Guide to Master's Degrees in Hospitality & Culinary Arts

The hospitality industry employs people of varying personalities, education levels, and backgrounds. Hospitality professionals run everything from five-star resorts to youth hostels, and more and more often, hotels are turning to individuals with formal hospitality training for management positions. Master's degrees in hospitality provide students with the well-rounded, business knowledge they need to successfully manage hotels of every variety. Because experience is also important to employers, online master's degree programs in hospitality may allow hospitality professionals to gain the formal education they need without sacrificing experience. Culinary careers follow similar principles, with formal culinary education programs supplementing experience for restaurant managers and food experts.

If you're looking to rise to a management position in the hospitality or culinary industry, a master's degree program may give you the knowledge you need to qualify for top roles. A variety of hospitality and culinary master's degrees exist, and many programs offer both on-campus and online education options. If you're interested in earning a master's degree for professional advancement, you can earn a master's degree online without leaving your current job and sacrificing experience. Conversely, an on-campus hospitality program may better suit your goals if you're interested in entering academia.

Master's Degrees in Hospitality and Culinary Arts

There are several different paths within the hospitality and culinary worlds, so a variety of master's degree programs exist. Most master's degree programs take between one and three years to complete, and culinary management programs assume a basic knowledge of culinary principles and cooking techniques. Master's degree programs in hospitality and culinary arts focus on the theoretical and business aspects of the industries rather than the technical or hands-on components. The following master's degree programs in hospitality and culinary arts cater to a variety of career goals, and each may be pursued online if you want to continue learning while maintaining your current lifestyle.

Master of Management in Hospitality (MMH)

A Master of Management in Hospitality (MMH) degree is a business degree with a focus on the hospitality industry. Like other business programs, students of MMH programs study corporate finance, marketing, operations management, managerial communication, and other core business courses to learn how hospitality corporations function. They then specialize in a given hospitality business area, such as human resource management, real estate finance and investment, marketing management, and operations and revenue management. By the end of an MMH program, students understand the principles behind successful hotels and hospitality businesses and can apply what they've learned in their own hospitality careers. If you wish to continue working while earning your MMH degree, you can earn a master's degree online through a variety of online hospitality programs.

Master of Science in Hotel Administration (MSHA)

The Master of Science in Hotel Administration (MSHA) degree prepares students for upper-level positions in hotel management and qualifies them to teach in a hotel administration education program. Coursework for the MSHA includes operations analysis in hospitality management, financial analysis for the service industries, human resources and behavior in the hospitality industry, and many other business courses focused on hospitality. Students of MSHA degree programs may supplement their core curriculum by specializing in an area of hotel administration, including food service management, convention and meeting management, casino and gaming management, or hospitality education. If you're interested in studying hospitality education and entering academia, an on-campus degree program will expose you to other academics in your field and introduce you to campus life. Conversely, online master's degree programs may make more sense if you're looking to advance your career as a working professional in the hospitality industry.

Master of Restaurant Management (MRM)

A Master of Restaurant Management (MRM) degree (sometimes called a Master of Hotel and Restaurant Management degree) trains culinary professionals for the business side of running a successful restaurant. Restaurant managers must staff the kitchen, order food and supplies, and attract customers, all of which can be taught through a combination of traditional business courses and food service principles. For restaurant employees looking to move to a management position, MRM programs offer the formal training to supplement hands-on experience. Because experience is key in the food service industry, you may choose to earn a master's degree online and continue working.

Master of Science in Nutrition (MSN)

The Master of Science in Nutrition (MSN) degree is often required to become a practicing nutritionist or dietitian. Nutritionists work with schools, restaurants, hospitals, and individuals to develop healthy menus and meal plans, and they are frequently involved in community health efforts. MSN programs typically take two years to complete and have a heavy science component. Candidates for MSN programs often need a background in science, and program coursework includes statistics, pathology, advanced nutrition, biochemistry, and psychology. Because science is a large component of nutrition studies, some nutritionists go on to work in food research, while others apply their knowledge as nutrition advisors. Though online master's degree programs are convenient for nutritionists with professional goals, on-campus degree programs may make more sense for those hoping to become researchers.

The Changing Landscape of Hospitality and Culinary Master's Degree Programs

In the past, experience was the most important criteria for being promoted in the hospitality and culinary industries. Today, the management landscape is changing as hotels and restaurants turn to professionals with formal education to fill management roles. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), large food management companies are increasingly recruiting individuals from formal hospitality and culinary programs to fill management positions. Universities and hospitality training programs are responding to this demand by offering more graduate degrees in hospitality and related fields.

Launching Your Career in Hospitality and Culinary Arts

If you dream of running a hotel, owning a restaurant, or advising others about nutrition, it's not too late to earn a master's degree in hospitality or culinary arts. Whatever your age or position, distance graduate education programs enable you to earn a master's degree online and advance to a rewarding career. Restaurants and hotels will continue to expand as the population grows, and with the proper experience and education, you can share in their success.

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