In a bachelor's degree program in hospitality management with a concentration in food and beverage management, you'd be trained in managing a hotel restaurant. Learn what types of courses these degree programs offer and the types of jobs that you can pursue after graduation.
What Is a Hospitality Management Food and Beverage Bachelor's Degree Program?
Typically, hospitality management bachelor's degree programs offer tracks geared toward various aspects of the industry, including food and beverage management. These programs prepare you to work in hotels, restaurants, resorts, casinos and other establishments that run substantial food and beverage operations. The coursework in a hospitality management program with a concentration in food and beverage management teaches you both business and culinary aspects of overseeing bars and restaurants, as well as related establishments.
A bachelor's degree program in hospitality management takes about four years to complete. Due to the hands-on nature of hospitality service and management training, you may have a hard time finding any credible online programs.
<table border="1"><tr><td><b>Degree Overview</b></td><td> Training in business and culinary operations of restaurants and related establishments</td></tr>
<tr><td><b>Course Topics</b></td><td> Food service preparation, mixology, cost controls, hospitality laws, beverage service</td></tr>
<tr><td><b>Median Annual Wage (2021)*</b></td><td> $70,883 (<i>for food and beverage directors</i>)</td></tr>
<tr><td><b>Job Outlook (2019-2029)**</b></td><td> 1% (<i>for food service managers, management occupations</i>)</td></tr>
</table><p><i>Source: *PayScale.com, **U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics</i>
</p><h3 id="section---WhatCoursesWillIHaveToTake">What Courses Will I Have to Take?</h3><p>The courses you take in this type of program give you a solid business grounding in marketing, management, accounting and purchasing. You also learn about food service preparation, beverage service and cost controls. Mixology, wine and beverage courses teach you about operating a lounge or bar. Other courses cover hospitality laws, issues and ethics.
</p><p>Typically, hospitality management bachelor's degree programs include an internship or a field experience. This allows you to gain an in-depth understanding of how food and beverage divisions are operated within such facilities as hotels, resorts and casinos.
</p><h3 id="section---WhatKindOfJobsCanIGet">What Kind of Jobs Can I Get?</h3><p>With a bachelor's degree in hospitality management, food and beverage professionals are prepared to ensure that an organization's restaurant and bar divisions earn profits and run smoothly. According to <i>PayScale.com</i>, food and beverage directors earned a median wage of $70,883 as of May 2021, with the top earners making $104,000 or more.
</p><p>According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), hotels favor applicants with bachelor's degrees in hospitality management. The BLS reported that you could work your way into top-level management positions with experience and a bachelor's degree (<i>www.bls.gov</i>). The National Restaurant Association offers credentials for experienced food and beverage managers. The Foodservice Management Professional credential isn't required, but might help you advance in your career.</p>
