Undergraduate Programs in Hotel, Restaurant, Tourism, and Event Management

Our balance of classroom instruction and hands-on training is designed to give you the confidence and skill set of a professional before you leave campus with your degree.

The Hotel, Restaurant, Tourism, and Event Management program hospitality management major and minors will give you specialized knowledge and skills for managing businesses within the hospitality industry.

Hotel, Restaurant, Tourism, and Event Management, BS

Hotel, Restaurant, Tourism, and Event Management, AS

Hospitality Management Minor

Hotel and Lodging Management Minor

Restaurant and Food Service Management Minor

Special Event/Tourism Management Minor

World-class Industry Leaders Await New Hospitality Talent 

As a hotel, restaurant, tourism, and event management major, you will benefit from networking with successful IUP alumni and with our Industry Advisory Board members including those from the following companies:

Why hotel, restaurant, tourism, and event management?

The world's insatiable appetite for leisure, food service, and accommodations demands highly qualified, competent IUP graduates to lead. 

• Do you enjoy creating exceptional experiences for guests?  
• Do you enjoy working with diverse guests? 
• Do you love planning weddings, meetings, and other special events?
• Do you seek knowledge of wines, food, and the comforts of delivering exceptional guest service quality?
• Do you enjoy travel, seek to live in amazing geographical locations, and search for adventure?

If you said yes to these questions, then becoming a Hotel, Restaurant, Tourism, and Event Management major at IUP is for you.

The world needs hotel, restaurant, tourism, and event management professionals

Hotel, Restaurant, Tourism, Special Event, and the Service Industry provides our graduates with management career opportunities as entrepreneurs or within global operational systems, including corporate support centers, supply chain and logistics management, restaurants, tourism, special events, hotels, resorts, clubs, beverage operations, theme parks, contract food services, gaming operations, catering, cruise lines, sales and other travel-related venues, and service-related careers.  Our alumni are currently employed in banking, health care, insurance, and real estate. 

Expected outcomes with an undergraduate degree in hotel, restaurant, tourism, and event management

Developing your business savvy and blending it with your gift for human relations is at the core of the IUP coursework. You'll draw on your strengths and true interests to focus on specific areas in this ever-growing industry. Do you prefer to work in food and beverage services? Or do business management, travel, and tourism excite you? You may be surprised to learn how many sectors need your expertise.

Accreditation Commission for Programs in Hospitality Administration (ACPHA)

The Hotel, Restaurant, Tourism, and Event Management program served up hospitality at IUP since 1916 (link history page here).  The program has maintained continuous accreditation from the Accreditation Commission for Programs in Hospitality Administration (ACPHA) since 1994. One of only approximately 70 programs worldwide that are nationally accredited by the ACPHA, the Hotel, Restaurant, Tourism, and Event Management alumni continue to lead and help companies make a positive impact with their guests, employees, and communities.

Program Student Profile

• 69% of students graduating in May/August 2021 employed in the hospitality industry or a related field within 90 days after graduation
• 19% of students graduating in May/August 2021 continued their education within 90 days after graduation
• 91% of students graduating in May/August 2023 employed in the hospitality industry or a related field within 90 days after graduation
• 9% of students graduating in May/August 2023 continued their education within 90 days after graduation

Student Retention Rate

• Retention Rate % – Freshmen to Sophomore (For all Programs)
  • 2017–18 = 80%
  • 2018–19 = 76.19%
  • 2019–20 = 70%
  • 2022–23 = 70%

The IUP difference

Personal advisement. Our doors are always open. You are an individual with specific needs and interests. Your advisor will meet with you regularly to help you stay on track and fulfill your career aspirations.

International and local internships. Your global interests in hospitality may lead to an internship in another part of the world, or you may decide to pursue a local or national opportunity. Our faculty will help you find a position that helps you establish your credentials.

Management-centric. You don't just want a job in hospitality. You want a career that includes the types of management positions that immediately provide opportunities for advancement. IUP supports your aspirations to be a leader, and we will do our best to get you there.

Accreditation. Since 1994, our program has been approved by the Accreditation Commission for Programs in Hospitality Administration, ensuring our program complies with national standards of excellence and showing employers that you are ready to practice at a high level.

Safe environment. The Hotel, Restaurant, Tourism, and Event Management program and courses, especially the HOSP 403 Wine and Wine Service, continue to be the most popular on campus. Our beautiful campus is just right—not too small and not too large. You'll receive a superior education in a safe, friendly environment.

Mission Statement

IUP's Hotel, Restaurant, Tourism, and Event Management program educates, mentors, and enhances innovative and professional skills for the next generation of hospitality management leaders.

Vision Statement

Hotel, Restaurant, Tourism, and Event Management program aspires to be the premier hospitality program in Pennsylvania. We intend to be recognized nationally and internationally and to be the program of choice for students and hospitality industry employers.

Student Motto

Our students are genuinely interested in the hospitality industry. They are enthusiastic about what they learn, passionate about customer service, and dedicated to enriching their experiences here at IUP.

Come to IUP and prepare for an exciting global career!

Join our Top-Ranked Program Today

IUP's Hotel, Restaurant, Tourism, and Event Management program is recognized for its excellence in hospitality management education, being ranked number nine of 50 on the list of "2021 Best Bachelor's Degree in Hospitality Management" in the United States by Study.com and the highest-ranked program in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.