The Department of Hospitality and Tourism Management is one of six departments in the Pamplin College of Business. Our curriculum and program are fully integrated into the College of Business and accredited by AACSB (The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business). We aspire to be the world’s premier business education and leadership program in Hospitality and Tourism Management. In all of our programs, we provide students with a first class business education taught by an internationally recognized faculty who are actively engaged in professional practice and research.
The Department is consistently ranked in the top five of HTM programs worldwide. Recent rankings include top five rankings for the quality of our faculty and our undergraduate, masters, and Ph.D. programs. Four of the top 25 tourism researchers worldwide are in the Department. Included on the faculty are two elected Fellow in the International Academy for the Study of Tourism, two editors for major hospitality and tourism scholarly journals, and lifetime members in the Hotel Sales and Marketing Association, International. The faculty currently serve or have recently served on the boards of directors of the Council on Hotel, Restaurant and Institutional Education, The Virginia Hospitality and Tourism Association, Meeting Planners International, Travel and Tourism Research Association, and the International Franchise Association. Further, the Pamplin College of Business is consistently ranked as one of the nation’s top 50 business schools.
The Department is a tier one recruiting school for many of the major hospitality corporations in the USA, including Marriott, Hilton, Hyatt, Sodexo, Compass, Darden and many others. For the past five years, the Department has averaged more than 70 percent of its graduates having jobs on graduation morning. Using endowment funds provided by these and other companies, the Department each year awards nearly $50,000 in scholarships to HTM students.
The Virginia Tech Hospitality and Tourism Management (HTM) graduate program is consistent with the mission of a comprehensive research university; our program emphasizes developing student ability to generate new knowledge through research. HTM is one of six departments in the Pamplin College of Business. Our vision, which permeates throughout our graduate program, is to be the premier business education and research program in hospitality and tourism management. Our graduate program is widely recognized as one of the premier programs of its kind in the nation. Graduates are prepared for challenging careers in academic and/or industry positions in hospitality and tourism management. Two principles permeate our graduate programs. First, one of the most important dimensions of the graduate program is its focus on the application of theories and methodologies from a variety of disciplines to hospitality and tourism management. The department provides extensive opportunities for graduate students to partner with faculty to conduct research on significant industry problems. Second, the program is customized to the student's interests; degree candidates and their advisory committees plan individual graduate programs pursuant to the students' career goals and degree requirements. For graduate students at the Masters level, the program provides an opportunity for growth as a student and as a career-directed individual. The goal is to provide middle management personnel, consultants and researchers to the hospitality and tourism industry. This goal is accomplished by providing a stimulating environment that encourages seeking knowledge and applying it to the needs of the industry. Fulfillment of the goal occurs as a result of considerable interface and focus, in the classroom and out, with industry and educational leaders on issues of immediate and long-term importance to the industry.
At the Ph.D. level, the program provides an understanding of the body of knowledge in hospitality and tourism management and develops abilities to achieve scholarly success. These abilities include competency in research/problem solving and teaching/communication. Ph.D. candidates are expected to recognize and maintain the highest standards of academic/scholarly performance. The goal of the program is to provide superior educators, researchers and scholars to top tier university programs in hospitality and tourism management. This goal is accomplished by creating a scholarly research environment which makes available to the student opportunities for writing, publishing, research, consulting and teaching.
At both the MS and Ph.D. levels, the student's plan of study is designed and approved in conjunction with a graduate advisory committee comprised of a chair and a minimum of either two (MS) or three (Ph.D.) graduate faculty members. On admission into the graduate program, an initial advisory committee is assigned by the Graduate Program Director. The student has the ability to change this committee after s/he has the opportunity to better know the faculty and articulate her/his interests. The MBA program is administered by the graduate faculty at the National Capital Region campus. The following reflects the general framework of the Ph.D. plans of study.
Master of Business Administration (Falls Church campus)Virginia Tech’s Hospitality and Tourism Management graduate program emphasizes the applications of business concepts and strategies to hospitality and tourism management. We offer three graduate degrees, a Master of Science and Ph.D. on our Blacksburg campus, and the Pamplin Master of Business Administration through our Northern Virginia Campus in Falls Church, Virginia.
The Master of Science (MS) is designed to prepare you for either management positions with hospitality and tourism-related companies (non-thesis option) or as an important step toward a Ph.D. and subsequent academic career (thesis option). The Doctorate of Philosophy (Ph.D.) degree embodies the mission of a comprehensive, research-oriented, land grant university – to create and disseminate new knowledge; most Ph.D. graduates go on to academic careers in university settings throughout the world.
The MBA program at the National Capital Region campus is a professional degree built heavily on evening programs for working professionals in the Washington DC area.
The MS and Ph.D. degrees require students to complete an original research project under the supervision of a faculty advisor and committee.
