Miami Hotel and Restaurant Management Programs
Those wishing to study hotel and restaurant management can find undergraduate and graduate programs that are a 20-minute drive or less from central Miami. Many programs are in majors like hospitality management, food service management and tourism management. Read about the degree requirements and coursework for three colleges. This article features a table of facts and figures for each school as well as information on a couple of other area college options.
- Florida International University is about 14 miles from downtown Miami and offers bachelor's and master's degrees in the field.
- Located less than a mile from downtown Miami, Miami Dade College awards 2 hospitality management degrees at the associate's level.
Comparison of Schools
Factors like cost, school type and campus environment are important considerations when choosing where to attend college. Use this table to compare the two profiled schools.
| Florida International University | Miami Dade College | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| School Type | 4-year; public | 4-year; private not-for-profit | 4-year, primarily associate's; public |
| Total Enrollment (2021)* | 56,664 | 44,002 | |
| Campus Setting | Large suburb | Large city | |
| Undergraduate Tuition and Fees (2021-2022)* | $6,565 in-state; $18,963 out-of-state | $2,838 in-state; $9,661 out-of-state | |
| % of Full-Time Beginning Undergraduates Receiving Some Form of Financial Aid (2020-2021)* | 96% | 92% | |
| Undergraduate Acceptance Rate (2021)* | 63% | Open admissions | |
| Retention Rate for First-Time Students (2021)* | 90% full-time | N/A | |
| Graduation Rate (students who began in 2015)* | 67% | 35% |
Source: *NCES College Navigator
Florida International University
This school's programs pair classroom theory with hands-on, practical experience through the Chaplin School of Hospitality & Tourism Management. The master's degree programs are available on campus and through distance learning.
Bachelor of Science in Hospitality Management
Aspiring managers may study full- or part-time in this 120-credit program, which is offered online and on-campus. There are 6 management majors to choose from, including hotel/lodging and restaurant/food service. The hospitality core includes courses such as food production management, hospitality industry accounting, hospitality information technology, food/beverage cost control, hospitality industry law, human resources management, hospitality facilities management, and marketing strategies. In addition, students will complete electives and core curriculum courses required by the university. An internship is required in this program, unless an individual has well-documented extensive hospitality experience. Students may also choose from management minors, such as hotel/lodging, restaurant/foodservice, or travel/tourism.
Master of Science in Hospitality Management
Candidates for this program must have a minimum 3.0 grade point average in a 4-year bachelor's degree program or submit GRE or GMAT scores for consideration. Applicants whose undergraduate work is not in hospitality management may be required to complete some preparatory courses. This 33-credit program includes courses such as globalization and competitive methods, contemporary global issues, organizational behavior in the hospitality industry, strategic management, financial management, hospitality law, restaurant development, and hospitality enterprise technologies. This program can be completed wholly online, and a 4 + 1 B.S. and M.S. program is available.
Master of Science in Hospitality Management - Executive Program
This 30-credit program has similar admission requirements to the program described above, as well as requiring that applicants have 5 years of hospitality management or teaching experience and currently work as a manager in the industry or as a faculty member in a secondary education program. Core requirements include hospitality asset management, strategic management for hospitality/tourism, hospitality enterprise technologies, and marketing management. In order to meet student scheduling needs, evening and online classes are available.
Miami Dade College
Both of the hospitality management associate's degree programs offered at this school's Wolfson, North and Kendall campuses may transfer to 4-year schools. To graduate from either of these programs, students must pass a computer competency test.
Associate in Arts in Hospitality Administration/Travel and Tourism Management
The major topics in this degree program include financial accounting, safety/sanitation, marketing, human resource management, risk management, convention services, and menu/facilities planning, in addition to management courses aimed at food/beverages and restaurants. Students also complete general education courses and a co-op work experience.
Associate in Science in Hospitality and Tourism Management
This 60-credit program includes major courses such as managerial accounting, marketing, human resources, supervision development, food/beverage management, front office procedures, risk management, dining room service, and supervisory housekeeping. Practical training is provided through 2 co-op work experiences. Other requirements include English, speech, psychology, and math.
Other Schools
Broward College is situated north in Fort Lauderdale, about 28 miles from Miami, and offers associate's degrees in culinary arts management and hospitality/tourism management.
