Best Online Hospitality Management Degrees

Our highest-ranked program is the bachelor of science in hospitality and tourism management (HTM) offered by the Isenberg School of Management at the University of Massachusetts in Amherst. As one of the elite hospitality management programs in the US, with a long history of leadership in the industry, it is more difficult to get into and rigorous to complete. But its graduates are in high demand, recruited to restaurant and hotel companies including Darden, Marriott, Four Seasons, Hyatt, The Cheesecake Factory, ARAMARK, Sodexo, Farmington Country Club, and The Breakers.

The requirements for graduation include the following coursework in general education, business and management, and the major field of study:

• 12 general education courses
• 7 courses in business topics, including topics like Corporate Finance, Fundamentals of Marketing, and Management Communications
• 8 HTM courses, including topics like Hospitality and Tourism Law, Human Resource Management in the Hospitality Industry, Lodging Operations Management and Hospitality Managerial Accounting
• 5 upper level HTM electives, drawn from a wide range of subjects like Gaming and Social Policy, Convention Sales, Club Management, Beverage Management, and Special Event Management

In addition, you’ll be required to complete a 400 hour work placement in the industry and write a reflection paper on that experience. Upon graduation, you’ll have the skills and knowledge necessary to translate your passion for food, travel and people into a management career in the restaurant, hotel and entertainment industry. The University of Massachusetts at Amherst is regionally accredited by the New England Association of Colleges and Schools.

It probably comes as no surprise that a tourist destination like Florida would host a prestigious and selective program in hospitality management. Located in Miami, Florida International University offers a bachelor of science degree in hospitality management in both residential and online formats, where online students learn from the same curriculum and complete the same requirements as those who study on campus. As you learn the business of hospitality from a global perspective, and apply what you’ve learned in real-world settings, you’ll be prepared to succeed as a manager in all parts of the hospitality industry: hotels, resorts, restaurants, cruise lines, casinos, airlines, consulting, marketing, and beyond.

This 120-credit degree includes 60 credit hours of general education, 30 hours of hospitality core requirements in topics like marketing, accounting, and environmental systems, and 30 hours in your major. You can choose to major in one of the following areas:

• Beverage Management
• Culinary Management
• Event Management
• Hotel and Lodging Management
• Restaurant and Foodservice Management
• Travel and Tourism Management

FIU’s program also includes an extensive work requirement. Students must complete 1,000 hours of industry related work, and an additional 300 hours (10 weeks minimum) are required for the advanced internship course. If you already work in hospitality, however, you can apply up to 500 hours of prior experience towards this requirement. Florida International University is regionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.

Located in Hayward, CA, California State University East Bay is a regional campus of one of the largest and most diverse public university systems in the US. Among its more than 1,800 degree programs in 357 subject areas, CSU East Bay offers an online bachelor of science degree in hospitality and tourism. As the program website explains, graduates will gain “the people skills, problem solving skills and creativity needed to be an excellent hospitality professional. Understanding why people are seeking ‘the good life’ is critical to delivering superior services that bring the guest back for return visits. We want to instill that ‘can do attitude’ that employers are seeking.” And you’ll gain those skills through general education coursework, classes in your major field of study, and internships in the industry.

This degree is structured to develop a range of core competencies and to ensure that students achieve a set of particular learning outcomes. These include:

• Knowing the structure, function and complexity of the hospitality and tourism industry including the economic, cultural and environmental impacts, and how professional services can improve the lives of the people they serve.
• Demonstrating significant knowledge of innovative and creative leadership, management, and evaluation of service quality and consumer needs.
• Communicating in spoken and written forms the ethical, philosophical, historical, current best practices and administrative foundations of the profession.

• Conducting a simple research study in the profession, including a literature review, data collection and analysis, conclusions based on evidence, and providing accurate referencing for all sources.

• Treating all people with dignity and respect while promoting and encouraging individuals, communities and organizations to achieve the highest quality of life.

• Demonstrating awareness of technological advancements and their incorporation in the field of hospitality.

California State University East Bay is regionally accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges.

