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Hospitality and Tourism Management Graduate Program

White Lodging-J.W. Marriott, Jr. School of Hospitality and Tourism Management

The hospitality and tourism management graduate program offers world-class postgraduate programs for industry professionals seeking to move ahead in their careers and aspiring academics seeking to gain the knowledge and skills to be researchers and teachers.

PhD Program

The PhD program is designed to be one of the strongest research-based programs in the world. The program — which includes a strong element of statistics and research design — prepares you for careers in major research universities or research-based agencies. Upon graduation, you are expected to have a curriculum vitae, which includes teaching experience, publishing experience in research journals, and a record of presentations to industry and research societies. The program has limited enrollment to allow you to develop exceptionally close working relationships with faculty.

Potential Careers

  • Research Analysts
  • Policy Analysts
  • Consultants

Program Highlights

  • The school’s research centers allow cooperative research across individual projects, leading to strong contributions in the industry.
  • You will have numerous opportunities to work one-on-one with faculty developing, conducting and analyzing research that deals with real problems in the hospitality industry.

Master of Science Program

The Master of Science program offers one of the most up-to-date and integrated blends of theory, technology and applications in the hospitality industry. You will have a choice of thesis or non-thesis plans of study in our residential program. Core courses will advance your understanding of this dynamic industry while exploring how to conduct research and analyze information. If you choose to complete the online program , you will complete courses designed specifically for mid-career professions in the hospitality and tourism industry.

  • Communication coordinator
  • Vice president of operations
  • Special events coordinator
  • Production specialist
  • Operations manager
  • Corporate recruiter
  • Planning specialist
  • Research fellow
  • Area manager
  • The thesis or capstone project is designed to integrate your key learnings and demonstrate your understanding.
  • Small classes are designed to maximize learning and engagement with world-class faculty.
  • Immersive coursework in issues requiring integration, insight and critical thinking encourage the illumination and creation of new knowledge.

Program Quick Facts

Degree Type : Master’s, Doctoral

Program Length : Master’s: 2 years Doctoral: 3-4 years

Location : West Lafayette, IN

Department/School : White Lodging-J.W. Marriott, Jr. School of Hospitality and Tourism Management

Plan of Study

Graduate Student Handbook

Graduate Research

In the hospitality and tourism management master’s and doctoral programs, you’ll gain significant exposure to research , working directly with the school’s faculty to explore important issues facing the hospitality industry — from sustainability and responsible travel to food safety and employee well-being.

Sustainable Tourism

Research Opportunities

  • Food service operations
  • Healthy eating and menu nutrition labeling in the hospitality industry
  • Food safety
  • Sustainable tourism
  • Responsible travel
  • Employee well-being
  • Visitor economic behavior
  • Tourism experience design and marketing
  • Traveler experience, wellness and technology
  • Visitor harassment

Research Areas

  • Hospitality and service management
  • Tourism management and community development
  • Sustainability and innovation

Research Facilities

  • Arthur Avery Foodservice Research Laboratory
  • Center for Hospitality and Retail Industries Business Analytics
  • Purdue Tourism and Hospitality Research Center
  • Sustainable Tourism and Responsible Travel Lab
  • Visitor Harassment Research Unit

Faculty by Research Area

Consumer behavior and individual well-being, hospitality and service management, tourism management and community development, sustainability and innovation, branding and experience design, application procedure for residential programs.

Thank you for your interest in our top-ranked graduate programs. Before you continue with the electronic application for admission, please familiarize yourself with the minimum requirements for admission to the graduate residential programs in the White Lodging-J.W. Marriott, Jr. School of Hospitality and Tourism Management. It is important to recognize that although satisfaction with these basic requirements does not guarantee graduate admission, failure to satisfy these requirements may lead to automatic denial of admission.

Starting the Application

Required Application Materials

These are documents that are required to support a successful application. Supporting documents should be uploaded to the electronic application or mailed directly to the graduate program. See the sections below for more details. Supporting documents include the following unless otherwise noted:

  • Transcripts

The admission committee is looking for transcripts with a GPA of a 3.0 on a 4.0 scale or equivalent. Prospective PhD students need a transcript that shows completion of a master’s degree. You can upload offical copies directly to the application portal. An official transcript bears the original signature of the registrar and/or the original seal of the issuing institution. If transcripts are not in English, an English translation will need to accompany the transcript.

You must provide physcial copies of the official transcripts and/or academic records if you are admitted and choose to enroll. Official documents should be submitted to:

Office of Graduate Admissions Purdue University Graduate School 155 South Grant Street, YONG 170 West Lafayette, IN 47907

  • GRE Test  OR GMAT Test  (optional) 

Due to COVID-19 constraints, the GRE/GMAT is optional. The admissions committee values these tests and highly recommends applicants take and send their scores as part of their application package for a holistic review.

We encourage inclusion of Official GRE (Graduate Record Examination)  OR  GMAT (Graduate Management Admission Test) report of scores taken within the last five years. Applicants may submit results from either the GRE or GMAT, but most students use the GRE. 

GRE (minimum)  | verbal and quantitative score of 290 or higher (each: minimum of 145) | code  1631 . For information and test dates visit  www.gre.org .

GMAT (minimum) | total score of 550 (verbal and quantitative sections) | code  1RZ-NJ-46 . For more information visit  www.mba.com .

  • English Proficiency  (a requirement for International Students)

International applicants whose native language is not English are required to provide proof of English proficiency for admission to all degree graduate programs.

TOEFL iBT (minimum) | Writing 18, Speaking 18, Listening 14, Reading 19 | Total 80 | code  1631 . For further information, visit  www.toefl.org .

TOEFL Essentials (minimum) | Writing 8, Speaking 8, Listening 8, Reading 8 | Total 8 | code  1631 . For further information, visit  www.toefl.org .

IELTS (minimum) | Writing 6, Speaking 6, Listening 6, Reading 6.5 | Overall brand score of 6.5.   For more information, visit  www.ielts.org .

  • Recommendation letters  

HTM requires three letters of recommendation: two from academia and one from an employer.

When you create an online application to the Purdue Graduate School, you will be asked to input the names and emails of your recommender. Once you click “Send to Recommender,” your recommendation providers will receive an email with instructions on submitting their recommendation online. The Purdue University Graduate School strongly encourages you to provide an email address affiliated with an academic institution, professional organization or employer. If there is not an affiliated email, please be sure to inform the individual writing your letter that they must be on business letterhead to assure they are valid. Once the online recommendation is submitted the graduate program to which you applied will have access to view your online recommendation.

  • Current Resume

HTM’s application review committee is looking for a minimum of one year of work experience in a related area or two completed internships (internships must total six months or more).

Assistantships  that HTM offers are typically determined based on past work experiences and career goals outlined in the resume. Preference will be given to admitted applicants with related work experience that meet the needs of HTM.

  • Diversity Essay 

The application portal will ask for a diversity letter. In this document you should describe your leadership; work experience; service experience; or other significant involvement with racial, ethnic, socio-economic or educational communities that have traditionally been underrepresented in higher education. You should then describe how these experiences would promote a diversity of views, experiences and ideas in the pursuit of research, scholarship and creative excellence. You should feel free to discuss your own personal experiences in the essay.

  • Statement of Purpose

A statement of approximately 500 words is encouraged that explains your interest in undertaking or continuing graduate study; your reasons for wanting to study at Purdue; and your professional plans, career goals and research interests. You also may explain any special circumstances applicable to your background and elaborate on your special abilities, awards, achievements, scholarly publications and/or professional history.

  •   Pay Application Fee

A $60 application fee applies for domestic students, and a $75 application fee applies for international students.

HTM Program Director, Jonathon Day

Jonathon Day | Doctoral Program Director

For questions regarding the hospitality and tourism management doctoral graduate program, please contact [email protected] .

HTM Program Director, Jonathon Day

Alei Fan | Masters Program Director

For questions regarding the hospitality and tourism management masters graduate program, please contact [email protected] .

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Ph.D. Program in Hospitality Management

An advanced graduate program designed for hospitality management professionals who wish to pursue a career as a researcher or professor at the university level, Penn State’s Ph.D. in Hospitality Management (HM) will help you build a strong foundation as a leader on the cutting edge of this dynamic and ever-evolving field.

In addition to mastering the scope of knowledge in the core curriculum, students also have the opportunity to conduct significant conceptual research in a variety of emphasis areas:

Facilities Management

Operations Management

Institutional Management

Management Information Systems

Hospitality Real Estate Management

Consumer Behavior

Services Marketing

Financial Management

Human Resources Management

New Product Development

The broad-based curriculum of this doctoral program is enhanced by special events featuring Conti Professors — recognized leaders within the hospitality industry— who visit the school on a regular basis to interact with students and faculty, present guest lectures in hospitality and foodservice management, and speak at graduate and undergraduate colloquia.

Ashley Akright Colon

The School of Hospitality Management The Pennsylvania State University 201 Mateer Building University Park, PA 16802

[email protected] 814-865-1853

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  • Hospitality Management, Ph.D.

Hospitality and tourism Ph.D. students pose for a photo with school faculty.

Ph.D. in Hospitality Management

The University of South Carolina’s Ph.D. program in Hospitality Management produces world-class leaders who are trained at the highest level of hospitality and tourism research and education to serve in critical roles with industry and academic institutions around the world.

Ph.D. Program Highlights

  • USC is ranked among the top 12 programs in the U.S. for hospitality and tourism management.
  • South Carolina’s School of Hospitality and Tourism Management is home to world-renowned faculty and research centers  — providing exceptional opportunities for graduate student research and publications .
  • Ph.D. students have the opportunity to get involved in funded grants and industry research projects and work with institutes and faculty.
  • The program allows doctoral students to teach, providing experience needed for industry and entry-level faculty positions.
  • The School of Hospitality and Tourism Management is home to three top-tier journal editors: Ercan Turk, Ph.D. — Tourism Analysis; Robin DiPietro, Ph.D. — Journal of Foodservice Business Research; Miyoung Jeong, Ph.D. — Journal of Hospitality & Tourism Education.
  • Our graduate students have found positions at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, University of Houston, and University of Central Florida, just to name a few.

Stamp logo #1 in the SEC for hospitality and tourism management

Atop the SEC

The University of South Carolina ranks among the top 12 schools in the U.S. and atop the SEC for hospitality and tourism management according to the ShanghaiRanking's 2022 Global Ranking of Academic Subjects.

Diego Bufquin headshot

Career Success

Diego Bufquin earned his Ph.D. from USC in 2015 and is now an associate professor in the Rosen College of Hospitality Management at the University of Central Florida.

Current Ph.D. Students

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Here to Help

Want more information or to speak with someone regarding our Ph.D. in hospitality management? Fill out our form and our program director will reach out to you.

Admissions Process

The application deadline for the Ph.D. program is Jan. 15.

All applications for the Ph.D. program must be submitted online through the Graduate School . Applications will be reviewed and assessed individually by the School of Hospitality and Tourism Management's graduate faculty based on the applicant's:

  • Academic record (work done at a master's level)
  • Professional experience
  • TOEFL / IELTS scores (for international students)
  • Promise of ability to adequately pursue advanced study and research
  • In-person and / or phone interviews
  • Identification of School of Hospitality and Tourism Management faculty member(s) willing to champion their application process. Please contact hospitality and tourism faculty whose research interests align with yours.

Degree Requirements

The Ph.D. in hospitality management is based on a four-year period of residential study following the completion of a master’s degree with an undergraduate or graduate degree in hospitality and tourism management or related fields. The Ph.D. program requires 60 credit hours. To finish the Ph.D. program, a student must successfully complete a qualifying exam, comprehensive exam, propose and complete a dissertation study, and successfully pass a final examination on the dissertation administered by the advisory committee.

Additional information and details on degree requirements can be found at the  academic bulletin .

Conferences

Ph.D. students regularly collaborate with our faculty and present their research findings at major conferences such as the 28th Annual Graduate Education & Graduate Student Research Conference in Hospitality and Tourism hosted by The Collins College of Hospitality Management at Cal Poly Pomona over Jan. 5-7, 2023.

Assistantships and Fellowships

Assistantships and fellowships are awarded to graduate students on a competitive basis. A fellowship makes you a vital part of the college through teaching, research and other meaningful educational experiences. Stipend rates are competitive, tuition reductions are included and assistance is provided for research conferences. Visit the Graduate School to  learn more about assistantships .

Get in Touch

Kawon (Kathy) Kim headshot

Kawon (Kathy) Kim, Ph.D.

Ph.D. Program Director and Associate Professor School of Hospitality and Tourism Management

[email protected] 803-777-0451 Close-Hipp 631

Challenge the conventional. Create the exceptional. No Limits.

PhD in Hospitality & Tourism Management

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Students in Isenberg’s PhD program in hospitality and tourism management engage in research that furthers society’s understanding of the unique industry.

From uncovering the environmental, social and economic impacts of tourism to investigating theories and models of services marketing and management, students use their time at Isenberg to make powerful connections between ideas, introduce thoughtful and provoking analysis, and contribute scholarly research.

Message from the Coordinator

Irem Onder Neuhofer

The hospitality and tourism industry lends itself to fascinating and revealing research about society, the economy and the marketplace. Our PhD program in Hotel and Tourism Management (HTM) gives students the time and resources to delve into the industry, to engage in rigorous research, and to publish their findings.

Our PhD graduates become top scholars, professors and researchers at the leading hospitality and tourism programs in the US and abroad. Our graduates are successful because our program offers:

  • One-on-one mentoring and advising by renowned faculty.  Students will work closely with faculty on multiple research projects. 
  • The opportunity to specialize in one focus area.  Our concentrations include marketing/consumer behavior, leadership, information technology and social media, operational research and finance.
  • Real-world preparation   for careers in academia.  All candidates teach graduate-level classes at Isenberg and have 100% responsibility in their classrooms.

