Areas of Study

Hotel, Restaurant and Tourism Management

Hospitality and tourism impact people’s lives every day. From the restaurants where friends dine, to the places people visit, to the vacations and events that mark life’s milestones — this industry is led by moment makers. The School of Hotel, Restaurant and Tourism Management at the University of South Carolina is home to world-renowned faculty, impactful research and education excellence that propel students’ careers to the next level.

The hospitality and tourism industry offers an endless and exciting range of career opportunities to work anywhere in the world. A degree in hospitality management is a perfect choice for students who are passionate about creating memories and experiences for people to enjoy.

Degree Programs

Four HRTM degrees are available, including two undergraduate degrees and two graduate degrees:

For students who would like to further specialize, degree focus areas in meeting and event management, food and beverage management, hotel and resort management and tourism management are available. Hospitality management majors may also choose a club management concentration.

For non-degree seeking students, there are also continuing education programs including a Culinary Institute Certification.

Explore

Our industries have the power to connect cultures, inspire adventures and strengthen global economies. Student immersion in international experiences broadens horizons and prepares them for exciting work opportunities around the world. Our faculty lead custom study abroad courses in China, South America and Europe. The school offers two semester-long exchange programs with partner hospitality universities in Aruba and the Galapagos Islands.

Career Success

Whether you want to live and work in South Carolina or travel the world, a hospitality management or tourism management degree takes you anywhere you want to go.

Claire Sharpe, '20, B.S. hospitality management, is the recreation expert at the Ritz-Carlton, Bachelor Gulch, in Avon, Colorado.
Dashon Murray, '19, B.S. tourism management, is a finance corporate management trainee at the Hyatt in Seattle, Washington.
Tatiana Allgeyer, '19, Master of International Hospitality and Tourism Management, is doing a rotational internship with The Alotian Club in Little Rock, Arkansas.
Zahria Barber, '19, B.S. hospitality management, is food and beverage management associate at MGM Resorts International in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Tayler Metivier, '19, B.S. hospitality management, is assistant operations manager, rooms at the Andaz Maui At Wailea Resort, Wailea, Hawaii.
Nevonne Burrell, '19, B.S. in hospitality management, is a member services captain at The Alotian Club in Little Rock, Arkansas.
Cammie Nguyen, '19, hospitality management, is manager in training with Hotel Equities in Charlotte, North Carolina.
Kennon Beach, '18, hospitality management, works in the events department at Gaylord Opryland in Nashville, Tennessee.
Scotty Atherton, '18, B.S. hospitality management, is operations manager for Aramark in Boston, Massachusetts.
Santiago Vasquez, '18, hospitality management, is sales coordinator at The Sanctuary, Kiawah Golf Resort on Kiawah Island, South Carolina.
Brianna Jones Allen, '17, hospitality management, is operations manager for Courtyard by Marriott in Atlanta, Georgia.
Megan Anderson, '16, B.S. in hospitality management, is lead of campus onboarding for Capital One in Washington, D.C.
Isaac Pressley, '17, hospitality management, works in the food and beverage department for The Ritz Carlton Rancho Mirage in Rancho Mirage, California.
Ally Paragano, '16, B.S. in hospitality management, is character captain at Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida.
Dominique Gray, '12, hospitality management, is the director of operations for the Texas Tech Club in Lubbock, Texas.

Below are just a few examples of the rewarding career paths available:
Convention and visitors bureau director, cruise ship manager, director of operations, destination marketer, event / conference planner, event technology specialist, festival promoter, food and beverage director, golf or country club, manager, golf tournament planner, guest experience manager, hotel general manager, human resources manager, marketing and events coordinator, property manager, resort operations specialist, restaurant franchise owner, restaurant manager, revenue manager, sales director, travel analyst, training manager, tourism strategist, wedding planner, wine and beverage operations manager.

The J. Willard and Alice S. Marriott Foundation

Located in the Close-Hipp building, the J. Willard and Alice S. Marriott Foundation Culinary Laboratory is a 2,000-square foot state-of-the-art commercial kitchen and technology-enhanced classroom providing students with dynamic hands-on experience to prepare for careers in event planning, restaurant management, hotel operations and more.

College of Hospitality, Retail and Sport Management