Transition into Hospitality Leadership in Just One Year—No Prior Industry Experience Required

Hospitality is no longer just hotels and restaurants—it’s about how organizations design and deliver meaningful human experiences across industries like healthcare, real estate, technology, and entertainment.

Through Experience Innovation, the Master of Management in Hospitality (MMH) at Boston University School of Hospitality Administration prepares you to enter and lead in this growing, experience-driven economy—even if your background is outside of hospitality or business.

Whether you’re launching your career or making a pivot, the MMH is built to help you translate your existing skills into hospitality leadership.

Apply to the MMH Program
Application Requirements
Download the MMH Program One Pager

Program At-A-Glance

[✓] 1 Year to Complete (Full-Time)
[✓] 300-Hour Work/Internship Requirement
[✓] No Hospitality Experience Required
[✓] 6 Career-Focused Concentrations

Additional highlights:

  • Part-Time Evening Option Available
  • Minimum $14,000 guaranteed scholarship for admitted students
    • Returning BU students receive a minimum of 25% tuition discount via Double Terrier Scholarship
    • Additional package available for all applicants based on merit
  • Study in Boston, an innovation hub for hospitality and businesses of all kinds

Why Pursue a Master’s Degree in Hospitality Management at SHA?

Designed for Career Starters and Career Switchers
No hospitality or business background? No problem. The MMH is built to help you enter the industry with confidence and a clear path forward.

Inclusive Entry
A background in hospitality or business is not a prerequisite. We value leadership potential and diverse perspectives—we’ll provide the industry-specific expertise.

Leadership-Focused Curriculum
Develop the management, operational, and strategic skills needed to move into leadership roles—not just entry-level positions.

Experience Innovation Approach
Learn how to apply hospitality principles across industries where customer experience drives value and growth.

Customizable Career Path
Choose from six concentrations to align your degree with your goals.

Built for Flexibility
Complete the program in 12 months full-time or part-time while working.

Who Joins the MMH?

A Program Built for Diverse Backgrounds

MMH students come from a wide range of academic and professional backgrounds—not just hospitality.

Student Profile

  • Over 35% of students come from non-hospitality backgrounds
  • Common backgrounds include:
    • Liberal Arts
    • Communications
    • Business
    • Technology
    • Nonprofit and Public Service

This diversity creates a dynamic classroom where different perspectives fuel innovation.

          Experience Innovation in Action

          Shape the World of Hospitality with International Learning

          At BU School of Hospitality Administration, our master’s students are Experience Innovators who know no boundaries. The MMH program offers unique opportunities to study and work internationally, allowing you to gain a global perspective of hospitality businesses. Partnering with global industry leaders, you discover cutting-edge business models and learn to manage and lead across cultures and markets. You acquire the necessary skills to create meaningful experiences for diverse audiences worldwide.  

           Learn about the international experience program

          Learn in Boston: A Living Lab

          Put Experience Innovation into practice. Boston is a unique location where hospitality intersects with medicine, education, technology, tourism, and sports. The city’s hundreds of restaurants, hotels, entertainment venues, and other hospitality businesses—combined with international connections—create training and career opportunities you cannot find elsewhere. 

          As you study in our Master of Management in Hospitality program, you benefit from our 300-hour work requirement, where you can develop your skills and test novel solutions in real-world settings.

          Hone Your Expertise with 6 Concentration Options 

          Hospitality is more than just hotels, events, tourism, and restaurants. At BU SHA, you can build your expertise in almost every aspect of hospitality and business management. Whether you plan to start your own business or work at a company, you can tailor your learning to reach your career goal.  

          Choose one of the following concentrations to customize your Master of Management degree in Hospitality:  

                MMH Program Curriculum and Courses

                The MMH consists of 32 credits (8 courses) plus a required experiential learning component.

                Full-Time Structure (12 Months)

                • Fall: Core courses (foundations of hospitality management)
                • Spring: Electives + concentration courses
                • Summer: Internship / work experience

                  Part-Time Option

                  Designed for working professionals, completed in approximately 2 years with evening classes.

                  You will build skills in:

                  • leadership and operations
                  • customer experience design
                  • marketing and branding
                  • analytics and revenue strategy

                  Review the MMH Curriculum

                  Career Outcomes

                  What Can You Do with a Master of Management in Hospitality Degree?

                  The MMH prepares you for leadership roles across hospitality and experience-driven industries.

                  Hospitality & Experience Leadership

                  • Hotel or Restaurant Manager
                  • Guest Experience Manager
                  • Event Manager
                  • Operations Manager

                  Strategy, Marketing & Consulting

                  • Marketing Manager
                  • Digital Marketing Strategist
                  • Business Development Consultant

                  Analytics & Revenue Strategy

                  • Revenue Analyst
                  • Data Analyst

                  Beyond Hospitality

                  • Healthcare administration
                  • Real estate development
                  • Human resources
                  • Entrepreneurship

                  Learn more about career paths in hospitality

                                    Where Our Alumni Work

                                    Our graduates leverage the MMH to pivot into leadership roles at world-class brands—regardless of their previous industry.

                                    “I get to work with people [who] want to talk to me and want my help. And I’ve been able to still utilize a lot of the things that I learned in hospitality in this role.” – Mackenzie Miers ‘22 

                                    Read about Mackenzie’s path from hospitality to recruiting

                                    Student Stories – Career Switcher Perspective

                                    “I spent years in neuro-science research and wasn’t sure if I could keep up in a business-focused hospitality program. The MMH was the perfect bridge—the curriculum took my existing leadership skills and translated them directly into the world of experience management.” – Kayla Sawyer, MMH ’24, Revenue Manager at Highgate

                                    Hear more Alumni Success Stories

                                    Application Requirements

                                    The program starts in both Spring and Fall semester. Apply before June 1. The Master of Management in Hospitality program accepts applications on a rolling basis. Apply early to secure your seat. Take a look at what you need to prepare for your application! GRE/GMAT not required. 

                                    MMH Application Requirements

                                    Tuition and Financial Aid

                                    All admitted MMH students receive a minimum $14,000 scholarship, with additional merit-based funding available.

                                    Additional options may include:

                                    • BU alumni scholarships
                                    • employer sponsorship
                                    • external funding

                                    We strive to ensure transparency on tuition and cost. Read the program cost breakdown.

                                    Ready to Challenge Convention? Apply to the MMH Program!

                                    Start your application today and join a community of Experience Innovators at Boston University School of Hospitality Administration. Our Master of Management in Hospitality degree program offers unparalleled real-world learning opportunities and industry leadership.

                                    Start Your Application

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                                    Frequently Asked Questions 

                                    • Do I need a hospitality degree or experience to apply?
                                      No. The MMH is specifically designed for students from all academic and professional backgrounds. You will gain the foundational knowledge needed to succeed in the industry.
                                    • Can I transition into hospitality without prior business experience?
                                      Yes. The program is structured to help you translate your existing skills into hospitality leadership roles, even if you are new to the field.
                                    • Can I work while completing the program?
                                      Yes. The MMH offers a part-time evening format for working professionals.
                                    • How long does the program take?
                                      • Full-time: 12 months
                                      • Part-time: Approximately 2 years

                                    See more Frequently Asked Questions