Hospitality and Tourism Management Bachelor of Science Degree

Designing and delivering exceptional customer experiences requires innovative professionals with a deep understanding of business, technology, and service. Our hospitality management program is global in scope and innovative in focus. We prepare you to become a manager, hospitality professional, or entrepreneur who will thrive in their career.

The Saunders’ Hospitality and Tourism Student Experience

In Saunders, we ditch the large college auditoriums and embrace learning in small classrooms in order to create meaningful connections among students and faculty. You will get to know your classmates and professors while enjoying the scale, resources, and vibrant student life of a large college campus. At Saunders:

• Work hard/play hard: The rigor of a top-100 business program is met with opportunities to experience large events, enjoy fine dining, taste worldwide beverages, and visit world-class hotels.
• Engage in opportunities for networking and mentoring: You will have opportunities to visit premier hospitality events including the Americas Lodging Investment Summit (ALIS), The National Restaurant Show in Chicago, and the Hospitality Industry Technology Exposition and Conference (HITECH), to name a few.
• Industry meets Classroom: We host guest speakers form all aspects of the hospitality industry, including hotel general managers, corporate executives, restaurants and hotel owners; directors of sales, events, and catering; sports marketers; restaurant entrepreneurs; winemakers; and private club managers.

RIT’s Hospitality and Tourism Management Curriculum

RIT's hospitality and tourism management major includes a comprehensive core curriculum that provides you with a strong foundation in the core principles of hospitality, service management, and tourism operations. The hospitality management major gives you the opportunity to gain a wide set of skills which you can apply in any service industry. You may choose to specialize further though one of the hospitality minors:

• Beverage Management Minor: Develop the knowledge needed to engage in beverage sales, marketing, and distribution as you taste worldwide beverages. Course work in this minor prepares you for careers in areas such as beverage sales, distribution, and management in both hotels and fine dining restaurants; procurement/purchasing management; bar, lounge, winery, or brewery owner/manager/entrepreneur; sommelier; cicerone; or beverage brand marketing manager and/or distributor.
• Sports, Events, and Entertainment Management Minor: Delivery highly-effective experiences in the world of sports, events, and entertainment, and engage in careers as an sports/event venue sales manager; event manager for a hotel, sports venue, convention center, wedding venue, etc.; meeting planner for corporations, associations, or non-for-profit organizations; sports marketing manager; sports arena/facilities manager; private sports club manager; or sports analyst.
• Real Estate in Hospitality Minor: From idea to opening day, you'll learn the tools and techniques to develop properties and make hospitality investment concepts real. You'll be well-prepared for a real estate career as a real estate associate, consultant, financial analyst, development analyst, brand analyst, asset manager, or brand manager.

Technology and Hospitality: No Better Place than RIT

Among the biggest evolutions in the hospitality field is the impact of technology on the guest experience, food service and delivery, and more. Technology, along with data analytics, is driving how resorts, restaurants, theme parks, and cruise lines are interacting with guests and managing their expectations. From apps that help plan and manage guest experiences, to wearables that unlock guest room doors, to online check-in and food ordering, today’s hospitality professionals must be knowledgeable of how the latest technology is being used to improve the guest experience.

One of the most unique benefits of RIT’s hospitality and tourism management major is the collaboration between the program and RIT’s high-tech majors in computing and engineering. The latest innovations in hospitality – mobile reservations and check-in for hotels and flights, contactless ordering and restaurant kiosks, and more – are occurring at the interesting of these dynamic disciplines, and you have a front row seat to collaborating on the design and development of the next innovations in hospitality.

Hospitality and Tourism Management Study Abroad Programs

We develop global professionals for global careers. The hospitality and tourism management major offers numerous opportunities for both short- and long-term study abroad. Additionally, our curriculum prepares you for the challenges of operating in a global industry by developing your knowledge of cross-cultural customer interactions, languages, and business practices of multinational corporations.

Global Hospitality Rotation

The global hospitality rotation is an immersive experience where you will gain a global perspective in business and commerce by studying international business on two continents:

• RIT: The majority of your course work will occur on RIT’s main campus in Rochester, N.Y. From its world-renowned attractions and historic museums to its phenomenal dining, world-class golf courses, and internationally recognized festivals, Rochester is a major metro city and a four-season adventure destination. 

Study Abroad Opportunities

The BS in hospitality and tourism management is also offered at RIT Croatia, one of RIT’s global campuses. Located in Dubrovnik, Croatia, RIT Croatia is in the center of one of the most prominent tourist destinations in the Mediterranean Sea. In addition to the global hospitality rotation, you may also consider a:

• A 10-day study experience
• Semester-long study abroad experience

Both of these opportunities enable you to learn about the hospitality and tourism challenges and opportunities in Croatia as you study international hotel and resort management.

Furthering Your Education in Hospital and Tourism Management

RIT’s Combined Accelerated Bachelor’s/Master’s Degrees enable you to earn both a bachelor’s and a master’s degree in as little as five years, giving you a competitive advantage.

• +1 MBA Early Acceptance Pathway: Successful RIT applicants who are offered admission into the BS degree in hospitality and tourism management as an incoming first-year student may also be offered conditional early acceptance into the +1 MBA Early Acceptance Pathway. This option enables you to earn both your BS degree and an MBA in as little as five years of study. Learn how the +1 MBA Early Acceptance Pathway can help you add a competitive advantage to your studies.
• +1 MBA: Students who enroll in a qualifying undergraduate degree have the opportunity to add an MBA to their bachelor’s degree after their first year of study, depending on their program. Learn how the +1 MBA can accelerate your learning and position you for success.

Continue your studies at RIT with our MS degree in hospitality business management, where you can continue to advance your hospitality management skills with a master’s degree focused on cutting-edge analytics and technology skills, positioning you to pursue leadership positions. This master’s degree also enables you to develop a secondary focus in a range of areas, including finance, digital marketing, entrepreneurship, human resources, supply chain management, or data management.