Hospitality Business Management Master of Science Degree
RIT’s hospitality management master’s degree develops business management leaders who successfully create and deliver world class experiences and services in hospitality and across all industries.
#4
Best Master’s in Hospitality Management in U.S.A., Ranked #19 Globally
#8
Best Hospitality Management Master's Degree Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region
#27
Best Hospitality and Hotel Management Schools in the World
Overview for Hospitality Business Management MS
Why Study RIT’s Hospitality Management Master’s Degree
STEM-OPT Visa Eligible: The STEM Optional Practical Training (OPT) program allows full-time, on-campus international students on an F-1 student visa to stay and work in the U.S. for up to three years after graduation.
Complete the degree online or on campus.
Advance your career in lodging, events, food and beverage, cruise lines, convention and visitors bureaus, and travel technology.
Develop and deliver world-class experiences in hospitality, tourism, and any industry.
A cutting-edge curriculum at the forefront of industry trends in technology, analytics, customer experience, and sustainability.
RIT’s master’s in hospitality business management specializes in enhancing analytics and technology skills essential for leadership positions in the hospitality industry. A comprehensive curriculum empowers career changers and working professionals to excel in sales, marketing, revenue management, business strategy, customer experience design and management, sustainability, data analytics, as well as hotel real estate development and investment. This hospitality management master’s degree offers you a transformative experience that propels your career to new heights, granting your a competitive edge and unlocking exciting opportunities in the ever-evolving hospitality sector.
RIT’s Hospitality Management Master’s Degree: Study Online or On-Campus
Recognized by Forbes, Travel Weekly, Nation’s Restaurant News, and Corporate Travel magazines, RIT’s master’s in hospitality management enables you to build upon your previous course work and skills in management, hospitality, tourism, and retail with a focus in a range of areas, including accounting, business analytics, entrepreneurship, finance, human resources, management, marketing, and supply chain management. This versatility unlocks abundant job opportunities, enabling you to pursue diverse career paths beyond the hospitality industry. The program is available online and on-campus.
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Affordable Now. Valuable for Life.
Earn your master’s degree without the full price tag. With Master Up you can receive a 30% tuition scholarship for an RIT master’s degree.
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Join us for Fall 2025
Many programs accept applications on a rolling, space-available basis.
Careers and Experiential Learning
Typical Job Titles
| Business Development | Customer Experience Director | Director of Operations |
| Events Manager | Executive Conference Manager | Food and Beverage Manager |
| General Manager | Group Sales Manager | Guest Services Supervisor |
| Guest Relations Manager | Hospitality Specialist/Consultant | Hotel Asset Manager |
| Hotel/Travel/Food Columnist/Journalist/Blogger | Sales and Event Manager | Vacation Planner |
| Wine/Spirits Business Manager |
Hospitality Business Management Careers
Graduates of RIT's master of science in hospitality business management are prepared for outstanding career opportunities in a range of positions within hospitality and across all industries. Our alumni are employed at diverse firms such as Amazon, D3, Hello!, Hyatt Regency, Marriott, and more. Our Hospitality Advisory Board helps students prepare for their careers by ensuring the curriculum is continuously updated to meet employers needs while providing networking and mentorship opportunities.
Featured Work and Profiles
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Curriculum for 2024-2025 for Hospitality Business Management MS
Current Students: See Curriculum Requirements
Hospitality Business Management, MS degree, typical course sequence
| Course | Sem. Cr. Hrs. | |
|---|---|---|
| First Year | ||
| HSPT-735 | Hospitality and Tourism Customer Experience and Engagement |
3 |
Creating memorable experience is a crucial differentiator for hospitality and tourism enterprises. Guided by the concepts of “hospitality” and “being hospitable”, this course introduces theories and methods that can be utilized during the service encounter to trigger optimal customer experiences through physical, social, and cultural interactions. This course addresses the co-creation of the experiences and value not only from hospitality and tourism service providers but also from the engagement of customers. The course puts an emphasis on the design of the customer journey, including theming, storytelling, and sensory, as well as unfolding customer experience in the phygital (physical and online) platform. Lecture 3 (Fall). | ||
| HSPT-745 | Advanced Lodging Operations |
3 |
This course provides an overview of lodging operations from a variety of aspects. These include types of lodging operations and ownership (chain, franchise, leasing, and management contract), guest cycle and the establishment of organizational structures. Also covered are lodging revenue management from forecasting, pricing models, overbooking, interpreting financial statements, and the application of lodging technology to enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of the lodging operations. Lecture 3 (Fall). | ||
| HSPT-755 | Advanced Food and Beverage Business Management |
3 |
| HSPT-760 | Hospitality Asset Management |
3 |
This course introduces students to the role and functions of a hospitality asset manager. This course provides students the knowledge, skills, and competencies required to apply real estate tactics and strategies to maximize asset performance. Students will learn the different analyses that lead to investment, branding, and operational decisions. Asset managers are responsible for capital investment decisions, negotiating hotel management contracts, and creating value for investors and brand owners. Students will learn how to balance the interests of investors, owners, and franchisors to create maximum value for each through appropriate operational and financial decisions. (Prerequisites: HSPT-730 and HSPT-745 and HSPT-755 or equivalent courses.) Lecture 3 (Spring). | ||
| HSPT-780 | Hospitality Analytics |
3 |
This course introduces students to the application of data analytical methods and software in the analysis and management of hospitality operations. The hospitality industry is among the most data-intensive industries and this course prepares students to identify, collect, and analyze data in support of organizational decision-making. Students will learn the application of data analytics in improving industry revenues, optimizing and managing marketing programs, and in human capital management. (Prerequisites: HSPT-730 and HSPT-745 and HSPT-755 or equivalent courses.) Lecture 3 (Spring). | ||
| HSPT-797 | Capstone Project in Hospitality and Tourism |
3 |
This course is practical, project-based approach to a more traditional master's thesis. Students in the course will design and develop a project which reflects a viable option for an existing or putative organization. After a review of essential project management and planning skills as well as financial skills, the student designs and develops the project with continual review and feedback from the supervising faculty. Project 3 (Spring, Summer). | ||
Graduate Level Business Courses* |
12 | |
| Total Semester Credit Hours | 30 |
|
* Graduate Level Business Course will be approved by the program director.
