Dec 03, 2024  
2024-2025 Graduate Catalog 
    
2024-2025 Graduate Catalog

Dual Degree: Master of Business Administration & Master of Science - Hotel Administration


Plan Description


Unlock the gateway to unparalleled career prospects with the dual degree offered by the Lee Business School and the William F. Harrah College of Hospitality. This MBA/MS HOA program is meticulously crafted to equip ambitious individuals with the indispensable skills, knowledge, and innovative tools necessary to emerge as visionary leaders in hotel administration.

Delve into the core MBA curriculum designed to propel understanding and application of business principles to unprecedented heights. Simultaneously, immerse yourself in the specialized realm of hotel administration through our MS program, honing industry-specific expertise vital for excelling in hospitality and tourism. 

Seize the unparalleled opportunity to thrive in the vibrant learning environment of Las Vegas, the epitome of hospitality and entertainment. Benefit from hands-on experiences and industry connections inherent in the bustling Las Vegas economy, poised to catapult your career trajectory.

Upon completion, emerge as a dual-degree holder, armed with both an MBA and an MS in Hotel Administration, uniquely positioning yourself as an invaluable assest in the competitive landscape of business leadership. Join us and pave the way towards a future brimming with boundless possibilities and unparalleled success in hotel administration.

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.

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

(a) Graduate College Admission Requirements

  1. Completed application in the Application Portal and non-refundable application fee. 
  2. Bachelor’s Degree – You must hold a four-year baccalaureate from a regionally accredited institution or an approved equivalent.
  3. Grade Point Average – You must have a minimum overall grade point average of 2.75 (4.00=A) for the bachelor’s degree or a minimum 3.00 (4.00=A) for the last two years (60 semester credits). 
  4. All applicants are required to submit an unofficial transcript from each postsecondary institution attended, showing all degrees and coursework, the dates awarded, and grades received. Official transcripts required upon admission.
    1. Credentials not in English must be accompanied by an English translation certified as true by a university official, an official representative of a United States embassy or consulate, the United States Information Service, the United States Education Foundation, or an approved professional translating service. Notarized copies of originals or translations are not considered official.

(b) Department Admission Requirements

The admission requirements for the dual degree are the same as those stated under the MBA and MS HOA programs. The only exception is that the dual MBA program requires the GMAT for admission. All dual degree program applicants are required to show that they have at least one year of full-time management/supervisory experience or three years of cumulative full-time front-line experience in the hospitality industry. 

Application Process

See the Application Process section under the MBA and the MS HOA programs. Applications will be reviewed by representatives of the Lee Business School and the William F. Harrah College of Hospitality in an independent process within each college. Applicants must be admitted to both the Lee Business School and the William F. Harrah College of Hospitality Administration to qualify for the dual degree program for that term.

Application Deadline

Refer to the Graduate College website for specific deadlines. All documentation and application materials must be received by the Graduate College, the William F. Harrah College of
Hospitality Graduate Studies Office, and the Lee Business School by the deadline for the application to be considered.

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
Subplan 2: Professional Track

Subplan 1 Requirements: Thesis


Total Credits Required: 51

Course Requirements


Total Credits Required for the Business Administration M.B.A.: 30


Electives – Credits: 9

Complete 9 credits of electives from any 700-level course offered by the Lee Business School.

Capstone Course – Credits: 3

Total Credits Required for the Hotel Administration M.S.: 21


Degree Requirements


  1. Completion of a minimum of 30 credits of MBA courses and a minimum of 21 credits of HOA.
  2. A grade point average of at least 3.00 for course work required for the degree.
  3. No grade lower than C is acceptable.
  4. Students with unsatisfactory progress toward the degree requirements are subject to dismissal. A student with a grade of C or lower in any of the required courses for the degree will be put on probation for one semester. Conditions and deadlines for the removal of probation will be specified. Failure to meet the condition will result in departure from the program. A student with two grades of C or lower will be dropped from the program.
  5. In consultation with their 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.
  6. In addition to the academic requirements, the Harrah Hospitality College encourages students 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


The student must successfully complete the MBA capstone course.

The student must submit and successfully defend their thesis by the posted deadline. The defense must be advertised and is open to the public.

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

Students cannot graduate from one portion of the dual degree until the requirements for both are met. Students must apply to graduate from both programs for the same semester.

Students may apply for graduation up to two semesters prior to completing their degree requirements. All required forms must be submitted to the graduate college via the Grad Rebel Gateway.

Subplan 2 Requirements: Professional Track


Total Credits Required: 51

Course Requirements


Total Credits Required for the Business Administration M.B.A.: 30


Electives – Credits: 9

Complete 9 credits of electives from any 700-level course offered by the Lee Business School.

Capstone Course – Credits: 3

Total Credits Required for the Hotel Administration M.S.: 21


Elective Course – Credits: 3

Students must complete an additional 3 credits of HOA graduate-level courses: (500, 600, or 700).

Culminating Experience – Credits: 3

Degree Requirements


  1. Completion of a minimum of 30 credits of MBA courses and a minimum of 21 credits of HOA.
  2. A grade point average of at least 3.00 for course work required for the degree.
  3. No grade lower than C is acceptable.
  4. Students with unsatisfactory progress toward the degree requirements are subject to dismissal. A student with a grade of C or lower in any of the required courses for the degree will be put on probation for one semester. Conditions and deadlines for the removal of probation will be specified. Failure to meet the condition will result in departure from the program. A student with two grades of C or lower will be dropped from the program.
  5. The Hotel Administration portion of the dual degree program requires successful completion of the culminating experience course, which is completed once all core courses have been completed, and requires students to complete an oral presentation of their culminating project.
  6. In addition to the academic requirements, the Harrah Hospitality College encourages students 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


The student must successfully complete the culminating experience course and the MBA capstone course.

Students cannot graduate from one portion of the dual degree until the requirements for both are met. Students must apply to graduate from both programs for the same semester.

Students may apply for graduation up to two semesters prior to completing their degree requirements. All required forms must be submitted to the graduate college via the Grad Rebel Gateway.

Plan Graduation Requirements


Refer to your subplan for Graduation Requirements.

Subplan 1: Thesis
Subplan 2: Professional Track