M.Ed. in Administration and Supervision
Marymount University, located in Arlington, Virginia, offers a Master of Education (M.E...
Master of Business Administration - Hospitality Innovation
Virginia
INTAKE: Jan, May & Aug
Program Overview
The MBA with a Hospitality Innovation specialization at Marymount is a unique offering, often integrating elements from both the School of Business and the School of Technology and Innovation. This interdisciplinary approach focuses on preparing students to become innovative leaders in a dynamic and changing industry. The program emphasizes core business competencies alongside specialized knowledge of how technology, data, and design thinking are reshaping the hospitality sector. It’s designed to produce a new kind of leader capable of marshaling creativity, analytical thinking, and business acumen to adapt to and lead industry disruption.
ACBSP Accredited: Marymount University's MBA program, including its various specializations like Hospitality Innovation, is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP). This accreditation is a strong indicator of the program's commitment to quality and excellence in business education. ACBSP evaluates business programs on their teaching effectiveness, student learning outcomes, and relevance to the global business environment. This ensures that graduates receive a rigorous and practical education that is recognized and valued by employers.
Curriculum: The curriculum for the MBA with a Hospitality Innovation specialization is built around core business principles augmented by specialized hospitality and innovation courses. Key courses often include "Entrepreneurial Thinking," "Hospitality Industry: Innovation, Strategy, and Design Thinking," and "Hospitality Industry: Analytics and Business Intelligence." These courses delve into topics such as understanding and applying data-driven decision-making within hospitality operations, analyzing the economic feasibility of development projects, and exploring new business models. The program integrates technology, data, and design thinking, providing a holistic view of modern hospitality management.
Research Focus: The research focus within Marymount University's College of Business, Innovation, Leadership, and Technology (BILT), which houses the Hospitality Innovation program, is inherently applied and geared towards real-world impact. For the Hospitality Innovation specialization, this means a strong emphasis on practical research concerning how technology, data, and innovative business models are reshaping the hospitality landscape. Faculty, often with significant industry experience, bring their insights into the classroom, fostering an environment where students engage with real-world case studies and project-based learning. There's a particular interest in the effective implementation of analytics within hospitality enterprises and the valuation of hospitality-related assets.
Industry Engagement: Marymount University boasts exceptional industry engagement, particularly with its MBA in Hospitality Innovation, largely due to its strategic partnership with Placemakr, an innovative leader in the hospitality industry. This partnership includes a "living lab" located next to Marymount's Ballston campus, allowing students to engage in hands-on innovative business model projects, work with real-world data, and interact regularly with Placemakr's senior leadership through internships and unique work-study opportunities. This unparalleled experiential learning, coupled with Marymount's location in the D.C. metropolitan area (a top hospitality market), ensures graduates are well-connected and prepared for immediate contributions to the industry.
Global Perspective: The MBA with Hospitality Innovation program at Marymount University incorporates a global perspective by recognizing the international nature of the hospitality industry. While the core MBA may include a "Global Business Experience," the specialization itself addresses how global trends, technological advancements, and diverse consumer behaviors impact the hospitality sector worldwide. Discussions in courses often touch upon international hospitality brands, global market analysis, and the varying regulatory environments across different regions. This prepares graduates to operate effectively in a globally interconnected industry, understanding the nuances of international markets and consumer preferences.
Location
Virginia
Score
IELTS 6.5
Tuition Fee
USD 24120
Postgraduate Entry Requirements
Academic Qualifications: Applicants for postgraduate programs typically require a minimum academic achievement of 70% or above in their bachelor's degree.
English Language Proficiency:
- IELTS: Overall band score of 6.5 or 7.0 with a minimum of 6.0 in each component.
- TOEFL: Overall score of 96 or higher.
- PTE: Overall score of 58 or higher.
- DET (Duolingo English Test): Minimum score of 105.
Marymount University in the United States is supporting international students through a variety of scholarship opportunities designed to recognize academic excellence, leadership, and community involvement. These scholarships help make a high-quality education more affordable and accessible for students from around the world.
Merit-Based Scholarships: Marymount offers several merit-based scholarships specifically for international students. These awards are typically based on academic performance, standardized test scores, and leadership potential. Some scholarships are automatically considered during the admissions process, while others require a separate application.
Global Scholarship: One of the key awards available to international students is the Global Scholarship, which provides significant tuition reduction for high-achieving students. This scholarship rewards students who demonstrate outstanding academic credentials and a global engagement.
Distinguished International Student Award: Marymount also offers the Distinguished International Student Award for exceptional students who contribute to campus diversity and show strong leadership qualities. This award helps to encourage a vibrant, multicultural student community.
Graduate Assistantships and Fellowships: Graduate students may have access to assistantships and fellowships that provide tuition remission and stipends in exchange for research or teaching support. These opportunities not only ease financial burdens but also enrich academic and professional development.
Marymount University's MBA with a Hospitality Innovation specialization empowers graduates to become transformative leaders in an industry constantly reimagining guest experiences and operational efficiencies. By merging robust business fundamentals with specialized insights into technology, data analytics, and design thinking, the program prepares individuals for a range of dynamic and forward-thinking roles.
Innovation Manager / Director of Innovation (Hospitality): Leads initiatives to identify, develop, and implement new technologies, services, and business models within hotel chains, resorts, or hospitality tech companies. This role requires a blend of creative thinking and strategic planning.
Hospitality Technology Director / Manager: Oversees the integration and management of technology solutions within hospitality operations, including property management systems, guest-facing technologies (e.g., mobile check-in, smart rooms), and back-of-house operational software.
Revenue Manager / Director of Revenue Management: Utilizes advanced data analytics and pricing strategies to maximize revenue for hotels, resorts, or other hospitality assets. This involves forecasting demand, optimizing pricing, and managing distribution channels.
Hotel Asset Manager: Works on behalf of hotel owners to maximize the financial performance and value of hotel properties. This requires a deep understanding of operations, finance, market trends, and investment strategies within the hospitality sector.
Experience Designer / Guest Experience Innovator: Focuses on creating seamless, personalized, and memorable guest journeys across all touchpoints, often leveraging technology and design thinking to enhance satisfaction and loyalty.
Hospitality Data Analyst / Business Intelligence Analyst: Gathers, analyzes, and interprets large datasets related to guest behavior, operational performance, and market trends to provide actionable insights for strategic decision-making in hospitality organizations.
Sustainability & ESG Manager (Hospitality): Drives initiatives related to environmental, social, and governance practices within hospitality businesses, integrating sustainable operations and innovative solutions to meet growing consumer and regulatory demands.
Hospitality Entrepreneur / Startup Founder: Applies the entrepreneurial mindset and innovation skills gained from the MBA to launch new ventures within the hospitality sector, such as tech-driven lodging solutions, innovative F&B concepts, or unique guest experiences.
Director of Operations (with Tech Focus): Oversees the day-to-day operations of a hotel or resort, with a particular emphasis on leveraging technology to enhance efficiency, streamline processes, and improve service delivery.
Consultant (Hospitality & Technology): Advises hospitality companies on strategic planning, technology adoption, operational improvements, and market entry strategies, drawing on a strong understanding of both business and innovation within the industry.