Like our other top-ranked programs at FIU and UMass-Amherst, the bachelor of science degree in hotel and restaurant management at Northern Arizona University has received a secondary accreditation from the Accreditation Commission for Programs in Hospitality Administration (ACPHA) in addition to the university’s regional accreditation for all its degree programs. This is a prestigious status held by fewer than 20% of hospitality programs nationwide. The 120 credit hour curriculum required for NAU’s hotel and restaurant management major is one that combines management courses, technical training, and liberal arts studies. Uniquely, it also emphasizes the global perspective of travel and tourism, requiring students to complete two courses in a foreign language for graduation.

This degree not only prepares students with the professional knowledge and skills to succeed in the hospitality industry, but also provides opportunities for growth and experience in that industry. Throughout a student’s time in the program, students will focus on a set of hospitality courses including, but not limited to, guest services, food preparation, and sales. Along with your coursework, you’ll also be required to obtain and document 1200 hours of employment in a hospitality-related enterprise for the technical, hands-on portion of your degree. Northern Arizona University is regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.

Located in Durham, North Carolina Central University is one of the top historically black universities in the United States. Founded in 1909 as the National Religious Training School and Chautauqua by Dr. James Edward Shepard, it became the first public liberal arts institution for African Americans in the nation. From those beginnings, NCCU has continued to serve North Carolina and beyond with its strong tradition of teaching, research, and service, preparing students to become leaders in their professions and in their communities. As part of this legacy of service, NCCU offers several online programs along with its residential degrees, including a 128 credit hour bachelor of science degree in hospitality and tourism administration.

Along with general education requirements, students obtaining the hospitality and tourism degree earn 22 semester hours in general business studies. Then, you’ll take industry-specific classes and electives and complete a 1000-hour work experience internship. As the program website states, it maintains a high job placement rate each academic year. Graduates of the program are employed in lodging, food and beverage service, convention and visitors bureaus, event management, resorts, conference centers, cruise lines, and airlines. North Carolina Central University is regionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.

Arizona’s Grand Canyon University is a private Christian university with roots in the Baptist tradition. As part of their current, extensive, online degree programs, Grand Canyon offers an online bachelor of science degree in hospitality management. This 120 credit hour degree includes general education requirements in the liberal arts and sciences as well as religion and ethics. Professional coursework for the degree focuses on key areas including management, accounting, finance, marketing and operations. This provides you with the opportunity to gain a foundation in business while also learning the networking and communication skills needed for hospitality management. You’ll also receive instruction in a broad-based curriculum that features courses specific to hospitality management, including hotel and restaurant management, event planning, revenue generation, facilities management and human resources in the hospitality industry.

As part of your studies, you’ll take classes in a variety of subjects relevant to work in the hospitality industry including:

• Principles of marketing
• Economics
• Financial accounting
• Hospitality
• Ethical and legal issues in business
• Business statistics
• Managerial accounting
• Hotel and lodging management
• Organizational behavior and management
• Human resources
• Food and beverage service and operations
• Hospitality services marketing
• Strategic management
• Revenue generation for hospitality

After graduation, you’ll be qualified to seek employment as a hotel and lodging manager, food service manager or resort manager. Grand Canyon University is regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.

East Carolina University, located in Greenville, NC, is another North Carolina public university that offers students the option to study for a bachelor of science degree in hospitality management. SInce its founding in 1987, the School of Hospitality Leadership at ECU has grown to become the largest program of its kind in North Carolina and one of the largest in the Southeastern United States. Graduates of the online bachelor’s program follow the same curriculum as residential students, and are qualified to apply for entry level management positions across the hospitality industry including management trainee, assistant hotel manager, restaurant or club manager, food and beverage manager, institutional sales, and marketing director.

This 126 credit hour degree includes general education requirements, a core set of hospitality management courses, concentration electives, and a required internship and externship where you’ll gain the kind of practical experience to make you a competitive candidate for top jobs. There are three possible areas of concentration within the degree: convention and special events, food and beverage, and lodging. Please note, however, that the concentration in lodging is only available online as a degree completion program, and certain hands-on classes will need to be transferred from another institution (usually a community college). East Carolina University is regionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.