Additionally, students in our program also graduate with a PhD in Management, making them more marketable in the job field and more knowledgeable in the classroom.

While our program is rigorous and highly selective, our learning environment is collaborative and supportive. We welcome applicants who are self-motivated, committed, and independent initiators and team players.

Irem Onder Neuhofer Associate Professor and PhD Coordinator

Isenberg’s PhD in hospitality and tourism management is a full-time, residential program that prepares candidates for academic careers in hospitality and tourism. The program develops strong research skills that enable graduates to conduct and publish scholarly research with competence and confidence.

Students can study any area of interest that applies to hospitality and tourism and gain real-world teaching experience that allows them to excel in university teaching in their areas of interest.

Isenberg has a strong focus on research.  Faculty are working in a wide variety of research domains, investigating such areas as:

  • Hotel and Destination Branding
  • Service Experience Management
  • Impact and Performance Studies in Tourism and Hospitality Operations
  • Quality-of-Life and Tourism and Hospitality Research
  • Sustainability in Tourism and Hospitality
  • Strategic Management and Finance
  • Revenue Management

HTM PhD Program Overview

Watch our video to hear about the program from the students and professors in this active teaching and research community.

Students generally complete a PhD in HTM within 4-5 years. Students must take core courses in theory and research methods, as well as electives and minor classes. In addition, our doctoral students must pass a qualifying and comprehensive examination. Students also teach at Isenberg. During the final years, students are responsible for creating and defending a dissertation.

Here's a sample of required HTM courses:

  • Foundations of Organizational Behavior and Theory
  • Research Design
  • Multivariate Analysis
  • Structural Equation Model
  • Seminar in Tourism Theory and Research
  • Seminar in Hospitality Research
  • Services Marketing/Management Research

YEAR 1: Coursework, including statistics, research methods, and theory courses, and research electives; Qualifying exam

YEAR 2: Coursework, including marketing and management courses, research electives and minor area courses; Comprehensive exam

YEAR 3: Additional coursework as needed; Development of dissertation proposal; Teaching

YEAR 4-5: Dissertation research

HTM Doctoral Students

matt coyne-HTM phd

Ph.D.: Hospitality and Tourism Management Concentration

This program will prepare you for a career in research and teaching at institutions throughout the United States and abroad.

The coursework includes several hospitality and tourism management courses as well as a group of research design and statistics courses. You will also complete courses in supporting fields of inquiry such as psychology, sociology, management, marketing, etc. The program typically requires four years to finish, including courses, a second-year paper, a comprehensive exam, and a doctoral dissertation. Applicants with strong hospitality and tourism management backgrounds are preferred. Incoming students are expected to have both good written and oral communication skills, as well as the analytical skills required to master research methods and statistics.

Admission requirements

We prefer the GMAT, but we do accept the GRE test as a substitute. In either case, the exam must have been taken within 5 years of the time of application to WSU.

Desired prerequisites

In general, you must meet the following prerequisites to be accepted into the program:

  • A master’s degree (M.S., M.A. in a related discipline, or MBA), although outstanding applicants with bachelor’s degree will be considered
  • A GPA higher than 3.25 on a 4.00 scale
  • Hospitality and/or tourism related background (educational or professional)
  • Interests and goals that complement faculty interests and the program’s goals
  • Letters of recommendation supporting your candidacy for admission
  • A substantial industry experience (strongly preferred)

While applicants may have diverse profiles, an educational or business background that reflects an understanding of and interest in hospitality and tourism management is advantageous. Students with an MBA or business experience, in particular, are preferred. Because the program is focused on graduating students qualified to teach at high-quality, research-oriented institutions, you should have good command of the English language, both spoken and written, and have a reasonable level of skill in mathematics to facilitate the mastery of research methods and statistics. You should also have competencies in hospitality and tourism management in addition to accounting, economics, finance, management, marketing, operations management, and computer skills.  If you are deficient in any of these areas, additional coursework and preparation beyond the major course of study may be required. Your advisory committee will determine these requirements.

General Competency

The requirements for this program follow the Ph.D. Program in Business Administration Policies and Procedures and Program Requirements in the Carson College of Business. The concentration in Hospitality and Tourism takes advantage of existing course and seminar offerings in the other five business disciplines to offer a diverse and flexible high-quality program. The program requirements for the concentration in Hospitality and Tourism Management are designed to develop proficiency in the student’s major field of study with applications in hospitality business management.

Research tool requirements

A minimum of 4 research tool courses to be selected by the student with the approval from his/her Ph.D. committee.

  • ANOVA (e.g., Psych 511, Stat 507, Stat 512, or Soc 522)
  • Regression/Econometrics (e.g., Psych 512, Soc 521, Stat 530, Stat 533, Stat 535, EconS 511, or EconS 512)
  • Psychometric Theory (e.g., Psych 514 or Stat 520)
  • Multivariate Statistics (e.g., BA596, Mktg 594, Stat 519, MgtOp519, or MgtOp591) or Applied Structural Equation Modeling (Psych 516)

These suggested courses above may be substituted for other courses that treat each of the above topics in a comprehensive fashion, as approved by the student’s program committee. Although four research tool courses are required, additional research courses may be taken as part of the student’s supporting field requirements.

Major field requirements

These courses will enable you to develop proficiency in your primary area of study.

  • HBM 591: Seminar in Services Management
  • HBM 592: Seminar in Current Issues in Travel and Tourism
  • Mktg 593: Behavioral Research Methods Seminar
  • BA 598: Research and Professional Development Seminar (1 credit course)
  • HBM 600: Independent Study (Second-year Research Project)

Business electives

You are required to complete at least 2 of the following graduate-level business courses:

  • EconS/Fin 596 Advanced Topics in Financial Economics
  • MGTOP 516 Time Series
  • HBM 581 Services Management
  • IBUS 580 International Business Management
  • MGMT597 Seminar in Organizational Behavior
  • MGMT597 Seminar in Organizational Theory
  • MGMT597 Seminar in Strategic Management
  • MIS 572 Database Management Systems
  • MIS 574 Telecommunications and Networking in Business
  • MIS 582 Systems Analysis and Design
  • MKTG 590 Seminar in Consumer Behavior
  • MKTG 591 Seminar in Marketing Management
  • MKTG 592 Seminar in Marketing Foundations

These suggested courses above may be substituted for other courses as approved by the student’s program committee.

Supporting field requirements

Coursework in the area of specialization is intended to provide necessary skills and knowledge to conduct research in a chosen field. Courses must be related to an area of study selected by the student and approved by the doctoral student’s committee. Supporting doctoral level coursework may be selected from areas such as (but not limited to) research seminars in anthropology, psychology, sociology, economics, management, international business, information systems, marketing, communication, etc. Additional coursework in HBM may also be taken, with approval from the doctoral student’s committee.

PhD Research Credit Requirements

In addition to major field requirements, business electives, and supporting field requirements, the Ph.D. in Hospitality and Tourism Management requires additional research credits associated with the development of the final dissertation. A minimum of 32 (800 level) research credit hours is required.

Sample PhD Program in Business Administration With Concentration in Hospitality and Tourism Management

Based on 9 credits per semester in the first year of study**.

  • BA 598 (1 credit course)
  • Business Elective

Start preparation for 2nd Year Research Project

  • Supporting Field Course
  • HBM 600 (2nd Year Research Project)

Preparation for Comprehensive Exams

  • Comprehensive Exams

Full-time Research (Dissertation and Other)

  • Courses cannot be counted twice under any of the above-mentioned requirements.
  • No more than 9 hours can be taken as independent study courses.

Annual Review and Written and Preliminary Exams

The goal of the annual reviews and the exams is to assess the candidate’s overall mastery of the core body of knowledge in the field and the degree of preparation to undertake research independently or with minimal supervision. The Ph.D. Program area coordinator and committee along with appropriate advisors will annually review the progress of the students in terms of publications and research effort. The Preliminary Exam (scheduled sometime during the third year in the program) will test the candidate’s knowledge in five areas:

  • Hospitality and tourism management major field requirements: Hospitality and Tourism Management core knowledge includes a thorough understanding of hospitality and tourism, and behavioral research methods.
  • Business electives: The student should be able to demonstrate an appropriate level of understanding of theories and research methods aligned with those business disciplines chosen for further study, including finance, information systems, international business, management, operations, and/or marketing.
  • Hospitality and tourism research: The student should be able to demonstrate a thorough understanding of hospitality and tourism research, including explanatory theories and past research findings. In addition, the candidate is expected to demonstrate command over the relevant literature from his/her supporting field.
  • Hospitality and tourism research methods and statistics: The student should also have an extensive knowledge of statistics and the research methodologies that can be employed to study hospitality and tourism phenomena from a behavioral standpoint.
  • Oral and written communication skills: Given the program’s focus on producing hospitality and tourism scholars who can be successful at other accredited, peer or better research universities, the student is also expected to show a high level of written and oral communication skills exhibited in the written and oral comprehensive exams, research presentations at national/international conferences, and publications in hospitality & tourism journals.

Jenny Kim, Ph.D. Professor School of Hospitality Business Management Todd Hall 331C [email protected] 509-335-4706

Program at a glance

Degree offered: Doctor of Philosophy Number of faculty working with students: 9 Number of students enrolled in program: 8 Students with assistantships/scholarships: 100% Industry experience preferred Priority application deadline: January 10

phd tourism and hospitality management

Hospitality and Retail Management

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Hospitality & Retail Management Ph.D.

Doctor of Philosophy in Hospitality Administration

Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) Hospitality, Tourism, and Retail Management

Online Hospitality Degree Program Facts

48 Credit Hours

Online Hospitality Degree Program Facts

Campus Lubbock, TX

Hospitality PHD Program Texas Tech Lubbock

GRE Required

Earn your ph.d. in hospitality, tourism, and retail management that puts you on the tenure track..

Texas Tech University offers one of the only hospitality, tourism, and retail management (in-person) doctoral degrees in the country that allows you the flexibility to earn your doctorate in one of three disciplines. Your diploma will provide specific detail regarding which concentration you pursued for your degree. No other program provides you with better preparation for an academic career than Texas Tech University.

Widely recognized as one of the nation's top hospitality, retail, and tourism programs, Texas Tech continues to produce high-quality university faculty who lead, teach, and conduct research around the world.

Our Ph.D. in tourism, hospitality, and retail management provides a strong foundation for your career by providing you with opportunities to:

  • Showcase your academic talent and success. You will receive recognition for your work through independent research that culminates in journal publications and conference presentations.
  • Work with accomplished faculty. Texas Tech's hospitality, retail management, and tourism faculty includes content experts with widespread academic and industry connections.
  • Develop a global perspective. Our hospitality, tourism, and retail management Ph.D. program draws students and faculty from all over the world, including Europe, Africa, the Middle East, and Southeast Asia.
  • Develop exceptional research skills. The doctoral program in hospitality, tourism, and retail management at Texas Tech provides  coursework to enhance your skills in both qualitative and quantitative research methods. Advanced coursework in theory, literature, and statistics will provide the foundation you need to be a top scholar.
  • Develop outstanding teaching skills . Texas Tech's Ph.D. program stands out for its curriculum development and educator training. You will receive advanced teaching experience as part of your doctoral education, with strong mentorship from seasoned faculty who have many years of teaching experience.
  • Work with premier research centers and institutes. Only students at Texas Tech have the opportunity to work with GUEST and the Texas Wine Marketing Research Institute (TWMRI). GUEST focuses globally and locally on experiential and sustainable tourism and has worked in the U.S., Costa Rica, and Jordan. TWMRI works to advance the wine industry in the state of Texas and has connections with other wine centers and institutes across the U.S. and the globe. GUEST and TWMRI provide doctoral students with access to outstanding research opportunities.

Texas Tech Campus Ph.D. Hospitality Administration

Our hospitality, tourism, and retail management Ph.D. program enables you to build comprehensive skills and an impressive resume. You will be qualified for faculty positions at leading universities, with excellent opportunities for promotion to leadership positions and administrative roles such as dean.

Hospitality, Tourism, and Retail Management Ph.D. Objectives and Outcomes

The Hospitality, Tourism, and Retail doctoral degree prepares you for faculty positions in higher education, as well as leadership positions in the industry.

Hospitality Administration: Concentrate on management and marketing research associated with hospitality including; hotels, restaurants, institutional management, dynamic pricing, guest experience, and technology.

Tourism Administration: Concentrate on management and marketing research associated with tourism including; group and event management, experiential and wine tourism, and place branding.

Retail Management: Concentrate on management and marketing research associated with retailing including; branding, shopper and consumer behavior, pricing, service and brandscape.

Online Hospitality Degree Program Facts

Cost By Program

  • Acquire an in-depth understanding of the theory, concepts, and practices in the fields of hospitality, tourism, and retail management.
  • Explore key issues facing these industries, current research, and practices in hospitality, tourism and retail management.
  • Apply concepts and theories to solve theoretical and practical problems related to hospitality, tourism and retail management.
  • Communicate research findings for both academic and professional audiences.
  • Develop an aptitude for and expertise in a variety of research and statistical techniques important for research in the academy and the hospitality, tourism and retail industries industry.
  • Value the integration of your research with teaching to provide your students with advanced understanding.
  • Analyze the global, social, multicultural, and environmental issues facing the hospitality, tourism and retail professionals in academic and industry settings.
  • Value involvement in professional organizations supporting hospitality, tourism and retail disciplines.

Request Information Online

Contact the phd program director:.

