Program Overview

Executive Master of Management in Hospitality (EMMH) Program Overview

The Executive Master of Management in Hospitality (EMMH) program at Cornell University is designed for working professionals in the hospitality industry who wish to advance their skills and knowledge without putting their careers on pause. The program is offered primarily online, with engaging asynchronous courses and weekly live virtual sessions, as well as an opportunity for a week-long on-campus residency.

Program Structure and Pacing

The EMMH program consists of 16 online courses, including core courses in hospitality business, leadership, and innovation, as well as elective options in hospitality data and analytics, digital marketing, revenue management, and hospitality real estate and asset management. The program also includes a week-long residency session held in late August, where students can meet their professors and classmates in person and complete intensive coursework on campus.

• Most courses are seven weeks long, and students should expect to spend an average of 10-20 hours each week on their studies, depending on the number of credits in which they are enrolled.
• The program includes several one-week breaks, typically occurring between courses, and a four-week winter break between the fall and spring terms.
• The program is ideally completed over 20 months (5 terms), and students earn a total of 30 credits.

Benefits of Earning an Executive Master of Management in Hospitality

The Executive Master of Management in Hospitality from Cornell University will prepare students to:

• Communicate powerfully and manage effectively across a wide set of hospitality stakeholders
• Combine a deep understanding of the business of hospitality and hospitality administration with powerful data and analysis tools to improve decision-making
• Drive change to help their organization respond to developments and disruption in the hospitality industry
• Lead a diverse, inclusive, and equitable organization
• Strategically assess the competitive landscape and prepare their organization for new opportunities

Application Checklist

To apply for the EMMH program, students must submit:

• A non-refundable application fee of $105
• A resume or CV with five or more years of full-time professional experience in the hospitality industry
• Academic transcripts from all colleges or universities attended
• Two letters of recommendation, at least one of which should be from a current or recent supervisor
• A statement of purpose that describes academic interests and professional goals
• A personal statement that describes how background and experiences influenced the decision to pursue a graduate degree
• English language proficiency scores (if applicable)

Tuition and Financial Aid

The tuition for the EMMH program is $2,831 per credit, and the degree is earned by successful completion of 30 credits. Additionally, an application fee of $105 is due when submitting the application. If a student receives an offer of admission and wants to accept it, they must pay a non-refundable admission deposit of $1,500, which secures their place in the incoming class and will be credited toward their first-semester tuition bill.

EMMH Program Faculty

The EMMH program faculty includes:

• Chris Anderson, Professor and EMMH Program Director
• Steve Carvell, Professor and Academic Director of the Center for Real Estate and Finance
• Elena Belavina, Associate Professor
• Robert Kwortnik, Jr., Associate Professor
• Chekitan S. Dev, Singapore Tourism Distinguished Professor
• Mary MacAusland, Senior Lecturer
• Kate Walsh, Dimond Family Dean and E.M. Statler Professor
• Cathy A. Enz, Lewis G. Schaeneman Jr. Professor of Innovation and Dynamic Management Emeritus
• Brad Wellstead, Lecturer
• Jeanne Varney, Senior Lecturer
• Bruce Tracey, Kenneth F. Blanchard Professor of Human Resource Management
• Daniel Lebret, Senior Lecturer
• Adam Klausner, Senior Lecturer
• Maria Wolfe, Senior Lecturer
• Andrew Quagliata, Senior Lecturer
• Peter Liu, Associate Professor
• Neil Tarallo, Senior Lecturer
• Lilly Jan, Lecturer
• Tony Simons, Lewis G. Schaeneman Jr. Professor of Innovation and Dynamic Management

Frequently Asked Questions

• How is an online degree different from a residential or full-time degree?
  • The name of the degree on the transcript and diploma from Cornell University is Master of Management in Hospitality. The transcript and diploma do not distinguish between online and residential degree programs.
• What is the mode of instruction in the online courses in Cornell’s EMMH degree program?
  • The online courses in Cornell’s EMMH degree program are delivered asynchronously, with regular weekly synchronous interaction with faculty and taught in small sections of the same size as in a residential degree program.
• Can I audit a course on the Cornell campus?
  • Students may audit a course on the Cornell campus, but require the permission of the respective instructor. Please note that audited courses do not count toward the number of credits required to earn the degree.
• Can I exempt or waive a core course?
  • A student should speak with the program director and the instructor.
• What advance preparation do you recommend before the start of Cornell’s EMMH degree program?
  • You are encouraged to attend the Virtual eCornell Keynotes that occur weekly. Additionally, once enrolled in the program, you will have access to a series of non-credit, on-demand online courses that provide background material (e.g., remedial spreadsheet skills). The courses in this program do not require any additional background beyond what you included in your college transcripts and application. Your life will get busy as you learn to manage the rigors of a full-time job and the EMMH degree program.