Program Overview

Hospitality and Tourism Management Bachelor of Science Degree

Overview

The Hospitality and Tourism Management program at RIT provides students with a comprehensive education in the principles of hospitality, service management, and tourism operations. The program is designed to prepare students for careers in the hospitality and tourism industry, with a focus on developing skills in business, technology, and guest experience.

Why Study Hospitality and Tourism Management at RIT

• Industry Exposure and Connections: Students have the opportunity to travel to multiple industry conferences, trade shows, and events, and network with top executives and stay abreast of industry trends.
• Global Rotation Option: Through the global hospitality rotation, students can gain a global perspective on hospitality by spending a semester at RIT Croatia, located in Dubrovnik, one of the most prominent tourist destinations in the Mediterranean Sea.
• Engage with Faculty: Students learn in small classrooms from faculty experts who infuse their industry experience and the latest research into their courses.
• Make Alumni Connections: Students have access to a vast network of successful alumni who work in a range of exciting hospitality career fields.
• Career Experience: Students gain hands-on career experience through cooperative education and internships.

Careers in Hospitality

The hospitality and tourism degree provides an in-depth understanding of the hospitality and tourism industry and prepares students to enter any segment of the industry, including sports and entertainment management, hospitality real estate, beverage management, hotel/resort management, travel management, food marketing and distribution, cruise line operations, resorts and spas, event management, and airline catering.

Excellence in Hospitality and Tourism Management

The hospitality management program is global in scope and innovative in focus, preparing students to become managers, hospitality professionals, or entrepreneurs who will thrive in their careers.

The Saunders’ Hospitality and Tourism Student Experience

In Saunders, students learn in small classrooms and have opportunities to experience large events, enjoy fine dining, taste worldwide beverages, and visit world-class hotels.

RIT’s Hospitality and Tourism Management Curriculum

The hospitality and tourism management major includes a comprehensive core curriculum that provides students with a strong foundation in the core principles of hospitality, service management, and tourism operations. Students may choose to specialize further through one of the hospitality minors:

• Beverage Management Minor
• Sports, Events, and Entertainment Management Minor
• Real Estate in Hospitality Minor

Technology and Hospitality

The program emphasizes the impact of technology on the guest experience, food service and delivery, and more. Students learn about the latest innovations in hospitality, including mobile reservations and check-in for hotels and flights, contactless ordering and restaurant kiosks, and more.

Hospitality and Tourism Management Study Abroad Programs

The program offers numerous opportunities for both short- and long-term study abroad, including the global hospitality rotation and semester-long study abroad experiences.

Cooperative Education

Students are required to complete a combined 1,200 hours of practical cooperative education experience with classroom theory. Co-op placements provide students with hands-on experience in the hospitality industry.

Careers in Hospitality and Tourism

Graduates of RIT's hospitality and tourism degree are prepared for outstanding career opportunities in a range of positions within hospitality and across all industries.

Curriculum

The hospitality and tourism management curriculum includes courses in:

• Principles of Food Production and Service
• Hospitality and Tourism Management Fundamentals
• Lodging Operations Analytics and Management
• Food and Beverage Management
• Customer Experience Management
• Restaurant and Event Management
• Hospitality Project Planning and Development

Admissions and Financial Aid

First-year applicants are expected to demonstrate a strong academic background, including 4 years of English, 3 years of social studies and/or history, 3 years of math, and 2-3 years of science. Transfer applicants should meet minimum degree-specific requirements, including a minimum of college algebra.

Faculty

The program is led by a team of experienced faculty, including:

• Edwin Torres Areizaga, Department Chair
• Debanjana Dey, Assistant Professor
• Muhammet Kesgin, Associate Professor

Related News

• Hospitality graduate books ticket to Voyage program
• New minor bridges gaps between property development and management
• RIT Trustee Andrew Jacobson makes largest commitment by an alumnus to the National Technical Institute for the Deaf

Contact

For more information, please contact Melissa Masline, Assistant Director Student Services, at 585-475-6571 or melissa.masline@rit.edu.