Mar 28, 2024  
2012-2013 Graduate Catalog 
    
2012-2013 Graduate Catalog ARCHIVED CATALOG: CONTENT MAY NOT BE CURRENT. USE THE DROP DOWN ABOVE TO ACCESS THE CURRENT CATALOG.

Master of Hotel Administration M.S.


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The 36-hour Master of Science in Hotel Administration degree program 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. You can choose from several tracks of study including food service management, hotel management, hospitality education, convention and meetings management, or casino and gaming management.

Students have the opportunity to conduct research on a subject that interests them by writing a thesis or a professional paper. 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.

Admission Requirements

The student must satisfy the minimum admission requirements of the UNLV Graduate College and the William F. Harrah College of Hotel Administration, including:

  1. Submission of a completed online application form and required admission fee.
  2. Submission of two copies of official transcripts from all institutions attended after high school. One copy should be sent directly from the institution attended to the UNLV Graduate College and another one to the Harrah Hotel College Graduate Studies Office. Please 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 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 should be sent to both the UNLV Graduate College and the Harrah Hotel Graduate Studies Office. Unofficial copies of transcripts may be uploaded with the online application form.
  3. A baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution with a minimum overall GPA of 2.75 on a 4.00 scale, or 3.00 in the last two years of study.
  4. A satisfactory composite score on the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) (dept code 5199), minimum score 1150 or 50th percentile—with at least 35% on the verbal portion, or the Graduate Management Admissions Test (GMAT) (dept code ZSC-37-21), minimum score 550  with at least 25% on the verbal portion. All scores must be sent directly from the testing center to the Harrah Hotel College Graduate Studies Office.
  5. 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.
  6. A brief essay of approximately 500 words outlining the applicant’s career goals and how the applicant’s hospitality employment background has prepared him/her for graduate study.
  7. Two letters of recommendation, one from a current or former employer and one from a college faculty member able to evaluate the applicant’s potential for success in a graduate program. If the applicant is no longer in touch with faculty members, letters from two employers will suffice.
  8. A current resume with employer references. The resume should clearly indicate job titles, places and dates of employment, and specific job responsibilities.
  9. International applicants: if English is not the applicant’s native language, and his/her baccalaureate degree was not from a school where English was the language of instruction, the applicant must complete one of the language tests listed below with the minimum score indicated or above: 
 

TOEFL:

Paper-based Test: 550 (minimum writing score: 58)

   

Computer-based Test: 213 (minimum writing score: 24)

   

Internet-based Test: 80 (minimum writing score: 21, minimum speaking score: 21)

 

Michigan Test:

85% (minimum scores: 40 out of 50 speaking; 40 out of 50 writing)

 

IELTS:

7

  Pearson English Language Test: 65

Unofficial scores may be submitted with the online application, but official scores must be sent directly from the testing center to the UNLV Graduate College to complete the application.

Items 6, 7, and 8 above can be submitted to the Harrah Hotel College Graduate Studies Office by email or mail. Recommendation letters must be mailed or emailed directly from the employer or professor, not forwarded by the applicant.

 

Addresses:

UNLV Graduate College
4505 S. Maryland Parkway, Box 451017
Las Vegas, NV 89154-1017
702-895-3320
http://graduatecollege.unlv.edu


Harrah Hotel College Graduate Studies Office
4505 S. Maryland Parkway, Box 456017
Las Vegas, NV 89154-6017
702-895-3321
hotelgrad@unlv.edu
http://hotel.unlv.edu
 

Application Deadlines

Fall:  International Students - May 1; Domestic Students - August 1
Spring: International and Domestic Students - October 1

Degree Requirements

In addition to the general requirements established by the UNLV Graduate College, the candidate must meet the following Harrah Hotel College 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. Successfully complete supplemental courses as required by the academic advisor, if the student’s undergraduate preparation is insufficient. Generally, no more than six credits of supplementary courses will be required.
  3. In addition to general academic requirements, the Harrah College of Hotel Administration requires 500 hours of acceptable employment in the hospitality industry. This work experience will be evaluated qualitatively as well as quantitatively. The work experience requirement may be met during the school year or in summers. International students must go to the Office of International Students and Scholars to verify employment eligibility.The work experience requirement requires the student to find a paid job but carries no academic credit and may be earned anywhere.
  4. Required courses:
   
   
   
   
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  Graduate-level courses approved by the student’s graduate advisor: 3-9 credits*
    
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A student may opt to write a thesis (six credits) or a professional paper (three-credits and a three credit supporting course). The thesis option is designed for students with a research orientation. An oral examination is required of all candidates for the M.S. degree.

*Students may substitute a supporting course for

 ,  ,  ,    or   if they are taking a concentration of courses in one area such as human resource management, accounting, or marketing and they have the approval of their academic advisor. Supporting courses should meet the student’s degree objectives. These courses may be taken in any graduate department in the university and must be approved by the student’s graduate advisor.

 

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