Hotel, Restaurant, Tourism, and Event Management, BS

"I have friends who went to other schools who didn't get the well-rounded experience I got. I know hotels. I know restaurants. I know event planning, and I know tourism. IUP gave me the tools to market myself."

Emily Stilson '13, BS in Hospitality Management; Catering Manager, Creative Gourmet by Sodexo, New York

Prepare for an exciting career in the hospitality industry, one of the world's largest employers

Our flexible program provides the knowledge and hands-on training you need to take fullest advantage of career opportunities in this industry. You'll hone the skills necessary to be a successful manager in a variety of businesses, including hotels, restaurants, clubs, school food services, cruise lines, wedding consultations, and areas of the travel and tourism industry.

BS in Hotel, Restaurant, Tourism, and Event Management

• Classroom studies are not theoretical. You'll cover topics in several operational areas (see below). You'll also explore practical skills, such as preparing a resume and presenting during a job interview. Every part of your education is geared toward landing your first job.
• You'll complete 45 credits of Hospitality Management core credits. These credits prepare you for Hospitality Management careers by giving you the chance to apply essential skills, such as managerial skills, through the operation of the Allenwood foodservice laboratory.
• Choose a 12-credit concentration in either Hotel and Lodging Management or Special Events/Tourism Management.
• To give you the professional experience needed to be hired for management, IUP requires you to have at least 240 hours of field experience prior to graduation. Summer jobs in the hotel and restaurant sectors are an excellent way to engage with a community and acclimate to your field of choice.
• At least 240 hours must be through an internship, which is required for this major. Internships, domestic and international, are an essential step in your education. They are geared toward job recruiters who expect prospective employees to have ample experience upon graduation. Some internships lead to postgraduate employment.
• Our faculty will help you set up an online job search mechanism so that your search for employment follows trends and is far-reaching.

Learning Outcomes

As a graduate of the Department of Management, you will have the knowledge, skills, and abilities to:

1. Manage through planning, organizing, influencing, and controlling food service operations.
2. Manage through planning, organizing, influencing, and controlling lodging operations.
3. Apply leadership and strategic theory.
4. Analyze problems and be able to develop alternative solutions in hospitality operations.
5. Communicate effectively and professionally in an oral and written manner.
6. Identify and apply ethical decision making and continued professional development.

In addition, if you choose the special event/tourism concentration, you will have the knowledge, skills, and abilities to:

1. Design, plan, market, and implement event management principles to promote successful relations among the community and profitable operations.
2. Identify the global nature of the hospitality industry with specific emphasis on the cultural, economic, and social impacts of tourism.

If you choose the hotel and lodging concentration, you will also have the knowledge, skills, and abilities to:

1. Demonstrate an understanding of the role housekeeping and facilities management plays in the day-to-day operations of a hotel or resort property.
2. Analyze and apply various lodging revenue management strategies to ensure organizational profitability.
3. Develop and present a hotel sales program.