Hospitality Management Major
Hospitality Management is the study of how to manage hotels, restaurants, events, and tourism services. It is a major within Business & Management.
Hospitality Management is the study of how to run hotels, restaurants, event venues, tourism operations, and related service businesses. Students explore practical questions about managing staff, controlling costs, maintaining quality customer service, and handling day-to-day operations in these environments. The major teaches skills in areas like scheduling, budgeting, food safety, guest relations, and marketing. Rather than focusing on cooking or bartending, the field emphasizes the business and management side of hospitality—how to oversee people, resources, and operations to keep a service business running smoothly.
Students drawn to this major typically enjoy working with people, solving real-world problems, and learning how businesses function from the inside. They often have experience in restaurants, hotels, or events and want to move into management roles. The major typically begins with broad courses covering how hospitality businesses operate, followed by more specialized study in areas like food and beverage management, lodging operations, or event planning. Much of the work is hands-on and involves case studies, simulations, and internships that connect classroom learning directly to actual workplace situations.
Typical coursework
Course requirements vary by school, but a Hospitality Management program commonly includes topics such as:
- Hotel operations
- Food and beverage management
- Event planning
- Tourism
- Hospitality marketing
- Revenue management
Most programs also include general-education requirements and, in many fields, a capstone project, internship, or research experience.
Degree levels
Hospitality Management is commonly offered at these levels:
- Associate
- Bachelor's
Availability differs by institution, and program names can vary (for example, a Bachelor of Arts versus a Bachelor of Science track).
Common career directions
Graduates with a Hospitality Management background pursue a range of paths. Some roles related to this field of study include:
- Hotel manager
- Event planner
- Restaurant manager
- Tourism coordinator
Many careers require additional steps beyond the major — such as a graduate degree, a license, or a certification — and many graduates work in fields unrelated to their major. What you study is one factor among many in where your career goes.
General career information is drawn from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook. Career paths vary widely by person, school, and region; this is not a list of guaranteed jobs or earnings.
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Find degree programs →Frequently asked questions
What is a Hospitality Management major?
Hospitality Management is the study of how to manage hotels, restaurants, events, and tourism services. It is part of business & management, and combines foundational coursework with more focused study as you advance.
What courses do Hospitality Management majors take?
Coursework varies by school, but commonly includes topics such as hotel operations, food and beverage management, event planning, tourism, and others, plus general-education requirements.
What can you do with a Hospitality Management major?
Graduates pursue a range of paths, including roles such as hotel manager, event planner, restaurant manager. Many roles require additional steps such as a graduate degree, license, or certification. This is general information, not a guarantee of any job or salary.
What degree levels is Hospitality Management offered at?
It is commonly offered at the associate, bachelor's level, though availability varies by institution.