Transferring to Our School
VIDEO
We welcome students who have been or are enrolled as undergraduate degree candidates at another college or university.
Hospitality isn’t just any career. It’s the world’s fastest-growing industry, encompassing travel, hotels, food service, and entertainment. Above all, it’s about people. And it offers you dozens of worldwide career paths to success.
The SHA academic program is both challenging and well-rounded. You’ll be immersed in the hospitality field, learning from world-class industry professionals, respected researchers, and seasoned veterans from around the globe.
Below you will find information for students considering transferring to the Boston University School of Hospitality Administration from another college or university, or from another program within BU. Review this information, contact us , or schedule a time to come meet us to help you decide if SHA is the right fit for you.
Internal Transfer
Accelerated Pathway
Accelerated Co-Requisite Pathway is available for current Boston University students interested in SHA. Our academic counselor will meet with you, evaluate your coursework, and map out a personalized study plan for you to complete our degree requirements in a timely manner.
Students interested in learning more about transferring into the SHA program can contact shaadv@bu.edu .
Curriculum
These are the courses that introduce you to the amazing breadth of the hospitality industry. Seminars, discussions, and lectures help you think critically and advance your knowledge base, while the Field Experience components give you a real-world understanding of what it’s like outside the classroom.
SHA HF 100 INTRODUCTION TO THE HOSPITALITY INDUSTRY
SHA HF 100 Introduction to Hospitality
4 credits.
BU Hub Learn More Digital/Multimedia Expression Historical Consciousness Teamwork/Collaboration
This introductory course is open to all BU students and is the prerequisite for School of Hospitality courses. Students gain an historical perspective and identify current events and trends in lodging, restaurants and event management. It provides an overview of the global hospitality/tourism industry including the critical elements of managing services. The Boston market, multimedia assignments and team-based projects are integrated into the learning environment. Effective Fall 2018, this course fulfills a single unit in each of the following BU Hub areas: Historical Consciousness, Digital/Multimedia Expression, Teamwork/Collaboration. 4 cr. Offered in the Fall and Spring.
SHA HF 140 HOSPITALITY FIELD EXPERIENCE I
SHA HF 210 FINANCIAL ACCOUNTING FOR THE HOSPITALITY INDUSTRY
SHA HF 210 Financial Accounting for the Hospitality Industry
4 credits.
Undergraduate Prerequisites: SHA HF 100, CAS MA 119 - An introductory course in Accounting designed to provide students with a basic understanding of the language of business. This course examines the basic accounting processes of recording, classifying, and summarizing business transactions. It also provides an opportunity to study elements of financial statements such as assets, liabilities, equity, revenue, and expenses. 4 credits, offered Fall & Spring.
SHA HF 220 FOOD & BEVERAGE MANAGEMENT
SHA HF 220 Food & Beverage Management
4 credits.
Undergraduate Prerequisites: SHA HF 100 ; Undergraduate Corequisites: SHA HF 260. Note: Students must take SHA HF 220 and HF 260 concurrentl y in the same section(e.g. A1/A1). Contact your academic advisor with any questions. - This courses focuses on principal operating problems facing managers in the restaurant industry. Topics such as concept development and entrepreneurship, menu analysis, cost control, operational analysis, and customer service processes are addressed. 4 credits, offered Fall & Spring.
SHA HF 231 HUMAN RESOURCES MANAGEMENT FOR THE HOSPITALITY INDUSTRY
SHA HF 231 Talent and People Strategies
4 credits.
Undergraduate Prerequisites: SHA HF 100 - This course provides an introduction to the theory and practice of human resource management, especially for consumer services such as hotels, restaurants, tourism and events. Explores contemporary human resource management relative to the hospitality industry, with emphasis on planning, job analysis, recruitment, selection, hiring, placement, and ethnic diversity in the workplace. Specifically, the course examines employee motivation, leadership, training, team building, employee performance and retention. Management philosophies of work compensation, discipline, and labor relations are discussed as they affect current hospitality industry strategies to attract and retain a quality workforce. Effective Fall 2018, this course fulfills a single unit in the following BU Hub area: Global Citizenship and Intercultural Literacy. 4 credits. Offered Fall & Spring.
