Master's in Hospitality and Tourism Management Ver. B

L. Robert Payne School of Hospitality & Tourism Management

This program is for individuals who are mid-level managers with 5 to 15 years of experience and who aspire to advance to the next level of leadership as a director, general manager, or CEO within a hospitality, recreation, or tourism organization or agency. And, experienced professionals who wish to continue their education while maintaining their current positions within the industry.

About the program

The Master’s in Hospitality and Tourism Management program is an online graduate-level leadership program that’s designed to prepare you for the next step in your career.

All of our courses are taught by passionate instructors with years of high-level experience in the hospitality industry. Our faculty is dedicated to turning our classrooms into communities, and students will have the opportunity to connect and network with their classmates, instructors, and alumni. You’ll even get to spend two weeks at San Diego State University’s beautiful campus at the beginning and end of your program.

Upon graduation, you’ll be prepared to take your career to new heights and gained meaningful connections with instructors and classmates that will last a lifetime.

Tuition Cost

$29,250

Min. Completion Time

18 Months

Course Format

Online

Plus two weeks on SDSU campus

Program is perfect for...

The Master’s in Hospitality and Tourism Management program is ideal for dedicated and driven professionals who want to advance their career in the hospitality industry. Our typical student is a mid-level manager with 5 to 15 years of experience who wants to become a director, general manager, or CEO within a hospitality, recreation, or tourism organization or agency.

Many of our students value the flexibility of our online courses, which allows them to continue their education without putting their professional lives on hold. Our alumni have gone on to hold leadership positions with the world’s most esteemed brands in hospitality and tourism, including Hilton, Hyatt, Universal, and many others.

Student Stories

Ann Marie Kimble
Hotel Operations Director

"It helped me set a better direction for myself. It pushed me out of my comfort zone and took me to another level."  

What you can learn

Our program helps you develop the skills you need to be successful in a high-level hospitality and tourism profession. Our courses focus on a variety of topics, including marketing, leadership, financial planning, accounting, technology, strategic development, and sustainability. Students will learn about these topics from dedicated, experienced instructors, many of whom also teach courses on SDSU’s main campus. Our courses are supplemented by frequent networking opportunities and on-site learning experiences at some of San Diego’s most popular tourist destinations. You’ll make connections, learn essential skills, earn networking opportunities, and gain the confidence you need to succeed in hospitality and tourism.

Why Should You Choose Us?

Confidence:

Gain the aptitude, promotability, and self-assurance you need to move up and drive change. A Hospitality and Tourism Management Master's is not just a piece of paper. It is a career investment that provides opportunity and endless possibilities.

Flexibility:

We designed our program with today’s professionals in mind. Other than two weeks spent on San Diego State University’s beautiful campus, the entirety of this 18-month program is completely online. This means that you can take your courses and complete your assignments without putting your professional life on hold. Best of all, the coursework is practical, which means that many of the lessons that you learn can be applied to your job the very next day.

Versatility:

This leadership degree is applicable to more than 100 hospitality and tourism-related industries and virtually any career path.

Proven Results:

Research shows that event managers with a graduate degree make $8,000 more per year than those with a bachelor’s degree, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. This program incorporates facets that are proven to drive measurable return on investment, including networking with industry leaders, mentorship matching, and a career-changing capstone project. And with a program that has been ranked the eighth-best hospitality and tourism graduate program in the country, you’re earning a degree that’s proven to help you stand out in a competitive market.

Be one of the first to earn your master’s degree in meeting and event management. Work on your own schedule, advance your career, and shape the future of meeting and event planning.

Time Involved (in succession)

• 1 week of on-campus team-building projects and leadership exercises at SDSU. Week long immersion program, full-time and all day.
• 17 months of online instruction in 8 courses. The online courses are manageable 10-12 hours per week of readin, assignments, and forum discussions that can be completed on your schedule.
• 1 week of on-campus capstone experience at SDSU, full-time & all-day.

Prerequisites

In order to apply to the Master’s in Hospitality and Tourism Management program at SDSU World Campus, you must have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university. Ideally, you should also have experience in the hospitality and tourism industry.

If you’re a domestic applicant, SDSU requires that you have a minimum 2.85 undergraduate GPA. International applicants are required to have a minimum 3.0 undergraduate GPA. Under special considerations, we may consider applicants with a GPA below 2.85 for admission.

If you don’t have a bachelor’s degree, but you do have a track record of superior leadership, you may be accepted accepted into the program and receive a special certification upon completion.

All applicants are required to take either the GRE or the GMAT. These exams can be waived if you hold an advanced degree (such as an MBA, MS, MA, Ph.D., JD, etc.) from an institution that is a member of the Council of Graduate Schools.

Cost

While most master’s programs cost between $60,000-$120,000, our program tuition is just $29,250. Financial aid is also readily available, and with the vast majority of the program taught in an online format, you don’t have to worry about putting your professional life on hold. Plus books and travel expenses for the on campus weeks.

How to Apply

The application process for both programs consists of a Cal State Apply application:

• Submit the formal application through Cal State Apply between Oct. 1, 2020—June 1, 2021 for Fall 2021 admission.
• Schedule a required GRE or GMAT test date at your earliest opportunity.
• Order official transcripts for all post-secondary education after completing the Cal State Apply application.
• International applicants may be required to take English language testing. Visit the SDSU Graduate Admissions page for testing and document requirements.

Student Stories

Sean Brody
Founder/CEO, Surf Resource Network

"The SDSU Master's in Hospitality and Tourism Management fits right into my life's passion. I am planning on getting my Master's while I work in Liberia - the online portion of the program fits perfectly with my career goals and current work situation."

Maggie Espinosa
Travel Journalist, Society of American Travel Writers, NATJA Silver Prize Winner

"Having recently completed the HTM On-Campus Week and Directed Readings course, I am thrilled with the program! I've worked as a travel journalist for 17 years and have seen an industry in constant flux. The HTM program keeps students abreast of where hospitality is now, where it is going, and how to effectively lead in the field. The professors are knowledgeable, accessible, and assign relevant coursework we can apply in today's world. I highly recommend the HTM Master's Program for anyone with an interest in tourism, travel, or hospitality."

Milagros Sequera Huss
Pro Circuit Coordinator, United States Tennis Association

"After my first course, my impression of this program is that it’s super personalized. It’s showing me how to be a better leader, and the subjects covered are already extremely helpful for my current profession. My mentor, Anne Marie Kimble, is fantastic in what she does and has the leader qualities I hope to learn from this relationship and this program. She is able to give me the right insights and asks great questions that make me rethink my perspective. I look forward to continuing this program, and am very curious to see where this new learning curve will take me."

SDSU also offers Master’s in Meeting and Event Management. For more information on either program, please contact Nicole Williams at MShospitality.ces@sdsu.edu or (619) 594-3946.