The Master of Science in Hospitality and Tourism Management enables students to build on their strengths and interests, broadens their knowledge of the industry, sharpens their management skills, and incorporates their professional and extracurricular experiences. The Rosen College of Hospitality Management candidates are especially attractive hires for hospitality and tourism organizations around the globe.
The typical Hospitality and Tourism Management MS candidate:
- Is a professional working in a position related to hospitality, tourism, or events.
- Holds an undergraduate degree in hospitality, business management, or a related discipline.
- Understands that advanced educational training is required to be competitive in the thriving hospitality, tourism, and event industry.
The program offers thesis and non-thesis options. The thesis option is intended for students who are interested in the scientific study of the various aspects of the hospitality and tourism industry and who may anticipate pursuing a doctoral degree or a professional research position. The non-thesis option is intended for students who anticipate a managerial and leadership position in the hospitality and tourism industry. The emphasis of the non-thesis option is on coursework, practical experience, and real-world insight. You can complete your degree either fully online, face-to-face, or customize it through a mix of both to fit your schedule and budget, although the thesis option is not available to students who study fully online.
The Rosen College of Hospitality Management aims to provide students with an outstanding graduate hospitality management educational experience and serve other stakeholders with continuing education, research, and service. The College is committed to UCF goals by providing intellectual leadership through quality hospitality education, international prominence by means of educational and research programs, promotion of a global perspective, nurturing inclusiveness and diversity, and partnerships with local, national, and international hospitality and tourism constituencies.
Please note: Hospitality and Tourism Management (MS) may be completed fully online. However, the thesis option is not available to students who study fully online, and not all elective options or program prerequisites may be offered online. Newly admitted students choosing to complete this program exclusively via UCF online classes may enroll with a reduction in campus-based fees.
International students (F or J visa) are required to enroll in a full-time course load of 9 credit hours during the fall and spring semesters. Only 3 of the 9 credit hours may be taken in a completely online format. For a detailed listing of enrollment requirements for international students, please visit http://global.ucf.edu/. If you have questions, please consult UCF Global at (407) 823-2337.
UCF is not authorized to provide online courses or instruction to students in some states. Refer to State Restrictions for current information.
Program Prerequisites
For students with undergraduate majors in Hospitality Management or Business Administration, there will be no undergraduate course prerequisites, provided they have successfully completed an undergraduate course in statistics or applied quantitative analysis with a grade of "C" or higher.
For industry professionals with an undergraduate degree in a discipline other than Hospitality Management or Business Administration, the following two undergraduate courses "may" be required to be completed with a grade of "B" or higher within the first year of course work in the program (decisions are made at the discretion of the Graduate Recruitment Team).
- HFT 2401 - Hospitality Industry Financial Accounting
- HFT 3431 - Hospitality Industry Managerial Accounting
Students would also have to have successfully completed an undergraduate course in statistics or applied quantitative analysis with a grade of "C" or higher within the first year of course work in the program. The following undergraduate courses "may" be required to be completed with a grade of "B" or higher within the first year of course work in the program (decisions are made at the discretion of the Graduate Recruitment Team).
- STA 2401 or STA 2023 or
- HFT 3465 Applied Quantitative Analysis for the Hospitality and Tourism Industry
Degree Requirements
Required Courses
18 Total Credits
- Complete the following:
- HMG6228 - Critical Issues in Hospitality Human Resources (3)
- HMG6245 - Managing Hospitality and Guest Services Organizations (3)
- HMG6477 - Financial Analysis of Hospitality Enterprises (3)
- HMG6585 - Data Analysis in Hospitality and Tourism Research (3)
- HMG6596 - Strategic Marketing in Hospitality and Tourism (3)
- HMG6296 - Hospitality/Tourism Strategic Issues (3)
Thesis Option/Nonthesis Option
15 Total Credits
- Complete 1 of the following
Thesis Option- Complete all of the following
- An appropriate culminating academic experience is required of all master's degree candidates. For those students in the thesis option, a thesis defense is required. Thesis defenses will be approved by a majority vote of the thesis advisory committee. Further approval is required by the Dean of the Rosen College of Hospitality Management and the UCF College of Graduate Studies before final acceptance of the thesis in fulfilling degree requirements.