  • Name: Dr. Jessica Yuan
  • Email: [email protected]
  • Phone: (806) 834-8446
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Conrad N. Hilton College of Global Hospitality Leadership

  • College of Global Hospitality Leadership
  • Future Students
  • Graduate Admissions

Ph.D. Hospitality Administration

The Conrad N. Hilton College of Global Hospitality Leadership Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) emphasizes flexibility, independence and inter-disciplinary study to accommodate the needs and research interests of students both from the U.S. and around the world. As a requirement of the doctoral program, students are expected to obtain experience in teaching and research. Graduate faculty will mentor the students in the classroom as well as in research settings.

Hilton  College is consistently rated among the top hospitality programs in the world, and has cultivated relationships with the industry’s top employers, organizations and associations. Our graduates continue to excel and open the doors for those who follow. The Ph.D. objectives are:

  • To develop teaching skills for both undergraduate and graduate levels
  • To disseminate information about the hospitality industry
  • To develop theory and add knowledge to the field
  • To identify problems through analysis
  • To identify solutions from competing alternatives through quantitative and qualitative metrics
  • To effectively communicate research outcomes
  • To develop grantsmanship capabilities

Ph.D. in Hospitality Administration Degree Plan

For detailed instructions on specific admission requirements and the application process, click here . Applicants who have completed an M.S. in Hospitality Management or similar degree with an overall grade point average of 3.2 on a 4-point scale for their last degree will be considered. The Hilton College faculty directory should also be consulted and potential research advisors contacted to establish initial communication.

Applications are available online at  www.applyweb.com/uhouston . 

A student sits on a padded bench with natural light streaming into the room from two walls of windows.

Master of Science & PhD Programs in Hotel Administration

The ms & phd: our researched-focused hotel administration programs.

Prepare to teach, lead, and innovate in the exciting hospitality management field.

Share your passion for hospitality with the next generation of hotel leaders. Teaching at the university level is often a natural next step for executives in any industry. Earning a doctoral degree gives you the research experience—and the academic credentials—you need to pursue faculty positions. A master’s degree prepares you for careers in academic research—and is a stepping stone to the PhD program.

Why the Nolan School for Your Master’s or PhD in Hotel Administration?

The Cornell Peter and Stephanie Nolan School of Hotel Administration offers two research-rich graduate programs: a Master of Science and a PhD. As the first school of its kind in the United States—and the only one in the Ivy League—the Nolan School has set the standard for hospitality education. We continue to innovate in the field by expanding our research, curriculum, and programs.

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Our premier centers and institutes , such as the Center for Hospitality Research and the Pillsbury Institute for Hospitality Leadership , provide groundbreaking industry insights.

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Collaboration

As part of the Cornell SC Johnson College of Business , the Nolan School gives students the opportunity to collaborate on research with peers and faculty across the college’s schools, programs, and centers.

People in formal attire sit at round banquet tables.

Our worldwide Hotelie alumni base is 15,000+ strong, and Cornell’s Big Red Alumni Network is a global force of more than 50,000. Strong industry partnerships expand our international reach.

Program Overview: Master’s in Hotel Administration

Here’s a closer look at our research-rich hospitality master’s degree program:

phd tourism and hospitality management

Degree Awarded

Master of science in hotel administration.

phd tourism and hospitality management

Program Format

Full-time residential

phd tourism and hospitality management

Program Schedule

Two years; four semesters

Program Overview: PhD in Hotel Administration

Here’s a high-level overview of what to expect in our hospitality doctoral program :

PhD in Hotel Administration

Five years; 10 semesters

Meet a Hotelie: What Our Students Say

Our graduate students agree: The collaborative atmosphere is one of the hallmarks of a Nolan School education.

Headshot of Steve Choi.

“The Nolan School program is truly interdisciplinary. Be ready to learn a lot about hospitality but open your doors to gain exposure in economics and finance.” —Soon Hyeok (Steve) Choi PhD ’23

Degree Requirements: Hotel Administration Academics

As an MS or PhD student, you’ll gain specialized knowledge and build solid research skills through an enriching, rigorous curriculum.

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Foundational Coursework

Hone your quantitative and qualitative research skills with a variety of modeling, statistical, and econometrics courses. PhD students align their methods classes with their area of interest—HR, marketing, real estate, finance, operations, or technology.

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Specialization Areas

Customize your curriculum by choosing elective credits from across the Cornell SC Johnson College of Business and throughout Cornell University. Students focus on areas such as financial management, marketing, operations, and real estate.

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Thesis & Dissertation

Receive close faculty mentorship as you embark on deep graduate-level research. The program culminates with a final exam for MS students and a dissertation defense for PhD candidates. You might even have a chance to publish or present your work.

VIEW MS & PhD DEGREE REQUIREMENTS

MS vs. MMH: What’s the Difference between Our Hospitality Graduate Programs?

The Nolan School’s hospitality graduate programs have a lot in common: a world-class faculty, cutting-edge facilities, and immersive learning experiences. The main difference between the MS in Hotel Administration and the Master of Management in Hospitality (MMH) is that the MMH prepares you for industry, and the MS prepares you for academia. As you explore your options, keep your ultimate professional goals in mind.

A PhD student speaks with their hands.

The MS degree is researched-focused and requires a master’s thesis and final exam. Many students in this program continue on to related PhD programs at top-tier schools, including the Nolan School.

Students sit at a high top table with laptops open in front of them.

Master of Management in Hospitality (MMH)

The MMH is industry-focused and prepares students for leadership roles in a range of hospitality and real estate specialties. This program requires an internship and offers many other real-world learning experiences.

Headshot of Professor Crocker Liu.

Industry Experts: Hear from Our Hospitality Faculty

Nolan School faculty members are passionate about moving their industries forward—and advancing their students’ academic and corporate careers.

“ Few top-tier schools offer real estate as a degree option, and even fewer offer hospitality. Uniqueness is [our] defining factor.” —Crocker H. Liu, Robert A. Beck Professor of Hospitality Financial Management

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Program Eligibility: Is an MS or PhD in Hotel Administration Right for Me?

Our MS and PhD in Hotel Administration programs are highly competitive and rigorous. Ideal candidates will have an exceptional academic record, relevant industry experience, and clear professional goals. Before you begin the application process, we encourage you to review our eligibility requirements.

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Admissions Overview: How to Apply: MS and PhD Programs

If earning a master’s or PhD in Hotel Administration feels like the right fit for your next academic endeavor, we invite you to learn more about the admissions process. Our MS and PhD admissions page will give you all the details you’ll need to start your application.

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Dates and Deadlines: MS and PhD Admissions Timeline

New MS and PhD students are admitted each fall semester. Our application period for both programs runs between September 1 and December 15.

Applications Open: September 1 Application Deadline: December 15

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Request Information: Learn More about Our MS and PhD Programs

Exploring your hospitality master’s options? Interested in earning a doctorate in hospitality ? Our graduate admissions team is ready to answer your questions about the Nolan School’s MS and PhD in hotel administration.

Tuition and Financing: Investing In Your Hospitality Career

Earning a graduate degree is an investment in your future self; the cost of attendance and financing options vary from program to program.

MS Student Financing Options

MS students may be eligible for federally subsidized student loans, which help cover the cost of tuition and living expenses during the residential program.

PhD Students Financing Options

Most PhD students receive full financial support for five academic years and four summers, including a stipend, health insurance, and full academic year tuition, contingent upon satisfactory academic performance.

LEARN ABOUT MS & PhD TUITION

Life at the Nolan School: A Community Built on Hospitality

As a graduate student at the Nolan School, you’ll become part of a collaborative learning community united by a passion for hospitality and service. This welcoming feeling extends across the SC Johnson College, where you’ll interact with graduate students from a range of programs.

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For more than a century, we’ve been innovators in hospitality education and industry leadership. Our graduate faculty are deeply committed to research and teaching, and our alumni are making a difference around the world.

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We’re located on Cornell University’s beautiful campus in the vibrant college town of Ithaca, NY. The heartbeat of the Nolan School is the Statler Hotel , a full-service luxury hotel that serves as a learning lab for our hospitality students at all levels.

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Our Expertise

Our renowned faculty members are among the world’s foremost scholars and practitioners in hospitality, real estate, financial services, and technology. As mentors, they guide graduate students through their theses and dissertations.

LEARN MORE ABOUT NOLAN

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Stories and Updates: The Latest from the Hotelie Community

Our BusinessFeed features stories and updates about Nolan School faculty, staff, students, and alumni, from professional achievements to exciting new research.

FAQ: Questions about our MS and PhD Programs

You have a lot to consider as you research and compare graduate hospitality programs . In this section, we answer a few of the most common questions from MS and PhD applicants, including test score requirements, what a hotel PhD entails, and available support resources.

What tests are required to apply for the MS and PhD degree programs?

Applicants for the MS and PhD programs in hotel administration are required to submit a GMAT or GRE score. GMAT and GRE scores are valid for up to five years.

Students must meet the English Language Proficiency Requirement and may be required to take the TOEFL or the IELTS exam. In some cases, these testing requirements can be waived. For more information on minimum TOEFL and IELTS scores, how to submit TOEFL or IELTS test scores, and the criteria for waiving the requirement, visit the Graduate School’s website .

What is the deadline to apply for the MS or PhD degree program?

MS and PhD students are admitted only for the fall semester. Applications will open on September 1 and should be completed by December 15 for the subsequent fall term. We will contact competitive applicants via email to schedule an admissions interview.

What kind of financial aid is available for MS or PhD students?

MS students can find financial aid opportunities by contacting the Fellowships and Financial Aid Office through Cornell’s Graduate School. Fellowships covering the cost of tuition and a taxable stipend may be awarded to PhD students on a case-by-case basis.

What resources do you offer for international students?

Cornell University’s International Services Office of Global Learning can assist international students with various services from immigration issues to campus life.

Where can I find information about current MS or PhD research?

Since the MS and PhD degrees are research-based, the Center for Hospitality Research is the best resource to learn more about the research interests of our graduate faculty. Email [email protected] for more information.

How many MS and PhD students are admitted each year?

Admission is extremely selective and is based on both the strength of the applicant and the availability of faculty to advise new graduate students. Typically, up to three MS and PhD students are admitted in a particular year.

What makes a PhD applicant competitive?

A competitive PhD applicant typically has an exceptional academic record, including research experience, a competitive GRE or GMAT (score above 700 for GMAT), relevant hospitality and teaching experience, and a well-articulated statement of purpose.

What resources are available for PhD students?

Read about some of the resources available to support our PhD students:

  • Advising Guide for Research Students
  • Center for Teaching Innovation
  • Code of Legislation of the Graduate Faculty
  • Cornell Career Services
  • Cornell Health
  • Cornell University Library Services
  • Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS)
  • Graduate School Academic Requirements
  • Graduate School Forms
  • Graduate School Orientation Information
  • International Teaching Assistant Program
  • Leave of Absence Information
  • Office of Global Learning
  • Student Experience
  • Student Health Benefits
  • Dissertation Information

Fraud alert - Beware of third-party post-doc scams.

Cornell University recently has been made aware of fraudulent activity targeting overseas students and researchers, including at least one third party website falsely stating that it is offering a postdoctoral or visiting scholar program in association with Cornell. These scams, which may seek to obtain money and/or personal details from interested applicants, are fraudulent. 

Cornell wishes to warn the public about these fraudulent activities being perpetrated purportedly in the name of Cornell, and/or its officials. Please be advised that: 

  • Cornell does not, nor has it, worked in collaboration with third-party companies or organizations to offer postdoctoral or research certificate programs.
  • Third parties do not collect tuition or fees on behalf of Cornell.
  • Cornell does not work with or endorse such organizations including, but not limited to, Shanghai Lufei Education Technology Co., Ltd. (Chinese name: 上海璐斐教育科技有限公司) and Shenzhen Guoyan Era Education Technology Co., Ltd. (Chinese name: 深圳市国研时代教育科技有限公司).

Cornell’s postdoctoral positions are listed on the Academic Career Opportunities website and postdoctoral fellowship programs are available for viewing. If you suspect a third party of falsely advertising a Cornell program, please notify [email protected]. Victims of such scams may also report them to their local law enforcement authorities for appropriate action.

Next Steps: Applying to the Nolan School

If you’ve reviewed our admissions requirements and think you’re a fit for our welcoming yet rigorous academic community, we invite you to begin your application to our MS or PhD program today.

To get started, simply register or log in to the Cornell Graduate Admissions website.

phd tourism and hospitality management

Hospitality Management (PhD)

Program at a glance.

  • In State Tuition
  • Out of State Tuition

Learn more about the cost to attend UCF.

U.S. News & World Report Best Colleges - Most Innovative 2024

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.

Application Deadlines

  • International

Ready to get started?

University of central florida colleges.

phd tourism and hospitality management

Request Information

Enter your information below to receive more information about the Hospitality Management (PhD) program offered at UCF.

Program Prerequisites

Applicants to this program must have an earned Masters Degree. The total credit hours to complete this program are beyond the masters.

Degree Requirements

Required courses.

