Bachelor of Science – Hospitality Management

Take an in-depth look at the hospitality industry and learn the management skills you need to excel in tourism, lodging, food and beverage, and event planning. If you’re a current hospitality professional, advance your career with Johnson & Wales University, one of the world’s premier hospitality educators. Our BS Hospitality Management program, which combines learning fundamental business concepts with the option of allowing you to shape your degree to prepare you for the career you want.

Designed for current and aspiring hospitality professionals, not only do you have the option of completing your degree on-campus or online, we allow our students the flexibility to tailor their coursework to the hospitality career path they desire. You’ll begin your degree program with coursework that lays the framework for understanding the business side of the hospitality industry, while also gaining a well-rounded education with arts & sciences courses that complement your studies.

After developing a solid business and management foundation, mold your degree to your desire by selecting from a number of electives that fit your desired career path, or choose one of three optional specializations in Food & Beverage Management, Hotel & Resort Management, and Sustainable Tourism. If you’re looking for a hands-on experience at an actual resort, explore our College of Hospitality Management Internship, or obtain a global view of hospitality at the international level with a potential Study Abroad program. We give you the tools to customize your degree program to the level that you want.

New! Earn your Bachelor’s sooner with our streamlined degree option

Beginning in Fall 2025, you will have the opportunity to complete your Hospitality Management bachelor’s degree in less time with a streamlined, 90-credit curriculum. This new career-focused option – available both in-person and online – allows you to complete your degree sooner and save on tuition while still receiving the same quality education and hands-on experiences JWU is known for. If you prefer a fuller curriculum, the traditional 120-credit degree option is also available.

For those considering transferring into this program, transfer credits for this program will be limited. For questions about transfer credits, please contact [email protected].  As with any program, actual time to completion depends on the number of courses you take each semester.

HOSPITALITY MANAGEMENT SPECIALIZATIONS

Food and Beverage Management

Whether running a bar, restaurant, or hotel, a key component to your customers’ satisfaction involves developing a carefully curated dining experience that aligns with their expectations. The Food and Beverage Management specialization (15 credits) gives students the proficiency needed to manage the behind-the-scenes aspects involved in dining operations, including budgeting, inventory, and personnel oversight.

With courses including food service operations, front of the house operations management, and more, you’ll gain the knowledge to successfully manage your staff and build a cost-effective food and cocktail menu while giving your guests an enjoyable experience they’ll want to return to.

Hotel and Resorts Management

The Hotel and Resorts specialization (15 credits) lays the foundation for students aspiring to a management-level career path within the hospitality industry. Whether you seek to manage operations at a hotel or resort, run a boutique hotel or bed-and-breakfast, or oversee a hospitality chain at the corporate level, this hotel and resort management degree specialization will give you the career insight and knowledge you need to succeed.

Learn from respected and connected experts, who understand and teach the many facets of the field. From studying courses centered around revenue management, international hotel development, hotel asset management, and more, graduates will be well-versed in the industry and professionally prepared to excel in their careers. 

Sustainable Tourism

With sustainability becoming an ever-important mantra within society, it is becoming increasingly critical for the tourism industry to develop best practices that allow travelers to enjoy the experiences at their destination with a clear conscience of how their presence impacts the environment. Our Sustainability Tourism specialization (15 credits) gives you the foundation to develop mindful decision-making that balances the needs of the globally-conscious traveler with the effect their travel has on the local environment and economy.

With this specialization focusing on tourism and hospitality management, you’ll study courses around food culture and tourism, international policies, tour management operations, and more, giving you the know-how to give your guests an ethically responsible and enjoyable visit.