Program Overview

School of Hospitality Management

The School of Hospitality Management at Penn State offers a comprehensive education in hospitality management, providing students with the skills and knowledge necessary to succeed in the industry.

Undergraduate Program

The undergraduate program in Hospitality Management is designed to provide students with a strong foundation in the principles of hospitality management, including business, facility management, guest relations, and food service. Students can pursue a Bachelor of Science degree with an emphasis in restaurant management, hotel management, or institutional management.

• Business: Students can find careers in finance, accounting, human resources, training, or operations, shaping business decisions that affect employees, guests, and the company's bottom line.
• Facility Management: Students can become leaders in the hospitality industry by running a restaurant, managing a resort, overseeing food sales, or pursuing a related career path.
• Guest Relations: Students can find careers in managing guest relations within a hotel, restaurant, gaming, resort, cruise line, stadium, or event-planning organization.
• Food Service: Students can be responsible for the development, creation, or delivery of food to people in restaurants, schools, or health care facilities.

Integrated Undergraduate/Graduate Degree

The Integrated Undergraduate/Graduate (IUG) degree track combines the B.S. in Hospitality Management with the Master of Professional Studies (M.P.S.) in Hospitality Management, allowing students to earn both degrees in five years. This program is STEM designated for international students, who can receive up to 3 years of federally approved Occupational Practical Training (OPT) in the field upon graduation.

• Eligibility: Students must have completed no less than 60 credits and be admitted no later than the end of the second week of the semester preceding the semester of expected conferral of the undergraduate degree.
• Benefits: The IUG program provides students with foundational and intermediate managerial and technical skills, accelerating their path and reducing the total costs of obtaining a master's degree.

Courses

The School of Hospitality Management offers a variety of courses that provide students with the analytical, interpersonal, and organizational skills necessary to become successful hospitality professionals. Students can tailor the flexible curriculum to meet their specific needs and interests, pursuing a bachelor of science degree with an emphasis in restaurant management, hotel management, or institutional management.

• Course Overviews: Students can explore course overviews, summer sessions, and suggested academic plans.
• Minors and Certificates: Students can pursue minors, certificates, and areas of concentration, such as financial management, human resources management, marketing, or hospitality management information systems.

Real-World Opportunities

Students have the chance to work at the full-service, on-site restaurant Cafe Laura and the state-of-the-art Food Decisions Research Laboratory, obtaining training and certification in important industry standards. The School of Hospitality Management requires each student to complete and document a minimum of 1,000 hours of hospitality professional experience.

• Cafe Laura: Students can gain hands-on experience in a full-service restaurant setting.
• Food Decisions Research Laboratory: Students can participate in research projects and gain experience in a state-of-the-art laboratory setting.
• Professional Experience Requirement: Students must complete and document a minimum of 1,000 hours of hospitality professional experience.

Graduate Program

The School of Hospitality Management offers a Master of Professional Studies (M.P.S.) in Hospitality Management, providing students with advanced knowledge and skills in hospitality management. The program is designed for working professionals and can be completed in two years.

• M.P.S. in Hospitality Management: Students can pursue a master's degree in hospitality management, advancing their careers and enhancing their knowledge and skills.
• Graduate Certificate in Hospitality Management: Students can pursue a graduate certificate in hospitality management, gaining specialized knowledge and skills in a specific area of hospitality management.

Research

The School of Hospitality Management is committed to advancing knowledge and practice in hospitality management through research. The school has a strong research focus, with faculty members publishing in top-tier journals and presenting at international conferences.

• Current Research: The school is currently conducting research in areas such as hotel industry benchmarking, hospitality management information systems, and food service management.
• Research Expertise: Faculty members have expertise in areas such as hospitality management, marketing, finance, and human resources.
• Opportunities for Students: Students can participate in research projects, gaining hands-on experience and advancing their knowledge and skills.

Alumni

The School of Hospitality Management has a strong alumni network, with graduates working in top hospitality companies around the world. Alumni can stay connected with the school through various events and activities.

• Alumni Profiles: Alumni can share their stories and experiences, providing inspiration and guidance to current students.
• Career Opportunities for Alumni: Alumni can access career opportunities and resources, advancing their careers and enhancing their knowledge and skills.
• Valued Partners: The school values its partnerships with alumni, industry partners, and other stakeholders, working together to advance knowledge and practice in hospitality management.