What Are the Different Types of Hospitality Management Degree Programs?

Generally, a variety of hospitality management degree programs are available in areas such as tourism, food and beverage, and culinary arts. Areas such as gaming and casinos, hotels, and events are usually included in these educational programs as well. Each type typically focuses on both the specifics of the industry represented, such as proper food ordering techniques or gaming laws, and the general best-practices of the hospitality industry as a whole.

Hospitality management degree programs in the tourism industry usually involve training students in the best methods to use when engaging in public and private travel itineraries. Jobs within this field might include working for a commercial airline, at a travel agency, or for a private company or individual. Learning how to manage employees, properly book travel arrangements, or any guidelines specific to the industry might be covered in a course of study.

Field such as food and beverage, culinary, and event planning sometimes function in a similar manner. Restaurant managers, event planners, and event venue managers might have all acquired their knowledge from hospitality management degree programs. These might have included instruction on how to properly price menu items, manage large events, or properly work with contract workers.

Individuals who work within the hotel industry might also participate in hospitality management degree programs. Courses of study within this track typically offer instruction in how to properly manage a hotel staff, handle emergency situations that might occur, or find and follow building codes for a specific region. Managers might also learn information specific to the size of the hotel they would prefer to work at.

The gaming and casino industry is yet another career field that generally has specific guidelines to govern the activities that take place within each facility. Individuals who would like to work in this business might participate in hospitality management degree programs that teach them how to work within these guidelines. Learning where to find information about a region’s gaming guidelines, how to properly manage a casino, or marketing ideas to bring in clients are topics that might be covered by a program such as this.

While some positions might require a specific type of degree to work in a managerial position, individuals might find that a hospitality management certificate serves their purposes well. Often, individuals who possess both the skills necessary to complete a job and the relevant work experience find that they are able to acquire a managerial position. Having formal training, even if just a small amount, might enhance their credentials in the eyes of a prospective employer.