Master of Business Administration - Accounting
The MBA program at the University of the Potomac typically consists of 12 courses, tota...
Master of Business Administration - Hospitality & Tourism
Washington, D.C., Virginia
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Program Overview
The MBA with a Hospitality & Tourism concentration at the University of the Potomac typically requires 36 academic credits for completion. The program is structured to provide a strong foundation in general business principles before specializing in the nuances of hospitality and tourism. Students first complete eight core MBA courses (24 credits) covering essential areas such as managerial accounting, economics, finance, marketing, human resources, information systems, and strategic management. Following this, they delve into four specialized courses (12 credits) specifically focused on Hospitality & Tourism Management. This integrated approach ensures graduates develop not only deep expertise in hospitality and tourism operations but also the broader business acumen necessary to make effective strategic decisions and lead diverse teams in various industry segments. The program is generally designed for completion within approximately two years.
Curriculum: The 36-semester-hour curriculum for the MBA with a Hospitality & Tourism concentration at the University of the Potomac begins with foundational MBA core courses. These typically include: "Managerial Accounting," "Managerial Economics," "Managerial Finance," "Strategic Management," "Human Resources and Organizational Behavior," "Marketing Management," "Management and Information Systems," and "Business Ethics." After establishing this strong business foundation, students transition to the four specialized Hospitality & Tourism concentration courses: "HOTO 610 Hospitality and Tourism Management," "HOTO 620 Marketing and Advertising in Hospitality and Tourism," "HOTO 630 Financial Management and Planning in Hospitality and Tourism," and "HOTO 640 Applications of Technology in Hospitality and Tourism." This curriculum is designed to provide graduates with a comprehensive understanding of operational management, strategic marketing, financial planning, and technological advancements within the hospitality and tourism sector. An optional "MBA Internship in Hospitality and Tourism" (HOTO 690) is also available for students not currently working in the industry, offering valuable practical experience.
Research Focus: The University of the Potomac's MBA with a Hospitality & Tourism concentration is highly applied, focusing on developing practical management and leadership skills to address real-world challenges within the hospitality and tourism industry, rather than traditional academic research culminating in a thesis. The program aims to prepare graduates to "formulate and communicate evidenced-based business solutions founded on stakeholder needs and interests in the hospitality and tourism industry" and to "apply advanced knowledge in the legal, theoretical, and practical aspects of operating a hospitality or tourism-based business." This indicates a strong emphasis on analyzing industry trends, evaluating case studies, and applying strategic frameworks to solve operational, marketing, and financial problems. The curriculum encourages critical thinking and data-driven decision-making to enhance the effectiveness and sustainability of hospitality and tourism ventures.
Industry Engagement: The University of the Potomac's MBA with a Hospitality & Tourism concentration demonstrates significant industry engagement by designing its curriculum to directly meet the demands of the hospitality and tourism sectors. The program's learning outcomes emphasize preparing graduates to "participate in financial activities such as the setting of room rates, the establishment of budgets, and the allocation of funds to departments," and to "demonstrate the ability to apply the principles and processes for providing customer and personal services, including customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction." These practical skills are directly applicable to roles in hotels, resorts, event management, and tourism organizations. The optional internship (HOTO 690) further strengthens industry engagement by providing students with hands-on experience, bridging the gap between academic learning and professional practice.
Global Perspective: The MBA with a Hospitality & Tourism concentration at the University of the Potomac inherently incorporates a strong global perspective, recognizing the intrinsically international nature of the hospitality and tourism industries. The program explicitly aims to prepare students for managerial positions in the "dynamic and increasingly global hospitality and tourism industry." While specific courses on "Global Tourism Policy" might not be explicitly detailed in the MBA concentration, the foundational course "HOTO 610 Hospitality and Tourism Management" likely covers global trends, international market analysis, and cross-cultural considerations in service delivery. Furthermore, the broader MBA framework at the University of the Potomac aims to prepare graduates to "identify and artfully respond to challenges related to U.S. and foreign businesses." Given that tourism often involves international travel and diverse customer bases, understanding global cultural nuances, economic factors, and sustainable tourism practices is crucial, and these elements are woven into the program's applied focus.
Location
Washington, D.C., Virginia
Score
IELTS 6.5
Tuition Fee
USD 22250
Postgraduate Entry Requirements
Academic Qualifications: Applicants for postgraduate programs typically require a minimum academic achievement of 60% 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 79 or higher.
- PTE: Overall score of 59 or higher.
- DET (Duolingo English Test): Minimum score of 100.
The University of the Potomac is dedicated to making education affordable and accessible for international students by offering a variety of scholarship opportunities. These scholarships aim to recognize academic excellence, leadership potential, and financial need, helping reduce the overall cost of education for deserving students from around the world.
Merit-Based Scholarships: International students demonstrating strong academic performance may qualify for merit-based scholarships. These awards reward high GPA, outstanding achievements, and exceptional contributions in previous educational settings. Merit scholarships can significantly lower tuition fees and encourage students to maintain high academic standards throughout their studies.
Need-Based Scholarships: The university also offers need-based scholarships designed to assist international students facing financial challenges. Applicants are encouraged to submit detailed financial information during the admissions process to be considered for these scholarships, which aim to bridge the gap between the cost of education and the student’s financial resources.
Special Program Scholarships: Certain academic programs at the University of the Potomac provide dedicated scholarships for international students, especially in fields such as business administration, information technology, and cybersecurity. These program-specific awards support students pursuing careers in high-demand industries.
Graduates of the University of the Potomac's MBA with a Hospitality & Tourism concentration are uniquely positioned to excel in a global industry that values both strategic business acumen and specialized industry insight. Their advanced understanding of financial management, marketing, operations, and the application of technology within the hospitality and tourism sector, combined with strong leadership skills, prepares them for diverse and impactful roles. The program's practical orientation ensures they can effectively manage complex operations, drive revenue growth, and enhance customer satisfaction in a competitive market.
Hotel General Manager: Oversees all aspects of a hotel's operations, including guest services, financial performance, human resources, sales, and marketing, ensuring profitability and guest satisfaction.
Resort Manager: Manages the overall operations of a resort property, including lodging, food and beverage, recreational activities, and guest experiences, often in a complex, multi-faceted environment.
Revenue Manager: Focuses on optimizing pricing and inventory to maximize revenue for hotels, airlines, or other hospitality businesses by analyzing market demand, competitor pricing, and booking patterns.
Director of Sales and Marketing (Hospitality): Develops and implements sales and marketing strategies for hotels, resorts, or tourism organizations to attract guests, build brand awareness, and drive bookings.
Event and Convention Manager: Plans, organizes, and executes large-scale events, conferences, and conventions for hotels, convention centers, or corporate clients, managing budgets, logistics, and vendor relationships.
Food and Beverage Director: Oversees all food and beverage operations within a hotel, resort, or large restaurant group, including menu planning, kitchen management, service standards, and profitability.
Tourism Development Director: Works for destination management organizations, government tourism boards, or private companies to promote tourism, develop new attractions, and implement tourism growth strategies for a region or destination.
Operations Manager (Cruise Lines/Airlines): Manages the operational efficiency and guest experience aspects for cruise lines or airlines, ensuring smooth service delivery, safety compliance, and passenger satisfaction.
Hospitality Technology Manager: Focuses on integrating and managing technology solutions within hospitality businesses, such as property management systems, customer relationship management (CRM) software, and digital guest services.
Hospitality Consultant: Advises hospitality businesses on improving operations, enhancing customer service, implementing new strategies, or expanding into new markets, leveraging their broad understanding of the industry.
