University Programs

Graduate Program
Virginia Tech Department of Hospitality
and Tourism Management

Mission and Philosophy

The graduate program, (MS & Ph.D.), in Hospitality and Tourism Management at Virginia Tech embodies the mission of traditional graduate programs, which is part of comprehensive research-oriented universities, that is; the generation of new knowledge through research. The information below provides a general description of the Department of Hospitality and Tourism Management, the graduate programs offered and the requirements for admission to and completion of graduate degrees.

The Doctor of Philosophy degree is the highest earned degree offered by universities. It is conferred only for work of distinction in which the graduate degree candidate displays an ability to conduct original research and only in recognition of superior ability and achievement. Graduate degrees are not granted in mere recognition of faithful performance of prescribed course work. There should be a clear and unmistakable evidence of (a) mastery of a broad nature of the entire spectrum of knowledge in the field of hospitality and tourism, and (b) ability to complete significant original research, which should contribute to the existing knowledge in a specific field related to hospitality and tourism. The former is evaluated by written and oral examinations, and the latter by a dissertation that should give evidence of considerable conceptual, research and literary skills and for which the candidate is obligated to defend at the conclusion of research. Thus, an ideal candidate for the Ph.D. program is one who has first-hand industry experience, is aware of the contemporary issues and is willing to think about his/her solutions in a logical sequence. Our standards and requirements are designed to bring this about by expanding the student’s process of thinking and approach to the understanding of theory and its relationship to practice.

Ph.D. Program
Hospitality and Tourism Management

I. General Core (8 Hours)

HTM 5944 Graduate Seminar (must be taken twice)

HTM 6434 Theory Development for Hospitality & Service Management (6 graduate credits of Hospitality & Tourism Management courses)

HTM 6444 Advanced Quantitative Methods for Hospitality Applications (STAT 6634)

II. Statistics/Methodology (9 Hours)

Three Courses: Two courses in statistics and one course in methodology

III. HTM Courses (12 Hours)

IV. Specialization (In HTM or Outside HTM or combination) (15 Hours)

A minimum of 6 hours must be HTM courses. At least two 6000 level courses to be selected.

V. Designated Minor (Outside HTM) (9 Hours)

A selection of cohesive interrelated courses.

VI. Development Track (7 Hours)

To be taken for professional development in areas of career interest such as teaching, foodservice, lodging, and field studies, (HTM 5964 - Field Studies in HTM); these can be taken as courses or independent studies.

VII. Dissertation (30 Hours)

TOTAL HOURS: 90 HOURS

NOTE:

1. Courses should be taken in consultation with the committee and approval of the Head of the Department.

2. Courses cannot be counted twice under any of the above mentioned courses.

3. No more than 9 hours can be taken as independent study courses.

4. Consult graduate catalog for the number of courses that can be transferred.

Graduate Courses Currently Offered by the Department

5024 International Service Management: Overview of the contemporary issues in the international business environment facing multinational service firms in the hospitality industry. These issues include such topics as global strategy formulation and implementation, technology challenges, diversity in customers and employees, political and legal concerns, and effective organizational structures for long-term survival. Pre: Graduate Standing (3H, 3C).

5414 Chain Management in the Hospitality Industries: The organization, administration and evaluation of existing and challenging practices, concepts and theories in chain management in the hospitality industries. Pre: 5424, 5444, 5514, 5534. (3H, 3C).

5424 Human Resource Management: This course focuses upon the attainment of employees within the hospitality industry. Topics include the processes, practices and legal considerations involved in the employment of people in hospitality organizations. Pre: MGT 3334. (3H, 3C).

5444 Financial Management in the Hospitality Service Industries: Fundamentals of financial management as applied to hotels, restaurants, institutions and similar service organizations. Pre: FIN 3104. (3H, 3C).

5454 Hospitality and Tourism Marketing Strategy and Policy: Examination of the role of marketing within the strategic planning of hospitality service organizations. Pre: MKTG 3104. (3H, 3C).

5464 Franchising in Hospitality Management: Role of franchising in hospitality management. Contemporary issues related to franchising in different segments of the hospitality industry, including franchise concept development, franchisor-franchisee relationship, franchise agreements, operational problems, and international franchising. (3H, 3C). II.

5514 Contemporary Problems in the Hospitality Industry: Consideration and analysis of relevant industry problems and issues facing management and personnel in the hospitality industries. Computer literacy required. (3H, 3C).

5534 Strategic Management and Competitive Strategy in the Hospitality Industries: To enable students to develop a comprehensive understanding of the concepts of strategic management and competitive strategy as applied to the hospitality industries. Pre: HTM 4534 (3H, 3C).

5544 Research Methods for Hospitality Applications: The use of business research methods in the scientific investigation of hospitality related problems. The foundations of research, research design, data collection techniques, sampling issues, statistical techniques and the analysis and reporting of data will be studied. Pre: STAT 5634. (3H, 3C).

5614 Current Issues in Travel and Tourism Management: Current issues in the management of travel and tourism services. Environmental trends, planning and development, policy formulation, social and economic impact and marketing of travel and tourism. Pre: HTM 5454, (3H, 3C).

5904 Project and Report: Variable credit course.

5944 Graduate Seminar: Presentation and critical discussion of current literature and major topics in hospitality and tourism management. The seminar provides a forum for the discussion of research and research problems in hospitality and tourism management and the presentation of research by graduate students. Provides students an opportunity to prepare and present current work related to their thesis and dissertation activities. May be repeated. (1H, 1C).

5964 Field Study: Variable credit course. X-grade allowed.

5974 Independent Study: Pass/fail only. Variable credit course.

5984 Special Study: Variable credit course.

5994 Research and Thesis: Variable credit course.

6414 The Concept of Service in the Hospitality Service Industries: Seminar in the concept of service and its management. Pre: 5514. (3H, 3C).

6424 Human Resources Management in the Service Industry: Examination of research and writings in the area of human resources management in service industries. Issues and opportunities in human resources management distinctive to hospitality service organizations. Pre: HTM 5424 or MGT 5704. (3H, 3C).

6434 Theory Development for Hospitality & Service Management: Seminar in theory construction in the areas of hospitality, tourism, and service. Emphasis on the identification of relevant interdisciplinary paradigms and theory and the evaluation of social science research. Six graduate credits of hospitality and tourism courses required. Alternate years. (3H, 3C).

6444 Advanced Quantitative Methods for Hospitality Applications: Methodologies and techniques for analysis, reporting and critiquing hospitality issues using advanced concepts and quantitative methods in the scientific investigation of problems related to hospitality. Pre: STAT 6634. (3H, 3C).

6454 Hospitality Marketing Research Problems: Research designs and methodologies for the solution of hospitality industry marketing problems. Analysis and interpretation of marketing research studies. Pre: HTM 5454, STAT 5454. (3H, 3C).

7994 Research and Dissertation: Variable credit course.

Advanced Undergraduate Courses (HTM)

The following 4000-level course may be taken for graduate credit:

4534 Hospitality Management

Integrates business principles and practices related to hospitality management. Cases involving hospitality organizations are analyzed extensively. Senior standing required. Pre: HTM 3444, HTM 3524, HTM 3534, HTM 4414, HTM 4454. (3H, 3C). I,II.

For more information on this and other programs: http://www.cob.vt.edu/htm/