In addition to the information on this website, further information about graduate study on the Blacksburg campus (MS & Ph.D.) is available on the Graduate School Website (http://graduateschool.vt.edu). Further information on the National Capital Region MBA program is located at http://www.mbancr.pamplin.vt.edu/.
The depth and quality of our faculty provides a wide range of opportunities for success. Included on the faculty are renowned international scholars, journal editors, and professional leaders. Numerous studies to rank both faculty and graduate programs have consistently identified Virginia Tech as one of the premier programs worldwide.
While the faculty expertise and resources within the department of hospitality and tourism management are an important component of the graduate program, the varied backgrounds and experiences of our graduate students also contributes to the success of the program. Our graduates come from a broad variety of US and international colleges and universities, and bring a relevant and interesting range of work experiences to the classroom.
Bachelor Degree
The Virginia Tech Hospitality and Tourism Management (HTM) graduate program is consistent with the mission of a comprehensive research university; our program emphasizes developing student ability to generate new knowledge through research. HTM is one of six departments in the Pamplin College of Business. Our vision, which permeates throughout our graduate program, is to be the premier business education and research program in hospitality and tourism management. Our graduate program is widely recognized as one of the premier programs of its kind in the nation. Graduates are prepared for challenging careers in academic and/or industry positions in hospitality and tourism management. Two principles permeate our graduate programs. First, one of the most important dimensions of the graduate program is its focus on the application of theories and methodologies from a variety of disciplines to hospitality and tourism management. The department provides extensive opportunities for graduate students to partner with faculty to conduct research on significant industry problems. Second, the program is customized to the student's interests; degree candidates and their advisory committees plan individual graduate programs pursuant to the students' career goals and degree requirements. For graduate students at the Masters level, the program provides an opportunity for growth as a student and as a career-directed individual. The goal is to provide middle management personnel, consultants and researchers to the hospitality and tourism industry. This goal is accomplished by providing a stimulating environment that encourages seeking knowledge and applying it to the needs of the industry. Fulfillment of the goal occurs as a result of considerable interface and focus, in the classroom and out, with industry and educational leaders on issues of immediate and long-term importance to the industry.
At the Ph.D. level, the program provides an understanding of the body of knowledge in hospitality and tourism management and develops abilities to achieve scholarly success. These abilities include competency in research/problem solving and teaching/communication. Ph.D. candidates are expected to recognize and maintain the highest standards of academic/scholarly performance. The goal of the program is to provide superior educators, researchers and scholars to top tier university programs in hospitality and tourism management. This goal is accomplished by creating a scholarly research environment which makes available to the student opportunities for writing, publishing, research, consulting and teaching.
At both the MS and Ph.D. levels, the student's plan of study is designed and approved in conjunction with a graduate advisory committee comprised of a chair and a minimum of either two (MS) or three (Ph.D.) graduate faculty members. On admission into the graduate program, an initial advisory committee is assigned by the Graduate Program Director. The student has the ability to change this committee after s/he has the opportunity to better know the faculty and articulate her/his interests. The MBA program is administered by the graduate faculty at the National Capital Region campus. The following reflects the general framework of the MS plans of study.
The undergraduate program in Hospitality and Tourism Management has approximately 450 actively involved students from throughout Virginia, much of the United States, and several other countries. These students earn a Bachelors of Science in Business Administration with a major in Hospitality and Tourism Management.
Included in their program of study is a mix of general education, business, and HTM courses, along with a required internship / field study experience. Importantly, the program is flexible to allow and encourage students earning second majors and minors in related areas of business management. The curriculum is fully accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB).
Throughout our program we instill a core value to Think Globally, Decide Locally, and Act Ethically. Special emphasis is directed to the development of ethical decision making, leadership, and communications skills. To enhance student understanding of global business, we lead the Pamplin College of Business in the development and implementation of International Study Abroad programs. Finally, we offer an educational environment that encourages students to grow and develop both as a global citizen and as a career minded individual.
The program is taught by an outstanding faculty with broad industry experience and international reputations, including former presidents and vice presidents of major hospitality corporations, hotel and resort general managers, and world renowned scholars. Students have the opportunity to pursue their specialized interests and study with the best faculty. Moreover, the faculty serve as academic and professional advisors to the students, strengthening our student interaction and relationships.
We are proud to be part of the Pamplin College of Business, giving our students a strong competitive advantage for management positions in hospitality and tourism management. Our graduates are actively recruited by virtually all of the major HTM businesses worldwide. Over the past five years, more than 70 percent of our graduates have jobs on graduation morning. Moreover, they have been successful, advancing quickly to middle and senior management positions.
The Department supports three undergraduate student organizations; The Hospitality Management Association, a chapter of the Club Management Association of America, and a chapter of the HTM honorary society Eta Sigma Delta. Through these organizations, students have opportunities for professional development, industry networking, and community service.
University Core, Pamplin College of Business Core, HTM Core, plus electives and field study / internship.