Which Nevada Schools Offer Training to Become an Event Planner?

Two public schools in Nevada offer degree programs for students interested in becoming an event planner. Learn about the undergraduate and graduate programs available, and get important school information.

What You Need to Know

You can study event planning through certificate, as well as associate's, bachelor's and master's degree programs offered through a couple of Las Vegas area public schools. Externships and internships are required, in addition to classroom learning. While certificate training takes a year and an associate's degree program takes two years, you can spend four years in a bachelor's degree program and 1-4 years in a master's degree program. Graduate students can also take online classes. The area master's degree program requires applicants to demonstrate a minimum of relevant experience; applicants also need a bachelor's degree with a minimum GPA, a resume, recommendations and an essay. Read on to see if one of these programs is right for you.

Event Planning Certificate Programs in Nevada

College of Southern Nevada - Cheyenne Campus

The College of Southern Nevada (CSN)'s hospitality programs are located on the Cheyenne campus, one of the school's three main campuses. Since tourism is a major industry in Las Vegas, by studying in the area you can gain professional experience in the field of hospitality, event planning and catering events. Through the travel and tourism certificate program, you can become familiar with the hospitality and the convention industries, studying areas such as international tourism, the basics of the travel industry and methods for marketing travel. You'll also be required to complete an externship in the tourism and convention industry.

• Program Name: Certificate of Achievement in Travel and Tourism
• Program Length: 30 credit hours (about one year, full-time)
• Tuition and Fees: $3,492 per year for Nevada residents, $10,371 per year for nonresidents (cost for 2018-2019 academic year)
• School Type: 4-year, public, primarily associate's; 34,169 students (all undergraduate, all campuses)

Event Planning Associate's Degree Programs in Nevada

College of Southern Nevada - Cheyenne Campus

In addition to general education requirements, you'll take classes in hotel, restaurant, gaming and hospitality management to earn an associate's degree at CSN. Tourism classes cover areas such as operating a travel agency, international travel, the convention industry and airline reservations. You'll also take business classes, including financial accounting and destination marketing, which pertain to the travel industry. As with the certificate program, you must complete an externship in tourism and conventions.

• Program Name: Associate of Applied Science in Travel and Tourism
• Program Length: 61 credit hours (roughly two years, full-time)
• Tuition and Fees: $3,492 per year for Nevada residents, $10,371 per year for nonresidents (cost for 2018-2019 academic year)
• School Type: 4-year, public, primarily associate's; 34,169 students (all undergraduate, all campuses)

Event Planning Bachelor's Degree Programs in Nevada

University of Nevada - Las Vegas

The University of Nevada-Las Vegas' hospitality programs are available through the William F. Harrah College of Hotel Administration. Through the bachelor's degree program, you can learn how to arrange, plan and host meetings, conferences, conventions, special events, trade shows and entertainment performances. In addition to courses that provide an overview of the hospitality industry, you'll study accounting, marketing, management, finances, employment, lodging management and cost control specific to the hospitality industry. Other courses address specific types of events that you may need to plan and can train you in various aspects of coordination so you can keep everything running smoothly. To graduate, you must acquire work experience in the hospitality industry and complete an internship.

• Program Name: Bachelor of Science in Hotel Administration
• Specialization Area: Meetings and event management
• Program Length: 128 credit hours (roughly four-and-a-half years, full-time)
• Tuition and Fees: $7,985 per year for Nevada residents, $23,132 per year for nonresidents (cost for 2018-2019 academic year)
• Prerequisites: Four years of high school English, three years each of math, social science and natural science
• School Type: 4-year, public; 30,457 students (25,282 undergraduate)

Event Planning Master's Degree Programs

University of Nevada - Las Vegas

The graduate program in hospitality administration is a completely online program, designed to fit the schedules of working professionals. You'll take a series of 8-week courses up to five times per year. Every session, two electives and two required courses are available but you have the option to complete a single class each session. You'll study marketing, finances for the hospitality industry and human resource management. To graduate, you'll conduct research in the hospitality industry and write a professional paper.

• Program Name: Master of Hospitality Administration
• Program Length: 30 credit hours (roughly 1-2 years)
• Tuition and Fees: $5,934 per year for Nevada residents, $20,406 per year for nonresidents (cost for 2018-2019 academic year)
• Prerequisites: Bachelor's degree with at least a 2.75 GPA
• Admission Requirements: Three years of management experience in the hospitality industry, resume, essay, two letters of recommendation, proof of English proficiency (for graduates of schools with non-English instruction)
• School Type: 4-year, public; 30,457 students (25,282 undergraduate)

Students can earn a certificate, associate's, bachelor's, or master's degree in event planning from two 4-year, public institutions in Nevada.