The University of Southern Mississippi’s proximity to the casino area of the Gulf Coast has led to its playing host to a unique program for students with a special interest in the gambling resort industry. If hosting high rollers and casual punters is your cup of tea, you might hit the jackpot with USM’s hybrid bachelor of science in business administration degree in tourism and casino resort management. Southern Miss was the first university in Mississippi to offer this specialized major, and even today is one of very few who offer it. From its founding in the 1960’s, it has become a destination of choice for those looking to enter this exciting area of the hospitality industry.

Because it’s a hybrid program, you will need to be present on campus for certain parts of the degree requirements. However, most of the coursework can be completed online at your convenience and on your schedule. You’ll study all aspects of a typical casino resort, including lodging, food and beverage management, and marketing. You’ll also gain the specialized knowledge necessary to work within the highly regulated gambling industry, like legal issues, regulatory compliance, technology, and security. Upon graduation, you’ll be qualified to work in a range of settings throughout the travel and tourism industry. The University of Southern Mississippi is regionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.

Our next profile takes us from the Deep South to the urban Northeast, and in particular to Monroe College in New York City. Located in New Rochelle, the Monroe College School of Hospitality Management and Culinary Arts is one of the largest programs of its kind in the United States, as well as one of the most selective. As part of their degree programs that range from the associate’s to the master’s level, both residential and online, Monroe offers a bachelor of business administration in hospitality management degree. This BBA in hospitality is designed to build on the knowledge obtained at the associate degree level, so if you don’t already have an associate’s degree you can obtain that either through Monroe or a local community college.

During the program, you’ll build on your knowledge and skills in areas like these: management of food and beverage costs, controls and procedures; staffing, organizing and scheduling in various departments; managing the operation of hotels, motels, inns and resorts; planning of recreational opportunities and events; and computer software for hotel front office systems. After graduation, you’ll be prepared for of managerial positions in a growing industry known for career advancement. Recent graduates have gone on to work in jobs that include:

• Conference Center Manager
• Banquet Manager
• Special Event Coordinator
• Concierge
• Destination and Travel Resort Manager
• Front Office Manager
• Director of Housekeeping Facilities
• Public Relations Coordinator
• Food and Beverage Manager

Monroe College is regionally accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.

Another program specially tailored for students who already hold an associate’s degree is the bachelor of science in service and hospitality management at Granite State College. The course of study is intended to prepare students for a variety of careers in the hospitality services, including the hotel, travel and tourism, and food service industries. As the program website explains, courses in the program emphasize strong communication, organizational and interpersonal public relations, marketing, leadership, and project management. Specific careers open to graduates include Hotel Manager, Event/Conference Planner, Travel and Tourism Director, Food Service Manager, Facilities Manager, Customer Service Manager, and Concierge.  

Upon graduation, you’ll have gained the following skills to allow you to step into a management position in hospitality and the service industry:

• Build on your pre-existing expertise through the attainment of new knowledge in service and hospitality management.
• Develop management capacity to enhance individual and organizational performance.
• Assess service logistics in a variety of service environments.
• Apply various service systems to construct customer relationship platforms.
• Integrate management theories in an applied field to improve efficiency and effectiveness of organizations.

Located in Concord, New Hampshire, Granite State College is regionally accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges.

Many of the universities that offer special programs in hospitality management are located in high-tourism areas, and Utah Valley University is no exception. With its proximity to the ski resorts of the mountain West, UVU has developed an extensive program in the field through its Woodbury School of Business. Students interested in studying for a bachelor’s degree through UVU have two options: a bachelor of science in business management with an emphasis in hospitality management, or a bachelor of science in hospitality management. The difference between the two degrees lies in the type of classes required – one degree emphasizes general business knowledge and the other involves more courses specific to the hospitality industry.

Graduates of the hospitality management program will be qualified for a number of careers including hotel, resort, and motel management; restaurant and institutional food service; and a number of other areas such as cruise ship management, amusement park management, convention and visitor facilities, gaming facilities, and meeting planning. As part of the degree, you can choose from several specializations based on your area of interest and previous experience, including sales, revenue management, culinary arts, and operations. Utah Valley University is regionally accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities.

