Easiest Hospitality Management Degree Programs & Colleges

Hospitality management can be a fun career path with a lot of different job options. If you're looking to break into this field, perhaps you're wondering about the degrees available and which degree programs are the easiest.

We have you covered. Read on as we discuss the different levels and types of hospitality management degree programs, the schools offering them, and how to choose the easiest program for you.

What Are the Different Types of Hospitality Management Degrees?

To determine which types of hospitality management degrees are easiest, it's first necessary to identify the different types of programs available. Let's take a closer look.

Associate Degrees

Many people pursue associate degrees in hospitality management. These popular entry-level degree programs are available at many junior colleges and colleges. They take about two years to finish and can lead to various careers or transfer to a four-year program.

Bachelor's Degrees

Bachelor's degrees in hospitality management are another popular degree choice. These programs are twice as long as associate degrees, and they take about four years to complete. Available at many colleges and universities, these types of hospitality management degrees are some of the most versatile, providing a wide range of career options as well as the ability to attend graduate school.

Master's Degrees

Hospitality management master's degrees are a little less common than associate and bachelor's degrees but are still prevalent. They typically take about two years to finish and are open to students who have completed a bachelor's degree. These types of degrees can help students transition into a hospitality management career or advance in their current career, pursuing pay increases or promotions.

Doctoral Degrees

Doctoral degrees (Ph.D.) in hospitality management are the least common and generally regarded as the most difficult. They can take anywhere from four to seven years to finish on average. These terminal degrees provide the opportunity to become professors or researchers in the field of hospitality management or to pursue top-level positions in their existing careers.

Online Degrees

Many two- and four-year schools offer hospitality management degrees online. The types of degrees available may vary from school to school. Online degrees are a great option for busy students who are trying to juggle school and other commitments, as they allow for a more flexible study schedule.

What Are the Easiest Types of Hospitality Management Degree Programs?

As you might imagine, there's no surefire way to determine the easiest type of hospitality management degree program. Every student will have a different idea of what's easy and what's not.

Even the same basic types of degree programs available at two different schools will have different course requirements, different professors, and will provide different student experiences.

Many students would probably agree that associate degrees are the easiest types of hospitality management degrees. But again, this may vary by school.

Also, students often agree that online programs are easier than traditional campus-based programs thanks to the great degree of flexibility they offer. But this flexibility can be both a blessing and a curse.

Some students thrive in a flexible learning environment and would not be able to complete their degree if it weren't for studying online. However, other students do better in the more structured environment of the classroom.

But, if you're just entering college for the first time, the main decision you'll have to make right now is whether to pursue an associate's or a bachelor's degree.

What Are Some Schools That Offer Hospitality Management Programs?

Now that you know a little more about the hospitality management degrees available, let's talk about a few of the many schools offering these types of degrees.

1. Penn State University

Pennsylvania State University, more commonly known as Penn State, is a public school consisting of various campus locations. It is made up of nearly 90,000 students.

The school offers the following hospitality management degrees:

• Bachelor of Science in hospitality management
• Master of Science in hospitality management
• Doctor of Philosophy in hospitality management

Each of these programs is available in traditional, campus-based formats.

2. University of South Carolina

The University of South Carolina is the flagship campus of the University of South Carolina System. Located in Columbia, South Carolina, it enrolls more than 35,000 students.

This school also offers several types of hospitality management degrees, including:

• Bachelor of Science in hospitality management
• Master of International Hospitality and Tourism Management
• Doctor of Philosophy in hospitality management

Various related programs in tourism management, sport and entertainment management, and retail management are also available.

3. Grand Canyon University

Grand Canyon University is a large private school with nearly 100,000 students. It is located in Phoenix, Arizona, though many of its student body study online.

This school offers a Bachelor of Science in hospitality management. This program consists of 120 credits, and students have the option to transfer up to 90 credits from another school. The program can be completed either online or on campus. Online classes are offered in eight-week sessions, while campus-based classes are completed in 15 weeks.

4. University of North Texas - Dallas

The University of North Texas - Dallas is the only public university inside the city limits of Dallas, Texas. It is a fairly new school, having obtained standalone university status in 2009, and it enrolls around 3,500 students.

This school offers a Bachelor of Business Administration in hospitality management, as well as a minor and certificate in the subject. The focus on business in this degree program gives students a multidisciplinary approach to hospitality management. Graduates of this program can pursue many career options, including hotel, resort, and restaurant management; event planning; and hospitality sales and marketing.

5. Johnson and Wales University

Johnson and Wales University is a private school in Providence, Rhode Island. This school was established in 1914 and currently enrolls around 7,300 students.

This school offers several hospitality management degrees, as follows:

• Associate in Science in hospitality management
• Bachelor of Science in hospitality management
• Master of Science in hospitality management
• Master of Business Administration in hospitality

Each of these programs can be completed entirely online through the completion of flexible, eight-week-long courses.

Start Your Hospitality Management Degree Today

If you're ready to pursue a hospitality management career path, check out the schools above to find out which one offers the easiest and most applicable degree program for you.