Program Description
The PhD in Hospitality Management prepares individuals for teaching and research-based careers in academia or as practitioner researchers and field consultants in hospitality and tourism enterprises.
Curriculum
The doctoral program requires 58 credit hours of courses beyond the master’s degree, including 16 credit hours of core courses, 27 credit hours of specialization courses, and 15 credit hours of Dissertation. An additional 9 credit hours are required in the Candidacy term for those students who are self-funded.
Total Credit Hours Required: 58 Credit Hours Minimum beyond the Master’s Degree
Required Courses: 43 Credit Hours
Core: 16 Credit Hours
- HMG 7587 - Foundations in Hospitality and Tourism Research 3 Credit Hours
- HMG 7589 - Advanced Research Methods in Hospitality and Tourism 3 Credit Hours
- HMG 7588 - Research Seminar in Hospitality and Tourism 1 Credit Hours
- PAF 7802 - Advanced Research Methodology for Public Affairs 3 Credit Hours or
- HMG 6586 - Research Methods in Hospitality and Tourism 3 Credit Hours
- PAF 7804 - Advanced Statistics for Public Affairs I: Multivariate Analysis 3 Credit Hours
- HMG 7295 - Theories in Hospitality and Tourism 3 Credit Hours
Specialization: 27 Credit Hours
At least 6 credit hours should be from HMG 7XXX level courses. Course selection should be based on the student’s area of interest in consultation with the major adviser and approved by the Graduate Programs’ Director.
Strategies and Tactics
Select a minimum of two courses from the following list:
- HMG 7258 - Strategies and Tactics: Lodging 3 Credit Hours
- HMG 7546 - Strategies and Tactics: Guest Service Management 3 Credit Hours
- HMG 7715 - Strategies and Tactics: Travel and Tourism 3 Credit Hours
- HMG 7876 - Strategies and Tactics: Foodservice 3 Credit Hours
Research Electives
Select a minimum of three Research Electives from the following list:
- HMG 6918 - Directed Research 3 Credit Hours
- PAF 7805 - Advanced Statistics for Public Affairs II: Survey of Statistical Methods 3 Credit Hours
- PAF 7820 - Qualitative Methods for Public Affairs 3 Credit Hours
- EDF 7475 - Qualitative Research in Education 3 Credit Hours
- EDF 7463 - Analysis of Survey, Record, and Other Qualitative Data 3 Credit Hours
- EDF 7406 - Multivariate Statistics in Education 3 Credit Hours
HMG 6000 Level or Greater Courses
Select the remainder of your minimum 27 credit hours from any HMG 6000 level or greater courses or approved 6000/7000 level courses from other UCF colleges.
- FSS 6365 - Management of Food Service Operations 3 Credit Hours
- HMG 6227 - Advanced Training and Development in the Hospitality Industry 3 Credit Hours
- HMG 6228 - Critical Issues in Hospitality Human Resources 3 Credit Hours
- HMG 6245 - Managing Hospitality and Guest Services Organizations 3 Credit Hours
- HMG 6251 - The Management of Lodging Operations 3 Credit Hours
- HMG 6466 - Applied Revenue Management Techniques in Hospitality 3 Credit Hours
- HMG 6556 - Digital Marketing and Big Data Management for Hospitality and Tourism 3 Credit Hours
- HMG 6585 - Data Analysis in Hospitality and Tourism Research 3 Credit Hours
- HMG 6267 - Case Studies in Restaurant Management 3 Credit Hours
- HMG 6296 - Hospitality/Tourism Strategic Issues 3 Credit Hours
- HMG 6347 - Contemporary Issues in the Resort Industry 3 Credit Hours
- HMG 6446 - Hospitality/Tourism Information Technology 3 Credit Hours
- HMG 6565 - Social Media in Hospitality and Tourism 3 Credit Hours
- HMG 6476 - Feasibility Studies for the Hospitality/Tourism Enterprises 3 Credit Hours
- HMG 6477 - Financial Analysis of Hospitality Enterprises 3 Credit Hours
- HMG 6529 - Contemporary Issues in Resort Sales Management 3 Credit Hours
- HMG 6528 - Convention and Conference Sales and Services 3 Credit Hours
- HMG 6533 - Hospitality/Tourism Industry Brand Management 3 Credit Hours
- HMG 6566 - Principles of Destination Marketing and Management 3 Credit Hours
- HMG 6596 - Strategic Marketing in Hospitality and Tourism 3 Credit Hours
- HMG 6710 - International Tourism Management 3 Credit Hours
- HMG 6738 - Tourism Industry Analysis 3 Credit Hours
- HMG 6797 - Event Administration 3 Credit Hours
- HMG 6756 - Mega-Events 3 Credit Hours
Dissertation: 15 Credit Hours
Doctoral students must present a prospectus for the dissertation to the doctoral adviser, prepare a proposal and present it to the dissertation committee, and defend the final research submission with the dissertation committee.
- HMG 7980 - Dissertation Research 15 Credit Hours (minimum)
Candidacy
To enter candidacy for the PhD, students must have an overall 3.0 GPA on all graduate work included in the planned program and pass all required examinations. Examinations will be scheduled by the student and major adviser in collaboration with the Graduate Programs’ Director and Rosen College Examination Committee. Students must be enrolled in the university during the semester an examination is taken.
The following are required to be admitted to candidacy and enroll in dissertation hours:
- Completion of all course work, except for dissertation hours.
- Successful completion of the candidacy examination form.
- The dissertation advisory committee is formed, consisting of approved graduate faculty and graduate faculty scholars.
- Submittal of an approved program of study.
Candidacy Examinations
All PhD candidates will be required to complete two examinations. The written portion of the Candidacy Exam consists of two days, each with a different emphasis. Day one encompasses “Area I” of your GPS (Graduate Plan of Study), and it emphasizes research methodology, statistics and theory. Day two will have a broader emphasis and encompass “Area II” course content in your GPS. The latter will further include questions related to your dissertation topic. Upon completion of the written portion of the examination students are required to pass a one-hour oral examination with questions arising from Area I, Area II and your dissertation.
Independent Learning
The dissertation satisfies the independent learning requirement.
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.
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.
- A master’s degree in a closely related field.
- Official, competitive GRE or GMAT score taken within the last five years.
- Three letters of recommendation.
- Goal statement (This is your opportunity to outline in 500 words why you wish to come to 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
- 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 Management PhD | *Fall Priority | Fall | Spring | Summer |
| Domestic Applicants | Jan 15 | Feb 1 |
| International Applicants | Jan 15 | Jan 15 |
| *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. |
Financials
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.
Fellowships
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.
