Essential Information
A bachelor's-level food and beverage program is typically offered as a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Hospitality Management with a concentration or minor in food/beverage or food service. Students learn operating procedures specific to the hospitality industry, such as coordinating wait-staff teams, making menu choices, developing pricing strategies and coordinating beverage service.
National certification in the hospitality industry is optional, and some programs design courses to enable students to pass the required exams. A restaurant internship is mandatory.
Prerequisites for a Bachelor of Science in Hospitality Management include a high school diploma or its equivalent. In certain instances, only college-level juniors and seniors are allowed to take coursework within the major.
Bachelor's of Professional Studies in Hospitality Management Food and Beverage
Students can expect to take courses in hospitality management and industry law, customer service, beverage management, food services and marketing. Other common courses are:
- Food safety and sanitation
- Food and beverage cost controls
- Food service production
- Hospitality accounting
- Restaurant management
Popular Career Options
Graduates of this program often enter management positions, but careers are not limited to working strictly for hotels, restaurants or bars. Food and beverage management training prepares professionals to work at schools, bakeries, government agencies or casinos. Potential job titles include:
- Catering supervisor
- School meal planning supervisor
- Restaurant manager
Employment Outlook & Salary
Food service managers are expected to see a 1% growth in jobs over the span of 2019 to 2029, according to data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The mean annual wage for these workers was $59,820, as reported by the BLS in May 2019.
Continuing Education Information
Graduates may choose to enter the field or continue their education through a master's degree in hospitality management. Additionally, graduates may choose to earn voluntary certification, such as the Food Service Management Professional (FMP) credential offered through the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation (NRAEF).
A Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Hospitality Management program includes courses in accounting, management, food safety and cost controls, preparing students for leadership positions. These degree programs also offer training that enables students to pass voluntary certification exams in the industry.