From its campus in Hays, Kansas, Fort Hays State University offers a number of affordable online degrees to supplement its residential offerings. Among those programs you’ll find an online bachelor of science degree in tourism and hospitality management (THM), available through Fort Hays State’s College of Business and Entrepreneurship. As THM program director Stacey Smith recently told the student newspaper in a profile of the program, “Management structures have become so complex, they need people with that business mindset. That’s why many employers require you to have a least a bachelor’s degree.”

The 120-credit hour bachelor’s degree includes courses in general business topics as well as those intended especially for aspiring tourism and hospitality management professionals. The distribution of course requirements is as follows:

• General education courses: 55 credit hours
• College of Business & Entrepreneurship Core Curriculum: 24 credit hours
• Tourism and hospitality management core: 21 credit hours
• Tourism and hospitality management electives: 12 credit hours
• Free electives: 8 credit hours

After completing your degree, you’ll have the knowledge, skills, values, and strategic perspectives essential to obtaining leadership roles in the hospitality service professions whether you live in western Kansas, the Midwest, or elsewhere across the country and around the world. Fort Hays State University is regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.

If you enjoy interacting with people and working in an energized environment where guests are looking to have fun, Lakeland University’s bachelor of arts in hospitality management might suit your interests.  As the program website notes, Lakeland’s hospitality management program has been strong for two decades, and continues to send qualified graduates into exciting, fast-paced careers at resorts, hotels, restaurants and even on cruise ships around the world. 56 credit hours of coursework within the major are required for the degree, including classes in accounting, general business and management, and practical issues in the hospitality industry.

You can also select a secondary business and entrepreneurship emphasis to supplement your hospitality management degree, including finance, international business, and human resource management. Recent graduates have gone on to a range of positions including:

• Wedding coordinator, Blue Harbor Resort
• Director of camp and program, Girl Scouts of Manitou Council
• Food and beverage service coordinator, Kohler Company
• Service coordinator, Whistling Straits/The American Club Resort
• Clubhouse manager/head golf professional, Monroe Country Club
• Events & fundraising coordinator, Above & Beyond Children’s Museum
• General manager, LQ Management
• Manager front desk/carriage house operations, The American Club
• Front desk supervisor/accounting supervisor, Aloft Nashville-Cool Springs
• General manager, Comfort Inn
• Front desk clerk, Lotte City (Seoul, South Korea)

Located in Plymouth, Wisconsin, Lakeland University is regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.

Florida’s Saint Leo University offers a bachelor’s degree in International Tourism and Hospitality Management (ITHM), which prepares students for career opportunities in the travel and tourism industry both at home and abroad. The curriculum is intended to prepare you for a broad range of positions, including those in hotels and resorts, event planning, restaurants, and various companies and organizations involved in destination management and promotion, attractions, transportation, and special interest tourism such as ecotourism and heritage tourism.  The ITHM major also links coursework with practical experience that allows you to apply what you’ve learned in class to a professional setting.

The program is designed for maximum flexibility and career potential. All students take the introductory courses that cover a broad spectrum of topics and career fields. Then, you can select one of two professional specializations in either International Tourism or Hospitality Management.  Upon graduation, Saint Leo graduates find jobs in many sectors, including accommodations, food service, attractions, transportation, and destination promotion:

• Event Planner
• Resort Manager
• Restaurant Manager
• Hotel Manager
• Airline Manager
• Theme Park Marketer
• Destination Marketer
• Tour Planner
• Ecotourism Consultant

Saint Leo University is regionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.

Affiliated with the Southern Baptist Convention in South Carolina, Charleston Southern is a Christian liberal arts university and one of the state’s largest accredited, independent universities. As the school’s website states, “We strive to prepare students for a lifetime of learning, leading and serving through the integration of faith into all online courses. Aspects of the Christian faith are shared in open dialogue through various functions of the virtual faculty and student community. We desire that our faculty, staff, and students demonstrate the highest form of servant leadership.” If you’re looking for a bachelor’s degree program that integrates faith and learning, Charleston Southern may be right for you.