  • HMG7295 - Theories in Hospitality and Tourism (3)
  • HMG6586 - Research Methods in Hospitality and Tourism (3)
  • 7584 - Statistical Foundations in Hospitality & Tourism (3)
  • 7460 - Grant Writing in Hospitality & Tourism (3)
  • 7581 - Qualitative Design & Methods in Hospitality and Tourism (3)
  • 7592 - Research Seminar: Research (1)
  • 7591 - Research Seminar: Teaching (1)
  • 7590 - Research Seminar: Service & Professionalism (1)
  • HMG7598 - University Teaching in Hospitality & Tourism (3)
  • EDH7207 - Curriculum, Instruction, and Distance Learning in Higher Education (3)
  • EDH7366 - Assessment Practices in Higher Education (3)
  • EME7634 - Advanced Instructional Systems Design (3)
  • EDG7325 - Models of Teaching and Instructional Theory (3)
  • EME6940 - Theory into Practice in Educational Technology (3)
  • EME6938ST4 - ST: Story Design for Instruction (3)
  • EDP7517 - Facilitating Learning, Development and Motivation (3)

Research Electives

  • HMG6918 - Directed Research (1 - 99)
  • PAF7802 - Advanced Research Methodology for Public Affairs (3)
  • PAF7804 - Advanced Statistics for Public Affairs I: Multivariate Analysis (3)
  • PAF7805 - Advanced Statistics for Public Affairs II: Survey of Statistical Methods (3)
  • PAF7820 - Qualitative Methods for Public Affairs (3)
  • EDF7407 - Research in Educational Leadership 2 (3)
  • EDF7406 - Multivariate Statistics in Education (3)
  • EDF7415 - Latent Variable Modeling In Education (3)
  • EDF7475 - Qualitative Research in Education (3)
  • SYA7407 - Advanced Quantitative Data Analysis (3)
  • 3 Approved Research Methods/Data Analysis Graduate Courses (7000 preferred) from outside or inside the college. One 3-Credit Directed Research (HMG 6918) may be taken as a part of research electives.

Specialization

  • HMG7545 - Services Marketing and Management in Hospitality and Tourism (3)
  • HMG7708 - Advanced Travel and Tourism (3)
  • HMG7570 - Advanced Lodging & Foodservice Management (3)
  • HMG7448 - Advanced Hospitality Information Technology (3)
  • FSS6365 - Management of Food Service Operations (3)
  • HMG6227 - Advanced Training and Development in the Hospitality Industry (3)
  • HMG6228 - Critical Issues in Hospitality Human Resources (3)
  • HMG6245 - Managing Hospitality and Guest Services Organizations (3)
  • HMG6251 - International Lodging Accommodations Analysis (3)
  • HMG6267 - Case Studies in Restaurant Management (3)
  • HMG6296 - Hospitality/Tourism Strategic Issues (3)
  • HMG6347 - Contemporary Issues in the Resort Industry (3)
  • HMG6446 - Hospitality/Tourism Information Technology (3)
  • HMG6466 - Applied Revenue Management Techniques in Hospitality (3)
  • HMG6476 - Feasibility Studies for the Hospitality/Tourism Enterprises (3)
  • HMG6477 - Financial Analysis of Hospitality 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)
  • HMG6585 - Data Analysis in Hospitality and Tourism Research (3)
  • HMG6596 - Strategic Marketing in Hospitality and Tourism (3)
  • HMG6710 - International Tourism Management (3)
  • HMG6738 - Tourism Industry Analysis (3)
  • HMG6756 - Mega-Events (3)
  • HMG6797 - Event Administration (3)
  • 7246 - Organizational Behavior in Hospitality & Tourism (3)
  • 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 PhD Program Coordinator.

Dissertation

  • HMG7980 - Dissertation (1 - 99)
  • 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.

Grand Total Credits: 60

Application requirements.

Hospitality and Tourism Management Ph.D. in Business

graduate students

Virginia Tech’s Hospitality and Tourism Management Ph.D. in Business emphasizes the research applications of business concepts and strategies to hospitality and tourism management. More specifically, our Ph.D. students develop the knowledge and research skills to address the critical challenges and problems faced by hospitality and tourism businesses.

The goal of our program is to develop the next generation of faculty for Hospitality and Tourism Management Business programs at major research universities throughout the world. We accomplish this goal by producing doctoral graduates who have both conceptual and methodological knowledge and significant research experience in the applications of that knowledge during their Ph.D. program. Students develop the knowledge, skills and research abilities to become successful scholars by engaging in close and collegial research collaborations with a faculty comprised of internationally renowned scholars, journal editors, and professional leaders.

More specifically, our curriculum emphasizes (1) the understanding of business theories and practices in hospitality and tourism management and (2) the conceptual skills and understanding of research design, measurement, and statistical analyses necessary to be effective and productive researchers. The faculty has developed the doctoral program to provide challenging research and learning experiences for students seeking the skills to become leading researchers. The key ingredients to the program’s success are excellent students, a dynamic, research-oriented faculty who publish regularly in top-tier journals, and research collaboration between students and faculty. The specific curriculum and research program is customized to the individual student’s interests; each student works with an advisory committee to develop a program of study and a research dissertation focusing on her / his specific areas of interest.

Areas of specialization of our graduate faculty include, but are not limited to, Hospitality and Tourism Marketing, Service Management and Strategy, Information Technology and Business Analytics, Food and Beverage Management, Sustainable Tourism, Innovation and Entrepreneurship, and Human Resources Management.  In addition, a wide variety of coursework options exist outside the department including the functional areas of business, sustainable resource management, and geographic information systems.  The Pamplin College of Business has research and education centers focusing on Innovation and Entrepreneurship, Business Intelligence and Analytics, and Global Business.

Ph.D. Degree Structure and Requirements

Program admission.

Students are admitted to the HTM graduate programs each fall semester. Applications are submitted via the Virginia Tech Graduate School website.  To be considered for admission, applicants must create an account on the VT Graduate School Applicant System and submit their materials directly via that website,  https://applyto.graduateschool.vt.edu/ .

The deadlines for application are January 15th for the Ph.D. program.

The size of our Ph.D. program is strictly controlled to allow for intensive faculty – student collaboration. As a result, the program is highly selective. Admission decisions are made by a committee of faculty based on a number of criteria including:

  • Fit with departmental mission and faculty research interests – a statement of research interests and experience is required. In this statement, an applicant should articulate her / his areas of interest and specialization.  Additionally, students should also describe their research experience and background. Prior to being accepted, at least one member of the graduate faculty must agree that the applicant’s research interests are a good fit with her / his interests.
  • Official Test Scores [GMAT or GRE]
  • Previous academic work (official transcripts for all previous academic work are required).
  • Curriculum Vita, reflecting both academic and professional experience.
  • Letters of recommendation (3 letters are required).

For students where English is a second language, TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) scores are required. Applicants should have a minimum TOEFL score of 600 (paper based) / 250 (computer based) or 100 (internet based). As with the standardized test scores, the TOEFL scores must be sent directly to the VT Graduate School.  This requirement is waived for Ph.D. applicants who have graduated from an MS program from an accreditated English speaking university. While TOEFL scores are preferred, IELTS (International English Language Testing System) scores are also accepted.

In general, students admitted to our Ph.D. program have a GMAT score well over 600 or approximately similar GRE scores (verbal-150, quantitative reasoning-150, & analytical writing 4.5), a GPA of 3.5 or greater in their MBA or MS program, very strong letters of recommendation, and more than two years of industry experience.

Students admitted to the MSBA program generally have a GMAT score over 550 or approximately similar GRE scores (verbal 145, quantitative reasoning 145, and analytical writing 4.0), a GPA of 3.0 or greater in their undergraduate work, strong letters of recommendation and at least one year of industry experience.

Please note that admission into our graduate programs is competitive.  While there are basic requirements as articulated above, the final admission decisions are made by the HTM Graduate Curriculum Committee based primarily on the applicant’s fit with the Department’s needs.  As such, please do not submit materials for an informal review as it is impossible to provide such a review without knowing the mix of applicants and their interests.

Funding and Assistantships

The Department awards a limited number of teaching/research assistantships to graduate students on a competitive basis. Full-time assistantships normally require 20 hours of work weekly on assignments related to the teaching and research functions of the Department. Stipends are extremely competitive and include full tuition remission.  Presuming acceptable progress toward the degree and budget availability, graduate assistantships are renewed annually for four years. For Ph.D. students, summer research grants are provided for the first two years and available competitively for the following years, presuming continued budget availability and the successful completion of a research grant proposal approved by the student's committee chair and the HTM Graduate Curriculum Committee. Additionally, research scholarships and dissertation research grants are available on a competitive basis. This assistantship package is even more attractive when coupled with the low cost of living in Blacksburg.

grad student

Important Information

  • Graduate School
  • Graduate School Application
  • Assistantship Information
  • Bursar’s Office

Texas A&M University Catalogs

Doctor of philosophy in hospitality, hotel management and tourism.

The PhD degree in  Hospitality, Hotel Management, and Tourism  prepares students for a career as a university faculty member or research scientist in  the private sector or  a government agency.  

While  each  PhD program is  customized   by the student and their advisor  depending on the needs of  the  student , all PhD  students should take a minimum of 18 credits within the  department  ( not including  HMGT   691 ).  

PhD Coursework  should  include:  

a m inimum of 3 credits  of  quantitative statistics;

a m inimum of 3 credits  of  qualitative statistics;

a m inimum of 3 credits of  research methods; and

a m inimum of 24 hours of  HMGT  691 (Research).

A student's final degree plan must be approved by all members of their committee and should reflect the rigor expected of a doctoral degree.  

All students must pass a final comprehensive examination administered by their advisory committee.   At the  conclusion  of the semester  when  the exam is  scheduled , there  should be  no more than 6 hours of coursework  remaining  on the degree plan (except 681, 684, 690, 691, and 693).  

Steps to Fulfill a Doctoral Program

Program Requirements

  • Student's Advisory Committee

Degree Plan

Transfer of credit, research proposal.

  • Preliminary Examination

Preliminary Examination Format

Preliminary examination scheduling, report of preliminary examination.

  • Failure of the Preliminary Exam

Retake of Failed Preliminary Examination

  • Final Examination

Report of Final Examination

Dissertation, student’s advisory committee.

After receiving admission to graduate studies and enrolling, the student will consult with the head of his or her major or administrative department (or chair of the intercollegiate faculty) concerning appointment of the chair of the advisory committee. The student’s advisory committee will consist of  no fewer than four members of the graduate faculty  representative of the student’s several fields of study and research, where the chair or co-chair must be from the student’s department (or intercollegiate faculty, if applicable), and  at least one or more of the members must have an appointment to a department other than the student’s major department . The outside member for a student in an interdisciplinary degree program must be from a department different from the chair of the student’s committee.

The chair, in consultation with the student, will select the remainder of the advisory committee. Only graduate faculty members located on Texas A&M University campuses may serve as chair of a student’s advisory committee. Other Texas A&M University graduate faculty members located off-campus may serve as a member or co-chair (but not chair), with a member as the chair.

If the chair of a student’s advisory committee voluntarily leaves the University and the student is near completion of the degree and wants the chair to continue to serve in this role, the student is responsible for securing a current member of the University Graduate Faculty, from the student’s academic program and located near the Texas A&M University campus site, to serve as the co-chair of the committee. The Department Head or Chair of Intercollegiate faculty may request in writing to the Associate Provost and Dean of the Graduate and Professional School that a faculty member who is on an approved leave of absence or has voluntarily separated from the university, be allowed to continue to serve in the role of chair of a student’s advisory committee without a co-chair for up to one year. The students should be near completion of the degree. Extensions beyond the one year period can be granted with additional approval of the Dean.

The committee members’ signatures on the degree plan indicate their willingness to accept the responsibility for guiding and directing the entire academic program of the student and for initiating all academic actions concerning the student. Although individual committee members may be replaced by petition for valid reasons, a committee cannot resign  en masse . The chair of the committee, who usually has immediate supervision of the student’s research and dissertation or record of study, has the responsibility for calling all meetings of the committee. The duties of the committee include responsibility for the proposed degree plan, the research proposal, the preliminary examination, the dissertation or record of study and the final examination. In addition, the committee, as a group and as individual members, is responsible for counseling the student on academic matters, and, in the case of academic deficiency, initiating recommendations to the Graduate and Professional School.

The student’s advisory committee will evaluate the student’s previous education and degree objectives. The committee, in consultation with the student, will develop a proposed degree plan and outline a research problem which, when completed, as indicated by the dissertation (or its equivalent for the degree of Doctor of Education or the degree of Doctor of Engineering), will constitute the basic requirements for the degree. The degree plan must be filed with the Graduate and Professional School prior to the deadline imposed by the student’s college and no later than 90 days prior to the preliminary examination.

This proposed degree plan should be submitted through the online Document Processing Submission System located on the website  http://ogsdpss.tamu.edu . A minimum of 60 hours is required on the degree plan for the Doctor of Philosophy for a student who has completed a master’s degree. A student who has completed a DDS/DMD, DVM or a MD at a U.S. institution is also required to complete a minimum of 60 hours. A student who has completed a baccalaureate degree but not a master’s degree will be required to complete a 90-hour degree plan. Completion of a DDS/DMD, DVM or MD degree at a foreign institution requires completion of a minimum of 90 hours for the Doctor of Philosophy. A field of study may be primarily in one department or in a combination of departments. A degree plan must carry a reasonable amount of 691 (research). A maximum of 9 hours of 400-level undergraduate courses may be used toward meeting credit-hour requirements for the Doctor of Philosophy.

Additional coursework may be added by petition to the approved degree plan by the student’s advisory committee if it is deemed necessary to correct deficiencies in the student’s academic preparation. No changes can be made to the degree plan once the student’s Request for Final Examination is approved by the Graduate and Professional School.

Approval to enroll in any professional course (900-level) should be obtained from the head of the department (or Chair of the intercollegiate faculty, if applicable) in which the course will be offered before including such a course on a degree plan.

No credit may be obtained by correspondence study, by extension or for any course of fewer than three weeks duration.

For non-distance degree programs, no more than four courses may be taken by distance education without approval of the Graduate and Professional School and no more than 50 percent of the non-research credit hours required for the program may be completed through distance education courses.

To receive a graduate degree from Texas A&M University, students must earn one-third or more of the credits through the institution’s own direct instruction. This limitation also applies to joint degree programs. 

