Hospitality and Tourism Management

The School of Hospitality and Tourism Management at the University of South Carolina is recognized as one of the best hospitality and tourism management schools in the country. The school offers tourism degrees and hospitality degrees that are led by world-renowned faculty who provide students with industry knowledge, research insights, mentorship and career experience.

The School of Hospitality and Tourism Management's mission is to educate global leaders for the hospitality and tourism industry through innovative and experiential curriculum, research and community engagement. The University of South Carolina is ranked top 10 in the country for hospitality and tourism management degree programs.

Highlights

Degree Programs

Four hospitality and tourism management degrees are available at USC, including two undergraduate degrees and two graduate degrees:

For students who would like to further specialize, degree focus areas in meeting and event management, food and beverage management, hotel and resort management and tourism management are available. Hospitality management majors may also choose a club management concentration.

For non-degree seeking students, there are also continuing education programs including a Culinary Institute Certification.

Hospitality and tourism impact people’s lives every day. From the restaurants where friends dine, to the places people visit, to the vacations and events that mark life’s milestones — this industry is led by moment makers. A hospitality degree or tourism degree is ideal for students who are passionate about creating memories and experiences for people to enjoy.

Career Success

Whether you want to live and work in South Carolina or travel the world, a hospitality management or tourism management degree provides a wide variety of career paths.

Claire Sharpe, '20, B.S. hospitality management, is the recreation expert at the Ritz-Carlton, Bachelor Gulch, in Avon, Colorado.
Dashon Murray, '19, B.S. tourism management, is a finance corporate management trainee at the Hyatt in Seattle, Washington.
Tatiana Allgeyer, '19, Master of International Hospitality and Tourism Management, is doing a rotational internship with The Alotian Club in Little Rock, Arkansas.
Zahria Barber, '19, B.S. hospitality management, is food and beverage management associate at MGM Resorts International in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Tayler Metivier, '19, B.S. hospitality management, is assistant operations manager, rooms at the Andaz Maui At Wailea Resort, Wailea, Hawaii.
Nevonne Burrell, '19, B.S. in hospitality management, is a member services captain at The Alotian Club in Little Rock, Arkansas.
Cammie Nguyen, '19, hospitality management, is manager in training with Hotel Equities in Charlotte, North Carolina.
Kennon Beach, '18, hospitality management, works in the events department at Gaylord Opryland in Nashville, Tennessee.
Scotty Atherton, '18, B.S. hospitality management, is operations manager for Aramark in Boston, Massachusetts.
Santiago Vasquez, '18, hospitality management, is sales coordinator at The Sanctuary, Kiawah Golf Resort on Kiawah Island, South Carolina.
Brianna Jones Allen, '17, hospitality management, is operations manager for Courtyard by Marriott in Atlanta, Georgia.
Megan Anderson, '16, B.S. in hospitality management, is lead of campus onboarding for Capital One in Washington, D.C.
Isaac Pressley, '17, hospitality management, works in the food and beverage department for The Ritz Carlton Rancho Mirage in Rancho Mirage, California.
Ally Paragano, '16, B.S. in hospitality management, is character captain at Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida.
Dominique Gray, '12, hospitality management, is the director of operations for the Texas Tech Club in Lubbock, Texas.

Below are just a few examples of the rewarding tourism careers and hospitality careers:
Convention and visitors bureau director, cruise ship manager, director of operations, destination marketer, event / conference planner, event technology specialist, festival promoter, food and beverage director, golf or country club, manager, golf tournament planner, guest experience manager, hotel general manager, human resources manager, marketing and events coordinator, property manager, resort operations specialist, restaurant franchise owner, restaurant manager, revenue manager, sales director, travel analyst, training manager, tourism strategist, wedding planner, wine and beverage operations manager.

Explore

Our industries have the power to connect cultures, inspire adventures and strengthen global economies, so student travel opportunities are important. Our faculty lead custom study abroad courses in Italy, Peru, The Galapagos Islands, Aruba, and many more locations around the world.

Learn More

For general information about the School of Hospitality and Tourism Management, please contact Georgia Petritsis at 803-777-6665.

Accreditation Commission for Programs in Hospitality and Tourism Management

Program Student Profile

Academic Years: 2017–2018 2018–2019 2019–2020

Undergraduate Enrollment — Major	3 Years Ago	2 Years Ago	1 Year Ago
Number of Students	697	664	658
Number of Graduates	178	190	194
Student / Faculty Ratio	24:1	24:1	:1
Retention Rate Percentage — Freshmen to Sophomore (for all programs)	89.7%	89%	%
Percent of students employed in the hospitality industry or a related field within 90 days after graduation	89%	74%	57%
Percent of students continuing their education within 90 days after graduation	7%	12%	20%

College of Hospitality, Retail and Sport Management