SHA HF 240 HOSPITALITY FIELD EXPERIENCE II
SHA HF 250 HOSPITALITY LAW
SHA HF 250 Hospitality Law
2 credits.
Undergraduate Prerequisites: SHA HF 100 - A look at the laws that apply to hotels, food-service establishments, and the travel industry. Consideration of innkeepers' duties to guests. Concepts of liability and negligence, contract and property practices, and miscellaneous statutes applicable to the hospitality industry. 2 credits, offered Fall & Spring.
SHA HF 260 HOSPITALITY MARKETING PRINCIPLES
SHA HF 260 Introduction to Hospitality Marketing
4 credits.
Undergraduate Prerequisites: SHA HF 100 ; Undergraduate Corequisites: SHA HF 220. Note: Students must take SHA HF 220 and HF 260 concurrentl y in the same section(e.g. A1/A1). Contact your academic advisor with any questions. - This course provides an understanding of the role & function of marketing in the hospitality industry. It offers an overview of generic principles of marketing for any industry (including consumer products & manufacturing) and introduces specialized principles for the hospitality industry. For all topics, it uses examples taken primarily from the hospitality industry. Subjects covered include marketing strategy, marketing research, consumer behavior, segmentation, positioning, product and concept development, pricing, distribution, & marketing communications (including advertising & PR). Effective Fall 2018, this course fulfills a single unit in the following BU Hub area: Global Citizenship and Intercultural Literacy. 4 cr. Offered Fall and Spring.
SHA HF 270 LODGING OPERATIONS AND TECHNOLOGY
SHA HF 270 Accommodation Management
4 credits.
Undergraduate Prerequisites: SHA HF 100 - This course provides an introduction to the operations and technology of the room division within hotel properties. Explores theoretical principles and operational tactics for management of front office, reservations, housekeeping and engineering functions. 4 credits, offered Fall & Spring.
SHA HF 310 MANAGERIAL ACCOUNTING FOR THE HOSPITALITY INDUSTRY
SHA HF 310 Managerial Accounting for the Hospitality Industry
4 credits.
Undergraduate Prerequisites: CAS MA 119, SHA HF 210 or QST AC 221, SHA HF 220, and SHA HF 270 - After a review of financial-accounting principles, this course examines how financial information is assembled and presented according to the Uniform Systems Accounts for hospitality enterprises. The primary emphasis of the course is on analytical and decision-making uses of financial information, including such topics as cost behavior, leverage, cost-volume-profit analysis, contribution-margin pricing, and budgeting. The course concludes with a review of hotel operating forms, including franchising and management contracts and assessing their impact on financial performance and risk. 4 cr. Offered Fall & Spring.
SHA HF 370 REVENUE MANAGEMENT AND TECHNOLOGY
SHA HF 370 Revenue Management and Technology
2 credits.
Undergraduate Prerequisites: SHA HF 270 - This course provides an advanced overview of the revenue management function in hotels. Revenue management is an integrated approach to maximizing revenue that includes capacity analysis, demand forecasting, variable pricing, and distribution technology. 2 cr. Offered Fall & Spring.
SHA HF 382 HOSPITALITY COMMUNICATIONS PRACTICUM
SHA HF 410 FINANCE FOR THE HOSPITALITY INDUSTRY
SHA HF 432 HOSPITALITY LEADERSHIP
SHA HF 432 Hospitality Leadership
4 credits.
Undergraduate Prerequisites: SHA HF 231, Seniors only - 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 to the more personal aspect of self- leadership. Several different leadership models will be analyzed and applied to the hospitality industry. Leadership tools will be explored - hands-on, realistic tools that you will be able to use in your personal lives, while in school and in the business world upon graduation. 4 cr. Offered Fall & Spring.