Note for online students
The frequency of required and elective course offerings in the online program will vary, semester by semester, and will not always match the information presented here. Online students are advised to seek guidance from the listed program contact when developing their individual program course schedule.
Students are also interested in
Admissions and Financial Aid
This program is available on-campus or online.
On Campus
| Offered | Admit Term(s) | Application Deadline | STEM Designated |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-time | Fall | Rolling | Yes |
| Part-time | Fall or Spring | Rolling | No |
Online
| Offered | Admit Term(s) | Application Deadline | STEM Designated |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-time | Fall or Spring | Rolling | No |
| Part-time | Fall or Spring | Rolling | No |
Full-time study is 9+ semester credit hours. Part-time study is 1‑8 semester credit hours. International students requiring a visa to study at the RIT Rochester campus must study full‑time.
Application Details
To be considered for admission to the Hospitality Business Management MS program, candidates must fulfill the following requirements:
- Complete an online graduate application.
- Submit copies of official transcript(s) (in English) of all previously completed undergraduate and graduate course work, including any transfer credit earned.
- Hold a baccalaureate degree (or US equivalent) from an accredited university or college. A minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 (or equivalent) is recommended.
- Submit a current resume or curriculum vitae.
- Submit a personal statement of educational objectives.
- Letters of recommendation are optional.
- Entrance exam requirements: GRE or GMAT optional for Spring 2025 and Fall 2025 applicants. No minimum score requirement.
- Submit English language test scores (TOEFL, IELTS, PTE Academic), if required. Details are below.
English Language Test Scores
International applicants whose native language is not English must submit one of the following official English language test scores. Some international applicants may be considered for an English test requirement waiver.
| TOEFL | IELTS | PTE Academic |
|---|---|---|
| 88 | 6.5 | 60 |
International students below the minimum requirement may be considered for conditional admission. Deaf and hard-of-hearing test takers with significant hearing loss do not need to take the listening and speaking sections for the TOEFL and IELTS. Each program requires balanced sub-scores when determining an applicant’s need for additional English language courses.
How to Apply Start or Manage Your Application
Cost and Financial Aid
An RIT graduate degree is an investment with lifelong returns. Graduate tuition varies by degree, the number of credits taken per semester, and delivery method. View the general cost of attendance or estimate the cost of your graduate degree.
A combination of sources can help fund your graduate degree. Learn how to fund your degree
Additional Information
Online Degree Information
This online program is designed to be done part-time, taking one or two classes per term. The program is 10 classes (or 30 credits) to completion. The average time to earn the degree is 2.5 to 3 years. The 6 core courses will be offered asynchronously. The 4 elective courses could be synchronous or asynchronous, depending on the student's choice. For specific details about the delivery format and learning experience, contact the Program Contact listed on this page. RIT does not offer student visas for online study.
Online Tuition Eligibility
The online Hospitality Business Management MS is a designated online degree program that is billed at a 43% discount from our on-campus rate. View the current online tuition rate.
Online Study Restrictions for Some International Students
Certain countries are subject to comprehensive embargoes under US Export Controls, which prohibit virtually ALL exports, imports, and other transactions without a license or other US Government authorization. Learners from the Crimea region of the Ukraine, Cuba, Iran, North Korea, and Syria may not register for RIT online courses. Nor may individuals on the United States Treasury Department’s list of Specially Designated Nationals or the United States Commerce Department’s table of Deny Orders. By registering for RIT online courses, you represent and warrant that you are not located in, under the control of, or a national or resident of any such country or on any such list.
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