Courses for which transfer credits are sought must have been completed with a grade of B or greater and must be approved by the student’s advisory committee and the Graduate and Professional School. These courses must not have been used previously for another degree. Except for officially approved cooperative doctoral programs, credit for thesis or dissertation research or the equivalent is not transferable. Credit for “internship” coursework in any form is not transferable. Courses taken in residence at an accredited U.S. institution or approved international institution with a final grade of B or greater will be considered for transfer credit if, at the time the courses were completed, the courses would be accepted for credit toward a similar degree for a student in degree-seeking status at the host institution. Credit for coursework taken by extension is not transferable. Coursework  in which no formal grades are given or in which grades other than letter grades (A or B) are earned (for example, CR, P, S, U, H, etc.) is not accepted for transfer credit . Credit for coursework submitted for transfer from any college or university must be shown in semester credit hours, or equated to semester credit hours.

Courses used toward a degree at another institution may not be applied for graduate credit. If the course to be transferred was taken prior to the conferral of a degree at the transfer institution, a letter from the registrar at that institution stating that the course was not applied for credit toward the degree must be submitted to the Graduate and Professional School.

Grades for courses completed at other institutions are not included in computing the GPA. An official transcript from the university at which transfer courses are taken must be sent directly to the Office of Admissions.

The general field of research to be used for the dissertation should be agreed on by the student and the advisory committee at their first meeting, as a basis for selecting the proper courses to support the proposed research.

As soon thereafter as the research project can be outlined in reasonable detail, the dissertation research proposal should be completed. The research proposal should be approved at a meeting of the student’s advisory committee, at which time the feasibility of the proposed research and the adequacy of available facilities should be reviewed. The approved proposal, signed by all members of the student’s advisory committee, the head of the student’s major department (or chair of the intercollegiate faculty, if applicable), must be submitted to the Graduate and Professional School at least 20 working days prior to the submission of the Request for the Final Examination.

Compliance issues must be addressed if a graduate student is performing research involving human subjects, animals, infectious biohazards and recombinant DNA. A student involved in these types of research should check with the Office of Research Compliance and Biosafety at (979) 458-1467 to address questions about all research compliance responsibilities. Additional information can also be obtained on the website  http:// rcb.tamu.edu .

Examinations

Preliminary examination for doctoral students.

The student’s major department (or chair of the interdisciplinary degree program faculty, if applicable) and his or her advisory committee may require qualifying, cumulative or other types of examinations at any time deemed desirable. These examinations are entirely at the discretion of the department and the student’s advisory committee.

The preliminary examination is required. The preliminary examination for a doctoral student shall be given no earlier than a date at which the student is within 6 credit hours of completion of the formal coursework on the degree plan (i.e., all coursework on the degree plan except 681, 684, 690, 691, 692, 693, 695, 697, 791, or other graduate courses specifically designated as S/U in the course catalog). The student should complete the Preliminary Examination no later than the end of the semester following the completion of the formal coursework on the degree plan.

The objective of preliminary examination is to evaluate whether the student has demonstrated the following qualifications:

a.     a mastery of the subject matter of all fields in the program;

b.     an adequate knowledge of the literature in these fields and an ability to carry out bibliographical research;

c.     an understanding of the research problem and the appropriate methodological approaches.

The format of the preliminary examination shall be determined by the student’s department (or interdisciplinary degree program, if applicable) and advisory committee, and communicated to the student in advance of the examination. The exam may consist of a written component, oral component, or combination of written and oral components.

The preliminary exam may be administered by the advisory committee or a departmental committee; herein referred to as the examination committee.

Regardless of exam format, a student will receive an overall preliminary exam result of pass or fail. The department (or interdisciplinary degree program, if applicable) will determine how the overall pass or fail result is determined based on the exam structure and internal department procedures. If the exam is administered by the advisory committee, each advisory committee member will provide a pass or fail evaluation decision.

Only one advisory committee substitution is allowed to provide an evaluation decision for a student’s preliminary exam, and it cannot be the committee chair.

If a student is required to take, as a part of the preliminary examination, a written component administered by a department or interdisciplinary degree program, the department or interdisciplinary degree program faculty must:

a.     offer the examination at least once every six months. The departmental or interdisciplinary degree program examination should be announced at least 30 days prior to the scheduled examination date.

b.     assume the responsibility for marking the examination satisfactory or unsatisfactory, or otherwise graded, and in the case of unsatisfactory, stating specifically the reasons for such a mark.

c.     forward the marked examination to the chair of the student’s advisory committee within one week after the examination.

Prior to commencing any component of the preliminary examination, a departmental representative or the advisory committee chair will review the eligibility criteria with the student, using the Preliminary Examination Checklist to ensure the student is eligible for the preliminary examination. The following list of eligibility requirements applies.

Student is registered at Texas A&M University for a minimum of one semester credit hour in the long semester or summer term during which any component of the preliminary examination is held. If the entire examination is held between semesters, then the student must be registered for the term immediately preceding the examination.

An approved degree plan is on file with the Graduate and Professional School prior to commencing the first component of the examination.

Student’s cumulative GPA is at least 3.000.

Student’s degree plan GPA is at least 3.000.

At the end of the semester in which at least the first component of the exam is given, there are no more than 6 hours of coursework remaining on the degree plan (except 681, 684, 690, 691, 692, 693, 695, 697, 791, or other graduate courses specifically designated as S/U in the course catalog). The head of the student’s department (or Chair of the Interdisciplinary Degree Program, if applicable) has the authority to approve a waiver of this criterion.

Credit for the preliminary examination is not transferable in cases where a student changes degree programs after passing a preliminary exam.

If a written component precedes an oral component of the preliminary exam, the chair of the student’s examination committee is responsible for making all written examinations available to all members of the committee.  A positive evaluation of the preliminary exam by all members of a student’s examination committee with at most one dissension is required to pass a student on his or her preliminary exam.

The student’s department will promptly report the results of the Preliminary Examination to the Graduate and Professional School via the Report of Doctoral Preliminary Examination form. The Preliminary Examination checklist form must also be submitted. These forms should be submitted to the Graduate and Professional School within 10 working days of completion of the preliminary examination.

The Report of the Preliminary Examination form must be submitted with original signatures of the approved examination committee members. If an approved examination committee member substitution (one only) has been made, that signature must also be included, in place of the committee member, on the form submitted to the Graduate and Professional School. The original signature of the department head is also required on the form.

After passing the required preliminary oral and written examinations for a doctoral degree, the student must complete the final examination within four years of the semester in which the preliminary exam is taken. Exams taken in between terms will expire at the end of the term that ended prior to the exam. For example, a preliminary exam taken and passed during the fall 2019 semester will expire at the end of the fall 2023 semester. A preliminary exam taken in the time between the summer and fall 2019 semesters will expire at the end of the summer 2023 semester.

Failure of the Preliminary Examination

First failure.

Upon approval of a student’s examination committee (with no more than one member dissenting), and approval of the Department and Graduate and Professional School, a student who has failed a preliminary examination may be given one re-examination. In accordance with Student Rule 12.5, the student’s department head or designee, intercollegiate faculty, or graduate advisory committee should make a recommendation to the student regarding their scholastic deficiency.

Second Failure

Upon failing the preliminary exam twice in a doctoral program, a student is no longer eligible to continue to pursue the PhD in that program/major. In accordance with Student Rule 12.5.3 and/or 12.5.4, the student will be notified of the action being taken by the department as a result of the second failure of the preliminary examination.

Adequate time must be given to permit the student to address the inadequacies emerging from the first preliminary examination. The examination committee must agree upon and communicate in writing to the student, an adequate time-frame from the first examination (normally six months) to retest, as well as a detailed explanation of the inadequacies emerging from the examination. The student and the committee should jointly negotiate a mutually acceptable date for this retest. When providing feedback on inadequacies, the committee should clearly document expected improvements that the student must be able to exhibit in order to retake the exam. The examination committee will document and communicate the time-frame and feedback within 10 working days of the exam that was not passed.

Final Examination for Doctoral Students

The candidate for the doctoral degree must pass a final examination by deadline dates announced in the “Graduate and Professional School Calendar” each semester. The doctoral student is allowed only one opportunity to take the final examination.

No unabsolved grades of D, F, or U for any course can be listed on the degree plan. The student must be registered for any remaining hours of 681, 684, 690, 691, 692, 791 or other graduate courses specifically designated as S/U in the course catalog during the semester of the final exam. No student may be given a final examination until they have been admitted to candidacy and their current official cumulative and degree plan GPAs are 3.00 or better.

To be admitted to candidacy for a doctoral degree, a student must have:

1.       completed all formal coursework on the degree plan with the exception of any remaining 681, 684, 690 and 691, 692 (Professional Study), or 791 hours,

2.       a 3.0 Graduate GPA and a Degree Plan GPA of at least 3.0 with no grade lower than C in any course on the degree plan,

3.       passed the preliminary examination,

4.       submitted an approved dissertation proposal,

5.       met the residence requirements.

The request to hold and announce the final examination must be submitted to the Graduate and Professional School a minimum of 10 working days in advance of the scheduled date. Any changes to the degree plan must be approved by the Graduate and Professional School prior to the submission of the request for final examination.

 The student’s advisory committee will conduct this examination. The final examination is not to be administered until the dissertation or record of study is available in substantially final form to the student’s advisory committee, and all concerned have had adequate time to review the document. Whereas the final examination may cover the broad field of the candidate’s training, it is presumed that the major portion of the time will be devoted to the dissertation and closely allied topics. Persons other than members of the graduate faculty may, with mutual consent of the candidate and the chair of the advisory committee, be invited to attend a final examination for an advanced degree. A positive vote by all members of the graduate committee with at most one dissension is required to pass a student on his or her exam. A department can have a stricter requirement provided there is consistency within all degree programs within a department. Upon completion of the questioning of the candidate, all visitors must excuse themselves from the proceedings.

The student’s department will promptly report the results of the Final Examination to the Graduate and Professional School via the Report of Doctoral Final Examination form. These forms should be submitted to the Graduate and Professional School within 10 working days of completion of the final examination. The Graduate and Professional School must be notified in writing of any cancellations.

A positive evaluation of the final exam by all members of a student’s advisory committee with at most one dissension is required to pass a student on his or her final exam. The Report of the Final Examination Form must be submitted with original signatures of only the committee members approved by the Graduate and Professional School. If necessary, multiple copies of the form may be submitted with different committee member original signatures. If an approved committee member substitution (1 only) has been made, his/her signature must be included on the form submitted to the Graduate and Professional School.

The ability to perform independent research must be demonstrated by the dissertation,  which must be the original work of the candidate . Whereas acceptance of the dissertation is based primarily on its scholarly merit, it must also exhibit creditable literary workmanship. The format of the dissertation must be acceptable to the Graduate and Professional School. Guidelines for the preparation of the dissertation are available in the  Thesis Manual , which is available online at  https://grad.tamu.edu .

After successful defense and approval by the student’s advisory committee and the head of the student’s major department (or chair of the intercollegiate faculty, if applicable), a student must submit his/her dissertation in electronic format as a single PDF file. The PDF file must be uploaded to the website,  https://grad.tamu.edu . Additionally, a signed paper approval form with original signatures must be received by the Graduate and Professional School. Both the PDF file and the signed approval form are required by the deadline.

Deadline dates for submitting are announced each semester or summer term in the Graduate and Professional School (see Time Limit statement). These dates also can be accessed via the website  https://grad.tamu.edu .

Each student who submits a document for review is assessed a one-time thesis/dissertation processing fee through Student Business Services. This processing fee is for the thesis/dissertation services provided. After commencement, dissertations are digitally stored and made available through the Texas A&M Libraries.

A dissertation that is deemed unacceptable by the Graduate and Professional School because of excessive corrections will be returned to the student’s department head or chair of the intercollegiate faculty . The manuscript must be resubmitted as a new document, and the entire review process must begin anew. All original submittal deadlines must be met during the resubmittal process in order to graduate.

Additional Requirements

Continuous registration, admission to candidacy.

  • 99-Hour Cap on Doctoral Degree

Application for Degree

A student who enters the doctoral degree program with a baccalaureate degree must spend one academic year plus one semester in resident study at Texas A&M University. A student who holds master’s degree when he/she enters doctoral degree program must spend one academic year in resident study. One academic year may include two adjacent regular semesters or one regular semester and one adjacent 10-week summer semester. The third semester is not required to be adjacent to the one year. Enrollment for each semester must be a minimum of 9 credit hours each to satisfy the residence requirement. A minimum of 1 credit hour must be in a non-distance education delivery mode. Semesters in which the student is enrolled in all distance education coursework will not count toward fulfillment of the residence requirement.

To satisfy the residence requirement, the student must complete a minimum of 9 credit hours per semester or 10-week summer semester in resident study at Texas A&M University for the required period. A student who enters a doctoral degree program with a baccalaureate degree may fulfill residence requirements in excess of one academic year (18 credit hours) by registration during summer sessions or by completion of a less-than-full course load (in this context a full course load is considered 9 credit hours per semester).

Students who are employed full-time while completing their degree may fulfill total residence requirements by completion of less-than-full time course loads each semester. In order to be considered for this, the student is required to submit a Petition for Waivers and Exceptions along with verification of his/her employment to the Graduate and Professional School. An employee should submit verification of his/her employment at the time he/she submits the degree plan. See  Registration .

See  Residence Requirements .

All requirements for doctoral degrees must be completed within a period of ten consecutive calendar years for the degree to be granted. A course will be considered valid until 10 years after the end of the semester in which it is taken. Graduate credit for coursework more than ten calendar years old at the time of the final oral examination may not be used to satisfy degree requirements.

A final corrected version of the dissertation or record of study in electronic format as a single PDF file must be cleared by the Graduate and Professional School within one year of the semester in which the final exam is taken. Exams taken in between terms will expire at the end of the term that ended prior to the exam. For example, a final exam taken and passed during the fall 2022 semester will expire at the end of the fall 2023 semester. A final exam taken in the time between the summer and fall 2022 semesters will expire at the end of the summer 2023 semester. Failure to do so will result in the degree not being awarded.