- Complete the following:
- HMG6586 - Research Methods in Hospitality and Tourism (3)
- Earn at least 6 credits from the following:
- HMG6971 - Treatise (Thesis OF Research Report) (1 - 99)
- Earn at least 6 credits from the following:
- FSS6365 - Management of Food Service Operations (3)
- HMG6227 - Advanced Training and Development in the Hospitality Industry (3)
- HMG6251 - The Management of Lodging Operations (3)
- HMG6267 - Case Studies in Restaurant Management (3)
- HMG6291 - Hospitality Entrepreneurship: Concept Creation to Capitalization (3)
- HMG6347 - Contemporary Issues in the Resort Industry (3)
- HMG6446 - Hospitality/Tourism Information Technology (3)
- HMG6476 - Feasibility Studies for the Hospitality/Tourism Enterprises (3)
- HMG6528 - Convention and Conference Sales and Services (3)
- HMG6529 - Contemporary Issues in Resort Sales Management (3)
- HMG6533 - Hospitality/Tourism Industry Brand Management (3)
- HMG6556 - Digital Marketing and Big Data Management for Hospitality and Tourism (3)
- HMG6565 - Social Media in Hospitality and Tourism (3)
- HMG6566 - Principles of Destination Marketing and Management (3)
- HMG6586 - Research Methods in Hospitality and Tourism (3)
- HMG6710 - International Tourism Management (3)
- HMG6738 - Tourism Industry Analysis (3)
- HMG6756 - Mega-Events (3)
- HMG6797 - Event Administration (3)
- HMG6466 - Applied Revenue Management Techniques in Hospitality (3)
Nonthesis Option- Complete all of the following
- An appropriate culminating academic experience is required of all master's degree candidates. For students in the non-thesis option, an appropriate culminating academic experience is the successful completion of HMG 6296 - Hospitality/Tourism Strategic Issues, a required course in the curriculum that is designated as a capstone course. This capstone course acquaints students with the principles of strategic decision-making in various sectors of the tourism and hospitality industry. Students are required to apply skills, knowledge, and understanding in order to identify areas of concern encountered by managers responsible for formulating and implementing operational strategies.
- Earn at least 15 credits from the following:
- FSS6365 - Management of Food Service Operations (3)
- HMG6227 - Advanced Training and Development in the Hospitality Industry (3)
- HMG6251 - The Management of Lodging Operations (3)
- HMG6267 - Case Studies in Restaurant Management (3)
- HMG6291 - Hospitality Entrepreneurship: Concept Creation to Capitalization (3)
- HMG6347 - Contemporary Issues in the Resort Industry (3)
- HMG6446 - Hospitality/Tourism Information Technology (3)
- HMG6476 - Feasibility Studies for the Hospitality/Tourism Enterprises (3)
- HMG6528 - Convention and Conference Sales and Services (3)
- HMG6529 - Contemporary Issues in Resort Sales Management (3)
- HMG6533 - Hospitality/Tourism Industry Brand Management (3)
- HMG6556 - Digital Marketing and Big Data Management for Hospitality and Tourism (3)
- HMG6565 - Social Media in Hospitality and Tourism (3)
- HMG6566 - Principles of Destination Marketing and Management (3)
- HMG6586 - Research Methods in Hospitality and Tourism (3)
- HMG6710 - International Tourism Management (3)
- HMG6738 - Tourism Industry Analysis (3)
- HMG6756 - Mega-Events (3)
- HMG6797 - Event Administration (3)
- HMG6466 - Applied Revenue Management Techniques in Hospitality (3)
Independent Learning
0 Total Credits
- Candidates for the MS degree are constantly challenged with numerous requirements to engage in independent learning during the program of study through special projects and papers. For students in the non-thesis option, an appropriate culminating academic experience is the successful completion of HMG 6296 - Hospitality/Tourism Strategic Issues , a required course in the curriculum that is designated as a capstone course. HMG 6296 should be taken during the final term of study, and enrollment is based on approval. This capstone course acquaints students with the principles of strategic decision-making in various sectors of the tourism and hospitality industry. Students are required to apply skills, knowledge, and understanding in order to identify areas of concern encountered by managers responsible for formulating and implementing operational strategies.
Grand Total Credits: 33
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 each semester 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.
- Goal statement (this is your opportunity to outline in 500 words why you wish to join the program, what you think you will contribute to the program, and how you feel the program will enhance you both personally and professionally)
- Résumé.
- Three letters of recommendation.
- The GRE/GMAT is not required, however, the Admissions Committee may ask for the GRE/GMAT to strengthen a candidate's application package.
- Applicants applying to 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
| Hospitality and Tourism Management MS | *Fall Priority | Fall | Spring | Summer |
| Domestic Applicants | Jan 15 | Jul 1 | Dec 1 | Apr 1 |
| International Applicants | Jan 15 | Jan 15 | Jul 1 | Nov 1 |
*Applicants who plan to enroll full time in a degree program and who wish to be considered for university fellowships or assistantships should apply by the Fall Priority date.
Financial Information
Graduate students may receive financial assistance through fellowships, assistantships, tuition support, or loans. For more information, see the College of Graduate Studies Funding website, which describes the types of financial assistance available at UCF and provides general guidance in planning your graduate finances. 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.
