Scott Smith, Ph.D.
Graduate Program Director and Associate Professor
School of Hospitality and Tourism Management
Learn from world-renowned scholars and industry experts at one of the top graduate programs in the country. The University of South Carolina's School of Hospitality and Tourism Management is ranked in the top 10 in the U.S. for hospitality and tourism management.
Degree Program Highlights
- 30 credit-hour program: Earn your master’s degree in one year!
- Flexible curriculum delivery: Study online or on campus.
- Thesis and professional tracks.
- Learn from global scholars and industry leaders
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Among the Best
The University of South Carolina ranks among the top 10 schools in the U.S. for hospitality and tourism management according to the ShanghaiRanking's 2022 Global Ranking of Academic Subjects.
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Career Success
Laurie Savidge, director of operations at Marriott’s Grande Ocean on Hilton Head Island, S.C., has been working with Marriott Vacations Woldwide for over a decade.
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Here to Help
Want more information or to speak with someone regarding our Master of International Hospitality and Tourism Management degree program? Fill out our form and we'll be in touch!
On Your Schedule
Students have the option to earn their master's degree in hospitality and tourism management on campus or via distance learning and at their own pace. Synchronous distance delivery using Adobe Connect provides remote students with an engaging, interactive classroom experience where they learn in real time with on-campus classmates and professors. Additional asynchronous course options give students the flexibility to complete courses online and at their convenience.
Customized Curriculum
The degree program includes 30 credit hours of innovative classes covering specialized topics in business analytics, strategic leadership, marketing and social media, customer experience management, talent management and finance. Elective courses and field projects allow students to tailor their degree to their interests, including international learning opportunities. Thesis (research) and non-thesis (professional) tracks are available to match students’ career objectives.
Industry Innovation
The School of Hospitality and Tourism Management is home to world-renowned scholars, industry experts and impactful research centers that provide opportunities for students to get involved in cutting edge research:
- SmartState Center of Economic Excellence in Tourism and Economic Development
- International Institute for Foodservice Research and Education
- International Tourism and Research Institute
- Culinary and Wine and Beverage Institutes
Graduate Spotlights
Three Ways to Get Started
- For current bachelor’s degree students, the accelerated bachelor’s to master’s program allows you to start taking graduate classes as part of your undergraduate coursework. This option is perfect for any student who wants to graduate with two degrees in less time.
- Working professionals and alumni who aren’t ready to commit to earning their master’s can take a “test drive” of up to two classes as a non-degree seeking student. Those classes will count towards a master’s degree if the student later decides to join the program. Prospective students interested in this option can fill out our interest form or visit the graduate school’s non-degree seeking student application.
- And for students who have their undergraduate degree and are ready to earn their master’s, we accept new students throughout the year and can create a course plan that matches your career goals and schedule. More information on how to apply to the MIHTM program is below.
Application Deadlines
- Spring semester: November 15
- Summer session: May 1
- Fall Session: July 1
International student deadlines are one month earlier.
Admission Requirements
All applicants for the MIHTM program must apply through the Graduate School. For more detailed information about the specific degree requirements, please visit the academic bulletin. Prospective students should complete the main application form and pay the $50 application fee online. In addition, applicants must send all supporting material directly to the Graduate School.
The following supporting material is required with the application:
- A current resume.
- A one- to two-page statement of career objectives that states how the MIHTM curriculum will help the applicant achieve their career objectives.
- At least two letters of recommendation, with at least one from a current or former professor who can comment on the applicant’s ability to succeed in graduate studies. The Letter of Recommendation Form from the Graduate School website may be used but is not required. Letters may be sent directly from recommenders or, if submitted by the applicant, must be submitted in a sealed envelope with the recommender’s signature across the sealed flap.
- One official transcript from each college or university attended (undergraduate and, if applicable, graduate). Successful applicants generally have a GPA of 3.0 or above (on a 4.0 scale).
- Official Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) or Graduate Record Exam (GRE) scores. Successful applicants generally score at least 500 (verbal and quantitative combined) on the GMAT or at least 300 on the GRE. GMAT/GRE scores more than five years old will not be accepted under any circumstances. The code for submitting GMAT scores is 5818.
- Applicants whose native language is not English must submit TOEFL or IELTS scores. International applicants who have received a degree from a college or university in the United States are not required to submit a TOEFL or IELTS. Test scores are valid for two years only.
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