A student in a program leading to a Doctor of Philosophy who has completed all coursework on his/her degree plan other than 691 (research) are required to be in continuous registration until all requirements for the degree have been completed.

See  Continuous Registration Requirements .

  • completed all formal coursework on the degree plan with the exception of any remaining 681, 684, 690 and 691, or 791.
  • a 3.0 Graduate GPA and a Degree Plan GPA of at least 3.0 with no grade lower than C in any course on the degree plan,
  • passed the preliminary examination (written and oral portions),
  • submitted an approved dissertation proposal,
  • met the residence requirements. The final examination will not be authorized for any doctoral student who has not been admitted to candidacy.

A student is required to possess a competent command of English. For English language proficiency requirements, see the Admissions section of this catalog. The doctoral (PhD) foreign language requirement at Texas A&M University is a departmental option, to be administered and monitored by the individual departments of academic instruction.

99-Hour Cap on Doctoral Degrees

In Texas, public colleges and universities are funded by the state according to the number of students enrolled. In accordance with legislation passed by the Texas Legislature, the number of hours for which state universities may receive subvention funding at the doctoral rate for any individual is limited to 99 hours. Texas A&M and other universities will not receive subvention for hours in excess of the limit.

Institutions of higher education are allowed to charge the equivalent of non-resident tuition to a resident doctoral student who has enrolled in 100 or more semester credit hours of doctoral coursework.

Doctoral students at Texas A&M have seven years to complete their degree before being charged out-of-state tuition. A doctoral student who, after seven years of study, has accumulated 100 or more doctoral hours will be charged tuition at a rate equivalent to out-of-state tuition. Please note that the tuition increases will apply to Texas residents as well as students from other states and countries who are currently charged tuition at the resident rate. This includes those doctoral students who hold GAT, GANT, and GAR appointments or recipients of competitive fellowships who receive more than $1,000 per semester. Doctoral students who have not accumulated 100 hours after seven years of study are eligible to pay in-state tuition if otherwise eligible.

Doctoral students who exceed the credit limit will receive notification from the Graduate and Professional School during the semester in which they are enrolled and exceeding the limit in their current degree program. The notification will explain that the State of Texas does not provide funding for any additional hours in which a student is enrolled in excess of 99 hours. Texas A&M University will recover the lost funds by requiring students in excess of 99 hours to pay tuition at the non-funded, non-resident rate. This non-funded, non-resident tuition rate status will be updated for the following semester and in all subsequent semesters until receipt of a doctoral degree. Please see the  Tuition Calculator  at the non-resident rate for an example of potential charges.

The following majors are exempt from the 99-Hour Cap on Doctoral Degrees and have a limit of 130 doctoral hours:

  • Biochemistry
  • Biomedical Sciences
  • Clinical Psychology
  • Counseling Psychology
  • Genetics and Genomics
  • Health Services Research
  • Medical Sciences
  • Microbiology
  • Neurosciences (School of Medicine)
  • Oral and Craniofacial Biomedical Sciences
  • Pharmaceutical Sciences
  • Public Health Sciences
  • School Psychology

For information on applying for your degree, please visit the  Graduation  section.

Doctor of Philosophy in Business Administration – Hospitality and Tourism

  • Fall January 10th

International students may need to surpass the Graduate School’s minimum English language proficiency exam scores for this program. If the graduate program has unique score requirements, they will be detailed below. Otherwise, please refer to the Graduate School’s minimum score guidelines.

  • 7.0 IELTS Minimum score
  • 90 MELAB Minimum score
  • 62 Pearson Minimum score
  • 580 TOEFL Minimum score
  • 92-93 TOEFLI Minimum score
  • 600 GMAT GRE can be substituted

Degree Description:

The PhD in business administration with an emphasis in hospitality and tourism management is designed to prepare graduates for careers in research and teaching at institutions throughout the United States and abroad. Applicants with substantial hospitality and tourism business background are strongly preferred. Incoming students are expected to have both good written and oral communication skills, as well as good analytical skills to facilitate the mastery of research methods and statistics. The course of study requires a battery of hospitality and tourism management courses as well as a group of research design and statistics courses. Students are also expected to take courses from supporting fields of inquiry such as psychology, sociology, management, marketing, etc. The degree normally takes four years to complete and involves taking courses, developing an area (2nd-year) paper, passing a comprehensive exam, and the completion of a doctoral dissertation.

Admission Requirements:

A minimum admissions index score of 1250 is required to be considered for admission. The index is based on the formula GPA x 200 + GMAT (and a TOEFL of 580 for ESL students). There is not a minimum GMAT score requirement. However, successful candidates typically exceed 650.

We prefer the GMAT, but we do accept the GRE test as a substitute. In either case, the exam must have been taken within 5 years of the time of application to WSU. A GMAT conversion will be applied to the GRE score submitted by applicants who take the GRE in lieu of the GMAT. The Educational Testing Service (ETS) provides a conversion chart . The converted GRE score will then be applied to the Carson College of Business admissions index score in the same manner as a standard GMAT score.

GMAT score report code 09D-TL-81 Pearson Test of English score report code: 8Z2-GT-38

Student Opportunities:

Conference funding is generally available for students presenting a paper if the budget allows for it.

Career Opportunities:

  • University Professor
  • Industry Consultant

Career Placements:

  • California State Polytechnic University, Pomona
  • University of Las Vegas, Nevada
  • Temple University
  • Humboldt State University
  • Auburn University
  • North Dakota State University
  • Colorado Mesa University

Contact Information:

What to Know About Hospitality and Tourism Management Degree Programs

Hospitality management degrees are designed to train future leaders in the hospitality industry.

How to Study Hospitality Management

Businessman with just arrived a hotel room opening door.

Getty Images

Running a company in any segment of the hospitality industry requires not only financial and marketing prowess, but also an understanding of how to create an inviting environment for guests.

The art and science of hosting strangers is an essential skill for people working in many kinds of businesses, including airlines, casinos, cruise ships, festivals, hotels and restaurants.

Running a company in any segment of the hospitality industry requires not only financial and marketing prowess, but also an understanding of how to create an inviting environment for guests. Cultivating that marketable skill set is the goal of associate, bachelor's and graduate programs in hospitality management.

What a Hospitality Management Degree Is and What Classes It Requires

The goal of any course of study in hospitality management is to train people to create and maintain spaces where others will immediately feel at home.

“Understanding how to take care of the customer is a foundational aspect of the hospitality discipline,” Angela Ramsey, senior director of communication at the University of Nevada—Las Vegas William F. Harrah College of Hospitality, explained in an email.

Hospitality management degrees are, foremost, degrees in business, says Michael Sabitoni, chair of the food and beverage management department and the international travel and tourism studies department at Johnson & Wales University in Rhode Island. They include classes in accounting, finance, human resources, law and technology, he says.

However, unlike a general business degree, a hospitality degree typically includes specialized coursework focusing on the hospitality industry, such as classes on food service business operations, event management principles, and hotel and resort leadership, Sabitoni says. An overview class about tourism is also typically included in hospitality management programs, and industry internships are often mandatory, he adds.

Many hospitality degree programs require students to participate in experiential learning by helping to operate a student-run hotel or restaurant. They may also contain classes on:

  • Eco-tourism or sustainable travel
  • Global tourism and special considerations involved with international trips
  • Customer service protocols
  • Assessing the quality of guest experiences
  • Specific types of hospitality establishments, such as country clubs, golf courses, resorts, stadiums, timeshares or theme parks
  • Nuances involved in planning certain kinds of events, such as conventions or weddings
  • Concerns that face certain demographics of customers, including women and people of color
  • Various types of tourism, including business trips and visits to cultural destinations or historical sites

Top Undergraduate Schools With Hospitality Management Majors

Many U.S. colleges and universities allow undergraduates to major in hospitality management, including multiple nationally renowned academic institutions. Cornell University of New York, an Ivy League college, has a school devoted to hospitality.

Exceptional hospitality programs are often based in major metropolitan areas that attract significant tourism. For example, New York University and Boston University in Massachusetts offer a hospitality management degree.

How to Know if a Hospitality Management Degree Is Right for You

An interest in the food and beverage sector, a love for travel or an interest in entertaining people may lead someone to consider pursuing a degree in hospitality management. But prospective students should be aware that the hospitality sector has leadership roles for people with all kinds of interests and personalities.

Though some managerial positions in the hospitality industry are customer-facing jobs that require significant people skills, there are also back-of-the-house managerial jobs that concentrate on logistics, Sabitoni says.

Significant cultural awareness and strong communication abilities are essential in hospitality. Foreign language skills are also valuable but not mandatory, Sabitoni says.

What You Can Do With a Hospitality Management Degree

Hospitality programs are designed to train future leaders in the sector.

“It can include anything within the hospitality vertical, from hotel investment companies to real estate firms to our big brands which are the Marriotts, the Hiltons, the Four Seasons, to data analytics companies to Googles to Amazons,” says Kate Walsh, dean of the Peter and Stephanie Nolan School of Hotel Administration at Cornell. “Anything that touches hospitality as a part of their business product is something where our students get involved.”

Real estate investment firms often invest in hotel buildings, so people with degrees in hospitality management sometimes find jobs in the real estate sector, Walsh says. Alumni of hospitality management programs sometimes become management consultants who concentrate on assisting companies in the hospitality industry, she adds.

Executive and director roles in the industry typically require at least a bachelor's degree. Many high-level leadership positions at U.S. hospitality firms pay annual salaries above $70,000, according to an article published by Monster.com, a job website.

In 2020, graduates of Cornell's Nolan School had an average base salary of slightly over $69,000 and an average bonus of nearly $15,000, according to the school's employment report .

Considerations for Potential Hospitality Students

Aspiring hospitality managers should be aware of trends that may affect them when they enter the industry, experts say.

This sector has severe labor shortages at hotels and restaurants, many of which laid off workers due to pandemic-related safety measures and now have struggled to replace those workers even after raising wages.

Because of these staffing concerns, many hospitality companies have introduced initiatives to recruit and retain talented staff, improve working conditions, increase job satisfaction and reduce employee turnover, Walsh says.

When comparing hospitality programs, prospective students should investigate whether those programs include experiential learning opportunities, experts say, noting that hands-on projects are one of the best ways to gain hospitality skills. It’s also optimal if hospitality schools offer courses on design, which can inform aesthetic choices about how a hospitality venue looks, according to experts.

“I think the industry needs innovative thinkers," Walsh says. "They need people who think big culturally, who are comfortable with different modes of work, so it’s a great time to join the industry. The industry is trying to be extremely intentional in providing compelling career paths.”

Searching for a grad school? Get our  complete rankings of Best Graduate Schools.

Grad Degree Jobs With $100K+ Salaries

phd tourism and hospitality management

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  • Sport and exercise science PhD
  • Sport and leisure cultures PhD

Tourism and hospitality PhD

Since the 1990s, the University of Brighton has taken a pioneering role in the academic study of tourism, and welcomes students undertaking PhD research across all aspects of tourism and hospitality.

The university is an affiliate member of the UN World Tourism Organisation. Our academics are well-known internationally for their critical perspective on the sector, their industry experience and their emphasis on critical thinking, public-facing, interventionist social science. Expert supervision will allow you to join researchers who undertake intellectually rigorous research that contributes towards the theoretical, methodological and applied development of travel and tourism.

Recent and current PhD students have been successful in obtaining studentships covering both fees and living costs through the University of Brighton’s involvement in the  ESRC South Coast Doctoral Training Programme . 

Supervisory expertise spans a range of disciplinary approaches to the PhD study of tourism, hospitality and events. These include human geography, development studies, sociology, anthropology, marketing and business, cultural studies and political science. Much of our work has real-world application and staff are well-connected to a variety of international development agencies (i.e. UNWTO, World Bank, UN), public, private and third sectors’ organisations. 

Our current and recent PhD students are exploring a range of topics in relation to the role of politics in tourism, the relations between tourism and poverty alleviation, critical perspectives on travel philanthropy, the influence of the perception of risk on consumer decision-making in ocean cruising, post-conflict destination branding and national identity construction, the role of sport tourism in image destination formation in the Middle East, tourism development and community involvement in Saudi Arabia.

Many of our graduates have progressed into jobs in academia, becoming lecturers or post-doctoral researchers, while others work in commercial consultancy, international development or international travel, tourism, hospitality and events operations.

Apply to 'business and law' in the portal

Apply with us for funding from the ESRC South Coast Doctoral Training Programme

Key information

As a tourism, hospitality and events PhD student at Brighton, you can develop research plans and apply methods involving both quantitative and qualitative data, supported by appropriate research methods training. You will benefit from:

  • a supervisory team comprising two or sometimes three members of academic staff. Depending on your research specialism you may also have an additional supervisor from another School, another research institution, or an external partner from government or industry.
  • desk space and access to a computer in a space specifically designed for research students. There are a range of facilities on the Eastbourne campus including various catering options.
  • access to a range of electronic resources via the university’s Online Library, as well as to the physical book and journal collections housed within the network of university campus libraries.

Details of specific topic areas can be located in the lists below and on the university research pages. Please contact the relevant member of staff before submitting an application through the university’s Doctoral College.

Academic environment

Based on the university’s Moulsecoomb campus, the School of Business and Law has a vibrant community of research staff, which PhD students join as active members.

Academics deliver translational research with local, regional and international benefits. PhD students form an integral part of BBS and take an active role in a range of intellectual and social activities within the school. All postgraduate students are invited to join the university's research centres and groups, including the Tourism, Hospitality and Events Research and Enterprise Group , which will provide you with opportunities to present ‘work in progress’ and network with other researchers.

