Travel and tourism degree programs are widely available at colleges and universities throughout the country. Keep reading to learn about four schools that offer associate's and bachelor's degree programs in travel and tourism.
SUNY Adirondack
Located in northeastern New York, SUNY Adirondack offers an associate's degree program in hospitality and tourism management that includes the opportunity to spend a semester interning at Disney World. Students gain basic business skills in marketing, accounting and communication, in addition to completing specialized courses like the following:
- Consumer behavior
- Principles of hotel/resort management
- Study of tourism destinations
<h3 id="section---ImportantFactsAboutTravelAndTourismDegrees">Important Facts About Travel and Tourism Degrees</h3><p></p><table border="1"><tr><td>Prerequisites</td><td> High School Diploma or GED Equivalent</td></tr>
<tr><td>Concentrations</td><td> Specializations available largely within hospitality management programs; may include meeting and event planning, ski area operations, restaurant management, golf club management, and travel and tourism</td></tr>
<tr><td>On-The-Job Training</td><td> Many programs offer internships or work-study programs that provide real-world work experience</td></tr>
<tr><td>Possible Careers</td><td> Resort manager, travel agent, hospitality manager</td></tr>
<tr><td> Median Salary (2021) </td><td> $43,810 (<i>for travel agents</i>)*</td></tr>
<tr><td> Job Outlook (2021-2031) </td><td> 20% (<i>for travel agents</i>)*</td></tr>
</table><p><i>Source: *U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics</i>
</p><h3 id="section---BayStateCollege">Bay State College</h3><p>Boston's Bay State College offers students a bachelor's degree program in hospitality management with internship opportunities at Disney World. This program focuses on technological and analytical skills required for travel and hospitality professions. An associate's degree in hospitality management is available as well. Potential coursework includes:
</p><ul><li>Food and beverage operations
</li><li>Resort and casino management
</li><li>Special events planning
</li></ul><h3 id="section---CollegeOfDuPage">College of DuPage</h3><p>The College of DuPage's Associate in Applied Science in Travel and Tourism program can prepare you for career opportunities with hotels, resorts, convention and visitor bureaus, and destination marketing organizations, among other hospitality industry employers. You'll complete one internship, in addition to required courses in the following:
</p><ul><li>Travel geography and culture
</li><li>Cruise industry sales
</li><li>Introduction to the travel industry
</li></ul><h3 id="section---ColoradoMountainCollege">Colorado Mountain College</h3><p>This Steamboat Springs college offers an associate's degree program in resort management. Students can gain overall hotel and resort management skills, as well as knowledge specific to working in a ski town. Courses cover the following topics, among others:
</p><ul><li>Hotel sales and marketing
</li><li>Housekeeping management
</li><li>Food, beverage, and labor cost control</li></ul>
