Hospitality Management
Degree: BS
Campus: Columbus
College: Education and Human Ecology
The hospitality management program prepares students for managerial positions in the hospitality, tourism and service industries. Students learn about service management, hospitality marketing, branding, social media, strategic management, beverage management and event planning.
Students in the hospitality management program have numerous opportunities for networking with industry professionals and internships through the Hospitality Management Industry Advisory Board. They develop practical skills and build their resumes through experiences on the executive planning team for events such as the Big Dish, Hospitality Listens and Hospitality Tours.
Upon admission to the university, students enroll directly into the hospitality management program as a pre-major. Students will be moved from the pre-major to the major once the following admission requirements have been met:
- Complete 15 semester hours
- Earn at least a 2.0 cumulative GPA
- Complete College Algebra with a grade of C- or higher
The balanced curriculum includes courses in business, management, service and operations offered by the world’s leading service scholars and industry professionals who have significant experience in hospitality businesses.
Sample courses:
- Introduction to Hospitality Management
- Hotel Systems Management
- Food Production and Management
- Hospitality Marketing
- Service Management
- Casino Operations Management
- Special Events Planning and Management
- Business and Financial Controls
- Principles of Tourism
- Strategic Management
Hospitality management students are encouraged to participate in a study abroad program to Indonesia where they learn travel motivations and the social, environmental and economic impacts of tourism in Indonesia. Students gain theoretical knowledge and first-hand experience on the effect of tourism on local community and culture.
Experiences in the field of hotel management and restaurant management are included in the hospitality management program prior to completing the final internship experience during the senior year. Students have completed internships in a variety of locations, including full-service restaurants, major hotels and resort settings.
The program requires three experiences in the field of hospitality that students complete with businesses for course credit. Two introductory experiences, one in a restaurant setting and one in lodging, are completed part time. The advanced internship occurs typically in the last semester of the senior year, and is focused work experience in the industry segment of the student’s choosing. This advanced internship often leads to full-time job offers for students.
The Hospitality Management Association is a student organization that provides opportunities for undergraduate students to interact with faculty, discuss careers with industry professionals and participate in other professional development activities.
EHE Peer Mentors engage in discussions with new first-year and transfer students about adjusting to Ohio State and college life, university resources, and how to understand university policies and procedures.
Graduates of the Ohio State hospitality management program are in high demand by the industry. Graduates enter careers in food service, lodging, travel, tourism and event planning. Within each segment of the hospitality industry, management positions are available in accounting, sales, house-keeping, catering and guest services. Hotels, restaurants, resorts, cruise lines, airlines, caterers, and conference and convention centers all offer opportunities for graduates of hospitality management. The supply of graduates with a specialized focus on the hospitality industry is very small compared to the huge demand of this fast growing industry.
Salaries vary greatly depending on the segment of the industry and the experience of each graduate. Salaries for managerial positions, such as entry-level manager in training, food and beverage assistant manager, front office manager, hotel/resort general manager, range from $45,000 to $375,000 per year. Experience, location and organizational structure will directly impact salaries. Opportunities for advancement exist in virtually every segment of the hospitality industry with corresponding salaries.