Online Hotel Management Degrees: Best Programs in 2017

Tourism and hospitality is the world’s largest industry as well as the second largest employer. As a result, there are jobs at all levels of the industry. One of the best ways to get started professionally is to obtain a degree in hospitality or hotel management. This guide provides in-depth information as to the degrees available online, how to choose the right program, what students can expect when getting their degree, career paths for graduates, and even an interview with someone who is actually in the hospitality industry. Please note that the terms “hotel management” and “hospitality management” are sometimes used interchangeably in the industry and, therefore, they are both used in this discussion of degree programs.

Timeline for Online Hotel Management Degrees

Numerous schools offer online hospitality management degrees, primarily at the bachelor’s level, but at the associate and master’s as well. Each web-based program is different, but below is an estimated timeline for someone who desires an undergraduate or graduate degree. Also discussed are certificates in hotel management, which can be earned at any level.

Online Certificate

Each school has their own program timeline, but online certificate programs in hotel management can easily take less than one year and usually can be completed in about six months, depending on the pace of the student. Additionally, there are usually no prior degree prerequisites so anyone can obtain a certificate. However, these certificates are best suited for professionals who already have some experience with hotel management.

Hospitality management topics covered include business operations, decision-making and leadership. Most certificate programs consist of only a few classes, but provide a robust overview of the industry and how to more efficiently and profitably run a hospitality business.

Online Associate Degree: Two Years

While a hotel management degree at the bachelor’s level is the minimum educational qualification needed for many jobs in the hotel industry, it is not always required, especially for hotels or motels that offer fewer services than large-scale full-service businesses. The associate degree provides theoretical knowledge of supervisory and administrative roles in hospitality, but focuses on practical training so that graduates can seek work after finishing college. Additionally, this degree can serve as the first step toward obtaining a bachelor’s degree, depending on the four-year college or university’s transfer policy.

Students who graduate with an associate degree learn the basics of the industry including best practices for restaurant and lodging management, managerial and supervisory skills, and the ability to communicate effectively with both customers and colleagues. By obtaining an associate degree in hospitality management, students gain the basis needed for employment in many entry-level positions.

Typical coursework totals approximately 60 to 65 total credit hours and covers industry-specific subjects such as safety and sanitation, management of food and beverages, hospitality information systems, menu planning and introduction to tourism. Business related courses include accounting and marketing. General education or college core requirements can build math and communication skills through classes like algebra, English composition or psychology. A full-time student can usually complete an associate degree in two years, but those who take accelerated courses might be able to finish within 18 months or less.

Online Bachelor’s Degree: Four Years

To obtain a management position at a full-service hotel chain, a bachelor’s degree is almost always a minimum requirement. Compared to the associate degree in hospitality management, a bachelor’s degree covers a wider range of subjects such as convention sales, private club management, ecotourism, gaming, and corporate finance. The bachelor’s degree also goes more in-depth with a few subjects, such as business and accounting. Core coursework for an online hospitality management bachelor’s degree typically covers the following subjects:

In all, most hotel management bachelor’s degrees take four years to complete and amount to 120 to 126 credit hours. Schools often have a minimum overall GPA requirement in order for students to graduate. After graduation, students can explore opportunities in a wide variety of settings, ranging from theme parks to travel agencies to hotels to restaurants to private luxury clubs and resorts.

Online Master’s Degree: Six Years

A master’s degree in hospitality management is available to professionals who desire to advance their current careers and to move into more senior leadership roles in a particular area. Usually taking two years and about 45 credit hours to complete, the master’s degree curriculum enhances existing knowledge of management theories and offers opportunities for specialization. For example, students build on prior academic training and experience by taking courses in areas such as human resources, strategic management, and leadership principles.

Hotel Management Degree Search Tool

Online hotel management degrees are exceedingly popular, allowing graduates to work in a variety of roles such as special events, food and beverage management, and operations. While there are numerous options, not all programs are created equally: in addition to providing an engaging curriculum, students should also look for programs providing job placement services, internships, and opportunities to specialize their knowledge. The good news is students don’t have to go it alone: the search tool below takes all of these factors into consideration and provides a personalized list of programs for each student.

Hotel Management Student Profiles

Why does someone choose to go into hotel management? There can be an array of different reasons, as seen in the student profiles below.

Concentrations and Specialties

As the hospitality industry includes a broad range of environments and employers, many hotel management degree programs offer options for specialization. These concentrations are ideal for students who are already confident in choosing a particular area of emphasis. Specialization is especially common at the graduate level, where students zero in on detailed components of various areas of the hospitality industry, ranging from gaming to event planning.

How to Select an Online Program

Not all hotel management degree programs are equal. Prospective students considering enrollment in a hospitality degree program should evaluate several factors in order to choose the right program. Below is a list of important criteria to consider before deciding on an online program.

