New Flexible, Focused Graduate Degree in Hospitality Management Starts at Penn State
The Penn State School of Hospitality Management has launched a one-of-a-kind graduate degree program in hospitality management designed specifically for hospitality industry professionals.
The school’s Master of Professional Studies (MPS) in Hospitality Management (HM), launched its inaugural class in Fall 2023. MPS offers an exceptional and focused curriculum delivered by world-class faculty through online and in-resident course offerings.
Flexible learning options
The MPS in Hospitality Management program blends flexible course mode options with immersive, in-person experiences. Enterprise-level course content is designed to enhance the skills of its graduates, positioning them to advance their career trajectories in the hospitality industry.
Hospitality Management courses
Master of Professional Studies in Hospitality Management courses are designed to address key areas in which hospitality management leaders and executives need to be proficient. Examples of courses include:
- Corporate Officer and Investor Perspectives
- Hospitality Profit Optimization
- Hospitality Customer Journey and Digital Reach
- Hospitality Applied Research and Consulting
- Hospitality Data Analytics
MBA courses
Embedded in the middle of the MPS in Hospitality Management degree program journey are three Penn State Smeal College of Business courses drawn from its MBA program. Curriculum covered in existing MBA courses enables HM MPS graduates to develop knowledge and expertise across sectors about the complex characteristics of a hospitality enterprise value. These online MBA courses will help students in the MPS in HM program synthesize their hospitality management skills while working together with a diverse set of graduate students the Smeal College of Business.
Immersive experience
Students who are new to the program first participate in an immersive weekend in residence at the Penn State University Park campus in State College, Pennsylvania. Students then continue their coursework either in-person or online.
Full-time and Part-time enrollment options
The 36-credit MPS in HM degree can be completed in 12 months for students who elect to enroll full-time. The program can also be completed part-time, allowing flexibility for working professionals, those with families, and others who would benefit from a part-time enrollment option.
To assist with budgeting, the cost of the program is priced per credit hour, allowing students to accurately plan and manage their finances, and offering flexibility if their personal finances change over time.
Costs
Courses may be taken either in-person or online through remote synchronous delivery, which helps accommodate professional and personal travel commitments, accessibility needs, individual preferences, and increased opportunity for international students and others who may be abroad. Scholarships may be available.
Internship
Graduate internships—part of the MPS in HM curriculum requirement—will be selected on a project-by-project basis. These internship experiences allow students to work closely with the school’s prestigious industry partners and help students accelerate building their own professional networks.
Capstone experience
A culminating capstone course will revolve around timely and relevant topics “drawn from the headlines” of the hospitality industry, addressing problems and initiatives developed with support from leading businesses and organizations.
Application details, timelines
Applications for the Master of Professional Studies in Hospitality Management program are now being accepted. The priority admissions deadline is August 1, 2023.The deadline for international students is September 1, 2023.
Students who wish to be considered for scholarships should complete an application by September 15, 2023 if they intend to begin the program in the spring 2023 semester. The final deadline for the Spring semester is December 1, 2023.
Stay informed
To stay informed on this exciting new degree, please join our Stay Connected list. If you have any questions, please contact Anna Matilla, professor-in-charge of graduate programs, Donna Quadri-Felitti, Marvin Ashner Endowed Director of the School of Hospitality Management or Lori Walker, Graduate MPS Coordinator.
