Hospitality & Tourism Management

Major

Learning Format

On-Campus

Types

Bachelor's, Certificate
Hospitality & Tourism Management

At Your Service

 

Does the idea of traveling the world, or working at exciting venues such as casinos, cruise ships, hotels, resorts and spas interest you? Perhaps you have an interest in event planning or food and beverage operations? If so, Framingham State University’s Hospitality & Tourism Management (HTM) program is for you. As the only MA state university to offer a hospitality major, we provide your most affordable option to a thrilling career.

In its 2022 report, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projected that 25% of the 8.3 million jobs expected to be added to the U.S. economy by 2031 will be in tourism and hospitality. That’s a huge increase for a sector that comprised 8.9% of total employment in 2021.

Framingham State’s Hospitality & Tourism Management program prepares you for a wide range of positions within hotels, resorts, spas, country clubs, restaurants, catering operations, cruise lines, casinos, travel and tourism organizations, convention services, event and wedding planning, and recreation facilities.

Courses within the major will expose you to the various management functions in the hospitality industry including lodging operations, food and beverage operations, customer service, marketing, human resources, financial management, technology use and management, legal and ethical regulation, facilities management, and strategy. You will also learn from the pros through our guest speaker series which brings local and international industry professionals into the classroom to discuss their companies, offer advice on starting your career, and share information about internship opportunities.

Located within close proximity to Boston, a bustling hub for tourism and international travel, Framingham State University offers a dynamic Hospitality & Tourism Management program that extends beyond traditional education. Our program is not just about filling positions—it's about sculpting you into a leader who can transform transactions into memorable experiences, fostering the soft skills necessary to elevate the businesses you will lead.

Framingham State University is the owner of the Warren Conference Center & Inn in Ashland, a fully functioning hotel and conference center 10 minutes from campus that serves as a professional training ground for students in our Hospitality & Tourism Program. The center is located on over 90 acres of beautiful green space and hosts weddings and other major events throughout the year.

Students at Warren Center

Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this program, students will be able to:

  • Students will understand the full extent, organization, structure, and impact of the global hospitality industry.

  • Students will be able to apply critical thinking, decision-making, and problem-solving to current global issues in the hospitality industry.

  • Students will be able to demonstrate written and oral communication skills appropriate for multiple situations and audiences.

  • Students will be able to determine and use appropriate conflict management techniques within both multicultural employee teams and customers.

  • Students will be able to identify legal and ethical issues implicit in all aspects of the hospitality industry.

  • Students will be able to operate and utilize information systems typically used in the hospitality industry.

Program Requirements

Program Requirements

All students must satisfy a general education requirement consisting of ten (10) courses outside of the major department. The General Education Domain III-C (Global Competency, Ethical Reasoning, and/or Human Diversity) requirement is satisfied through the completion of the Hospitality and Tourism Management major.

Course Prerequisites

Courses may have specified conditions for enrollment, such as prior completion of less advanced courses, permission of the instructor, or appropriate placement test scores. Students should refer to course descriptions in the department listings for prerequisite requirements.

EFFECTIVE AS OF THE 2023-2024 UNDERGRADUATE CATALOG

Career Opportunities

The Hospitality & Tourism Program prepares students for exciting careers in a rapidly expanding industry, including:

A woman ordering food at a restaurant

Spa manager

Lead daily operations at spa facilities, such as hiring and training employees.

Hotel Sales Coordinator

Help create and manage a hotel’s marketing and customer service strategies.

Resort Manager

Oversee the daily activities at resort facilities such as housekeeping, finances and marketing.

Travel agent

Help clients book transportation, itineraries, and hotel accommodations.

Guest services manager

Assist hotel guests with their needs from the time they check in to the time they check out.

Food service director

Work for hotels, cruises and more to oversee food service operations for guests.

Photo of Dr. John Palabiyik

John Palabiyik, Ph.D.

Department Chair and Coordinator of the Hospitality and Tourism Management Program, Management and Business & Information Technology Department
508-626-4858
jpalabiyik@framingham.edu
Crocker Hall
Jorge Riveras

Jorge Riveras, Ph.D.

Coordinator of Management Programs, Associate Professor of Business, Management and Business & Information Technology Department
508-626-4572
jriveras@framingham.edu
Crocker Hall
Borga Deniz

Borga Deniz, Ph.D.

Associate Professor of Management, Management and Business & Information Technology Department
(508) 215-5718
bdeniz@framingham.edu
Crocker Hall
Photo of Karen Druffel

Karen Druffel

Associate Professor of Business, Management and Business & Information Technology Department and Program Coordinator and Advisor, Master of Business Administration
508-626-4852
kdruffel@framingham.edu
Crocker Hall
View All
Jenny DeWolfe

Jenny DeWolfe ’23, Event Coordinator

“What I love most about this field is you can be in food and beverage, you can be in hotels, you can be in guest services. It gives you the ability to have totally different careers.”

Resources

Learn More

If the Hospitality & Tourism Management major sounds like a good fit but you would like to learn more, contact Admissions at admissions [at] framigham.edu (admissions[at]framigham[dot]edu) or 508-626-4500. 

 Apply 

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