SHA HF 440 INTERNATIONAL EXPERIENCE
SHA HF 440 International Experience
0 credits.
Undergraduate Prerequisites: SHA HF 140 - This requirement is fulfilled by studying and/or working abroad. Students typically enroll in a BU Study Abroad program, another approved study abroad program or attaining an internship abroad. Students are able to satisfy this requirement in other ways but must discuss how with SHA Career Services. All students are required to have their HF440 activities pre-approved by SHA Career Services prior to completing work/activities. 0 cr. Offered Fall & Spring.
SHA HF 460 HOSPITALITY STRATEGIC MARKETING
SHA HF 460 Experiential Marketing
4 credits.
Undergraduate Prerequisites: SHA HF 100, and (SHA HF 260 or QST MK 323), and (CAS WR 150/151/152 or CGS RH 104); First Year Writing Seminar (e.g., WR 100 or WR 120) - This is an advanced course focusing on hospitality marketing strategies for hotels, restaurants, tourist attractions or other related events and experiences. In this course we will build upon and integrate basic marketing principles into complex marketing strategies designed to capture market share. All projects are for real situations with real "clients" to be delivered in real time, enabling us to work with industry professionals. Special attention will be placed on market research, targeted marketing, digital marketing, and presentation skills. Effective Fall 2018, this course fulfills a single unit in each of the following BU Hub areas: Writing- Intensive Course, Creativity/Innovation. 4 cr. Offered Fall & Spring.
Please see the suggested course sequencing for SHA students.
In addition to your required SHA courses, you will take at least 12 credits from SHA’s available electives.
External Transfer
Curriculum
These are the courses that introduce you to the amazing breadth of the hospitality industry. Seminars, discussions, and lectures help you think critically and advance your knowledge base, while the Field Experience components give you a real-world understanding of what it’s like outside the classroom.
SHA HF 100 INTRODUCTION TO THE HOSPITALITY INDUSTRY
SHA HF 100 Introduction to Hospitality
4 credits.
BU Hub Learn More Digital/Multimedia Expression Historical Consciousness Teamwork/Collaboration
This introductory course is open to all BU students and is the prerequisite for School of Hospitality courses. Students gain an historical perspective and identify current events and trends in lodging, restaurants and event management. It provides an overview of the global hospitality/tourism industry including the critical elements of managing services. The Boston market, multimedia assignments and team-based projects are integrated into the learning environment. Effective Fall 2018, this course fulfills a single unit in each of the following BU Hub areas: Historical Consciousness, Digital/Multimedia Expression, Teamwork/Collaboration. 4 cr. Offered in the Fall and Spring.
SHA HF 140 HOSPITALITY FIELD EXPERIENCE I
SHA HF 210 FINANCIAL ACCOUNTING FOR THE HOSPITALITY INDUSTRY
SHA HF 210 Financial Accounting for the Hospitality Industry
4 credits.
Undergraduate Prerequisites: SHA HF 100, CAS MA 119 - An introductory course in Accounting designed to provide students with a basic understanding of the language of business. This course examines the basic accounting processes of recording, classifying, and summarizing business transactions. It also provides an opportunity to study elements of financial statements such as assets, liabilities, equity, revenue, and expenses. 4 credits, offered Fall & Spring.
SHA HF 220 FOOD & BEVERAGE MANAGEMENT
SHA HF 220 Food & Beverage Management
4 credits.
Undergraduate Prerequisites: SHA HF 100 ; Undergraduate Corequisites: SHA HF 260. Note: Students must take SHA HF 220 and HF 260 concurrentl y in the same section(e.g. A1/A1). Contact your academic advisor with any questions. - This courses focuses on principal operating problems facing managers in the restaurant industry. Topics such as concept development and entrepreneurship, menu analysis, cost control, operational analysis, and customer service processes are addressed. 4 credits, offered Fall & Spring.