Among their online programs, Charleston Southern University offers a bachelor of science degree in organizational management, with a concentration in hospitality and tourism management. This 125 credit hour, four-year academic program combines traditional coursework with hands-on learning experiences, as students explore topics such as Introduction to the Hospitality Industry, Organizational Behavior for the Hospitality Industry, Fundamentals of Planning and Developing Tourism, and Economics of Tourism. In Case Studies in Hospitality and Tourism, students will have the opportunity to apply industry theory to several real-world scenarios. The curriculum also has a strong liberal arts component, including studies in foreign language and Christian studies. Charleston Southern University is regionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.

Located in Hobbs, New Mexico, the University of the Southwest began as Hobbs Baptist College. From those beginnings, however, it was chartered in 1962 as an independent, non-denominational, four-year liberal arts college to serve the southeastern New Mexico and West Texas region, serving an area of almost 21,000 square miles. Along with its residential degrees, USW offers online degrees in several areas including a bachelor’s degree in business administration with an emphasis in hospitality management.

The BBA with emphasis in hospitality management at Southwest is a professional program that emphasizes core business fundamentals and focuses on the practical topics relevant to the hospitality and tourism industries.  The course requirements are distributed as follows:

• Core curriculum: 45 credit hours
• Business major requirements: 33 credit hours
• Hospitality management emphasis area: 30 credit hours
• Free electives: 12 credit hours

With this degree, you’ll be prepared for managerial and administrative roles in hotels, tourism companies, trade-show and convention hosting, food service, and other hospitality service organizations. The University of the Southwest is regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.

American Public University was founded with a goal of providing distance education to members of the military, “by offering respected, relevant, accessible, affordable, and student-focused online programs that prepare students for service and leadership in a diverse, global society.” Now, they offer online higher education to students from all walks of life, while still maintaining their commitment to those in government service. As part of this expanded outreach, they now offer an online bachelor’s degree in hospitality management.

The curriculum for this program includes a broad range of topics such as:

• Professionalism and customer service
• History, trends, and job opportunities
• Managerial accounting and revenue management
• Dynamic pricing, profitability, and taxes
• Rules, regulations, and laws of hospitality
• Marketing techniques and best practices
• Management, leadership, and interpersonal skills
• Service quality planning and improvement
• Human resource fundamentals and management
• Food sanitation, including foodborne disease control and hygiene

Upon graduation, students will have developed the skills and knowledge necessary for management positions in the hospitality and tourism industry. As the program website describes, you’ll be prepared to:

• Apply concepts and principles of hospitality service excellence in marketing, law, revenue management and strategic planning, to the unique aspects of hospitality operations.
• Judge current political, economic, and social issues that affect food service, lodging and travel and tourism industries.
• Apply strategic management principles to accomplish goals and objectives of hospitality operations.
• Assess unique hospitality characteristics and principles that are the business of hospitality management.

In addition to the hospitality management major, several area concentrations are available, so that you can further specialize in your field and pursue a focused path to a career in a particular aspect of the industry. You can choose to specialize in food service, lodging, event planning, or tourism. American Public University is regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.

National American University’s headquarters may be in Rapid City, South Dakota, but their numerous satellite campuses and online programs are designed to bring higher education to adult learners throughout the US and abroad. As part of that global scope, NAU offers an online bachelor of science degree in business administration, with a concentration in tourism and hospitality management. In this program, you’ll take courses including:

• Introduction to Tourism & Hospitality
• Food Service & Lodging Management
• IT Applications for Tourism & Hospitality
• Destination Tourism
• Tourism & Hospitality Marketing
• Event & Convention Management

This program also requires the successful completion of an approved local internship in tourism and hospitality management, so that you can apply the skills you’ve learned in class to a real-world setting.

While National American University’s generous transfer policies may allow you to complete your degree in an accelerated time frame, you will need to receive credit for the following course distribution, for a total of 180 quarter credit hours:

• General education core: 66 quarter credit hours
• Open electives: 22.5 quarter credit hours
• Tourism and hospitality emphasis core: 31.5 quarter credit hours
• Business major core: 64.5 quarter credit hours

As a graduate, you’ll be ready to launch your career as a manager in both private sector corporations and governmental organizations that serve travelers of all kinds. National American University is regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.

