Best Associate Degrees in Hospitality Management

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Tuition information is based on published tuition and required fees, per data by the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES).

Types of Hospitality Management Associate Degrees

Hospitality management degree programs are most commonly offered as Associate of Arts (AA) or Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degrees. Some of these degree programs may also be available in online or hybrid formats, in addition to on-campus. While graduates with either degree can choose to transfer to a 4-year school and continue their education, AAS degree programs in the field tend to have more emphasis on career readiness and some students may enter the field after earning these degrees. However, graduates with either degree can also pursue many of the same entry-level positions within hospitality management. Both an AA and an AAS degree take about the same time to complete and include coursework from different areas of the field, such as event planning, transportation, food and beverage, and lodging. Each kind of degree program also works to keep students updated on current development and practices in the field, as hospitality management is ever-changing.

Those thinking about studying hospitality management should like to interact with people, have an interest in business, and possess some organizational and communication skills. Students may consider earning an associate degree in hospitality management if they think they are interested in the field, but do not want to commit to a 4-year degree yet. Students who get into the program and find out they really enjoy it and want to pursue additional education in the field can easily transfer their associate degree to a 4-year school with their program.

Other students may want to earn an associate degree so they can jump-start their career in hospitality management. These programs quickly develop students' communication and management skills, as well as equip them with the business and industry knowledge needed to perform a position well. Typically, students begin earning more money with each additional level of education, so some college may be better than having only a high school diploma.

With many associate degree programs available in hospitality management, students should consider several different factors when distinguishing between programs.

Important considerations for choosing an associate degree in hospitality management include the unique features of the program. For instance, there are some associate degree programs in the field that offer additional areas of concentration. These concentrations may help students prepare for a specific career. Available concentrations could include hotel management or food and beverage management. There are also some associate degree programs that offer internship experiences to give students hands-on learning opportunities that can be applied to a future career. Connections with potential employers is important, also - many schools have relationships with local hotels and restaurants and that can make all the difference when it comes to getting hired.

Application and Admissions for Hospitality Management Associate Degree Programs

Admissions requirements and processes for associate degree programs in hospitality management can vary by school. It is fairly common for these programs to require applicants to hold a high school diploma, GED, or equivalent and provide their high school transcripts. Some set a minimum GPA, such as 2.0 or 2.5. Students will also likely need to fill out the appropriate application for admissions and may be required to provide ACT test scores. Some schools may waive the ACT for applicants who are 21 years or older, but these students may still need to take some kind of placement exam, such as the Accuplacer. Depending on the school, there may be additional admissions requirements. For example, some institutions require applicants to demonstrate a certificate of immunization. Be sure to check with the school's admissions officers to understand all of the requirements.

Most associate degree programs in hospitality management are designed to be completed in 4 semesters, or 2 years. This time to degree completion is usually for full-time students and may not account for any internships or other hands-on learning experiences outside of the designated coursework. There are not many options for accelerating the time to degree completion, but students who need to work at a slower pace may be able to take their program part-time or take fewer courses each semester.

The cost of earning an associate degree in hospitality management can start to add up when students consider the cost of tuition, fees, books, and living expenses. Outside of living expenses, tuition is usually the biggest cost for these programs. Typically, schools have a set undergraduate tuition rate, but this rate can vary based on factors such as full-time vs. part-time students or in-state vs. out-of-state students. For instance, one associate degree program in hospitality management charges over $7,000 per semester for full-time students and less than $900 per semester for part-time students. Some charge per credit, typically between $100 and $250 and others charge a flat program fee (usually under $10,000).

Usually, tuition does not include additional fees, such as administrative fees or additional program fees. Therefore, students should be sure to add the cost of fees, books, and class materials to their total cost. Keep in mind that most students qualify for financial aid, which can help lower these figures quite a bit.

It is common for associate degree programs in hospitality management to require around 60 credits of coursework. Generally, this coursework includes some general education courses, such as algebra, college writing, biology, statistics, and other liberal arts electives. Students also take some core courses related to hospitality management that provide students with an overview of the subject. Depending on the program, students may have the chance to participate in a hospitality internship. Students may also take courses in areas such as:

• Food and beverage management
• Customer service
• Introduction to the hospitality industry
• Lodging operations management
• Dining room management

Career information for a degree in hospitality management is quite diverse. Students can find a wide range of fun and cool hospitality jobs, as well as unique hospitality jobs that fit their personal interests. While there are some high paying hospitality careers, students with an associate degree in the field may qualify for slightly lower-paying entry-level hospitality jobs. According to PayScale.com, the median annual salary for those with an associate degree in hospitality management was $48,000, as of May 2021. The specific salary for students will vary based on position, employer, location, and other factors.

Those who start out in management positions with an associate degree may make more than other entry-level positions. For example, per the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the median annual salary for food service managers was $56,590, as of 2020. The BLS also reported that the median annual salary for lodging managers was $56,670, as of 2020.

