Master of Science in Hospitality and Tourism Management

WHAT IS IT?

An advanced degree program to better prepare future leaders in the hospitality and tourism industry.

WHY CHOOSE HOSPITALITY AND TOURISM MANAGEMENT?

Tourism is the world’s largest industry and by the year 2011 will employ over 260 million people worldwide. Many people are unaware that beyond the frontline employees that we all see there is a cadre of highly sophisticated managers with complex and challenging jobs requiring advanced managerial skills.

WHY COMPLETE A MASTERS DEGREE?

This degree along with your work experience will give you an advantage as you progress to higher levels in your career. You will be exposed to advanced business concepts and acquire skills that will have practical applications in the workplace. Your personal development will be enhanced through interactive learning and you will have opportunities to share your experiences with people from a variety of backgrounds.

WHY SELECT THE UNIVERSITY OF NEW ORLEANS (UNO)?

UNO is a premier urban public university with over 10,000 students and has been rated as a university that offers the best value for the tuition dollar. Our mission is to produce well-rounded, three- dimensional individuals who are fully prepared to function as responsible citizens, and as skilled employees and entrepreneurs, in the complex and changing environment of a new century. UNO, a member of the Louisiana State University System, is located on the southern shore of Lake Pontchartrain in an attractive residential area that is convenient to the financial, commercial and tourism areas of the City of New Orleans. The tract of lakefront property upon which the University is situated is among some of the most scenic and valuable real estate in New Orleans. Adding to the modern academic environment of the University are the educational, cultural, business and recreational opportunities, which abound in New Orleans. The Kabacoff School is part of the College of Business Administration which maintains high standards of academic excellence in all fields of business. Both the undergraduate and graduate programs in business are accredited by the American Assembly of Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB).

WHY CHOOSE THE LESTER E. KABACOFF SCHOOL OF HOTEL, RESTAURANT AND TOURISM ADMINISTRATION (HRT)?

The Kabacoff School is named after Lester E. Kabacoff, a pioneer in the hospitality and tourism industry in New Orleans. The School has graduated students in HRT for over 30 years and has a strong, industry experienced, and internationally diverse faculty. It has close relationships not only with the hospitality and tourism industry in New Orleans but with practitioners and academics throughout the world. With the uniqueness and charm of the French Quarter, world-class cuisine and jazz, New Orleans is perhaps the greatest “living laboratory” for hospitality and tourism management in the country. Why wouldn’t you want to learn about the hospitality industry in one of the most unique and exciting tourist destinations in the world?

WHAT LEARNING AND TEACHING METHODS WILL BE USED?

In almost all cases, the emphasis will be on your active participation in the learning process. You will share your ideas and experience with others as the faculty guide you through seminars, presentations, industry internships, projects, case studies and information technology activities among others.

WHO WILL BENEFIT FROM THIS DEGREE?

In addition to the personal growth of the student, employers also will benefit from the availability of increasingly valuable human resources.

WHAT LINKS AND PARTNERSHIPS EXIST BETWEEN THE SCHOOL AND THE HOSPITALITY AND TOURISM INDUSTRY?

We are proud of our close ties to the industry that has supported us all the way; from the creation of our program in the 1970s to the current development of the Masters Degree. Our Advisory Board consists of leading executives and entrepreneurs from hotels, private clubs, destination management, restaurants and tourism organizations. Many of the courses will have industry interaction components ranging from research to operations analysis projects.

WHAT ARE THE ADMISSION STANDARDS?

Applicants are normally admitted if they have:

• a baccalaureate degree from an accredited university or equivalent,
• a minimum undergraduate grade point average of 2.5,
• a score of 400 or above on the Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) or
• a score of 246 or above on the combined verbal and quantitative sections of Graduate Record Examination (GRE)

The University operates three sessions per year (beginning in August, January, and June). The Fall and Spring Semesters meet for approximately 15 weeks; the summer semester for approximately seven weeks.