The Master of Science in Event Leadership enables students to build on their strengths and interests, broaden their knowledge of the event industry, sharpen their management, leadership, and analytical skills, and incorporate their professional and extracurricular experiences.
This program prepares students for an industry that continues to evolve. From an industry traditionally focused on logistics to one requiring a broad range of leadership and managerial skills, including strategy formulation, relationship management, marketing, and risk management, this graduate degree program is designed with this paradigm in mind. It will prepare graduates for an ever-changing and challenging field that provides tremendous economic and social benefits to communities of all sizes.
The typical Event Leadership MS candidate:
- Is a professional working in a management or leadership position related to events.
- Holds an undergraduate degree in event management, hospitality management, business management, or a related discipline.
- Wishes to acquire advanced educational training to be competitive in the thriving event industry.
The Rosen College of Hospitality Management aims to provide students with an outstanding graduate educational experience and serve other stakeholders with continuing education, research, and service. The College is committed to UCF's goals by providing intellectual leadership through quality graduate education and international prominence by means of educational and research programs nurturing inclusiveness and diversity, with a global perspective, and partnerships with local, national, and international constituencies.
Please note: Event Leadership (MS) is a fully-online program. All courses are currently online courses. Newly admitted students choosing to complete this program exclusively via UCF online classes may enroll with a reduction in campus-based fees.
International students studying outside of the USA do not require a visa to complete this program. Fully online programs are not eligible for an F-1 or J-1 student visa. Please contact the Program Coordinator to discuss admission.
UCF is not authorized to provide online courses or instruction to students in some states. Refer to State Restrictions for current information.
Program Prerequisites
There are no undergraduate course prerequisites for this program, provided candidates have a degree in event management, hospitality management, business management, or a related discipline.
Degree Requirements
Required Courses
30 Total Credits
- Complete all of the following
Year 1 - Fall- Complete the following:
- HMG6507 - Event Trends, Technology and the Macroenvironment (3)
- HMG6002 - Advanced Event Design (3)
Year 1 - Spring- Complete the following:
- HMG6563 - Marketing of Events (3)
- HMG6568 - Destination Planning for Events (3)
Year 1 - Summer - Complete the following:
- HMG6012 - Events Across Borders (3)
- HMG6010 - Relationship Management in Events (3)
Year 2 - Fall- Complete the following:
- HMG6584 - Event Analytics (3)
- HMG6604 - Legal Environment of Events (3)
Year 2 - Spring- Complete the following:
- HMG6011 - Contemporary Issues in Event Management (3)
- HMG6220 - The Reflective Leader (3)
Grand Total Credits: 30
Application Requirements
For information on general UCF graduate admissions requirements that apply to all prospective students, please visit the Admissions section of the Graduate Catalog. Applicants must apply online. All requested materials must be submitted by the established deadline.
Admission is restricted in the Fall term only each year to individuals showing high promise of success in postgraduate studies. In addition to the requirements noted below, other indicators of promise include the applicant's extracurricular activities, work experience, job responsibilities, and leadership experience, which will be considered in making admissions decisions.
In addition to the general UCF graduate application requirements, applicants to this program must provide:
- One official transcript (in a sealed envelope) from each college/university attended.
- The GRE is not required for admission to this program.
- Goal statement (in 500 words, the applicant’s reason for joining the program, what they will contribute to the program, and how they feel the program will enhance them both personally and professionally)
- Résumé.
- Three letters of recommendation.
- Applicants of this program who have attended a college/university outside the United States must provide a course-by-course credential evaluation with GPA calculation. Credential evaluations are accepted from World Education Services (WES) or Josef Silny and Associates, Inc. only.
Application Deadlines
| Event Leadership MS | *Fall Priority | Fall | Spring | Summer |
| Domestic Applicants | Jan 15 | Jul 1 | | |
| International Applicants | Jan 15 | Jan 15 | | |
Financial Information
Graduate students may receive external financial assistance through fellowships, assistantships, tuition support, or loans. The Financial Information section of the Graduate Catalog is another key resource.
Fellowship Information
Fellowships are awarded based on academic merit to highly qualified students. They are paid to students through the Office of Student Financial Assistance, based on instructions provided by the College of Graduate Studies. Fellowships are given to support a student's graduate study and do not have a work obligation. For more information, see UCF Graduate Fellowships, which includes descriptions of university fellowships and what you should do to be considered for a fellowship.
