Program Overview

Program Overview

The Master of Tourism Management (M.T.M.) program at Colorado State University is designed to prepare outdoor recreation and nature-based tourism industry leaders for roles in destination and recreation management, hotels and resorts, operations, marketing, events, and entrepreneurship. The industry-driven curriculum focuses on interdisciplinary business approaches involving sustainability, strategic analysis, current industry topics, and human well-being.

Program Details

• The online degree can be completed in nine months, offering valuable industry connections, applicable learning experiences, and content essential to the successful start or advancement of a career in tourism.
• The program requires completion of 30 credits.
• Tuition is $794 per credit.

Admission Requirements

• A bachelor's degree from a regionally-accredited institution.
• A 3.0 GPA on all undergraduate coursework. Applicants with lower GPAs are encouraged to apply and may be considered based on professional experience in tourism, writing capabilities, academic interests and goals, leadership experience within tourism or natural resources, and letters of recommendation from professional and/or academic references.
• GRE scores are not required.

Curriculum

The Master of Tourism Management curriculum features two 8-week sessions per semester. The curriculum includes:

• NRRT 600: Tourism Industry Concepts and Practices
• NRRT 620: Organizational Management in Tourism
• NRRT 655: Tourism Marketing Concepts and Applications
• NRRT 679A: Current Topics in Nature-Based Tourism
• NRRT 608: Nature, Outdoor Recreation - Human Well-Being
• NRRT 615: Sustainable Tourism Development Foundations
• NRRT 650: Financial Management in Tourism
• NRRT 679B: Current Topics in Nature-Based Tourism
• NRRT 567: Tourism Entrepreneurship
• NRRT 601: Quantitative Analysis in Tourism I
• NRRT 609: Tourism and Conservation
• NRRT 677: Project Management and Event Planning
• NRRT 625: Communication/Conflict Management in Tourism
• NRRT 678: Tourism Leadership
• NRRT 667: Applied Experiential Learning in Tourism
• NRRT 671: Strategic Management for Travel and Tourism

Faculty

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

• Julia Branstrator, Ph.D.
• Alan Bright, Ph.D.
• Christina T. Cavaliere, Ph.D.
• Stuart Cottrell, Ph.D.
• Sunshine Swetnam, Ph.D.
• Sarah Walker, Ph.D.
• Lina Xiong, Ph.D.

Frequently Asked Questions

• What is tourism management? Tourism management is a field of study that explores the theory and practice of creating, overseeing, and marketing tourism ventures.
• What can I do with a degree in tourism management? Graduates of the online Master of Tourism Management program will be qualified to work in destination and recreation management, hotels and resorts, nature-based tourism, travel advising, entrepreneurship, and operations, marketing, and event management.
• Why study tourism management? There are numerous rewarding career opportunities in the tourism industry for people with the right skills.
• What jobs can I get with a tourism management degree? Graduates of the tourism management master’s program gain the managerial skills to create entrepreneurial ventures, or take leadership roles in the industry.
• What is sustainable tourism management? Sustainable tourism management is an approach to the business of tourism that values the environment and social responsibility as much as profit.

Application Dates

• Fall semester: July 15
• Spring semester: December 1

How to Apply

1. Review admission requirements.
2. Prepare application materials, including a Statement of Purpose essay, resume or CV, two letters of recommendation, and one transcript from each university attended.
3. Complete the online graduate application and pay the nonrefundable application processing fee.
4. Request official transcripts from all institutions attended.
5. Check your application status.