10 Top Double Majors With a Hospitality Management Degree

Considering a hospitality management career? Double majoring in hospitality management and another field can help improve your career prospects and lead to a more developed skill set. But what second major should you choose?

There are a wide variety of options for those hoping to double major with hospitality management. Regardless of the specific option you choose, a double major can make you a more desirable job candidate by helping you develop more specialized job skills.

Keep reading to find out more.

Top Hospitality Management Double Majors

Let's take a closer look at 10 of the top majors you should consider pairing with your hospitality management degree.

1. Culinary Arts

Hospitality management often involves providing food for patrons in a variety of settings. Pursuing a double major in hospitality management and culinary arts can help you improve your culinary skills, allowing you to provide memorable service in catering, restaurant management, and more.

2. Food Science

A food science degree provides a scientific approach to food preparation and safety. Again, this major pairs well with hospitality management because of how much food factors into various hospitality careers. Having a strong understanding of food safety and efficiency in preparation can benefit you in a wide range of careers.

3. Business Administration

Business administration degrees help you develop a wide range of business skills, from budgeting to leading a team to starting your own business. Regardless of your hospitality management career plans, supplementing your degree with a double major in business administration can give you the business skills you need to succeed.

4. Event Planning

Event planning is similar to hospitality management and, in some cases, may be offered as a concentration in hospitality management degrees. In other cases, it may be offered as a separate major. Pursuing event planning as a second major can give you a leg up if your career goals involve planning weddings, parties, and other events for clients.

5. Tourism Management

Another closely related degree to hospitality management, tourism management specifically focuses on various aspects of tourism. If you hope to work as a travel agent, tour guide, or a similar role, pursuing a double major in hospitality management and tourism management might be a good move.

6. Marketing

Whether you run your own hospitality business or aspire to work in the marketing department of an established company, a second major in marketing can help you learn about all the ins and outs of promoting and advertising.

7. Public Relations

Public relations skills are crucial for presenting a positive image of your company to the general public. Double majoring in hospitality management and public relations will help you develop these skills, enabling you to work in PR for a hospitality business or improve the positive image of your own company.

8. Sustainability

In any company, sustainable business practices can increase your longevity and give you the peace of mind that you are doing what you can to preserve the environment. As such, combining a sustainability major with your hospitality management degree can benefit you in any career you pursue.

9. Finance

A strong understanding of finance is necessary in every business. As a double major in finance and hospitality management, you can use your money skills to promote your own business or to work in a financial capacity for an established company within the hospitality industry.

10. Communications

Communications degrees have a range of applications across many industries. Getting a double major in communications can help you improve your communication skills, helping you reach more customers and improving public and employee relations in your hospitality company.

What Is a Double Major?

A double major is a degree in which you complete two equal areas of study instead of just one. In these types of degrees, a second major may take the place of a minor or a concentration, though it is possible to complete both along with two different majors.

All degrees consist of general education courses, electives, and core (major) courses. Students in a double major typically complete fewer electives, along with core courses for two different degree programs.

Contrary to popular belief, double majors don't usually take longer to complete than single majors. They typically consist of the same number of credit hours and can be completed within a similar timeframe, usually four years for full-time students.

Double Major vs. Dual Degree

Double majors and dual degrees may sound similar, but they have some key differences. In particular, double majors allow students to complete two areas of study while earning one degree; dual degrees allow students to obtain two separate degrees.

A student might complete a dual degree if they want to earn two different types of degrees (Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Arts, for example). They might also complete dual degrees if they decide to return to school for a second bachelor's degree sometime after earning the first one.

Dual degrees usually take longer to complete than double majors, as they almost always require more coursework. While some coursework may transfer from the first degree to the second, most people with dual degrees complete at least 150 total undergraduate credit hours.

FAQs About Double Majoring With Hospitality Management

Want to learn more about getting a double major with your hospitality management degree? Read on for answers to some frequently asked questions you may have.

Can You Double Major With Hospitality Management?

Yes, many schools will allow you to choose a double major with your degree, whether you are studying hospitality management or some other topic. Talk to an academic advisor at your school to learn about potential double majors that would support your career goals and to ensure that you enroll in all the necessary courses.

Is a Double Major With Hospitality Management Worth It?

Getting a double major with hospitality management can help improve your job readiness by increasing your skill set and providing knowledge in areas that will support your intended career moves. It takes good organizational skills to pursue a double major, but it is worth it because of its many benefits.

What Are the Benefits of Double Majoring With Hospitality Management?

Some of the benefits you can expect to experience when you double major with hospitality management include:

• interdisciplinary education
• more diverse skills
• better job opportunities
• more qualified for specific jobs
• greater confidence

Will a Double Major With Hospitality Management Improve My Career Outlook?

Getting a double major shows potential employers that you have the skills and knowledge for specialized positions, so it can help you stand out from the crowd of applicants when it comes time to find a job.