Tourism and Hospitality Management
Join a thriving industry and turn your passion into a rewarding profession.
Tourism and Hospitality Management, Hospitality Management Concentration, B.S.
Escape the Ordinary
The Tourism and Hospitality Management B.S. degree is proudly offered through the College of Behavioral and Health Sciences at MTSU.
Accredited through the Accreditation Commission for Programs in Hospitality Administration (ACPHA).
Program Overview:
Welcome to the gateway to a world of endless career possibilities in hospitality management! At MTSU, our specialized concentration in hospitality management within the Tourism and Hospitality Management degree program prepares you for leadership roles in this dynamic field.
Hospitality management is more than just a job—it's a calling to create unforgettable experiences for guests and ensure seamless operations in hotels, resorts, restaurants, theme parks, and beyond. With our program, you'll delve deep into the intricacies of managing hospitality establishments, from front-of-house operations to back-end logistics.
Through a combination of hands-on experience, industry insights, and specialized coursework, you'll develop the skills needed to excel in hospitality management. Whether you dream of orchestrating seamless operations in a luxury resort, curating exceptional dining experiences in a world-class restaurant, leading teams in international hotel chains, or managing guest services on a cruise ship, our program equips you with the expertise to succeed.
Join us at MTSU and embark on a rewarding career path where you'll have the opportunity to make a lasting impact on guests' experiences and shape the future of the hospitality industry. Your journey to becoming a hospitality management leader starts here.
Here’s what to expect:
- Comprehensive Curriculum: Dive into a robust curriculum that covers all aspects of hospitality management, including guest services, operations management, revenue management, food and beverage management, and strategic planning.
- Hands-on Experience: Gain practical, real-world experience through internships, practicums, and industry partnerships, allowing you to apply classroom knowledge in professional settings.
- Industry Insights: Benefit from guest lectures, industry seminars, and networking opportunities with hospitality professionals, providing valuable insights into current trends, challenges, and best practices.
- Leadership Development: Develop essential leadership and management skills, including communication, problem-solving, decision-making, team building, and conflict resolution, preparing you to lead teams and drive success in hospitality organizations.
Hospitality Major Career Opportunities:
With experiential learning opportunities and strong corporate connections in Nashville and surrounding communities, our Tourism and Hospitality Management program equips students specifically for careers in hospitality management. Graduates are prepared for diverse roles such as:
- Lodging and Resort Management
- Food and Beverage Management
- Tourism and Hospitality Marketing
- Revenue Management
- Operational Design
- Strategic Decision Making
Empower Your Future:
Join us at MTSU and embark on a journey towards a rewarding career in tourism and hospitality. Explore the endless opportunities available in this dynamic industry and prepare to make your mark.
Other Concentrations:
News Briefs
McPhee: MTSU plans to build hotel on campus to train hospitality students
Middle Tennessee State University is in the final stages of negotiations for a hotel to be built at Greenland Drive and Middle Tennessee Boulevard that would be used to train students in its Tourism and Hospitality Management Program.[ Read More ]
MTSU Tourism-Hospitality program earns accreditation through national collegiate commission
Five years after launching, Middle Tennessee State University’s Tourism and Hospitality Management program has been designated as the first and only accredited hospitality degree program in the state.[ Read More ]
News Briefs
McPhee: MTSU plans to build hotel on campus to train hospitality students
Middle Tennessee State University is in the final stages of negotiations for a hotel to be built at Greenland Drive and Middle Tennessee Boulevard that would be used to train students in its Tourism and Hospitality Management Program.[ Read More ]
MTSU Tourism-Hospitality program earns accreditation through national collegiate commission
Five years after launching, Middle Tennessee State University’s Tourism and Hospitality Management program has been designated as the first and only accredited hospitality degree program in the state.[ Read More ]
Tourism and Hospitality Management, Hospitality Management Concentration, B.S.
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Career Opportunities
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Alumni Success
- Trinity Payton, Assistant Executive Housekeeper, Atrium Hospitality
- Nicole Berens Ford, Business Owner, Goodness Gracious, Restaurant & Catering
- Rosemary Reid, Area Manager, Salsarita’s
- Gabrielle Thornton, Shopkeeper Apprentice, Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams
- Janice Farag, Operations Manager, Sonesta Hotels
- Mackenzie Park, Space Planning Analyst, Vestcom
- Grace Sterrett, Lead Guest Service Agent, Conrad Nashville
- Jamie George, Business Owner, Like A Virgin Sober Bar
- Chad Allen, General Manager, Burger Up
- Myra Smith, Food and Beverage Manager, Hilton Garden Inn
- Riley Moon, Assistant General Manager, Whits Frozen Custard
- Karli Faro, Pool & Paddock Supervisor, Belle Meade Country Club
- Lucy Danielle, Front of House Manager, Saint Anejo Mexican Kitchen
- Kamel Martina, Sales Coordinator, Kimpton Aertson Hotel
Internship Opportunities
The Work Experience Program aims to foster an active learning experience wherein students actively seek and secure gainful employment within the fields of tourism, hospitality, or events industries. Students will complete 600 total work hours in the industry over the course of two semesters.
Example Work Experience and Internship Sites:
- Disney College Program
- Gaylord Opryland
- Embassy Suites Nashville SE Murfreesboro/Atrium Hospitality
- Chartwell Hospitality
- Chick fil A
- MTSU Events
- Belle Meade Country Club
- Southern Hospitality Internship Program (SHIP)
- Omni Hotels
For more information, please reach out to Dr. Elizabeth Whalen at [email protected].
