Apr 19, 2024  
2020-2021 Graduate Catalog 
    
2020-2021 Graduate Catalog ARCHIVED CATALOG: CONTENT MAY NOT BE CURRENT. USE THE DROP DOWN ABOVE TO ACCESS THE CURRENT CATALOG.

Master of Science - Hotel Administration


Plan Description


The 36-credit hour Master of Science degree in Hotel Administration will prepare you for a successful career as an upper-level executive in the hospitality industry or as an instructor/researcher in a hospitality education program. 

Students have the opportunity to conduct research on a subject that interests them by writing a thesis. This decision will be based upon the student’s goals and consultation with an academic advisor. Copies of the completed thesis must meet the guidelines of the UNLV Graduate College and be completed according to published deadlines.

For students who are interested a non-thesis track, they will complete the professional paper track, which requires them to write a professional paper that focuses on a real-world industry problem.

For more information about your program including your graduate program handbook and learning outcomes please visit the Degree Directory.

Plan Admission Requirements


 

Application deadlines

Applications available on the UNLV Graduate College website.

The student must satisfy the minimum admission requirements of the UNLV Graduate College and the William F. Harrah College of Hospitality. 

Applicants need to meet the following requirements below to be considered for the program.

1. A baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution with a minimum overall GPA of 2.75 on a 4.00 scale, or 3.00 or higher in the last two years of study.

2. A minimum of one-year of full-time work experience in a management/supervisory capacity in the hospitality industry, or three years of full-time, front-line experience is preferred.

To apply, applicants must submit the following materials by the application deadline to be considered for admission into the program.

1. Complete and submit the online UNLV Graduate College admission application and pay the required admission application fee.

2. Submit of all post-secondary transcripts from all institutions attended. Unofficial copies of these transcripts must be uploaded into the online application system. Note: it is a requirement of the UNLV Graduate College that students with class credits and/or degrees from educational institutions outside the United States must provide a course-by-course evaluation of those credentials by a Graduate College approved NACES Evaluation Agency. This is to obtain an evaluation of the courses, verification of degrees, and establish accreditation of the schools and/or universities. A copy of this evaluation must be uploaded into the online application system by the application deadline.

3. Submit either GRE or GMAT scores. A satisfactory composite score on the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) (UNLV institution code 4861), with a preferred score of 155 on the quantitative portion and 148 on the verbal portion of the exam. Or, the Graduate Management Admissions Test (GMAT) (UNLV institution code 71T, Harrah College of Hospitality College code 71T-TD-68), preferred score of 550 with at least 25% on the verbal portion. Applicants are required to submit exams scores that have been completed within the last 5-years by the application deadline.

4. International applicants must submit the results of the TOEFL or IELTS as evidence of English proficiency. Test scores must be less than two years old at the time of application in order to be valid. For more information, visit UNLV English Proficiency.

5. Submit a Statement of Purpose (approximately 500 words) that outlines your career goals and how your hospitality employment background has prepared you for graduate study.

6. Submit two letters of recommendation. It is highly recommended that one letter is from a supervisor of an internship experience and one from a college faculty member. If the applicant has been out of school for a while and is no longer in touch with faculty members, letters from two employers will suffice.

7. Submit a resume that outlines internships, full-time jobs, and leadership experiences (i.e. officer in a club/organization, undergraduate research, mentoring programs, and volunteer/community service). Resumes should be one to two pages.

8. All domestic and international applicants must review and follow the Graduate College Admission and Registration Requirements:

All application documents must be submitted through the online application system by the application deadline. If an applicant has questions about the application process, please email mygradfuture@unlv.edu for assistance from one of the staff members in the Hospitality Office of Graduate Programs.

If admission is offered to an international applicant who is requesting F-1 or J-1 visa eligibility documents is required to submit Proof of Funding documentation.

Students are accepted into a degree program as described in the Graduate Catalog. The faculty and corresponding sub-disciplines and sub-plans within the described programs are subject to change at any time.

Plan Requirements


See Subplan Requirements below.

Subplan 1: Thesis Track
Subplan 2: Professional Paper Track

Subplan 1 Requirements: Thesis Track


Total Credits Required: 36

Course Requirements


Supporting Elective Course – Credits: 15


Complete fifteen credits of advisor-approved elective coursework.

Thesis – Credits: 6


Degree Requirements


1. Successfully complete a minimum of 36 graduate-level credit hours, of which no less than 24 are in Hotel Administration. This allows for a variety of supplemental tracks including business and education. At least 27 credits must be at the 700-level.

2. An oral examination is required of all students completing this track.

3. Successfully complete any conditional coursework outlined at the time of admission within the first academic year.

4. In consultation with his/her advisor, a student will organize a thesis committee of at least three departmental members and a fourth member from outside the department, known as the Graduate College Representative. An additional committee member may be added at the student and department’s discretion. Please see Graduate College policy for committee appointment guidelines.

5. Students are encouraged to complete an internship during the summer term between their first year and second year in the program. International students must receive approval to be on CPT before starting an internship experience. All internships must be secure directly by the student and carries no academic credit. Some students who did not complete any internships during their undergraduate studies or have no prior work experience in the hospitality industry may have a conditional requirement to complete an internship, which was documented at the time of admission into the program.

Graduation Requirements


  1. The student must submit all required forms to the Graduate College and then apply for graduation up to two semesters prior to completing his/her degree requirements.
  2. The student must submit and successfully defend his/her thesis by the posted deadline. The defense must be advertised and is open to the public.
  3. After the thesis defense, the student must electronically submit a properly formatted pdf copy of their thesis to the Graduate College for format check. Once the thesis format has been approved by the Graduate College, the student will submit the approved electronic version to ProQuest. Deadlines for thesis defenses, format check submissions, and the final ProQuest submission can be found here

Subplan 2 Requirements: Professional Paper Track


Total Credits Required: 36

Course Requirements


Supporting Elective Courses – Credits: 18


Complete eighteen credits of advisor-approved elective coursework.

Professional Paper – Credits: 3


Degree Requirements


1. Successfully complete a minimum of 36 graduate-level credit hours, of which no less than 24 are in Hotel Administration. This allows for a variety of supplemental tracks including business and education. At least 27 credits must be at the 700-level.

2. An oral presentation of the professional paper is required of all students completing this track.

3. Successfully complete any conditional coursework outlined at the time of admission within the first academic year.

4. Students are encouraged to complete an internship during the summer term between their first year and second year in the program. International students must receive approval to be on CPT before starting an internship experience. All internships must be secure directly by the student and carries no academic credit. Some students who did not complete any internships during their undergraduate studies or have no prior work experience in the hospitality industry may have a conditional requirement to complete an internship, which was documented at the time of admission into the program.

Graduation Requirements


  1. The student must submit all required forms to the Graduate College and then apply for graduation up to two semesters prior to completing his/her degree requirements.
  2. The student must successfully complete a professional paper.

Plan Graduation Requirements


Refer to your subplan for Graduation Requirements.

Subplan 1: Thesis Track
Subplan 2: Professional Paper Track