SHA HF 231 HUMAN RESOURCES MANAGEMENT FOR THE HOSPITALITY INDUSTRY
SHA HF 231 Talent and People Strategies
4 credits.
Undergraduate Prerequisites: SHA HF 100 - This course provides an introduction to the theory and practice of human resource management, especially for consumer services such as hotels, restaurants, tourism and events. Explores contemporary human resource management relative to the hospitality industry, with emphasis on planning, job analysis, recruitment, selection, hiring, placement, and ethnic diversity in the workplace. Specifically, the course examines employee motivation, leadership, training, team building, employee performance and retention. Management philosophies of work compensation, discipline, and labor relations are discussed as they affect current hospitality industry strategies to attract and retain a quality workforce. Effective Fall 2018, this course fulfills a single unit in the following BU Hub area: Global Citizenship and Intercultural Literacy. 4 credits. Offered Fall & Spring.
SHA HF 240 HOSPITALITY FIELD EXPERIENCE II
SHA HF 250 HOSPITALITY LAW
SHA HF 250 Hospitality Law
2 credits.
Undergraduate Prerequisites: SHA HF 100 - A look at the laws that apply to hotels, food-service establishments, and the travel industry. Consideration of innkeepers' duties to guests. Concepts of liability and negligence, contract and property practices, and miscellaneous statutes applicable to the hospitality industry. 2 credits, offered Fall & Spring.
SHA HF 260 HOSPITALITY MARKETING PRINCIPLES
SHA HF 260 Introduction to Hospitality Marketing
4 credits.
Undergraduate Prerequisites: SHA HF 100 ; Undergraduate Corequisites: SHA HF 220. Note: Students must take SHA HF 220 and HF 260 concurrentl y in the same section(e.g. A1/A1). Contact your academic advisor with any questions. - This course provides an understanding of the role & function of marketing in the hospitality industry. It offers an overview of generic principles of marketing for any industry (including consumer products & manufacturing) and introduces specialized principles for the hospitality industry. For all topics, it uses examples taken primarily from the hospitality industry. Subjects covered include marketing strategy, marketing research, consumer behavior, segmentation, positioning, product and concept development, pricing, distribution, & marketing communications (including advertising & PR). Effective Fall 2018, this course fulfills a single unit in the following BU Hub area: Global Citizenship and Intercultural Literacy. 4 cr. Offered Fall and Spring.
SHA HF 270 LODGING OPERATIONS AND TECHNOLOGY
SHA HF 270 Accommodation Management
4 credits.
Undergraduate Prerequisites: SHA HF 100 - This course provides an introduction to the operations and technology of the room division within hotel properties. Explores theoretical principles and operational tactics for management of front office, reservations, housekeeping and engineering functions. 4 credits, offered Fall & Spring.
SHA HF 310 MANAGERIAL ACCOUNTING FOR THE HOSPITALITY INDUSTRY
SHA HF 310 Managerial Accounting for the Hospitality Industry
4 credits.
Undergraduate Prerequisites: CAS MA 119, SHA HF 210 or QST AC 221, SHA HF 220, and SHA HF 270 - After a review of financial-accounting principles, this course examines how financial information is assembled and presented according to the Uniform Systems Accounts for hospitality enterprises. The primary emphasis of the course is on analytical and decision-making uses of financial information, including such topics as cost behavior, leverage, cost-volume-profit analysis, contribution-margin pricing, and budgeting. The course concludes with a review of hotel operating forms, including franchising and management contracts and assessing their impact on financial performance and risk. 4 cr. Offered Fall & Spring.
SHA HF 370 REVENUE MANAGEMENT AND TECHNOLOGY
SHA HF 370 Revenue Management and Technology
2 credits.
Undergraduate Prerequisites: SHA HF 270 - This course provides an advanced overview of the revenue management function in hotels. Revenue management is an integrated approach to maximizing revenue that includes capacity analysis, demand forecasting, variable pricing, and distribution technology. 2 cr. Offered Fall & Spring.
