Hospitality

The Bachelor of Science (B.S.) with a major in Hospitality and Tourism Management is an interdisciplinary major that prepares students for management positions within the hospitality and tourism industries.

Graduates can become entrepreneurs and managers in hotels, restaurants, event planning organizations, airlines, theme parks and attractions, resort clubs, cruise lines, casinos, professional athletics and destination marketing organizations.

The major in Hospitality and Tourism Management is a collaboration between Meredith’s School of Business and the Food and Nutrition program. Managers in the Hospitality and Tourism industries use their skills in business, human resources and customer service to coordinate staff members and give guests an excellent experience.

Students will complete a core curriculum of specialized business courses (Accounting, Management and Organizational Behavior, Business Statistics, Management Information Systems), along with principles of food management and the basics of hospitality management. An expansive slate of elective options allows students to choose a focus for their program that aligns with their career goals after graduation. Alternatively, students in other majors may choose to minor in Hospitality and Tourism Management.

Meredith’s location in Raleigh, North Carolina’s capital, provides plenty of opportunities for required internships and employment.

Student Learning Outcomes of the Major in Hospitality and Tourism Management

Majors in Hospitality and Tourism Management will:

  • Possess critical thinking skills to solve hospitality and tourism management issues.
  • Analyze trends and evaluate organizational data to develop effective and sustainable strategies for the hospitality and tourism industries.
  • Demonstrate effective communication in oral and written form.

Degrees and Certificates

Courses

HOS-300: Principles of Hospitality and Tourism Management

The purpose of this course is to provide students with the skills necessary to lead and manage hospitality and tourism organizations, with a key focus on best practices in aspects of social responsibility within the hospitality and tourism industries. It will include food service, lodging, travel and tourism, and highlight various management and career opportunities in the hospitality and tourism industries.

HOS-315: International Hospitality and Tourism – Study Abroad Program

A study of the economic, community and environmental impact of hospitality and tourism to another country's culture and economy; how tourists engage with an international destination's culture; how that destination develops, markets and delivers cultural tourism products, services and experiences to the global tourism market; and the collective responsibility of the private sector and government in ensuring that local tourism benefits contribute to the world's sustainable development goals.

Required Prerequisites

HOS-300

Notes

This course involves international travel as part of an approved study abroad program.

HOS-320: Introduction to Event Planning

This course is designed to provide an introduction to the principles of event management, in the context of the various functions involved in the critical aspects of event planning. Key management issues will be covered. Recent trends and the future of event planning will be discussed.

HOS-330: Lodging Management

This course is an overview of the growth, trends, organizational structure, and economics of the hospitality accommodation industry, including hotels, resorts, and home sharing platforms. The course will examine the technical operations integral to hotel, resort, and home sharing management. Areas of study will include: traditional hotel and resort operations, front office operations, housekeeping, marketing, human resources, and guest services, as well as home sharing-specific topics such as property management, host relations, platform operations, and regulatory compliance. The different models and structures of accommodations will be explored including franchise agreements, management contracts, vacation rental agreements, and home sharing arrangements.

HOS-345: Food & Beverage Management in Hospitality

This course serves as an introduction to the use of food quality management skills in food service systems, specifically quality and quantity of food production, menu planning, food service equipment use, and facility design. The course also addresses key concepts of running and managing a successful restaurant through experiential learning. Topics include analyzing potential location and markets, menu design and layout, and launching, marketing, and successfully running a restaurant.

HOS-360: Hospitality and Tourism Marketing and Sales

This course introduces the principles, concepts and systems for understanding the hospitality and tourism marketing process. Areas of study will include SWOT analysis and managing marketing strategies through a value driven process. 

Required Prerequisites

HOS-300

HOS-385: Special Topics in Hospitality and Tourism Management

A course focused on special topics in hospitality and tourism. Topics will be chosen in accordance with faculty expertise. The course may include domestic travel in which enrolled students will be required to participate. A description of the topic, travel requirements and costs will be included in the registration schedule of the upcoming semester.

Required Prerequisites

HOS-300

Notes

May be repeated for credit with different topics.
Only 3 credit hours can count as elective credit in the Hospitality and Tourism Management or Business Administration major. 

HOS-480: Hospitality and Tourism Internship

Supervised experience in business, nonprofits or governmental institutions where work is related to hospitality and tourism. Pass/Fail grading only.

Required Prerequisites

Declared major in Hospitality and Tourism Management

Required Prerequisite Courses
HOS-300: Principles of Hospitality and Tourism Management
Notes

Not open to Freshmen.
May not be taken simultaneously with either COE-302, COE-403 or any other internship course in the School of Business curriculum.

HOS-485: Hospitality & Tourism Experiential Learning

Work at least 120 hours in an organization where the student gains professional knowledge and skills related to hospitality and tourism management. Students are advised to seek approval of employment plans before starting work. After the experiential learning is completed, students must submit documentation of the experience. 

Required Prerequisites

Open only to Hospitality and Tourism majors.

Required Prerequisite Courses
HOS-300: Principles of Hospitality and Tourism Management
Notes

Course fee assessed.