The Brighton Doctoral College offer a training programme for postgraduate researchers, covering research methods and transferable (including employability) skills. Attendance at appropriate modules within this programme is encouraged, as is contribution to the school’s seminar series. Academic and technical staff also provide more subject-specific training.

We welcome approaches for PhD supervision across most aspects of tourism hospitality and events research. Fields of recent pursuit have included: investigations of human resource issues, sociology and social issues, food and consumer behaviour, digital technologies and social media. The following list of interests will serve as a guide to some of the department’s outlook and expertise:

  • sustainable, responsible, ethical and community-based tourism
  • tourism - policy, planning, development and management
  • globalisation, migration and mobility
  • sexuality and gender
  • niche and special interest tourism - particularly cruise tourism; sport tourism, family tourism, rural tourism, nature based tourism
  • tourism and development in developed, developing and emerging countries
  • tourism and social justice
  • tourism environmental justice (i.e. animal rights in tourism)
  • travel philanthropy
  • consumer behaviour in tourism
  • destination management and marketing
  • tourism impacts management
  • visual and visuality; culture and media, popular films and tourism
  • heritage, landscape and memorialisation
  • identities and culture, embodiment, materiality and the senses
  • international events and festival
  • subculture, counterculture and spectacle

Some of our supervisors

Dr matthew adams.

Dr Adams supervises PhD students addressing a range of topics including mental health and distress, social and cultural identity, critical psychologies of climate change, climate activism, nature-connection, Anthropocene studies, nature-based interventions, human-animal relations and posthumanities. He is especially interested in supervising students adopting qualitative methodological and critical theoretical approaches. Interdisciplinary projects are especially welcome. 

Dr Mandy Curtis

I am interested in supervising Post Graduate Researchers in events, public space, and identities. I am also keen to support students researching diversity in all its forms, as well as those looking at accessible and sustainable events.

The doctoral project I am currently supervising is examining the the application of the circular economy in waste management for toursim beach sites in Ghana.  

Dr Barbara Grabher

I am interested in supervising doctoral students in their research projects linking to the field of Critical Event Studies, urban/ regional regeneration, gender/equality/diversity, ecological sustainability as well as community and identity creation. Due to my thorough education and extensive experience of ethnographic fieldwork in event settings, my supervisory interest strongly grounds in this methodological approach. If you're interested in undertaking research that examines the above mentioned themes, please feel free to contact me. 

Dr Nigel Jarvis

I have successfully supervised a number of PhDs to completion, with candidates getting academic publications as part of their journey even before they defend their thesis.  I am interested in supervising research projects on gender and sexuality, the cruise sector, sport tourism, sport and event sponsorship, sport event legacies, the socio-cultural impacts of tourism and events, and leisure management.

Dr Adam Jones

I am interested in supervising PhD students interested in sustainability related to tourism, marketing, and corporate social responsibility. I am also interested in those wanting to research behaviour change, especially related to the environmental crisis. Recently completed research and publications include those concerning behaviour change and travel demand management, destination planning and management and information overload on the internet. I specifically welcome projects that adopt innovative qualitative methodological approaches to creating new knowledge.

I am supervising students researching tourism and the circular economy, monitoring and evaluation of tourism development, art and the tourism economy and behaviour change as a result of environmental exposure 

Dr Catherine Kelly

I welcome the opportunity to supervise PhD students with an interest in the areas of tourism and wellbeing, place and wellbeing, sustainability, nature-based tourism, coastal tourism, blue spaces, water and wellbeing, rural tourism, cultural/heritage tourism, national parks and biospheres.

Dr Rodrigo Lucena De Mello

I welcome students' research projects in the following areas: Consumer psychology and behaviour; Customer relationship marketing; Marketing for families; Gender and sexuality in marketing

For further supervisory staff including cross-disciplinary options, please visit research staff on our research website.

Making an application

You will apply to the University of Brighton through our online application portal. When you do, you will require a research proposal, references, a personal statement and a record of your education.

You will be asked whether you have discussed your research proposal and your suitability for doctoral study with a member of the University of Brighton staff. We recommend that all applications are made with the collaboration of at least one potential supervisor. Approaches to potential supervisors can be made directly through the details available online. If you are unsure, please do contact the Doctoral College for advice.

Please visit our How to apply for a PhD page for detailed information.

Sign in to our online application portal to begin.

Fees and funding

 Funding

Undertaking research study will require university fees as well as support for your research activities and plans for subsistence during full or part-time study.

Funding sources include self-funding, funding by an employer or industrial partners; there are competitive funding opportunities available in most disciplines through, for example, our own university studentships or national (UK) research councils. International students may have options from either their home-based research funding organisations or may be eligible for some UK funds.

Learn more about the funding opportunities available to you.

Tuition fees academic year 2023–24

Standard fees are listed below, but may vary depending on subject area. Some subject areas may charge bench fees/consumables; this will be decided as part of any offer made. Fees for UK and international/EU students on full-time and part-time courses are likely to incur a small inflation rise each year of a research programme.

Contact Brighton Doctoral College

To contact the Doctoral College at the University of Brighton we request an email in the first instance. Please visit our contact the Brighton Doctoral College page .

For supervisory contact, please see individual profile pages.

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Plymouth Business School

Phd tourism and hospitality.

The tourism and hospitality department offers a supportive research environment that provides opportunities for candidates to succeed in their chosen research area. Supervised by scholars renowned in their fields, you will explore contemporary tourism, hospitality and events issues arising from the latest developments in the sector’s research and industry practice. The successful completion of a PhD in Tourism or Hospitality will prepare you well for the a career in academia or industry.

Tourism and Hospitality

Course details

Programme overview.

  • This full time or part time doctoral programme is suitable for people who have a particular research question or topic in mind, and wish to explore this through independent study in order to produce an original contribution to the subject. If you aspire to a research career this is the most appropriate research degree to undertake. You will be guided by a small supervisory team of academic experts under the direction of a Director of Studies.  You will be expected to fully engage with skills development and training and to present your research in a range of scholarly contexts. Your PhD will be assessed via submission of a written thesis (up to 80,000 words) and a viva voce (an oral examination). For full details of what doing a PhD entails at the University of Plymouth, please visit our postgraduate research degrees pages.  

Entry requirements

Fees, costs and funding, how to apply.

  • ) Apply online
  • / Contact us
  • ; Info for applicants
  • 6 Studentships

The Doctoral College is able to answer any questions you may have about applying for or undertaking a postgraduate research degree at the University of Plymouth: [email protected] or +44 1752 587640 .  

Visit the postgraduate research studentships page to search for studentships currently available.

Our research covers three areas

International tourism

Consequences of tourism and events

General Views of Newton Abbott

Economic and social spatial analysis

Catering for an event

Service marketing and management

Our research specialisms include...

6 Heritage and cultural tourism

6 Sustainability

6 Persuasion

6 Communication

6 Talent management

6 Digital marketing

6 Climate change

6 Stakeholder collaboration

6 Crisis and disaster management

6 Business resilience and immersive experiences

Qian Chen at graduation

Research into the role of food tourism

Dr Qian Chen studied BSc (Hons) Business and Tourism followed by a PhD in Tourism and Hospitality which she completed in 2016. She currently works as a Lecturer in Tourism and Hospitality Management at Yangzhou University in China.

Recent PhD completions

  • Dr Cat Hine : Transitioning Beyond Undergraduate Hospitality Education; A Dialogic Analysis of Final Year Hospitality Graduates' Narratives of Employability.
  • Dr Katie Angliss : An Evaluation of The Impact of Event Attendance on Perceptions of the Host Organisation's Reputation: A University Case Study.
  • Dr Jennifer Phillips: The Island Image: A Means of Segmentation.
  • Dr Payal Ghatnekar: Persuasive technology in tourism online experiences and implications on tourist buying behaviour.

Current research student projects

  • JinHua Zhang (FT): Motivation to employees of transnational hotels under the influence of cross-culture. Director of Studies:  Dr Rong Huang .
  • Tao Xu (FT): An investigation of the role of ICT usage in Chinese seniors' travel decision-making. Director of Studies:  Dr Rong Huang .
  • Evangelos Vantzos (PT): Exploring the influence of contemporary marketing strategies on students' decision. A study of Higher Education business school selection. Director of Studies:  Professor Sheela Agarwal .
  • Alexander Rowe (PT): The 'Poldark Effect': Impact of film tourism on space, place, heritage and identities in Cornwall. Director of Studies: Professor Sheela Agarwal .
  • Richard Parkman (PT): The effect of emotion regulation for leaders maintaining effective leader-member exchanges: The cruise ship setting. Director of Studies: Professor Duncan Lewis.
  • Sheikh Rahman (FT): Bangladesh and destination image: The role of cultural heritage tourism. Director of Studies: Dr Natalie Semley.
  • Rohit Reji George (FT): Talent management strategies affecting employee engagement levels: A comparative study of western and domestic owned hotels in India. Director of Studies: Dr Susan Horner.
  • Ukamake Onyenucheya (FT): The Impact of User Generated Content (UGC) on Online Brand Reputation of Small and Medium Sized Tourism Businesses. Director of Studies:  Professor Sheela Agarwal .
  • XiaoZhao Chen (FT): What factors would affect multinational hotel enterprises selecting locations in China? Director of Studies:  Dr Rong Huang .
  • Zoe Roberts (FT): Literary Tourism: Linking Cultural Captial, Tourist Experiences and Perceptions of Authenticity. Director of Studies: Dr Charles Mansfield.
  • Kristin Finn (PT): Crowd dynamics and methods of management. Director of Studies:  Professor Paul Brunt .
  • Arej Alhemimah (FT): Promoting domestic tourism in KSA: Factors that make UAE, and Egypt such popular travel destinations for Saudi families. Director of Studies: Dr Andreas Walmsley.

Discover our experts stories

Jennifer Phillips at graduation

Meet our experts

Professor Sheela Agarwal Professor

Professor Sheela Agarwal

Dr Katie Angliss Head of Division - Business Management

Dr Katie Angliss

Head of division - business management.

Professor Paul Brunt Emeritus Professor

Professor Paul Brunt

Emeritus professor.

Dr Cat Hine Lecturer in Leadership and Business Management

Dr Cat Hine

Lecturer in leadership and business management.

Dr Rong Huang Interim Head of School

Dr Rong Huang

Interim head of school.

Dr Nigel Jackson Associate Professor (Reader) in Persuasion and Communication

Dr Nigel Jackson

Associate professor (reader) in persuasion and communication.

Dr Wai Mun Lim Associate Head of School - International

Dr Wai Mun Lim

Associate head of school - international.

Mr Derek Shepherd Academic Lead - Teaching and Quality in School of Tourism and Hospitality

Mr Derek Shepherd

Academic lead - teaching and quality in school of tourism and hospitality, funding for postgraduate research students.

Coastal Processes Research Group Perranporth beach

Fitzroy Building

Advance your teaching and research skills with the STHM PhD program — powered by the Fox School of Business.

The School of Sport, Tourism and Hospitality Management PhD Program

Accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB)

One of the few PhD degrees concentrated in tourism and sport management

Powered by the Fox School of Business

Temple University’s School of Sport, Tourism and Hospitality Management (STHM), in conjunction with the Fox School of Business, offers one of the few PhD degrees in Business Administration with a concentration in Tourism and Sport accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB). Students take the core business administration curriculum from the Fox School while working on their concentration curriculum with the STHM faculty.

Find out More about the Fox School of Business at Temple University

What Sets STHM Apart

Our doctoral program builds upon the strength of the School of Sport, Tourism and Hospitality Management (STHM) providing, the ideal environment for academic and research training for a successful research-based career. STHM focuses on pairing in-depth research with a dedicated, highly-productive faculty member. The STHM faculty hold editorial board appointments at leading journals and regularly publish in International Journal of Hospitality Management, Journal of Travel Research, Journal of Sport Management, Journal of Leisure Research, Leisure Sciences, Sport Management Review, Sport Marketing Quarterly and Tourism Management. In addition to providing a first-rate academic program, Temple University’s campus is located in the heart of Philadelphia — a hub of opportunity in the sport, tourism and hospitality industries.

The Tourism and Sport PhD

phd tourism and hospitality management

The PhD program is designed to prepare students for faculty positions at universities offering sport, recreation, tourism and hospitality degrees. The program starts in August of each academic year and is full-time — taking approximately 4 years to complete 54 credit hours.

The concentration has 16 full-time faculty members who work closely with students on research projects and papers. Students are also encouraged to work collaboratively in cohorts. Coursework takes approximately 2 years and offers students an appropriate blend of theoretical and methodological courses to support their research program.

Each student will receive a faculty mentor to offer guidance on research projects and career development. PhD students work as research assistants on existing projects with faculty and industry professionals and also enter competitions in order to secure funding for their research.

STHM has 2 centers providing students the opportunity to work on research projects: Sport Industry Research Center and U.S.-Asia Center for Tourism and Hospitality Research .

This program also offers students valuable classroom training through the Fox Teaching Academy and the ability to serve as lecturers and teaching assistants in the undergraduate and master programs.

STHM’s PhD students regularly present their research findings at national and international conferences and have received awards for their work. For more information on current faculty and students, visit the PhD section of the Fox School website .

PhD Admissions Requirements

The STHM admission process is based on the quality of applicants with the number of admitted students varying each year. The school does not have strict eligibility minimums for GPA and standardized test scores. To be favorably considered in the admission process, applicants are suggested to have a GPA of 3.5 or higher in any graduate work and score above the 75th percentile on the GMAT or GRE (verbal and quantitative combined) with Analytical Writing of 4.0 or higher. Please note that achieving these metrics does not guarantee admission, nor does falling short disqualify one from consideration.

In addition to standardized test results and prior academic performance, STHM’s admissions committees’ holistic review also considers an applicant’s prior research experience, personal career goals and motivations for pursuing a PhD at the Fox School of Business, initial research interests within the concentration, and recommendation letters. The statement of purpose is part of the application process and is very important in evaluating each applicant.