Career Fairs
The Annual Tourism, Hospitality, Events, Sports, and Leisure Career Fair is held every spring semester. For more information, please reach out to Dr. Vanessa Liu at [email protected].
Helpful Links
- Hospitality Internships
- Southern Hospitality Internship Program
- For students and alumni, private Facebook group: “MTSU THM Students & Alumni”
- Southeast Tourism Society
- MTSU’s Career Development Center: Job Search Resources
MTSU’s Career Development Center
MTSU offers a comprehensive Career Development Center that serves students throughout the full student experience and beyond. They collaborate with faculty and staff to equip students with the tools to be marketable to the world of work and continuing education.
Students can schedule an appointment or check online resources and job boards at mtsu.edu/career.
Students can find current internship opportunities by talking to faculty and visiting the University job and internship board called Handshake .
Wondering what you can do with your major? Check out our What Can I Do with A Major In guides.
MTSU Tourism and Hospitality Program Overview
Mission Statement
Our mission is to develop leaders who are passionate and well-rounded critical thinkers to contribute to the growth and innovation of the tourism and hospitality industry in the greater Tennessee area.
Vision Statement
We will enhance the image of MTSU by becoming the top tourism and hospitality program in Tennessee in the next five years.
Core Values
- Curiosity & Innovation. Pursuit of knowledge, understanding, and learning; a sense of inquisitiveness and exploration that leads to innovation, idea generation, and positive change.
- Perseverance & Integrity. Persistence in the face of adversity and challenge; a will to overcome difficulties and obstacles while maintaining honesty, morality, and personal principle.
- Relationships & Experience. Creation of an environment of collaboration, communication, and connection; a desire to build a community with peers, colleagues, and mentors through active engagement, working in teams, participating, and being present.
Program Learning Outcomes
- Identify and apply the knowledge and skills necessary for hospitality and tourism operations.
- Develop and integrate a core set of business skills necessary to successfully operate a hospitality and tourism organization.
- Demonstrate competence in the communication skills necessary for hospitality and tourism management.
- Formulate business decisions in hospitality and tourism management.
- Evaluate leadership principles necessary in the diverse and global hospitality and tourism industry.
Hospitality Concentration PLOs:
- Understand the complexity of hospitality organizations and the many areas that help organizations function efficiently and strategically.
- Demonstrate an in-depth understanding of the strategic management within the hospitality industry.
- Analyze philosophies, principles, concepts, processes, tools, and techniques of various strategic management theories and application within the hospitality operations.
Transfer Students:
We accept a maximum of 12 credits transferred for core/concentration courses plus up to three approved electives for an additional 9 credits.
Tourism and Hospitality Management Minor
The minor in Tourism and Hospitality Management requires 15 semester hours.
Required (9 hours)
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THM 3200 – Principles of Lodging 3 credit hours OR
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THM 3250 – Destination Management 3 credit hours OR
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THM 3350 – Event Planning 3 credit hours
Electives (6 hours)
- LSTS 4850 – Cross-Cultural Perspectives in Leisure and Tourism 3 to 6 credit hours
- THM 3110 – Tourism Planning and Development 3 credit hours
- THM 3200 – Principles of Lodging 3 credit hours
- THM 3210 – Service Design and Delivery in Tourism and Hospitality Management 3 credit hours
- THM 3250 – Destination Management 3 credit hours
- THM 3350 – Event Planning 3 credit hours
- THM 3360 – Weddings and Special Events 3 credit hours
- THM 4130 – Sport Tourism 3 credit hours
- THM 4140 – Food and Beverage Tourism 3 credit hours
- THM 4160 – Event Risk Management 3 credit hours
- THM 4167 – Hospitality Revenue Management 3 credit hours
- THM 4220 – International Tourism 3 credit hours
- THM 4267 – Hospitality Technology 3 credit hours
Clubs and Organizations:
Southeast Tourism Society (STS) Student Chapter
THM Advisory Board:
| Member | Company/Organization | Position |
| Erica Carvalho | Loews Hotel & Co. | Corporate Director of Meetings & Events |
| Shannon Jones | Destination South Meetings & Events | Senior Manager, Meetings and Events |
| Joe Callison | Belle Meade Country Club | Assistant General Manager |
| Jan Freitag | CoStar Group | National Director, Hospitality Analytics |
| Rosemary Reid | Salsarita's Fresh Mexican Grill | Area Director |
| Jesse Hayes | Gaylord Opryland | Director of Revenue Management |
| Richard Sprecher | Resolute Road Hospitality | CHA-Vice President, Business Development |
| Bill Boothe | The Boothe Group, LLC | President |
| Chelsa Lourie | Tennessee Hospitality & Tourism Association | Director of Workforce Development |
| Sara Beth Urban | Tennessee Hospitality & Tourism Association | President & CEO |
| Barbara Wolke | Rutherford County Convention and Visitor Bureau | Sr. Vice President |
| Monica Smith | Southeast Tourism Society | President & CEO |
| Matt Maxey | Visit Franklin | Senior Director of Public Relations |
| Kristin Luna | Odinn Media, Inc.; DMA-events, Inc.; Camels & Chocolate | Journalist, Digital Strategist, & President |
| Larry Beaty | Nashville Experience Tours | Owner |
| Emily Groves | MTSU Tourism & Hospitality Management | Student Representative |
| Letre Thompson | MTSU Tourism & Hospitality Management | Student Representative |
| Emma Samba | MTSU Tourism & Hospitality Management | Student Representative |
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