Professional Paper Option
Master of Science in Hospitality Management
Minimum Required Credit Hours: 36
All MS degree candidates with a professional paper (non-thesis) option must complete a minimum of 36 semester credit hours of graduate coursework at the University of Houston in order to receive the MS degree. Students must also take at least 27 out of 36 semester credit hours at Hilton College.
The curriculum for this program requires students to complete courses in five areas, including hospitality management core courses, support courses, a focus course, a professional paper and electives. The credit hours necessary for graduation are as follows:
| Course Requirement | Semester Credit Hours |
|---|---|
| Hospitality Management Core Courses Support Courses Focus Course Electives Total |
19 9 3 5 36 |
Prerequisite Courses
Prerequisite requirements are determined through the evaluation of prior coursework by the Graduate Program director. Students are responsible for meeting any prerequisite deficiencies prior to taking their core courses.
Competency in the areas of finance and accounting, organizational behavior, marketing and management information systems is expected of all MS degree candidates. Competency in English, as well as a second language, is also highly recommended.
| Hotel and Restaurant Management Core Courses (19 credit hours) | Credit | |
|---|---|---|
| Statistical Data Analysis for the Hospitality Industry | ||
| Services Management | 3 | |
| HRMA 6369 | Hospitality Financial Assets Planning & Management | 3 |
| HRMA 6382 | Methods of Research in Hospitality Management | 3 |
| HRMA 6360 | Hospitality Graduate Directed Practicum | 3 |
| HRMA 6101 | Colloquium | 1 |
| HRMA 6190 | Research Proposal | 1 |
| HRMA 6290 | Professional Paper I | 2 |
| Support Courses (choose 9 hours) | Credit | |
|---|---|---|
| Legal Issues in the Hospitality Industry | ||
| Human Resources Management in the Hospitality Industry | 3 | |
| HRMA 6361 | Hospitality Marketing Analysis | 3 |
| HRMA 6366 | Hospitality Management Strategies | 3 |
| HRMA 6397 | Hospitality Real Estate Finance | 3 |
| HRMA 6341 | Food & Beverage Systems Management | 3 |
| HRMA 6397 | Hospitality Education |
3 |
| Open** | Needs pre-approval | 3 |
| Focus Courses (choose 3 hours) | Credit | |
|---|---|---|
| Beverage Management | ||
| Lodging Operations Management | 3 | |
| HRMA 6357 | Gaming & Casino Management | 3 |
| HRMA 6397 | Contract Food Service Management | 3 |
| HRMA 6335 | Sensory Branding for Hospitality Industry |
3 |
| HRMA 6334 | Pricing & Revenue Management | 3 |
| Elective Courses (choose 5 hours) | Credit | |
|---|---|---|
| HRMA 6198/ 6298/6398 |
Special Problems (Professor approval required) | 1/2/3 |
| HRMA 6326 | Catering Management | 3 |
| HRMA 6329 | Negotiations for Services Industry | 3 |
| HRMA 6336 | Facilities Management | 3 |
| HRMA 6345 | Wine Appreciation | 3 |
| HRMA 6355 | Event Administration | 3 |
| Hotel Development | ||
| HRMA 6365 | Tourism & Travel | 3 |
| HRMA 6372 | MTWEP I (~300 clock hours, check deadline) | 3 |
| HRMA 6373 | MTWEP II (~300 clock hours, check deadline) | 3 |
| HRMA 6383 | Country Club Operations Management | 3 |
| HRMA 6384 | Gourmet Night Management I | 3 |
| HRMA 6387 | Gourmet Night Management II | 3 |
| HRMA 6350 | Hotel Gaming Operations: France | 3 |
| HRMA 6349 | Hospitality Purchasing | 3 |
| HRMA 6397 | Selected Topics | 3 |
| Open** | Any other graduate level HRMA course(s) that have not been taken for the above requirements |
1-5 |
Core Course Waivers and Substitutions
Core curriculum hours cannot be waived under any circumstances. The academic advisor and instructor of that particular core course must approve all substitutions. All coursework substituted in this manner must be completed at the 6000 level or above. A general petition is required.
Open Options
**The OPEN course option can be designated to one support course in the student's desired area of study based on the pre-approval of the program director or advisor.