Executive Master of Hospitality Administration

Plan Description

The Master’s of Hospitality Administration (MHA) degree is a 30-credit program designed to bring hospitality executives together to learn the latest management and leadership techniques in an executive format, via the Internet and other media. Demand determines the class schedule for the program.

Students must choose one of two subplans: 1) Hospitality Management, and 2) Gaming Management. Students must specify the program option as part of the admission process.

Courses are taught entirely online—there is no requirement that any student come to the main UNLV campus. Courses are offered throughout the year in five eight-week sessions. Two sessions are scheduled during the fall and spring semesters and one during the summer semester. At least two required courses and two elective courses are offered during each session. The professional paper and entrepreneurship classes are offered during the regular 16-weeks of the Fall and Spring. The professional paper should adhere to the American Psychological Association’s current publication manual regarding writing style and format.

In addition to regular tuition and fees, this program has an additional fee of $510 per credit to cover the cost of delivery in an executive format.

For more information, contact the program coordinator at (702) 895-5430. For more information about your program, including your graduate program handbook and learning outcomes, please visit the Degree Directory.

Plan Admission Requirements

Application deadlines

Application Requirements:

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

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 three years of full-time management experience in the hospitality industry.

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

1. Completed 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. 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.

4. 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.

5. Submit a resume with employer references. The resume should clearly communicate your career history, including detailed job responsibilities.

6. Submit two letters of recommendation. Letters can be from a current or former employer or a faculty member that can comment on your potential success in the graduate program.

7. Applicants may be required to participate in an online recorded video, Skype, or other personal interview at no cost to the applicant.

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.

Note: Students are not required to take the GRE or the GMAT for entry into this program. 

IMPORTANT NOTE FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS: Because this program is offered totally online and is available anywhere in the world, UNLV cannot issue an I-20 and you cannot obtain a student visa to come to the United States based upon enrollment in the Master’s of Hospitality Administration Program.

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

Subplan 1: Hospitality Management

Subplan 2: Gaming Management

Plan Graduation Requirements

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.

The student must successfully complete a culminating experience.