Boston’s Bay State College was founded in 1946 to serve the travel industry, educating the future employees of commercial airlines. So, they know what it takes to provide an education the combines hands-on skills with the solid educational foundation needed to thrive in the ever-growing field of tourism and hospitality management. In addition to their residential programs in Massachusetts, Bay State also offers an online bachelor’s degree in hospitality management, allowing you to learn at home at your own pace. Courses are taught in 8-week terms throughout the year, giving you maximum flexibility in reaching your educational goals.

Your studies will give you a solid foundation and a vital perspective on general business practices as well as the hospitality industry through courses such as:

• Resort and Casino Management
• Conference, Meeting, and Event Planning
• Hotel Operations
• Food and Beverage Operations
• Special Events Planning
• Human Resource Management

In addition, you’ll also complete an internship to apply your knowledge and provide the hands-on practical skills that you need. Upon graduation, you’ll be prepared to lead in the industry by achieving the following learning outcomes:

• Integrate a set of ethical and legal standards into decision-making for the hospitality industry.
• Examine and explore the increasing importance of globalization in hospitality management, including the identification and appropriate response to opportunities and threats in this global environment.
• Analyze and propose solutions to complex real world managerial problems.
• Integrate business analysis and expertise into a framework for business problem-solving and forecasting.
• Utilize technology and demonstrate presentation skills necessary to compete and succeed in the business world.
• Demonstrate the interpersonal skills required to function as a productive team member in defining management problems, determining alternatives, achieving consensus and evaluating results.

Bay State College is regionally accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges.

ECPI University, formerly known as East Coast Polytechnic Institute, is a private, for-profit university based in Virginia Beach, Virginia that offers undergraduate and graduate degrees both online and through campuses in several states. ECPI’s online degrees use the same curriculum and involve the same requirements as their face-to-face programs, making use of simulation software, web-based networks, and one-on-one faculty interaction to enhance the experience for distance learners. The online bachelor of science degree in business administration with a concentration in hospitality management is an accelerated 2.5 year program that integrates the fundamentals of culinary arts and food service operations with principles of management to prepare students to be successful in today’s hospitality industry.

The core courses in the business administration program teach students how to be business leaders and owners, how to make decisions and solve problems in a wide range of business environments. You’ll learn to work in teams, demonstrate professionalism and ethics, and how to communicate about, and collaborate on, business projects in culturally diverse work environments. You’ll also add to your practical experience by completing two externships and a capstone project. In your hospitality management courses, you’ll learn about food service, menu planning, customer service, facilities management, wine and beverage service, and human resources management. After graduation, you’ll be qualified for a number of jobs in the industry including those in:

• Casual Service or Chain Restaurants
• Catering Services
• Convention and Conference Centers
• Athletic Facilities
• School Hospitality
• Business Dining Services
• Campus Dining Services
• Healthcare Facility Food Service

ECPI University is regionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.

San Ignacio University knows that growth in the hospitality industry has led to a need for managers with advanced knowledge and business skills. That’s why it offers several degrees in the field, ranging from two-year introductory degrees up to the master’s level. The bachelor of arts in hospitality management curriculum is designed to train professionals with the knowledge, skills, and competencies they need to successfully manage a wide variety of lodging and food service operations – from hotels and restaurants to casinos and senior living facilities. General education courses provide a foundation in communication and personal skills, while business courses develop the necessary competencies to understand management principles. Then, specific courses in hospitality and food and beverage management prepare you for a career in your chosen area of specialization.

By the time you reach graduation, you will have attained the following learning objectives and be able to:

• Apply and reflect on knowledge and skills acquired through academic, craft-based learning and workplace learning activities.
• Operate at supervisory level in operational departments within the hospitality industry.
• Apply contemporary systems and theories relevant to administrative and operational management tasks in hotel departments or units.
• Exhibit a solid work ethic, good inter-personal communications, cultural awareness and teamwork skills.
• Use tools for developing your career plans, setting personal goals and building other professional skills

You’ll be prepared to embark on a career as a manager in hotels, restaurants, cruise lines, events, and similar settings. As a Peruvian school operating in the US through a satellite campus in Miami, Florida, San Ignacio University is accredited by the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools.

