Why Earn Your Hospitality Management Degree at Saint Leo University?
The Hospitality Management major pairs an advanced business education with required, hands-on internship experience. Students apply quantitative models and technology to real-world operations, studying business analytics, revenue management, and operational decision-making across hotel and resort management, food and beverage operations, and event project design.
Built on a foundation of quantitative management sciences and the liberal arts, the program develops analytical, technological, and strategic leadership skills. Graduates are prepared to model organizational growth, improve service delivery, and lead in a fast-changing, technology-driven industry. Students learn from experienced faculty and industry-engaged professionals, and they can also study abroad or intern with hospitality organizations in Central Florida and beyond.
Central Florida offers a strong setting for studying hospitality. The region includes world-renowned attractions, coastal destinations, and a mix of global corporate brands and local boutique venues, with international transportation hubs and destination marketing organizations that give students connections to industry networks.
This program is offered:
Campus
The BA in Hospitality Management degree combines data-driven business coursework with a required internship, preparing students to lead in hotels, resorts, food and beverage operations, and event design. Students study analytics, revenue management, and guest service, and complete an internship with an organization anywhere in the world that fits their career goals.
Est. Time to Complete:
4 Years
Credit Hours:
120 hours
Undergraduate Hospitality Management Program Details
The hospitality management major requires 120 total credits. Major courses cover guest service, food and beverage operations, hospitality revenue management, event project management, and data-driven marketing, along with an internship and senior seminar in international hospitality and tourism.
Degree Credit Structure
| Requirement | Credits |
|---|---|
| University Explorations | 42 |
| Freshman Year Experience | 1 |
| Common Body of Knowledge | 36 |
| Major Requirements | |
| Electives (may vary) | |
| Total | 120 |
| Course | Title |
|---|---|
| IHT 120 | Introduction to Hospitality Management |
| IHT 210 | Guest Service Management |
| COM 315 | Decision Support Systems |
| IHT 341 | Food and Beverage Operations |
| MGT 331 | Management of Human Resources |
| IHT 352 | Hospitality Revenue Management |
| IHT 425 | Internship in International Hospitality and Tourism |
| IHT 438 | Event Project Management and Design |
| MK 497 | Data Driven Strategic Marketing |
| IHT 498 | Senior Seminar in International Hospitality and Tourism |
| Course | Title |
|---|---|
| ACC 201 | Principles of Financial Accounting |
| ACC 202 | Principles of Managerial Accounting |
| COM 327 | Business Information Systems & Analytics |
| ECO 201 | Principles of Macroeconomics |
| ECO 202 | Principles of Microeconomics |
| GBA 231 | Business Law I |
| GBA 334 | Applied Decision Methods |
| GBA 398 | Integrated Perspectives in Business |
| MAT 201 | Introduction to Statistics |
| MGT 301 | Principles of Management |
| MGT 325 | Finance for Managers |
| MKT 301 | Principles of Marketing |
Immersive Campus Experience, A Community That Feels Like Home
Saint Leo University's campus in Saint Leo, Florida, offers a transformative educational experience amidst scenic landscapes, including Lake Jovita and rolling green spaces. Home to over 2,000 students from all 50 states and more than 100 countries, the university fosters a tight-knit, inclusive community.
Campus students benefit from comfortable residence and dining halls, advanced learning facilities, and a vibrant student life with numerous clubs and organizations. The proximity to Tampa Bay provides additional cultural and recreational opportunities, enriching the overall student experience.
Career Outlook
Hospitality management students gain professional development opportunities, industry knowledge from experienced faculty, and required internship experience, along with support from the Saint Leo community, to prepare for a successful career or continued studies after graduation.
What skills will you learn?
- business analytics and quantitative models;
- revenue management;
- operational decision-making;
- guest service management;
- food and beverage operations;
- event project management and design;
- human resource management;
- data-driven strategic marketing;
- analytical, technological, and strategic leadership
How will you gain real experience?
Internships
Every student completes an internship. Under the mentorship of industry professionals, students intern with companies and organizations anywhere in the world that support their individual career goals. Saint Leo hospitality management students have completed internships with host organizations such as:
- Four Seasons Hotels & Resorts
- Saddlebrook Resort Tampa
- SeaWorld Parks
- Busch Gardens Tampa Bay
- InterContinental Hotels Group
- The Grand Caymanian Resort
- The Ritz-Carlton Resorts
- Residence Inn by Marriott
- Embassy Suites
- Walt Disney World Resort
Memberships
Students can join the National Society of Minorities in Hospitality (NSMH), a student-run professional organization open to all students. NSMH offers events and programs that connect students with company sponsors, industry representatives, advisors, and mentors.
What can you do with an undergraduate hospitality management degree?
Graduates are prepared for leadership careers across hospitality and tourism management, including:
- Hotel and resort management
- Food and beverage operations and commercial food service
- Event planning and event production
- Theme parks and attractions
- Cruise lines
- Private clubs
- Eco-tourism
Meet the Program Chair
Dr. Kelly Atkins, DBA, PMP
Associate Professor of Management
Department Chair of Strategic Business and Professional Studies
Phone: (352) 588-7197
Email: kelly.atkins@saintleo.edu
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. Saint Leo University is accredited by SACSCOC, and the business curriculum is also accredited by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP). See all accreditations.
Yes. Every student completes an internship with a company or organization anywhere in the world that supports their career goals, under the mentorship of industry professionals.
Graduates are prepared for leadership careers in hotel and resort management, food and beverage operations, event planning and production, theme parks and attractions, cruise lines, private clubs, and eco-tourism.
Flexible learning options, Catholic roots, over 40 majors and minors to choose from, and ranked in the top 5 for best value education in the South.