Begin a Career as a Food Service Manager

Food service managers need a minimum of a high school diploma, but some have a college degree, whether from a community college, culinary school, or 4-year institution. It is also common for these managers to have multiple years of experience working in the food industry, but they may have worked as a waiter/waitress, cook, or other related position. Usually, food service managers need to undergo some on-the-job training to learn their different job responsibilities and the ins and outs of the organization. Many food service managers also earn the Food Protection Manager Certification (FPMC) by passing a food safety test to demonstrate their skills and knowledge in the field. Some may also decide to earn the Foodservice Management Professional (FMP) designation to testify to their experience in the field. While duties may vary by organization, in general, food service managers are responsible for overseeing the food, beverages, and staff at their organization.

Begin a Career as a Lodging Manager

Some lodging managers can have as little as a high school diploma, while others in the field may hold a certificate, associate, or bachelor's degree in the field. Usually, larger lodging establishments will require more education, but smaller organizations may accept those with less education if they have ample experience working in the industry. Work and leadership experience can help these managers stand out from the competition. There are also some professional certifications available in the field, such as the Certification in Hotel Industry Analytics (CHIA), that can help professionals land a job. Lodging managers help oversee the daily operations of their lodging establishment, which often requires them to manage staff, monitor the budget, address customer concerns, and inspect their establishment for cleanliness. These managers must help ensure that their customers enjoy their stay at the motel, hotel, or another establishment.

Many schools that offer associate degree programs in hospitality management are regionally accredited by organizations approved by the Department of Education and/or the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA). Students who attend accredited institutions can likely transfer credits to other accredited schools and accept federal aid to help pay for school.

Some programs, including those in the field of hospitality management, may have additional program-level accreditation that comes from organizations related to the subject area. For instance, the Accreditation Commission for Programs in Hospitality Administration (ACPHA) accredits a range of hospitality management-related degree programs. This type of accreditation may stand out to employers as an indication of the quality of the program.

Although students can find and start a career in hospitality management with an associate degree, more opportunities are likely available for those who go on to earn a bachelor's degree in the field. For example, larger hotel chains often require lodging managers to have at least a bachelor's degree. Bachelor's and graduate degree programs in hospitality management are widely available and help students further their knowledge and skills in the field. These degree programs may also help students further specialize in specific areas of the field. Career advancement in hospitality management can also come with additional years of work experience and/or professional certifications, such as the FMP designation or CHIA. While many of these certifications are not required, some employers may prefer candidates who have them.

As mentioned, hospitality management programs are widely available at the undergraduate and graduate levels. These programs are commonly offered in flexible formats and may provide hands-on learning experiences to help prepare students for entering the field. Depending on the program, students can focus their studies in different areas of hospitality, such as lodging or food and beverage. Each level of education can prepare students for more schooling or advance their career in the field. Below, we explore a few examples of available degree programs in hospitality management.

Bachelor's Degrees in Hospitality Management

Students can pursue Bachelor of Arts (BA), Bachelor of Science (BS), or Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) degrees in hospitality management. Some of these programs may change the title of the degree slightly, like a bachelor's degree in hospitality and tourism management. These programs are designed to give students a deeper look at the industry with more core hospitality management classes, but students still take some general education courses. If students already earned an associate degree, they may be able to finish their bachelor's degree in as little as 15 months to two years, depending on the program. Some programs may conclude with a capstone course and students may take courses such as marketing hospitality services, catering management, business law, hotel and resort management, and more.

Master's Degrees in Hospitality Management

At the master's level, students can earn a Master of Science (MS), Master of Management in Hospitality (MMH), or Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree in the field. Some of these degree programs can be completed in as little as 3 semesters and may require an internship experience for real-world experience. Many programs are offered in online formats for working professionals and may include unique learning experiences, such as consulting projects or leadership development programs.

Doctoral Degrees in Hospitality Management

Students can most commonly pursue a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Hospitality Management, but other related degrees are also available, such as a Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) in Tourism Management. PhD programs in the field usually require a dissertation and allow students to choose from a range of research areas. Some of these programs may include real-world experience and graduates can take on some of the most advanced leadership- and research-based positions in the field.

Certificate Programs in Hospitality Management

Certificate programs in hospitality management are available at the undergraduate and graduate levels. These programs are designed to be completed in less time than a degree (usually 1 year or less) and can often be applied toward a degree program. Undergraduate certificate programs in the field may be a little longer and require around 32 credits of coursework, whereas a graduate certificate in the field may only require around 12 credits. Typically, students take a required set of courses and do not have electives.

Students who need help paying for school have an array of options available to them. Students should always begin the financial aid process by filling out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) each year to see what kinds of loans and grants they may qualify for. However, depending on the institution they plan to attend, students may also have a range of scholarship opportunities to choose from. For instance, there are a number of Monroe Community College Scholarships available to students at this New York school. These awards are given as memorial scholarships, academic scholarships, diversity scholarships, and more. The college also has a range of grants available, including those specific to freshmen, such as the Monroe Opportunity Grant (MOG) for out-of-state students living on campus. Students can also pursue scholarships from other outside organizations in their local communities or groups related to their planned area of study.