How Many Years Is Hospitality and Tourism Management?

By Alice Nichols

Are you considering pursuing a career in the hospitality and tourism industry? If so, one of the questions that may be on your mind is how long it will take to complete your degree in hospitality and tourism management. In this article, we will explore the answer to this question in depth.

What is Hospitality and Tourism Management?

Before we delve into the number of years it takes to complete a degree in hospitality and tourism management, let’s first discuss what this field entails. Hospitality and tourism management is a program that prepares individuals to work in various sectors of the hospitality industry such as lodging, food service, event planning, and more. It involves learning skills related to customer service, marketing, finance, human resources, and operations management.

How Many Years Does It Take to Complete a Degree in Hospitality and Tourism Management?

The length of time it takes to complete a degree in hospitality and tourism management can vary depending on several factors such as the level of degree you pursue (associate’s, bachelor’s or master’s), whether you attend school full-time or part-time, and if you have any prior college credits that may transfer over.

  • Associate’s Degree: Typically takes 2 years to complete if attending full-time.
  • Bachelor’s Degree: Usually takes 4 years to complete if attending full-time.
  • Master’s Degree: Generally takes an additional 2 years beyond a bachelor’s degree.

Full-Time versus Part-Time Study

Attending school full-time typically means taking 12-15 credit hours per semester while part-time study means taking less than 12 credit hours per semester. Therefore, if you choose to attend school part-time while pursuing your associate’s or bachelor’s degree, it may take you longer than the typical 2 or 4 years to complete your degree.

Prior College Credits

If you have prior college credits that may transfer over, it can reduce the amount of time it takes to complete your degree. For example, if you have an associate’s degree in a related field and want to pursue a bachelor’s degree in hospitality and tourism management, you may be able to transfer some of your previously earned credits towards your new degree.

Conclusion

In summary, the amount of time it takes to complete a degree in hospitality and tourism management varies depending on several factors. However, if attending school full-time, an associate’s degree typically takes 2 years to complete while a bachelor’s and master’s degree take 4 years and 2 additional years beyond a bachelor’s degree, respectively. Keep in mind that part-time study and prior college credits can also affect the length of time it takes to complete your degree.