Which Schools Offer Hospitality Management Degrees in California?

There are numerous options for those seeking an education in hospitality management in California. The information below details programs offered by four post-secondary institutions in the state.

What You Should Know

While hospitality managers can sometimes find jobs in hotels, restaurants and other hospitality locations with just a high school diploma and work experience, an educational program can give them an edge over the competition. Certificate programs in hospitality management cover just the basics of management, marketing and hospitality law, while associate's and bachelor's degree programs in the field also provide general education courses. A 2-year master's degree program might appeal to students who are interested in working as hospitality business directors or operating their own business.

Hospitality Management Certificate Program in California

MiraCosta College

Available through MiraCosta College's horticulture and hospitality department on its Oceanside campus, this certificate program includes studies in hospitality marketing, hospitality law, guest services, cost controls and restaurant management. You can also select from 1-semester certificate programs in related fields, such as front office operations, rooms division management, dining room operations and food service operations. The Oceanside campus is located about 35 miles north of San Diego and about 90 miles south of Los Angeles.

• Program Name: Certificate of Achievement in Hospitality Management
• Program Length: 2 semesters, full-time
• Tuition and Fees: $1,336 per year for in-state students; $6,768 per year for out-of-state students (2018-2019)
• Requirements: At least 18 years old
• School Type: 2-year, public; about 13,720 students (all undergraduate)

Hospitality Management Associate's Degree Program in California

MiraCosta College

MiraCosta College's associate's degree program includes general education courses and all of the courses that make up the certificate program. You will learn to manage conferences and other special events, oversee day-to-day operations and market a business. Classes are small, with an average of 30 students per class.

• Program Name: Associate in Arts in Hospitality Management
• Program Length: 2 years, full-time
• Tuition and Fees: $1,336 per year for in-state students; $6,768 per year for out-of-state students (2018-2019)
• Requirements: At least 18 years old
• School Type: 2-year, public; about 13,720 students (all undergraduate)

Hospitality Management Bachelor's Degree Programs in California

California State Polytechnic University - Pomona

Cal Poly Pomona's hospitality management programs are available through the Collins College of Hospitality Management. The bachelor's degree program is designed to familiarize you with the economic, legal, social and business aspects of hospitality. Courses address food costs, beverage operations, hotel management and sanitation. You can also participate in a variety of hospitality clubs, such as the Cal Poly Hospitality Association, the Club Managers Association of America, the Hospitality Management Council and the Eta Sigma Delta International Hospitality Management Society, which can help you make contacts, develop connections, follow trends and enhance your skills while still in college. You can also complete internships, which can go toward the 800 hours of professional work experience you need to graduate.

• Program Name: Bachelor of Science in Hospitality Management
• Program Length: 4 years, full-time
• Tuition and Fees: $7,353 per year for in-state students; $19,233 per year for out-of-state students (2018-2019)
• Requirements: Placement exams
• School Type: 4-year, public; around 24,934 undergraduate and 1,664 graduate students

San Jose State University

San Jose State University is located in northern California, about an hour south of San Francisco. The interdisciplinary bachelor's degree program allows you to choose the courses that will most benefit your career goals. Essentially, you are creating your own degree program by selecting from a series of courses in hospitality and tourism, such as restaurant management, culinary techniques, event planning, special events management, facility planning and club management.

• Program Name: Bachelor of Science in Hospitality, Tourism and Event Management
• Program Length: 4 years, full-time
• Tuition and Fees: $7,378 per year for in-state students; $18,538 per year for out-of-state students (2015-2016)
• School Type: 4-year, public; around 26,700 undergraduate and 6,000 graduate students

University of San Francisco

Located in San Francisco, where tourism is the largest industry, the university offers a bachelor's degree program in hospitality, in which you must complete 800 hours of professional industry-related work experience to graduate. Your courses could include culinary arts, dining management, event planning, beverage management and hotel management to prepare you for a variety of positions within the hospitality industry. You can also join campus programs that have connections to the hospitality industry, such as the Hospitality Management Association and the Club Managers Association of America. The school also hosts an annual hospitality management symposium that includes a series of student-focused workshops and seminars.

• Program Name: Bachelor of Science in Business Administration
• Available Emphasis: Hospitality industry management
• Program Length: 4 years, full-time
• Tuition and Fees: $48,066 per year (2018-2019)
• School Type: 4-year, public; around 6,704 undergraduate and 3,800 graduate students

Hospitality Management Master's Degree Program in California

California State Polytechnic University - Pomona

Cal Poly Pomona offers the only master's degree program in hospitality management in California. Through this program, you will explore hospitality management by studying principles of marketing, management, human resources and finances. To graduate, you must write a professional paper or a thesis, depending on whether you are interested in pursuing a doctoral degree.

• Program Name: Master of Science in Hospitality Management
• Program Length: 2 years, full-time
• Tuition and Fees: $7,176 per year for in-state students plus $1,611 in fees; $16,680 per year for out-of-state students plus $1,611 in fees (2018-2019)
• Prerequisites: Bachelor's degree in hospitality management or a related field
• Requirements: GRE or GMAT scores, letters of recommendation, a year of hospitality experience
• School Type: 4-year, public; around 24,934 undergraduate and 1,664 graduate students

To recap the above information, MiraCosta College offers certificate and associate's degree programs in hospitality management, while the University of San Francisco, San Jose State University, and California State Polytechnic University's Pomona campus provide bachelor's degree programs; the latter school also has a master's degree program.