Graduate Bulletin

Tourism and Hospitality Management, M.T.H.M.

SCHOOL OF TOURISM AND HOSPITALITY MANAGEMENT

Admission Requirements and Deadlines

Application Deadline:

Fall:  April 15

Spring:  September 30

Applications are processed as they arrive through the deadline.

APPLY ONLINE to this graduate program.

Letters of Reference:

Number Required: 2

From Whom: Letters of recommendation should be requested from individuals who are capable and prepared to make judgments on the applicant's ability to complete graduate studies. Undergraduate faculty and advisors are the best sources. Character references are acceptable, but at least one letter should be from an individual in higher education. If undergraduate work was completed a number of years ago, this may be a difficult request; therefore, discretion should be used when selecting one's references.

Coursework Required for Admission Consideration:

No specific coursework is required.

Bachelor's Degree in Discipline/Related Discipline:

All applicants must present credentials that are the equivalent of the appropriate baccalaureate degree at Temple University.

Statement of Goals:

The Statement of Goals should be 350-500 words in length and should include three components: academic/professional goals; personal strengths that will contribute to success in the graduate program; and personal weaknesses that may inhibit success in the program.

Standardized Test Scores:

The GRE, GMAT, or MAT is required. Scores are expected to be in the range of 65% to 75%.

Minimum TOEFL score needed to be accepted: 79 iBT or 550 PBT. Minimum IELTS Academic score: 6.5.

Resume:

A resume is required.

Transfer Credit:

Graduate credits from an accredited institution may be transferred into the program. The credits must be equivalent to coursework offered at Temple, and the grade must be a "B" or better in order to transfer. The maximum number of credits a student may transfer is 6.

Program Requirements

General Program Requirements:

Number of Didactic Credits Required Beyond the Baccalaureate: 36

Required Courses (18 s.h.):

STHM 5111:  Applied Research

STHM 5312:  Legal Issues in Tourism and Hospitality

STHM 5411:  Management of Organizations

STHM 5413:  Financial Management

STHM 5415:  Service Marketing

STHM 9995:  Master's Project

OR

STHM 9996:  Master's Thesis

Tourism and Hospitality Management Electives (12 s.h.):

STHM 5321:  Advanced Data Analysis for Tourism and Hospitality Research

STHM 5323:  Tourism Development

STHM 5324:  International Tourism

STHM 5326:  Consumer Behavior in Tourism and Hospitality

STHM 5327:  Customer Relationship Management in Tourism and Hospitality

STHM 5333:  Seminar for Information Technology in Tourism and Hospitality

STHM 5421:  Event Management

STHM 5483:  Readings and Conferences

STHM 5485:  Graduate Internship

External Requirements* (6 s.h.):

Two courses from the Fox School of Business and Management

* Selection is made from approved courses in the Fox School of Business and Management. Courses are chosen on an individual basis and with specific advisement from the student's curriculum advisor. The selection process takes into consideration the student's undergraduate and professional experience, and tries to identify missing management expertise.

Internship: An internship is not required.

Language Examination: No language examination is required.

Culminating Events:

Thesis:

The master's thesis is an original empirical study that demonstrates the student's knowledge of both research methods and a mastery of her/his primary area of interest. The thesis should be rigorously investigated under the direct supervision of a major advisor and should be limited to a specific problem in Tourism and Hospitality Management. Students are required to defend their theses publicly to the academic community.

A student preparing to defend a thesis should confirm a time and date with the Master's Committee and register with the Graduate Coordinator. After the time, date, and room are approved, the Graduate Coordinator posts flyers announcing the defense.

The student's Master's Committee is responsible for evaluating the thesis and the defense. No thesis should go to defense unless it is ready for public scrutiny. The Committee evaluates the student's ability to express verbally her/his research question, methodological approach, primary findings, and implications. The Committee votes to pass or fail the thesis and the defense at the conclusion of the public presentation. If the student must make revisions, those changes must be approved as arranged by the Committee.

