Online Hospitality Management Degree
Is an Online Hospitality Management Degree for You?
What is an online hospitality management degree?
A hospitality management degree allows its holder to pursue a career as a hospitality manager or lodging manager, which involves making sure hotels, motels, and other lodging facilities run smoothly, efficiently, and profitably; hospitality managers must also ensure guests’ needs and requirements are satisfied.
Although entry level positions may be obtained without a degree, for many executive level management positions, employers require either a bachelor’s or master’s degree in hospitality management.
What types of online hospitality management degrees are available?
Online hospitality management degrees are available at the associate, bachelor’s, and master’s levels; specifically, degrees in hotel management, hospitality, and tourism management are most beneficial for those interested in pursuing a career in hospitality management.
If you are currently in the hospitality field and are thinking of pursuing a hospitality management degree to increase your job prospects and earning potential, check with your employer as to whether tuition reimbursement or assistance is possible.
Moreover, online degrees in general business fields such as business administration or marketing can also be helpful for hospitality managers.
What are hospitality management degree programs like?
Hospitality management degree programs focus on all aspects of management and may include coursework in:
- Accounting
- Business administration
- Computers
- Economics
- Financial management
- Food and service management
- Hotel administration
- Hotel maintenance
- Hotel/resort management
- Housekeeping
- Human resources management
- Marketing
- Sales
Bachelor’s programs will also include core courses in subjects like math and English; additionally, most hospitality management degree programs also include a work-study component.
What do hospitality managers do?
Hospitality managers are responsible for the efficient, safe, and profitable operation of hotels, motels, and other lodging accommodations. Many work more than the standard 40 hours per week, and night and weekend hours are common.
In addition to staying on top of the financial, business, and safety aspects of hotel management, hospitality managers are also responsible for keeping guests satisfied and coordinating many activities from conferences to banquets.
For those who work in larger hotel chains, relocation is a common requirement in order to move up the hospitality management career ladder.
What qualities should hospitality managers have?
In order to manage a staff and keep guests happy, hospitality managers should be reliable, organized, flexible, and be great communicators and problem solvers.
Moreover, hospitality managers must also have an excellent understanding of hotel operations, including accounting, safety and security measures, maintenance, and human resources.
What is the salary and job outlook for hospitality managers?
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), median annual earnings of lodging managers were $42,320 in May 2006, although salaries vary widely depending on location, responsibilities, and sector. Note also that managers may receive bonuses up to 25% of their salaries and also perquisites like food, laundry, and other services.
Job prospects are expected to grow about as fast as the average for all occupations, but some specific fields that will offer the most promising opportunities are in business travel, boutique hotels, sports and recreation, and regional tourism.
As those with hospitality management degrees will have the best opportunities in both entry levels and management positions, an online hospitality management degree is an excellent way to both enter and move up within the profession.
