The United States is home to many of the world's top hospitality schools. The hospitality industry plays an important role in many state economies by supplying jobs and acting as an important source of income. Because of the significance of this industry in North America many international students choose to study hospitality in the U.S. There are four states which are internationally recognized for both their tourist destinations and top ranked hospitality schools: South Carolina, California, Florida, and New York.
Situated in the land of vibrant culture, beautiful beaches and expert-caliber golf courses is South Carolina. With major tourism draws such as historic Charleston, Hilton Head Island, Myrtle Beach and the charming town of Beaufort. There is something for everyone in this subtropical paradise. The University of South Carolina - Beaufort offers a specialized program in Hospitality Management. Students at USC - Beaufort are exposed to an exciting and large variety of coursework. The Hospitality Management program offers a course in festival and community event planning to give an overview of planning, producing, and managing community oriented special events. Another exciting course is on wines, spirits, beers and non-alcoholic beverages in food service establishments. During your time in the Hospitality Management program you will complete a minimum of 400 hours of hands on internship experience. With multiple hotels and restaurants nearby there is opportunities to land a great internship and expand your network of professional contacts in the Hospitality industry. USC - Beaufort offers an active student life with 30 student organizations, nine sports teams and special events each school year. South Carolina is a true gem on the Atlantic coast with expansive opportunities to grow in the Hospitality industry.
While on the opposite coast is gorgeous in its own right, you’ll find the Golden State of California is full of beautiful beaches, breathtaking forests and mountains, and some of the USA's most famous cities; Los Angeles, San Francisco, San Diego, etc. Several top hospitality schools are located in California because of the demand for highly skilled workers in this industry. San Jose State University, situated in the heart of Silicon Valley, has a student population of about 26,000 students and offers 134 different degree programs. The university has an impressive hospitality management program; international students can earn a Bachelor of Science in Hospitality Tourism and Event Management within four years. The degree program is designed to give students the specific educational skills and knowledge that are necessary to excel in the hospitality industry. Students will learn about the basics of hospitality and management by completing 32 credit hours of core hospitality courses and 27 credit hours on elective courses related to the field. The Hospitality, Recreation and Tourism Management Department helps students attain an internship, a requirement of this degree program, which consists of 300 work hours. With a degree like these a graduate can work as a sales director, restaurant manager, hotel or resort manager, meeting planner, catering controller, etc.
Rosen College of Hospitality Management at the University of Central Florida is another popular choice for international students who want to study hospitality in the U.S. The school is located near some of Florida's (and the USA's) biggest tourist destinations such as Disney World, MGM Universal Studios, and Sea World to name a few. Rosen College offers several undergraduate and graduate degrees; Bachelor of Science in Hospitality Management, Event Management, or Restaurant & Foodservice Management, along with a Master of Science in Hospitality & Tourism Management, and a Ph.D. in Hospitality Education. Along with completing the required courses students are expected to complete an industry-related internship in order to graduate. UCF's Student Services also assists students find an internships to provide the experience necessary to be successful.
New York is the biggest tourist destination of the U.S. and it is no coincidence that the top hospitality schools in the country are located there. Cornell University School of Hotel Administration is located in Ithaca, New York and is an Ivy League institution with a prestigious reputation to match. Cornell has four excellent degree programs; Bachelor of Science in Hotel Administration, Master of Management in Hospitality, Master of Science in Hotel Administration, and a Ph. D. in Hotel Administration. About 10 percent of the school's undergraduate population is made up of international students from over 30 different countries. Foreign students who want to apply for Cornell's undergraduate program must fulfill all the requirements for a first-year or transfer student applicant. More details about this application process can be found on the Cornell's admission page for international applicants. To participate in the graduate degree programs at Cornell specific Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) scores are required along with a resume, GMAT scores, official transcripts, etc.
In conclusion, South Carolina, California, Florida, and New York are some of the best locations for international students who want to study hospitality in the U.S. Not only are these states major tourist destinations, but they are also home to some of the country's best hospitality schools. With the internship opportunities available and the chance to see the industry in action these schools offer great environments for students to learn about hospitality.
Tourism Programs
Visit the Study in the USA School search to find schools that offer programs of study in Tourism.