Located in another travel hotspot – Washington, DC – the University of the Potomac offers both online and hybrid degree programs leading to a bachelor of science degree in hospitality and tourism management. At UOTP, you’ll gain the skills you need to lead a financially sound travel and tourism business, develop strong management skills, and develop sound business strategies. Plus, you’ll learn about the impact of tourism on resources and communities, and learn how to develop strategies that ensure a sustainable future for the industry.

In addition to coursework, fieldwork experience will help you to draw the links between theory and practice, improving your education and skills. Students in this program will complete two internships in the hospitality and tourism field toward the end of their degree program. This integration of theory and practice is the basis of UOTP’s curriculum design and course delivery. Upon graduation, you’ll be able to:

• Apply technical and management skills in the hospitality and tourism industry
• Identify and communicate a long-range vision and strategy for a service organization
• Plan and monitor the revenue activity of a hotel or facility
• Participate in financial activities such as setting room rates, establishing budgets and allocating funds to departments
• Demonstrate the ability to apply the principles and processes for providing customer and personal services

The University of the Potomac is regionally accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.

Kentucky’s Sullivan University is a private school that offers career-focused curricula at all levels, ranging from technical certificates through diploma, associate, bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degree levels. As one part of that extensive range of course offerings, Sullivan offers both on-campus and online bachelor of science degrees in hospitality management. Students in this program are trained to manage any type of food and beverage operation in the hospitality profession by building their knowledge and skills in logistics, customer service and – most importantly – all aspects of preparing and serving high-quality food and beverages to discerning customers and guests.

If you’re a problem-solving type who’s good with people, Sullivan’s degree program in hospitality management will help you grow in your capacity to lead. You’ll learn good organizational skills, and how to form teams efficiently. Most importantly, you’ll learn that your most precious, and difficult to manage, resource in the hospitality industry is your employees and associates. And Sullivan’s program will teach you how to lead and manage is a way that is fair, respectful and cognizant of the differences between individuals. Sullivan University is regionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.

Founded in 1962 in Boca Raton, Florida, Lynn University prides itself on its innovative approaches to education, including course delivery via iPad and accelerated degree programs that let you complete your education in less than four years. And Lynn’s bachelor of science program in hospitality management will allow you to explore one of the largest, most diverse industries in the world through their globally-minded educational philosophy. In this program, you’ll gain a strong background in hospitality and a solid foundation in business. And, you’ll take advantage of hands-on learning opportunities that allow you to explore the many facets of the hospitality industry.

At Lynn, you’ll learn from industry experts and discover hospitality jobs in hotels, restaurants, theme parks, cruise lines, resorts and beyond. In order to graduate, you’ll be required to complete a total of 120 credits in the following categories:

• 45 core curriculum credits
• 36 College of Business and Management core credits
• 15 Hospitality Management major credits
• 24 elective credits

In your coursework, you will learn essential business topics, including managing and motivating staff, as well as professional insights to accelerate your career. And, you’ll gain real-world experience through internships. Lynn University is regionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.

The other foreign-based university on our ranking is Schiller International University, with campuses on multiple continents. Schiller’s educational philosophy puts particular emphasis on developing international and cross-cultural knowledge and skills through foreign language training, intercampus transfer, and interaction among people with diverse backgrounds. SIU’s bachelor of science program in international hospitality and tourism management follows that philosophy, offering students the opportunity to study online or at campus locations in both Europe and the United States.

Students completing this degree are required to complete 36 credit hours in the general education core, 60 credit hours in the major, and 24 credit hours of electives in topics that reflect Schiller’s international focus. As the program website states, graduates of the International Hospitality and Tourism Management program will be able to:

• Apply knowledge, skills and experience through individual and team-based activities within a multicultural environment
• Supervise key areas of hotel operations
• Demonstrate knowledge of management of the tourism industry
• Demonstrate critical thinking, writing, analytical and decision-making skills
• Exhibit awareness and knowledge of industry trends and best practices

As a non-US-based school, Schiller International University is accredited by the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools.