Leveraging key industry connections in the nation’s capital and abroad, Georgetown University School of Continuing Studies (SCS) has launched a new Master’s in Hospitality Management?program that is now accepting students for the fall 2014 term.
With disciplines ranging from lodging and tourism to restaurant management and event planning, the hospitality industry has an optimistic growth outlook. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, leisure and hospitality employment has increased by 512,000 since June 2012. A master’s degree and applicable experience are recommended for leadership roles and entrepreneurial pursuits.
Through an applied, practice-oriented curriculum, Georgetown students gain field experience, build a trusted network and uncover the secrets to management success in the robust, fast-paced hospitality industry.
Applied, Practice-Oriented Curriculum
The Master’s in Hospitality Management program provides students with a holistic overview of the challenges facing hospitality organizations around the world while also giving students the practical skills needed to tackle those challenges.
“Our new master’s program builds on our strong portfolio of globally-focused professional studies programs, including degrees in?sports management,?real estate?and?urban planning, to educate well-rounded leaders who are prepared to solve the most complex issues of their respective industries,” says Walter Rankin, interim dean of Georgetown SCS. “Our new downtown campus’ proximity to hospitality, event and tourism businesses ? including the Walter E. Washington Convention Center and Verizon Center ? gives our students opportunities to make critical connections between the classroom and workplace. And our curriculum has been built to prepare students for international and local markets.”
The program’s curriculum allows students to focus on core competencies including running an operation, managing a staff and building a brand. The flexible format is perfect for working professionals seeking the credentials to move up or change careers. The program can be completed in two years of part-time evening classes.
Global Opportunities
The Hospitality Management program, offered at Georgetown SCS’s Metro-accessible campus in downtown Washington, D.C., prepares students to manage operations and bring innovations to both national and international hospitality organizations. Students with an interest in working overseas may take an elective with a weeklong residency in an emerging global market.
“Our new master’s program gives students first-hand experience with an international hospitality organization,” explains Christopher Metzler, senior associate dean of the program. “Travelling directly to an emerging market overseas, they get an insider’s perspective while building skills and connections they can carry into the future.”
Key Industry Connections
In keeping with SCS’s practice of offering professional graduate programs that tie to industry, the Hospitality Management program partners with leading hospitality organizations to provide students with internship and career opportunities.
The D.C. metropolitan region is home to world-class tourist destinations, heritage sites and some of the world’s largest hospitality chains, including Marriott, Hilton, Urgo and Choice Hotels, among others. Whether students are interested in accommodations, food service, event planning or tourism, the program’s staff connects them with the best in the business to develop a hands-on practicum or individualized capstone experience, applying what students have learned to real-world scenarios.
Graduates of the program receive a Master of Professional Studies (MPS) degree awarded by Georgetown.