Master's Project:

The master's project is intended to give students the opportunity to engage in systematic inquiry, while allowing for creative expression in the development of a final product. After identifying a specific problem or area of investigation, the final product for the project may take such forms as a videotape, a program evaluation, a demonstration, a new design, a research paper for publication, a grant proposal, or a manual. The project may be specific to an agency.

The student must complete all course requirements before submitting a written project proposal to the Project Committee. The proposal should identify the area of investigation, state the significance, outline the steps to be used in systematic inquiry, and describe the nature of the final product. The Project Committee is composed of two Graduate Faculty members in the School of Tourism and Hospitality Management who are selected by the student. One member serves as the major advisor for the project.

Upon completion of the master's project, the student must formally present the project to the Project Committee at a final meeting. After the candidate leaves the room, the Committee decides if the project is approved.

Contacts

Program Contact Information:

www.sthm.temple.edu

Department Information:

School of Tourism and Hospitality Management

Speakman Hall (006-68)

1810 N. 13th Street

Philadelphia, PA 19122
sthm@temple.edu
215-204-8701

Department Contacts:

Admissions and Recruitment:

Michael Usino, M.L.A.

musino@temple.edu

215-204-3103

Director of Programs in Tourism & Hospitality Management:

Ceridwyn King, Ph.D.
ceridwyn.king@temple.edu
215-204-8730

Chairperson:

R. Aubrey Kent, Ph.D.
aubkent@temple.edu
215-204-3810

About the Program

The goal of the graduate program in Tourism and Hospitality Management is to develop advanced professionals in the field of tourism, resort, hotel, restaurant, and event management. Education should enable professionals in this field to be expert managers, marketers, and planners in the public, private, and commercial sectors. The program prepares students to be middle-level and, eventually, upper-level managers in the tourism and hospitality industry. The degree program is based not only on the practical application of management techniques, but also on the theoretical foundation that defines the profession. This makes the degree program clearly distinct from generic management curricula that do not include an industry-specific core. (Students interested in studying at the doctoral level should refer to the Ph.D. program in Business Administration with a concentration in Tourism and Sport offered by the Fox School of Business and Management.)

Time Limit for Degree Completion: 4 years

Campus Location:

Main

Students may take their two business electives at the Fort Washington, Ambler, or Center City campuses, or online.

Full-Time/Part-Time Status:

Students are required to complete the degree program through classes offered after 4:00 p.m. Students are also able to complete the degree program on a part-time basis (8 credit hours or less per semester).

Department Information:

School of Tourism and Hospitality Management

Speakman Hall (006-68)

1810 N. 13th Street

Philadelphia, PA 19122
sthm@temple.edu
215-204-8701

Interdisciplinary Study:

The program encourages interdisciplinary coursework, research, and interactions among faculty and students with interest in management, information technology, and research.

Study Abroad:

Students who wish to do their internships abroad work closely with the Center for Student Professional Development, which assists with the necessary contacts and supervision.

Ranking:

While there is no formal ranking of programs in Tourism and Hospitality Management, the program at Temple University has received national recognition as a new program combining tourism and hospitality management.

Accreditation:

Not applicable.

Job Placement:

Students typically find placements in convention and visitor bureaus, event management companies, convention centers, hotels, and resorts.

Licensure:

Not applicable.

Non-Matriculated Student Policy:

Students who are not eligible for admission may take up to 9 s.h. of coursework on a non-matriculated basis. If accepted into the program, the courses may be approved toward the degree program.

Financing Opportunities

Teaching and Research Assistantships and Externships within the School of Tourism and Hospitality Management are reserved for students who are capable of teaching undergraduate classes in specialized academic areas or assisting in faculty research. TAs, RAs, and Externs are expected to provide 20 hours per week of service throughout the academic year. A nine-month stipend is offered along with full (9 s.h.) tuition remission for the Fall and Spring semesters. Teaching and Research Assistantship and Externship applications are not evaluated until a Graduate School application and all appropriate materials have been received. Assistantships and Externships are available only to admitted students. The evaluation of applicants for Teaching and Research Assistantships and Externships begins by March and continues until all positions have been filled.

Updated 2.18.13