SHA HF 382 HOSPITALITY COMMUNICATIONS PRACTICUM
SHA HF 410 FINANCE FOR THE HOSPITALITY INDUSTRY
SHA HF 432 HOSPITALITY LEADERSHIP
SHA HF 432 Hospitality Leadership
4 credits.
Undergraduate Prerequisites: SHA HF 231, Seniors only - 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 to the more personal aspect of self- leadership. Several different leadership models will be analyzed and applied to the hospitality industry. Leadership tools will be explored - hands-on, realistic tools that you will be able to use in your personal lives, while in school and in the business world upon graduation. 4 cr. Offered Fall & Spring.
SHA HF 440 INTERNATIONAL EXPERIENCE
SHA HF 440 International Experience
0 credits.
Undergraduate Prerequisites: SHA HF 140 - This requirement is fulfilled by studying and/or working abroad. Students typically enroll in a BU Study Abroad program, another approved study abroad program or attaining an internship abroad. Students are able to satisfy this requirement in other ways but must discuss how with SHA Career Services. All students are required to have their HF440 activities pre-approved by SHA Career Services prior to completing work/activities. 0 cr. Offered Fall & Spring.
SHA HF 460 HOSPITALITY STRATEGIC MARKETING
SHA HF 460 Experiential Marketing
4 credits.
Undergraduate Prerequisites: SHA HF 100, and (SHA HF 260 or QST MK 323), and (CAS WR 150/151/152 or CGS RH 104); First Year Writing Seminar (e.g., WR 100 or WR 120) - This is an advanced course focusing on hospitality marketing strategies for hotels, restaurants, tourist attractions or other related events and experiences. In this course we will build upon and integrate basic marketing principles into complex marketing strategies designed to capture market share. All projects are for real situations with real "clients" to be delivered in real time, enabling us to work with industry professionals. Special attention will be placed on market research, targeted marketing, digital marketing, and presentation skills. Effective Fall 2018, this course fulfills a single unit in each of the following BU Hub areas: Writing- Intensive Course, Creativity/Innovation. 4 cr. Offered Fall & Spring.
Please see the suggested course sequencing for SHA students.
In addition to your required SHA courses, you will take at least 12 credits from SHA’s available electives.
Work & International Experiences
In addition to academic coursework, SHA students complete two 400-hour non-credit work experiences (HF140 and HF240) and one international experience (HF440). These internships are designed to give students practical work experience in the field, exposing them firsthand to the hospitality industry in the United States and worldwide.
Transfer Criteria
Visit the BU Admissions website for more information regarding application requirements.
Transfer credit evaluations are completed in the Office of the University Registrar for all admitted students who have completed college coursework in the U.S. You must submit syllabi for all college coursework completed prior to enrolling at Boston University for which you wish to receive transfer credit. Please submit your syllabi as separate PDF or Word attachments (one attachment/syllabus) to credeval@bu.edu . If your syllabi do not fit in one email, you may send multiple emails. Please include your name and date of birth in the body of each email.
Learn more about transfer credits on the Admissions website
SHA suggests taking some of the courses listed below prior to your transfer to help make your transfer go smoothly:
Microeconomics
Macroeconomics
Humanities Courses
Social Science Courses
Natural Science Courses
Foreign Language
For More Information
This Admissions website is an excellent place to start to find answers most of your transfer-related questions about Boston University.
For more specific questions:
Transfer students with general School of Hospitality Administration program questions can contact Molly-Kate Carven , Director of Student Services at the School of Hospitality Administration, 617-353-0930.
Admissions-specific questions should be addressed to the following offices:
For U.S. citizens, contact the Office of Admissions at admissions@bu.edu or 617-353-2300.
For international students, contact the International Student Advisor in Admissions, at 617-353-4492.
Questions related to transfer credit evaluations should be directed to the Office of the University Registrar, at credeval@bu.edu at 617-353-3612.