Most Affordable Online Master's In Hospitality Management Degrees

OverviewWith a student body of over 19,000, the University of Louisiana at Lafayette is the state’s second largest institute of higher learning. According to the National Science Foundation, UL Lafayette ranks among the top 10 universities nationwide for percentage of research and development expenditures funded by business. The university offers an online Master of Business Administration with concentrations in Project Management, Global Management, Hospitality Management, and many other areas. Program FeaturesThe Hospitality Management degree program requires 11 courses, totaling 33 credit-hours. Of these 11 courses, 7 are core courses that are shared among all MBA tracks. Core coursework for the MBA covers topics such as data analysis, marketing management, and managerial economics. The four courses specific to the Hospitality Management track are:

• Organizational Behavior and Leadership
• International Business
• Feasibility Studies in Hospitality and Tourism
• Global Contemporary Issues in Hospitality and Tourism

NotablesMultiple start dates are available throughout the year, so prospective students won’t need to wait until the fall semester to begin working toward their degree. This program can be completed in as little as 15 months. As of the 2018 academic year, the tuition rate for the degree is $387.88 per credit-hour. The total expected cost for the program is $12,800.

OverviewLocated just 36 miles north of Dallas-Fort Worth, the University of North Texas offers a comprehensive array of highly regarded academic options. Students at UNT can pursue 103 bachelor’s, 86 master’s, and 38 doctoral degree programs. The Hospitality Management program features a strong emphasis on managerial leadership and core management competencies.Program FeaturesThe online program at UNT culminates in a Master of Science in Hospitality Management. This degree requires a minimum of 36 credit-hours. Students may choose to pursue the degree 100 percent online, or they may choose a blended resident/online program. While earning their degree, students will have the opportunity to take elective classes such as:

• Hotel and Restaurant Operations
• Tourism Services Management and Marketing
• Hospitality and Tourism Information Technology Strategies
• Big Data Implementation in Social Network Analysis

NotablesFor Texas residents, the current cost for this program is $1,421.45 for each three credit-hour course. UNT also offers a unique program leading to a Master of Science in International Sustainable Tourism. This degree is offered through a collaboration with the Tropical Agricultural Research and Higher Education Center in Turrialba, Costa Rica. Through this program, students will complete the first half of their degree at UNT and the remainder at CATIE.

OverviewAs a public research institution, the University of Nevada, Las Vegas is well-known for achievement in education, scholarship, and creative activity. UNLV was established in 1957 as a branch campus of the University of Nevada, Reno. Today, the university serves over 30,000 students. The renowned William F. Harrah College of Hospitality offers a Master of Science in Hotel Administration and a Master of Hospitality Administration.Program FeaturesThis online degree requires 30 credit-hours, to be earned in ten courses. Five courses are mandatory, and four may be earned through hospitality electives. The remaining three credit-hours will be earned by completing a professional paper. Available electives for this program include:

• Hospitality Organizational Behavior Issues
• Principles and Practices in Convention and Meetings Management
• Information Technology in the Hospitality Industry
• Customer Development Strategies for Casino and Gaming

NotablesWhile most students earn this degree in 18 to 24 months, the program can be completed in as little as one year. All candidates for this degree will choose either the Hospitality Management track or the Gaming Management track. This choice must be made as part of the admission process. The 2018 graduate tuition rate is $4,002 per semester for Nevada residents. For non-residents, the cost for graduate education is $11,096 per semester.

OverviewIn the four decades since its founding, Florida International University has firmly established itself as one of the anchor institutions of South Florida. The university is home to 54,000 students in 11 academic schools and colleges. The Chaplin School of Hospitality and Tourism Management at FIU enrolls over 1,000 undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral students. Program FeaturesFIU’s Master of Science in Hospitality Management is available either on campus or online. Students who opt for the accelerated, fully online track can earn the degree in just 12 months. The curriculum features 33 credit-hours. Candidates for this degree will take classes such as:

• Globalization and Competitive Methods of Multinational Hospitality Companies
• Strategic Management for Hospitality and Tourism
• Contemporary Global Issues in Hospitality and Tourism
• Financial Management of the Hospitality Industry

NotablesOn-campus students have the option of completing this degree through a thesis track. The online program is only available through a non-thesis track. An internship is required for all degree candidates. The internship will consist of a minimum of 1,300 hours of industry experience. Students who qualify for in-state tuition will pay $455.64 per credit-hour. Numerous forms of financial aid are available, including a $2,250 scholarship that is awarded to FIU graduates, military members, and veterans.  

OverviewServing more than 66,000 students, the University of Central Florida is one of the largest universities in the nation. UCF has won widespread recognition for its commitment to affordability. The Princeton Review, Kiplinger’s Personal Finance, and Forbes have all cited the university as a top value in higher education. The renowned Rosen College of Hospitality Management presents a rigorous and practical Master of Science in Hospitality and Tourism Management. Program FeaturesThis degree is available through a thesis track, which emphasizes scientific investigation and preparation for doctoral study. Students also have the option of a non-thesis track, which focuses on practical experience and industry application. For both the thesis and non-thesis track, the following courses are required:

• Managing Hospitality and Guest Services Organizations
• Strategic Marketing in Hospitality and Tourism
• Critical Issues in Hospitality Human Resources
• Data Analysis in Hospitality and Tourism Research

NotablesTo qualify for admission, applicants should hold an undergraduate degree in hospitality, business management, or a closely related field. While all of the core coursework for this program can be completed online, some elective options and program prerequisites may not be offered through distance education. For in-state, full-time students taking 30 credit-hours per year, the tuition rate for this program is $369.65 per credit-hour.