Accreditation

One of the most important factors to look into when choosing an online degree is whether the institution or program granting it is accredited. Most schools can be accredited at the national or regional level, and can have the specific program accredited as well. Accreditation ensures that a certain degree or program meets minimum quality standards. If a degree comes from a program or school that is not accredited, it will carry less weight and may not even be recognized.

The Accreditation Commission for Programs in Hospitality Administration accredits many hospitality degree programs, but not all of them. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, only about 60 hospitality management programs are accredited. Many schools with programs that are not accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Programs in Hospitality hold accreditation at the institutional level.

Job Placement Services

No matter how high the student’s GPA or how great the reputation of the hospitality program from which they graduated, they still need to put forth the effort and find employment. This job search can be a lot easier and much more successful with help from the school’s career services office. In deciding which hotel management program to attend, students should examine the resources available when it comes to post-graduate employment. Does the school have on-campus interviews? Are there alumni working at prominent hotel chains, restaurants or related employers for networking opportunities? Does the school offer interview coaching and feedback on resumes and cover letters? Does it have relationships with local or international hotels and businesses? These are just some of the questions prospective hotel management students should consider.

Specialization

Areas of specialization should be an important factor when selecting a school. If students want to focus on hotels, restaurants, conference centers or casino resorts, they should look for programs that offer such concentrations–sometimes a simple, straightforward degree in hospitality management doesn’t prepare students for the intense, targeted education they need to go into a specific area.

Internship Opportunities

As with most other professions, much of what it takes to be successful is learned with hands-on experience, not just what is taught in classes. The opportunity to gain valuable experience through internships should be a major consideration for students deciding on a hospitality program. Not only do internships provide a significant learning opportunity, they can also help the student with networking and the post-graduate search for employment.

Hotel Management Toolbox

Online programs should give students the proper courses to build up specialized expertise and a general education to stand them in good stead in the workplace. These are a few examples of how common courses in hospitality degree programs can lead to useful skills and knowledge for real-world situations.

Course Title	Course Description	Marketable Skills and Knowledge Gained
Hospitality Management Information Systems	Covers the computer and information systems technology commonly used in the hospitality industry.	Students gain familiarity with the computer technology used in all aspects of the hospitality industry, from reservations to financial forecasting.
Hospitality Leadership	Students learn how to become better leaders through the study of emotional intelligence and organizational leadership techniques.	Students obtain the skills necessary to manage employees and be an effective workplace leader.
Sanitation and Safety	Provides an understanding to maintaining safety and sanitation in a food production area.	Students learn the basics of foodborne illness as well as safety protocols used in the food service industry.
Fundamentals of Accounting	The basic accounting concepts and theories will be taught, as well as how to prepare and analyze accounting statements.	Students can calculate the profitability of a given hospitality business and understand financial and accounting metrics used to assess business.
Introduction to Tourism and Hospitality	The tourism and hospitality industry as a whole will be examined, including an overview of how the industry works and where it is headed in the future.	Students gain a background of the hospitality industry and obtain a context for future knowledge and experience gained.
Customer Service for Professionals	Principles of managing a customer-centered workplace and hospitality customer service techniques are covered.	Students understand how to manage fellow employees and enable them to provide excellent service. Students can analyze and improve customer service in a hospitality business.

Certifications

For most careers in the hospitality industry, certification or licensing is not required as a condition of employment. However, specific hospitality careers, such as those in casino gaming, may require certain licenses, depending on the state. Licensing also depends upon the position, for example, supervisors or those working in other roles, such as dealers.

In the hotel industry, several certifications may be obtained. These are not required for most management positions, but they are encouraged. The first is the Certified Hotel Asset Manager, a certification from the Hospitality Asset Managers Association. This certification indicates that the individual has advanced knowledge in hotel operations and ownership and that this knowledge was gathered over a substantial number of years.

A second certification is the Certified Hotel Administrator, offered by the American Hotel and Lodging Educational Institute (AHLEI). This certification signifies that the individual has obtained a high level of experience and education as a hospitality executive.

For secondary school students who hope for a career in the hospitality industry, AHLEI has designed another notable certification. The AHLEI program lasts two years and teaches hospitality and tourism management principles to high school students. Upon completion of the program, students can become Certified Hospitality and Tourism Management Professionals. This is a promising program for high school students who want a head start in learning about the hospitality industry. It also provides networking opportunities that may become useful when the student seeks gainful employment after graduation.

Finally, for those interested in a restaurant or food service related career, there is the Foodservice Management Professional designation. This is awarded to food service managers who complete coursework, pass an exam and meet other experience-based requirements. This designation is offered by the National Restaurant Association Education Foundation.

Beyond Hotel Management: Alternative Careers

Not all hotel or hospitality management graduates end up as hotel or restaurant managers. What are some surprising career paths for graduates of these programs? The following is a list of three careers that may not initially come to mind for hotel management grads.