Tourism and Hospitality Management
Join a thriving industry and turn your passion into a rewarding profession.
Tourism and Hospitality Management, Tourism 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 Tourism Management concentration within the Tourism and Hospitality Management program at Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU). If you're driven by a passion for exploring new destinations, orchestrating unforgettable experiences, and contributing to the booming tourism industry, you've found the perfect fit.
Here's what you can expect:
- Tailored Curriculum: Dive into a curriculum meticulously designed to cover the facets of tourism management, from destination marketing strategies to sustainable tourism practices.
- Hands-On Learning: Gain valuable real-world experience through internships, fieldwork, and practical projects. Whether you're conducting market research or collaborating with industry partners, our program ensures you're ready to hit the ground running upon graduation.
- Expert Guidance: Learn from seasoned professionals and dedicated faculty who are committed to your success. Benefit from personalized mentorship, industry insights, and networking opportunities that will help you thrive in your academic and professional endeavors.
- Industry Connections: Forge meaningful connections with leading tourism organizations, travel agencies, and hospitality companies through our extensive network of industry partners. Explore internship opportunities, attend guest lectures, and engage in experiential learning experiences that will set you apart in the competitive job market.
Embark on a transformative journey with us at MTSU and unlock the doors to endless possibilities in the exhilarating world of tourism management. Your adventure starts here.
Career Opportunities:
With experiential learning opportunities and strong corporate connections in Nashville and surrounding communities, our Tourism and Hospitality Management program equips students with the skills and knowledge necessary for a diverse range of career paths within the tourism industry, including:
- Destination Management
- Tour Guiding
- Tour Operations
- Tourism Marketing and Promotion
- Sustainable Tourism Development
- Convention and Visitors Bureaus (CVBs) / Destination Management Organizations (DMOs)
- Public Policy in Tourism
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
MTSU tourism-hospitality majors earn spots as student ambassadors for governor’s tourism conference
Middle Tennessee State University tourism and hospitality management majors Sosina Bekele and Kenady Rix were selected for the inaugural class of student ambassadors at the 2024 Tennessee Governor's Conference on Hospitality and Tourism in Chattanooga.[ 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
MTSU tourism-hospitality majors earn spots as student ambassadors for governor’s tourism conference
Middle Tennessee State University tourism and hospitality management majors Sosina Bekele and Kenady Rix were selected for the inaugural class of student ambassadors at the 2024 Tennessee Governor's Conference on Hospitality and Tourism in Chattanooga.[ 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, Tourism Management Concentration, B.S.
Employer List
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Career Opportunities
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Alumni Success
- Mason Finney, Director of Operations, Urban Air Adventure Parks
- Liz Sisk, Lead Sales Associate, Jack Daniel Distillery
- Zoe Greene, Senior Director of Business Development, Golden Isles CVB
- Ainsley Collins, Flight Attendant, American Airlines
- Ashley Conser, Visitor Services Specialist, Nashville Convention & Visitors Corp
- Campbell Bledsoe, Operations Manager, Nashville Shores
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.
Tourism Concentration PLOs:
- Utilize tourism concepts and business management knowledge to function effectively as a tourism professional.
- Demonstrate knowledge of best practices to further responsible tourism.
- Analyze information and develop solutions for tourism businesses by using skills associated with critical thinking, problem solving, decision making, and creative thinking.
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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