management. They must also excel at problem-solving and identifying opportunities to innovate effectively. Using case studies, media coverage and other content, this course will examine some of the most dramatic changes encountered by the hospitality industry, from the onset and impact of Uber and Airbnb to the current COVID-19 pandemic. Hospitality leaders need to know how to be the disruptors in the industry, as well as learn how to survive and capitalize when the industry is disrupted. In both situations, effective innovation is key to staying relevant and succeeding. Each week the class will meet to discuss different challenges that businesses have faced and approaches that entrepreneurs have taken to manage them. Examples will focus on both proactive change (addressing disruptions through innovation and early detection), as well as reactive change (leading in times of crisis). This course is offered in the FALL term in lieu of the required HF 701 for students entering with extensive industry experience. It is also offered in the Spring as an elective for those who have completed HF 701 and for those pursuing the Innovation & Entrepreneurship concentration.
SHA HF 707: Hospitality Entrepreneurship (4 cr.)
SHA HF 707 4 credits. Fall and Spring
This course is intended to be a capstone experience for students seeking to understand hospitality entrepreneurship and innovation as a professional business system. Student teams will create, develop and design a concise Pro Forma Business Plan for a start-up non-profit or profit-driven hospitality enterprise. At the end of the semester teams will make a competitive presentation integrating the principles and skills mastered in previous coursework to a panel of successful hospitality entrepreneurs. 4 cr. Offered Fall Semester.
SHA HF 717: Real Estate Finance and Feasibility (4 cr.)
SHA HF 717 4 credits. Fall and Spring
This course is designed to facilitate a working knowledge of hospitality properties as financial and real estate assets. This course provides detailed instructions on the hotel market and feasibility research process and will help students understand how to analyse hotel markets across the world, identify and evaluate key forces that impact the performance of hotel markets and the hotels within them, determine the right hotel product for each site and market and forecast future performance for it. The course will also provide a grounding in the basic concepts of real estate finance and how they are used by stakeholders to make hospitality investment decisions. The course culminates with the preparation of a feasibility study and a valuation for a proposed hospitality development.
Summer Semester:
SHA HF 740: Graduate Internship in Hospitality Management (0 cr.)
SHA HF 740 Var credits. Fall and Spring
The Graduate Internship allows students to gain industry experience. The zero credit internship involves 400 hours of relevant hospitality work experience and is required for all graduate students. Practical learning opportunities are available through our various hospitality partnerships, including hotels, restaurants and other placements. 0 cr. Offered Spring Semester.
Fall Semester 2 (8 credits):
WED RS 652: Qualitative Research Methods (4 cr.)
WED RS 652 4 credits. Fall and Spring
The philosophical and theoretical underpinnings and the techniques for conducting qualitative research. Students are introduced to different kinds of qualitative research, consideration of ethical issues, and criteria for rigorous qualitative research studies. Students critique published research and engage in planning a study, collecting and analyzing data, and writing up a report. 4 cr.
Choose 1 of the Following Boston University Research Courses:
COM CM 722: Communication Research Methods (4 cr.)
COM CM 722 4 credits. Fall and Spring
CM722 Communication Research Methods is an introduction to the social scientific method of inquiry and the fundamental concepts and processes of social scientific methods that are used in media science, advertising, and public relations. Assorted research methods are covered, including both quantitative and qualitative. Also included are literature review, research design, research execution, quantitative and qualitative data analysis, and reporting of findings.
MET UA 703: Urban Research Methods (4 cr.)
MET UA 703 4 credits. Fall and Spring
Mixed-Methods Design for Urban Research is intended to develop skills in the evaluation and utilization of quantitative, qualitative, and mixed-methods approaches to scholarship in social-science research. The course will explore survey, experimental, observational, interview, ethnographic, and case-study research methods in depth, and students will learn how to collect, organize, and evaluate data in various forms. Students will create a fully developed research proposal drawing upon mixed-methods techniques to investigate a topic of interest.
WED RS 600: Intro to Research (4 cr.)
WED RS 600 4 credits. Fall and Spring
Designed to introduce students to social science research methods including quantitative, qualitative, and mixed method approaches to education inquiry. Students will develop skills in conducting literature searches, reading empirical research studies and applying these methods. Students leave the course better able to critically examine research presented in the mass media, critically engage with research in the workplace, and participate in research- based efforts to improve education. 4 cr.
WED RS 653: Quantitative Research Methods (4 cr.)
WED RS 653 4 credits. Fall and Spring
Conceptualization of quantitative research problems. Study descriptive and inferential statistics most commonly used for analyzing data in educational research including t-tests, ANOVAs, multiple comparisons, correlation, regression, and chi square. Emphasis placed on interpretation. Research project requires identifying a problem, gathering and analyzing data, and writing the results in APA format. 4 cr.
Spring Semester 2 (4 credits):
SHA HF 799: Research-Based Professional Paper (4 cr.)
SHA HF 799 4 credits. Fall and Spring
This course serves as the culminating experience for MSHM students on the non-thesis track, allowing them to integrate and apply knowledge gained throughout the program. Under the guidance of faculty mentors, students will design, research, and write a professional paper addressing a contemporary issue or challenge in hospitality management. The course emphasizes critical thinking, scholarly writing, and practical application of research to industry-relevant topics.
Learn More about the MS in Hospitality Management Program Want to know more about the research-focused Master of Science degree in Hospitality Management and the courses you will take? Request information today!
If you are ready to take the next step, start your application .