Students are encouraged to contact a faculty member in the school to seek internal support for their application. It is important for prospective students to identify a current faculty member within the school who shares similar research interests and begin a dialogue. Applicants generally hold a master’s degree or equivalent from an accredited college or university.

Application Checklist

A complete application includes:

  • Current resume / curriculum vitae
  • Personal statement of goals
  • Two references (to be completed online by your recommenders)
  • English language transcripts from all post-secondary institutions attended. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable for application review.
  • Official GMAT / GRE Results (test results cannot be more than five years old)
  • TOEFL / IELTS Results are required for international applicants. The TOEFL / IELTS requirement is waived for applicants who: completed a degree program from a US institution or who are currently enrolled in a degree program at a US institution.

Start Your Application

Financial Support

STHM offers a full assistantship including a financial stipend per year on a 12-month basis for 20 hours of service as a research assistant and/or teaching assistant. This assistantship also includes full tuition coverage and excellent health insurance. PhD students are provided a laptop or iPad as well as academic conference travel. The stipend, tuition remission and health insurance are renewable up to three times for a total of four years, contingent on satisfactory performance in the program.

Qualified applicants have the potential to be awarded an additional research fellowship each year as well as nomination for Presidential and University Fellowships, reducing the number of service hours required. Fellowship consideration will be given to applications received by December 5. Students are provided opportunities to submit internal grants to support research and data collection efforts.

For more information about the STHM PhD program, complete the form below.

  • Name * First Last
  • Email Address *
  • Phone Number
  • Term of Interest Term of Interest Fall 2023 Fall 2024 Fall 2025 Fall 2026
  • Area of Interest Area of Interest Sport & Recreation Tourism & Hospitality

University of Florida

UF Graduate Logo

Tourism and Hospitality Management

Program information.

The Master of Science in Tourism and Hospitality Management offers the following areas of concentration:

  • Natural Resource Recreation
  • Tropical Conservation and Development

Graduates of the Master of Science in Tourism and Hospitality Management will be trained for middle and/or upper level management positions, in their respective fields. Students can choose between three options:

  • Non-Thesis with Practicum, or
  • Non-Thesis with Professional Paper.

For more information, please see our website:  http://hhp.ufl.edu/about/academics/ms-tourism/ .

DEGREES OFFERED WITH A MAJOR IN TOURISM AND HOSPITALITY MANAGEMENT

  • without a concentration
  • concentration in Natural Resource Recreation
  • concentration in Tourism

Requirements for these degrees are given in the  Graduate Degrees  section of this catalog.

Tourism AND Hospitality Management COURSES

TOURISM AND HOSPITALITY  MANAGEMENT (MS)

SLO 1     Key Concepts     Discuss and explain key concepts and theories relevant to recreation, parks and tourism

SLO 2     Research Methods          Identify, describe, explain, and apply traditional and current research methods within recreation, parks and tourism

SLO 3     Identify and Apply Skills Identify and apply skills to solve recreation, and tourism problems

SLO 4     Ethical Behavior Display ethical behaviors, cultural sensitivity, teamwork, professional conduct and professional communication

Print Options

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The PDF will include all information unique to this page.

This PDF includes all graduate catalog information.

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3 Universities/Academies = 1 Doctorate (100% Online Study Program & Graduation in Switzerland)

THE ONLY ONLINE PROGRAM OFFERED JOINTLY BY 3 EUROPEAN COUNTRIES Students will have a joint Doctorate from OUS Academy in Switzerland + the University of Dąbrowa Górnicza (WSB) in Poland + Taras Shevchenko National University (KNU) in Ukraine. This Doctorate is unique. OUS is the first Academy provides its students such high level of a program. Click Here for more info

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PhD. in Tourism Management

• Psychology • Sociology • Marketing • Management

The program will provide you with knowledge corresponding to all relevant aspects, so at the time of need high-grade sophisticated techniques and tools, can be used by professionals. There are some important prerequisites mentioned below

We suggest that you should prefer to be enrolled in this course if you want to pursue a successful career in this field. Many decent opportunities will be opened in front of you and the best part is that more options will be there for exploring possibilities.

This program is equivalent to EQF (European Qualifications Framework) Level 8 - Doctorate Level. This program is equivalent to 180 ECTS

How long should be my thesis?   Usually, it should be from 60.000 – 100.000 words (from chapter 1 to chapter 5). Students are allowed to have 10% less or more, however, the supervisor can allow a student to write more.

Do you indicate words "online" or "distance" on the Ph.D. certificate?

Can I use the title? We have asked the Swiss Authorities about the title, and their answer was (Students are allowed to use the title they got from the school)

Is there a "Thesis Defence"? Yes, and we recommend students to do it in Switzerland however it can be done ONLINE too, you need a camera and microphone.

Study Language:  this study program is taught entirely in English.

We have 5 intakes per year.

Is OUS Accredited by a recognized European accreditation body?

Yes, OUS is authorized, validated, certified, accredited and/or an institutional member of over 50 public/private organizations, for the full list please  check here .

Admission Requirements

We have 5 intakes per year. So, you can start at any month you wish.

  • Duration : 3 Years (one-year Study program + Thesis work which takes around 2 years)
  • Age:  25 years or older
  • Previous study : Master degree or equivalent
  • Study Language: this study program taught entirely in English.
  •   English level : IELTS 6.5 or equivalent (Only for students from non-English speaking countries or students who did not study at English speaking school) If you don't have English certificate you can do our own English test for free of charge.
  • Study Method : Online
  • Fee : Please check:  Tuition Fee

Note: If you have any doubts about your suitability for this study program please contact us,

Note: Study fee does not include application and reservation fee (to guarantee you a study place) of 240 Euro (one-time payment and non-refundable). European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System:  this program is equivalent to 180 ECTS, please check the duration above.   European Qualifications Framework:  this program is equivalent to EQF Level 8 OUS Accreditations, Quality Assurance & legalizations:  Please  check here

Thesis Work

What is the thesis work:

The Ph.D. candidate has to somethings more than DBA & D.Phil. 's candidates, as below:

  • Duration is min. 2 years up to 7 years
  • The thesis must be on the highest level
  • The candidate  must teach at OUS or any other accredited university/academy for at least 48 hours
  • The candidate needs to have at least 3 publications (online publications are fine too)
  • The candidate should supervise at least 3 projects/thesis for Undergraduate or Master students.

For the Ph.D., your thesis is the most important part, you have to write the whole thesis about the "Tourism Management" with one of our supervisors. the following modules you will study during the first year:

  • Global Management
  • Strategic Management and Leadership
  • Strategic Information System Management
  • Research Methods
  • Electronic Research Methods
  • Modern Websites

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  2. Ph.D. Program in Hospitality Management

    Ph.D. in Hospitality Management. An advanced graduate program designed for hospitality management professionals who wish to pursue a career as a researcher or professor at the university level, Penn State's Ph.D. in Hospitality Management (HM) will help you build a strong foundation as a leader on the cutting edge of this dynamic and ever ...

  3. Ph.D. in Hospitality Management

    The Ph.D. program in Hospitality Management is designed to meet the demand by industry and educational institutions for high quality academicians with a hospitality and tourism management background. Students will be given the opportunity to generate significant industry-specific knowledge through exposure to and participation in the highest levels of academic research, and subsequently, as ...

  4. PhD in Hospitality & Tourism Management

    Isenberg's PhD in hospitality and tourism management is a full-time, residential program that prepares candidates for academic careers in hospitality and tourism. The program develops strong research skills that enable graduates to conduct and publish scholarly research with competence and confidence. Students can study any area of interest ...

  5. Ph.D. Program

    THEM PH.D. Through distinctive teaching, research, and outreach the Department of Tourism, Hospitality & Event Management (THEM) seeks to improve the understanding of social, psychosocial and environmental factors that lead individuals, families and industry to value and benefit from tourism, events and recreation, and thereby improve quality of life.

  6. Ph.D.: Hospitality & Tourism Management Concentration

    You will also complete courses in supporting fields of inquiry such as psychology, sociology, management, marketing, etc. The program typically requires four years to finish, including courses, a second-year paper, a comprehensive exam, and a doctoral dissertation. Applicants with strong hospitality and tourism management backgrounds are preferred.

  7. Hospitality Tourism Retail Management PhD Program Texas

    Earn your Ph.D. in Hospitality, Tourism, and Retail Management that puts you on the tenure track. Texas Tech University offers one of the only hospitality, tourism, and retail management (in-person) doctoral degrees in the country that allows you the flexibility to earn your doctorate in one of three disciplines.

  8. Ph.D. Hospitality Administration

    The Ph.D. objectives are: Ph.D. in Hospitality Administration Degree Plan. For detailed instructions on specific admission requirements and the application process, click here. Applicants who have completed an M.S. in Hospitality Management or similar degree with an overall grade point average of 3.2 on a 4-point scale for their last degree ...

  9. Master of Science & PhD in Hotel Administration

    The MS & PhD: Our Researched-Focused Hotel Administration Programs. Prepare to teach, lead, and innovate in the exciting hospitality management field. Share your passion for hospitality with the next generation of hotel leaders. Teaching at the university level is often a natural next step for executives in any industry.

  10. PDF Hospitality Management

    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) ... of graduate fees, please visit: Created Date: 12/16/2021 10:51:49 PM ...

  11. Ph.D. Hospitality, Hotel Management and Tourism

    Degree: Ph.D. Hospitality, Hotel Management and Tourism. Credit Hours: 66 hours of graduate classes minimum, plus other courses assigned by the student's advisory committee. The Ph.D. degree prepares students for a career as a university faculty member or research scientist in a government agency or the private sector.

  12. Hospitality Management (PhD) Degree

    In State. Out of State. $369.65 per credit hour. Learn more about the cost to attend UCF. 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. Request Information. View Full Description.

  13. Hospitality and Tourism Management Ph.D. in Business

    Virginia Tech's Hospitality and Tourism Management Ph.D. in Business emphasizes the research applications of business concepts and strategies to hospitality and tourism management. More specifically, our Ph.D. students develop the knowledge and research skills to address the critical challenges and problems faced by hospitality and tourism ...

  14. Doctor of Philosophy in Hospitality, Hotel Management and Tourism

    The PhD degree in Hospitality, Hotel Management, and Tourism prepares students for a career as a university faculty member or research scientist in the private sector or a government agency. While each PhD program is customized by the student and their advisor depending on the needs of the student , all PhD students should take a minimum of 18 ...

  15. Hospitality and Tourism

    The PhD in business administration with an emphasis in hospitality and tourism management is designed to prepare graduates for careers in research and teaching at institutions throughout the United States and abroad. Applicants with substantial hospitality and tourism business background are strongly preferred.

  16. What to Know About Hospitality and Tourism Management Degree Programs

    Hospitality management degrees are, foremost, degrees in business, says Michael Sabitoni, chair of the food and beverage management department and the international travel and tourism studies ...

  17. Tourism and hospitality PhD

    Tourism and hospitality PhD. Since the 1990s, the University of Brighton has taken a pioneering role in the academic study of tourism, and welcomes students undertaking PhD research across all aspects of tourism and hospitality. The university is an affiliate member of the UN World Tourism Organisation.

  18. PhD Tourism and Hospitality

    MPhil/PhD Tourism and Hospitality is in Band 1 for fees purposes. If you are a full time student, you will pay full time fees for three years. If you have not submitted your thesis by the end of this period, then you may pay for an optional one year writing up period. If you are a part time student, you will pay part time fees for four years.

  19. PhD

    The PhD program is designed to prepare students for faculty positions at universities offering sport, recreation, tourism and hospitality degrees. The program starts in August of each academic year and is full-time — taking approximately 4 years to complete 54 credit hours. The concentration has 16 full-time faculty members who work closely ...

  20. Doctorate in Sustainable Tourism

    Pioneer Plaza900 Fort Street Mall 905Honolulu, HI 96813. 800-993-0066 (Toll Free in US) 808-924-9567 (Internationally) 808-947-2488 (Fax) Doctorate in Sustainable Tourism | Get career-ready with AIU's flexible degree programs online & on-campus!

  21. Tourism and Hospitality Management < University of Florida

    Graduates of the Master of Science in Tourism and Hospitality Management will be trained for middle and/or upper level management positions, in their respective fields. Students can choose between three options: ... HHP PhD Professional Development Seminar: 3: HLP 7979: Advanced Research in Health and Human Performance: 1-12: HLP 7980: Research ...

  22. M.S. in Tourism & Hospitality Management

    The Master of Science in Tourism and Hospitality Management (THM) is a 30-credit-hour degree and offers two concentrations and two specializations. The THM degree provides coursework focused on Tourism, Tourism Analytics, Destination Development and Crisis Management and Natural Resource Recreation. Students can choose between three options: 1 ...

  23. Doctor of Philosophy Program in Integrated Tourism and Hospitality

    The first specialized graduate school in Thailand; Doctorate program the first of Thailand The curriculum has been certified by the United Nations World Tourism Organization. UNWTO.TedQual; One of the five doctoral programs in the world; There is teaching and learning by faculty members with academic titles. most in the country There is a network of academic cooperation both in and abroad ...

  24. PhD. in Tourism Management PhD Doctorate

    PhD. in Tourism Management. Ph.D. in Tourism Management is a qualification that will prepare students in such a manner where they can become efficient workers as well as researchers in the field of tourism. The main focus is on explaining different techniques normally applied for carrying out tourism management.

  25. Library Guides: Hospitality & Tourism Management: Kāinga

    The Teaching and Learning Team can help you with finding quality resources, navigating the Library's databases, and references the sources used. Contact Us: Email: [email protected]. Phone: +647 838-4051.