Universities and colleges offer degrees in food service management at the associate, bachelor's and graduate levels. They include training in business, management, hospitality, customer service, food and human resources. Read on to learn more.
Food Service Management Degree Overview
Food service management degree programs teach students about the food industry while also imparting information about business practices. Degree programs may also be offered under the title of hospitality management. Programs cover business, hospitality, supply chain management, food principles, food service operations, food safety, restaurant management and culinary arts. Programs may include an internship. Degree programs in food service management are offered at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. Below are some of the schools that host these programs.
<h3 id="section---ImportantFactsAboutThisFieldOfStudy">Important Facts About This Field of Study</h3><p></p><table border="1"><tr><td> Degrees/Certificates </td><td> Programs are available from the certificate to doctorate level</td></tr>
<tr><td> Prerequisites </td><td> Certificate and associate's degree programs typically require a high school diploma or equivalent, while others require a graduate or undergraduate degree</td></tr>
<tr><td> Online Availability </td><td> Some hospitality management programs can be completed online</td></tr>
<tr><td> Possible Careers </td><td> Hotel manager, cruise director, tour manager</td></tr>
<tr><td>Median Salary (2021)</td><td>$59,440 <i>(Food Service Managers)</i></td></tr>
<tr><td>Job Outlook (2021-2031)</td><td>10% <i>(Food Service Managers)</i></td></tr>
</table><p><i>Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS)</i>
</p><h3 id="section---ColoradoStateUniversity">Colorado State University</h3><p>Colorado State University (CSU) has several bachelor's, master's and doctor of philosophy degrees in food and nutrition, including a Bachelor of Science in Hospitality Management. This degree program focuses on the overall hospitality aspect of a career in food service management and allows students to choose courses that let them focus their interest. Students can choose among the following courses:
</p><ul><li>Legal and Ethical Issues in Business
</li><li>Food Principles and Applications
</li><li>Food and Society
</li><li>Food Safety
</li><li>Principles of Microeconomics
</li></ul><h3 id="section---MottCommunityCollege">Mott Community College</h3><p>Mott Community College (MCC) in Flint, Michigan, offers an Associate of Applied Science in Food Services Management. Students get hands-on practice in food preparation and service. They also learn management skills and how to use food service equipment. The program consists of approximately 60 credit hours of coursework, including the following classes:
</p><ul><li>Small Business Management
</li><li>Food Service Math
</li><li>Hospitality Law
</li><li>Beverage Management
</li><li>Professional Cookery
</li></ul><h3 id="section---MichiganStateUniversity">Michigan State University</h3><p>Michigan State University (MSU)'s Eli Broad Graduate School of Management along with the Eli Broad College of Business offers a Master of Science in Foodservice Business Management. This is a non-thesis degree program. The program is very flexible, allowing students to pick courses suitable for their career goals. Graduates of the program may go on to study for a doctorate, teach hospitality at a community college or work in food service management at the corporate level. Courses include:
</p><ul><li>Hospitality Computer Information Systems
</li><li>Supply Chain Management
</li><li>Marketing in the Hospitality Industry
</li><li>Hospitality Industry and Financial Management
</li><li>Employment Law</li></ul>
