What Subjects Are Taught in a Catering & Hotel Management Diploma Program?
Students working toward a catering and hotel management degree study a variety of subjects related to the hospitality and lodging industries. Read on to find out more about the topics, courses, and skills taught in these diploma programs.
Preparing for a Career in Hospitality Management
Catering and hotel management are key facets of the hospitality industry. For a hotel to run smoothly, catering and hotel managers must supervise employees and monitor the services that guests expect and enjoy. Catering and hotel management diploma programs typically give students a broad overview of the industry and its key services.
<h3 id="section---ImportantFactsAboutHospitalityManagementDiplomaPrograms">Important Facts About Hospitality Management Diploma Programs</h3><p></p><table border="1"><tr><td> Online Availability </td><td> Yes</td></tr>
<tr><td> Prerequisites </td><td> High school diploma, GED, or equivalent</td></tr>
<tr><td> Common Courses</td><td> Event planning, food and beverage management, hospitality marketing and advertising, human resources management, mathematics/accounting, information systems</td></tr>
<tr><td> Possible Careers </td><td> Lodging managers, food service managers, revenue overseer, front-office managers, cruise ship officials, residence and housekeeping managers,</td></tr>
<tr><td>Median Salary (2018)*</td><td>$54,240 <i>(Food Service Managers)</i> <br/> $53,390 <i>(Lodging Managers)</i></td></tr>
<tr><td>Job Outlook (2018-2028)*</td><td>11% <i>(Food Service Managers)</i> <br/> 1% <i>(Lodging Managers)</i></td></tr>
</table><p><i>Source: *U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (www.bls.org)</i>
</p><h3 id="section---CateringAndHotelManagementCourses">Catering and Hotel Management Courses</h3><p>The coursework of many catering and hotel management diploma programs is designed to cover all facets of the hotel and hospitality industry. For example, hotel managers must understand how all divisions of the hotel staff work together on a daily basis. Many diploma programs offer step-by-step instruction on these operations. Students can also expect to take courses to learn the operation of hotel housekeeping services. Some courses even provide an overview of hotel engineering and maintenance issues, including air conditioning, heating and electricity. Some sample courses that students enrolled in catering and hotel management diploma programs can expect to take include:
</p><ul><li>History of the hospitality industry
</li><li>Cost control
</li><li>Marketing and brand management
</li><li>Front office operations
</li><li>Human resources management
</li><li>Managing the hotel guest experience
</li><li>Hospitality accounting
</li><li>Restaurant and banquet service
</li><li>Menu planning
</li><li>Alcoholic beverages
</li></ul><p>Of course, specific courses will vary based on the college or university, as well as the length of the program. Students pursuing a bachelor's degree will go into more depth and take a broader range of courses than those working toward an associate's degree or certificate.
</p><h3 id="section---HospitalityDegreeProgramsKeySkills">Hospitality Degree Programs: Key Skills</h3><p>In hotel management and catering diploma programs, students learn to interact with people, work with hotel computing systems, become organized, and solve hospitality issues. According to the College Board, aspiring catering and hotel management professionals gain skills in the following areas:
</p><h4 id="section---FinancesAndMarketing">Finances and Marketing</h4><p>Students learn about making sales and marketing their hotel packages. They learn about legal and insurance issues, as well as budget management.
</p><h4 id="section---FoodPreparationAndSafety">Food Preparation and Safety</h4><p>Students learn about planning menus, preparing foods, and storing, serving and purchasing foods for restaurants and banquets. They focus on maintaining food safety and organizing a dining room.
</p><h4 id="section---EmployeeManagement">Employee Management</h4><p>Students learn to manage employees, create schedules, and deal with discipline issues. They learn about various aspects of human resources.
</p><h4 id="section---CustomerService">Customer Service</h4><p>Students learn to provide customer relations and manage customer expectations. They learn to respond to complaints and manage public relations.
</p><h3 id="section---InternshipOpportunities">Internship Opportunities</h3><p>Many catering and hotel management diploma programs include an internship that provides students with hands-on experience working in the hospitality industry. Students shadow hotel managers and help with all aspects of the job. Your internship experience may vary based on the type of hotel you are interning in, whether a luxury resort, a large chain motel, or a historic bed and breakfast.
</p><h3 id="section---HotelManagementCoursesOnline">Hotel Management Courses Online</h3><p>The courses and skills described above are available in traditional classroom formats as well as in many online programs. Online hotel management associate's degrees and online hotel management bachelor's degrees are both available, making it easier than ever to enter this field.</p>