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A Curriculum Built for Data-Driven Hospitality Researchers
The Master of Science Degree in Hospitality Management offers a research-focused curriculum. Through rigorous coursework and guidance from BU SHA’s research faculty, the MSHM program hones your quantitative and qualitative skills to conduct your original research in the hospitality industry.
The MS in Hospitality Management program curriculum encompasses 44 credits of courses, and it requires students to complete a self-directed research project and a thesis. Students will be assigned to an SHA research faculty member, who will assist with developing a course plan in preparation for the final original research.
The MSHM program is designed to be completed in two years on a full-time learning basis.
Master of Science in Hospitality Management Course Sequencing
The Master of Science in Hospitality Management is currently designated by the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) as a STEM-eligible degree program. International students in F-1 student status may be able to apply for a 24-month extension of their 12-month Optional Practical Training (OPT) employment authorization. More information about STEM OPT eligibility is available from the BU International Students and Scholars Office (ISSO).
MSHM Curriculum Components
The two-year Master of Science in Hospitality Management curriculum consists of three parts—required courses (24 credits), elective courses (12 credits), and research courses (8 credits). The 44 credits are divided among five semesters (including one summer) of coursework.
Students will take a full-time (four courses per semester) load for the first two semesters. The required courses are designed to help students build a solid knowledge base about hospitality management and research methodology. These courses prepare students to conduct their research projects in year two.
In year two, the focus will be on research and completing a master’s thesis. Students will be enrolled in a part-time course load to allow sufficient time for research and thesis writing.
Credit Requirement Summary
Requirement
Credits
6 Required Courses
24 cr.
3 Elective Courses
12 cr.
4 Research Courses
8 cr.
Total Credits
44 cr.
Fall Semester 1 (16 credits):
SHA HF 801: Hospitality Research (4 cr.)
SHA HF 801 Hospitality Research Methods
4 credits.
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.)
CAS MA 614 Statistical Methods 2
4 credits.
Graduate Prerequisites: graduate standing in education or in the social sciences. - Second course in statistics, embodying basic statistical methods used in educational and social science research. Reviews all basic concepts covered in a first statistics course and presents, in detail, more advanced topics such as analysis of variance, covariance, experimental design, correlation, regression, and selected nonparametric techniques. A problem-solving course; students carry out analysis of data taken from educational and other social science sources.
Choose 2 of the Following Courses:
SHA HF 701: Hospitality Operations (4 cr.)
SHA HF 701 Hospitality Operations Analysis
4 credits.
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 Hospitality Financial Management
4 credits.
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 Hospitality Organizational Leadership
4 credits.
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 Hospitality Branding and Marketing
4 credits.
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 Faculty Directed Research
4 credits.
FACDIR RESEARCH
Choose 1 of the Following Boston University Research Courses:
COM CM 722: Communication Research Methods (4 cr.)
COM CM 722 Communication Research
4 credits.
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 Urban Research Methods
4 credits.
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 Introduction to Research
4 credits.
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 Qualitative Research Methods
4 credits.
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 Quantitative Research Methods
4 credits.
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.)
CAS PS 712 Statistics in Psychology 2
4 credits.
Graduate Prerequisites: (CASPS711) or consent of instructor. - Statistical analysis with latent variables including exploratory factor analysis, confirmatory factor analysis, structural equation models, latent growth models, psychometrics.
Choose 2 Electives from the MMH Curriculum. Recommended Electives include:
SHA HF 679: Financial Reporting and Analysis (4 cr.)
SHA HF 778: Hospitality Analytics (4 cr.)
SHA HF 778 Hospitality Analytics
4 credits.
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 Faculty Directed Research
4 credits.
FACDIR RESEARCH
Choose 1 of the Following Boston University Research Courses:
COM CM 722: Communication Research Methods (4 cr.)
COM CM 722 Communication Research
4 credits.
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 Urban Research Methods
4 credits.
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 Introduction to Research
4 credits.
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 Qualitative Research Methods
4 credits.
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 Quantitative Research Methods
4 credits.
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.)
CAS PS 712 Statistics in Psychology 2
4 credits.
Graduate Prerequisites: (CASPS711) or consent of instructor. - Statistical analysis with latent variables including exploratory factor analysis, confirmatory factor analysis, structural equation models, latent growth models, psychometrics.
Spring Semester 2 (4 credits):
SHA HF 899: Thesis (0 cr.)
SHA HF 899 MSHM Thesis
0 credits.
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 Communication Research
4 credits.
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 Urban Research Methods
4 credits.
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 Introduction to Research
4 credits.
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 Qualitative Research Methods
4 credits.
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 Quantitative Research Methods
4 credits.
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.)
CAS PS 712 Statistics in Psychology 2
4 credits.
Graduate Prerequisites: (CASPS711) or consent of instructor. - Statistical analysis with latent variables including exploratory factor analysis, confirmatory factor analysis, structural equation models, latent growth models, psychometrics.
MS in Hospitality Management Curriculum Learning Outcomes
The Master of Science in Hospitality Management (MSHM) degree is an innovative program that aims to prepare students for PhD studies, research positions, and careers in academia.
With the successful completion of the MS program, you demonstrate the ability to:
Describe the segments, history, icons, market leaders, lexicon, and service elements of the continually expanding hospitality landscape.
Learn, master, and apply the research methods and skills in a specific discipline of hospitality for an in-depth study; functional areas can include finance/accounting, revenue management, experience design, operations, human resources/people strategies, real estate, marketing, senior living, and more.
Learn, master, and apply the quantitative skills to synthesize core functional areas of hospitality systems, including finance, operations, human resources/people strategies, marketing and experience design, real estate, senior living, and more.
Presentation and storytelling of data and primary and secondary research to deliver meaningful analyses and recommendations applicable to the practice of global hospitality.
The clear and effective writing of academic papers and results of research, quality for publication, and presentation.
Learn More about the MS in Hospitality Management Program
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