Start your career in the hospitality industry and work in restaurants, hotels, resorts, bed and breakfasts, time shares, condos, retirement communities, convention and visitor bureaus, destination marketing organizations, and event planning companies. The Hospitality Management Associate in Applied Science degree develops the leadership skills and management practices that are valued in the hospitality industry. Certificates in Hospitality Foundations, Hospitality Management, Hospitality Sales and Marketing, and Resort Management are also offered.
Students advance their understanding of hospitality management through a variety of hospitality management courses in accounting, sales and marketing, writing contracts and management.
If you are friendly and energetic, creative, self-motivated, a problem solver and a hands-on participant, then you may be right for a hospitality career.
Determine Your Path
A dynamic and growing industry, hospitality and tourism provides tremendous opportunity for students who enjoy working with people.
Whether you are preparing for a career in hospitality or tourism, planning to transfer or updating your skills, College of DuPage has the right program for you. We offer:
- Dedicated instructors with years of practical industry and teaching experience.
- Flexible schedules with day and evening classes.
- Affordable classes.
- Articulated transfer program with several prestigious institutions.
- Programs designed to prepare students with the skills that are in demand by today’s employers.
- Study Abroad opportunities to locations such as Budapest and Prague.
Hospitality Management
The Hospitality Management Associate in Applied Science degree develops the leadership skills and management practices that are valued in the hospitality industry. The degree requires a minimum of 64 credits in program requirements, program electives and general education.
Hospitality Foundations
The Hospitality Foundations certificate requires 12 credits. Students take classes in Introduction to the Hospitality Industry, Front Office Operations, Supervision in the Hospitality Industry and Quality Management of Service in the Hospitality Industry.
Hospitality Management Operations
The Hospitality Management Operations certificate requires 31 credits. Students take classes in Front Office Operations, Supervision in the Hospitality Industry, Quality Management of Service, Restaurant Service and Sales, Meeting and Event Management and more.
Hospitality Sales and Marketing
The Hospitality Sales and Marketing certificate requires 20 credits in Introduction to the Hospitality Industry, Front Office Operations, Professional Catering & Banquet Management, Meeting and Event Management and Hospitality Marketing Management.
Resort Management
The Resort Management certificate requires 26 credits. Students will learn about meeting the needs of the vacationing guests by offering retail shops, guest activity programming and a complete spa experience.
COD Stories
"College of DuPage has an excellent program curriculum that allowed me to continue to live at home and work." - Christine Petersen
Christine's COD StoryCOD Stories
"I was able to get a world-class education from a fantastic academic staff while applying what I was doing in classroom to an industry that I wanted to be a part of." - Roy Beaumont
Roy's COD StoryCOD Stories
"Being at College of DuPage allows me to combine working at a hotel with preparing students for the industry. I couldn’t ask for a better position.” - Jamie Fredericks
Jamie's COD StoryGet Started Today
The first step to getting started in Hospitality and Tourism Management is to apply for admission.
Academic and Career Pathways give you a roadmap to achieving your career goals. Follow a pathway based on your degree or certificate that outlines which classes you need to take and when so you graduate on time or move on to the next phase in your career.
Hospitality and Tourism Program graduates will
- Engage in critical analysis and creative thinking
- Apply the basic principles of analytical thinking and problem solving when examining hospitality management issues
- Analyze trends and organizational data and develop business strategies for the hospitality industry
- Collect and evaluate information to make sound decisions
- Demonstrate the ability to integrate concepts and theories across functional business domains (e.g. Finance, Marketing, Human Resources, Operations, etc.)
- Demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and attitudes to function effectively in a diverse and global organizational environment
- Demonstrate proficiency in the application of selected technology
- Synthesize core concepts in the areas of hospitality accounting, finance, human resources, marketing, operations, and quantitative methods
- Demonstrate personal and professional standards for ethical decision-making and social behavior
- Evaluate personal and professional goals and development based on perceived strengths and potential for life-long learning
- Demonstrate the ability to read, listen, and clearly express themselves using written, oral, visual, and quantitative methods to communicate effectively with superiors, coworkers, customers, and members of the community
- Demonstrate leadership, teamwork, and interpersonal skills needed for managing diverse and global hospitality operations
College of DuPage partners with several four-year institutions to help students seamlessly complete a bachelor’s degree in Hospitality and Tourism Management. Students can connect with Transfer Services for personalized guidance on transfer opportunities.
For more information about Transfer Pathways, visit the College of DuPage Catalog. The pathway outlines a typical two-year course plan for completing an AA or AS degree before transferring to a four-year program. Course requirements vary by institution, so consult your faculty or academic advisor for specific guidance.
Articulation Agreements
College of DuPage maintains transfer agreements with many colleges and universities to ensure a smooth transition toward a bachelor’s degree. These agreements often include a defined course sequence. Students should regularly meet with a faculty member or the Counseling and Advising office to stay on track.- Eastern Illinois University, AAS Hospitality and Tourism, Hospitality Management to BS in Hospitality and Tourism Management
- Eastern Illinois University, AAS Hospitality and Tourism, Meeting and Event Planning to BS in Hospitality and Tourism Management
- Northern Illinois University, AAS Hospitality Management to BS in Hospitality and Tourism Management, emphasis in Hospitality Management
- Northern Illinois University, AAS Meeting and Event Planning to BS in Hospitality and Tourism Management, emphasis in Meeting and Event Planning
- Roosevelt University, AAS in Hospitality Management to BS in Hospitality and Tourism Management (3+1)
- Roosevelt University, AAS in Meeting and Events Planning to BS in Hospitality and Tourism Management (3+1)
- Roosevelt University, AAS in Restaurant Management to BS in Hospitality and Tourism Management (3+1)
- Roosevelt University, AAS in Travel and Tourism to BS in Hospitality and Tourism Management (3+1)
- Western Illinois University, AAS in Hospitality Management to BS in Recreation, Park & Tourism, Option of Study: Tourism, Hospitality and Event Management Administration (RPTA)
- Western Illinois University, AAS in Meeting and Event Planning to BS in Recreation, Park & Tourism Administration (RPTA), Option of Study: Tourism, Hospitality and Event Management
- Western Illinois University, AAS in Restaurant Management to BS in Recreation, Park & Tourism Administration (RPTA), Option of Study: Tourism, Hospitality and Event Management
- Western Illinois University, AAS in Travel and Tourism to BS in Recreation, Park & Tourism Administration (RPTA), Option of Study: Tourism, Hospitality and Event Management
Transfer Guides
Beyond articulation agreements and guaranteed admission programs, College of DuPage courses transfer to many other institutions. Transfer Guides help students select COD courses that meet prerequisites for specific majors and include details such as contact information, major requirements, general education requirements, and transfer policies.- Southern Illinois University Carbondale, AAS Hospitality Management to BS in Hospitality, Tourism and Event Management
- Southern Illinois University Carbondale, AAS Restaurant Management to BS in Hospitality, Tourism and Event Management
- Southern Illinois University Carbondale, AAS Travel and Tourism to BS in Hospitality, Tourism and Event Management
Career Information
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