An online Hospitality Management MBA prepares students to meet the needs of travellers who demand quality service from restaurants, resorts, hotels and tourism in general. The programs teach students seeking high-level jobs in the service industry.

What Does an MBA in Hospitality Management Cover?

These MBA degree programs are generally aimed at giving students a solid background in customer service, employee development and the business aspects of hospitality such as accounting, human resources and finances. Programs can focus on tourism, health care, international business, advertising and marketing. Venues studied can include hotels, cruise ships, amusement parks, event facilities and restaurants.

Students will also learn how to recruit, hire and train employees, how to manage venues’ finances and how to identify and solve problems that may arise in the workplace. General business courses in online Hospitality Management MBA programs include Economics, Accounting, Finance, Marketing and Business Communication. Hospitality and service industry-specific courses may include: Front Office Operations, Sanitation and Safety, Retail and Consumer Behavior, Purchasing and Inventory Control, Hospitality Facilities Design, Housekeeping Management, Event Management, Tourism Management, Marketing Management, and Restaurant and Hotel Management.

Getting Into an Online Hospitality Management MBA Program

Students interested in enrolling in a hospitality management MBA program need a bachelor’s degree from an accredited school. The degree does not have to be related to business, but students should have had an GPA of 2.0 or higher. Some institutions, such as South University, have a higher minimum GPA requirement. Students should be proficient in algebra-level mathematics and have taken some introductory business and accounting classes. Applicants should also be prepared to submit the following:

• college transcript
• proof of GMAT scores
• resume detailing work experience
• essays following provided prompt
• letter of program intent

Some programs, such as DeVry University’s hospitality management MBA program, will require that applicants come to a campus location for an interview as well.

Why Should I Get an AACSB Accredited Hospitality Management MBA?

Make sure the business school you select is accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business. The AACSB is a nonprofit membership organization dedicated to advancing quality management education and serves as an accreditor for undergraduate, master’s and doctoral programs in business and accounting. With accreditation from the AACSB, you will know that you have chosen a reputable MBA program that will challenge you and you will earn a degree that is respected in the job market. Some employers will not hire candidates who have earned degrees from universities that are not accredited.

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What Jobs Can an Online Hospitality Management MBA Get Me?

• Lodging and Hotel Managers: Lodging and hotel managers are essentially responsible for ensuring that the facilities they manage run smoothly and that customers are satisfied. They are responsible for recruiting, hiring and training employees, supervising the staff, maintenance and security. Lodging and hotel managers are expected to experience employment growth within the next several years, and those with a degree should have the best job prospects.
• Food Service Managers: Food service managers are essentially responsible for the daily operations of restaurants. This can include administrative duties such as budgeting and payroll, as well as the recruiting, hiring and training of staff and ensuring that establishments run efficiently. Food service managers are expected to experience employment increases in the next several years with good job opportunities for educated applicants.
• Convention Services Manager: Convention services managers are in charge of making accommodations for various types of special events including conferences and meetings. They confer with clients to ensure that facilities will be able to meet demands. To do this they must implement and monitor services such as catering, reservations, programming and decorating. They arrange services including food, housekeeping and transportation, and provide necessary supplies and electronic equipment. These managers often work at hotels, convention centers and casinos.

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How Do I Find Online Hospitality Management MBA Programs?

Prospective students should check out books, websites and news sources for rankings of online MBA programs.

Additional Resources:

• American Hotel & Lodging Association
• Princeton Review: Hospitality Graduate Programs and Careers
• Hotels Magazine