The Horst Schulze School of Hospitality Management offers online graduate studies leading to a Master's degree in Hospitality Management. This program is designed for busy professionals willing to earn a degree in their free time in their own locale, allowing individuals to balance educational objectives with work and family commitment. The combination of a non-thesis Hospitality Management degree and the distance learning program allows Auburn University to reach out to industry and personnel by extending classrooms beyond the confines of campus. The program offers an interesting blend of theoretical and applied courses created to keep students abreast of current management thinking and practice. Particular emphasis is placed on the concepts of informed decision-making, problem solving, and hospitality management in an international business context.
About the Program
The Program of Study for this non-thesis track is consistent with the traditional campus-based program. The MS degree requires a minimum of 33 semester hours. In lieu of a thesis, an industry-based project approved by the student's major professor/supervisory committee will be required. The student will receive four credits under HOSP 7986 (Non-Thesis Research) for work on the project. Typically, this non-thesis track can be completed entirely online.
Video recordings of actual classes on Auburn's campus offered in the same semester are delivered electronically online to distance learning students registered for the courses. Links to the videos are available to distance learning students only and are accessed with Auburn user IDs and passwords. Students are allowed to view the class recordings when it best fits their schedules, yet soon after receiving them in order to stay abreast of the course at roughly the same pace as the on-campus students. The format of the assignments, exams, and projects vary, depending on the course and the instructor, but can generally be submitted electronically.
The degree offered via distance learning is the same degree offered on-campus and meets the same guidelines for quality as do all Auburn University programs, therefore a serious commitment is required. A full range of student services are available to assist individuals in course activities. The typical load for a student with a full-time job is one or two courses per semester. Depending on how many credit hours the student enrolls each semester, the degree program can be completed in two years, but all degree requirements must be completed within six calendar years.
Once admitted, the student will be assigned a temporary academic advisor – typically, the HOSP graduate programs officer. Once the student chooses a major professor (and an advisory committee if needed), the student will continue to receive guidance through every phase of the program. The HOSP program also offers individual distance learning courses to individuals who want to continue their education in this area without pursuing the Master's degree.
HOSP Online MS Progression Checklist
A quick reference to assist the student in determining whether requirements have been met. It is the responsibility of the student to keep this checklist current and to meet all requirements on time.
Click here to access form.
HOSP Online MS Estimated Costs
| Graduate School Application Fee | Domestic: $60 International: $70 |
| Course fee per credit hour | $577 |
| Minimum number of semester credit hours | 33 |
| Typical hours per semester | 3-9 |
| Graduation Fee (billed during graduation semester) | $40 |
| Total Estimated Program Cost | $19,150 |
Required Core Courses*
HOSP 7090 Consumer Behavior in Hospitality & Tourism (3 hours)
HOSP 7500 Global Hospitality Strategy (3 hours)
HOSP 7050 Advanced Hospitality Operations (3 hours)
HOSP 7980 Non-Thesis Research (4 hours)
Electives (minimum of 20 graduate-level credit hours, 6 of which must be HOSP hours)
Examples of elective courses offered distance education:
HOSP 6530 Science of Quality Service in Hospitality (3 credit hours)
HOSP 8860 Current Issues in Hospitality Management (3 credit hours)
HOSP 7000 Hospitality Enterprise (3 credit hours)
HOSP 7010 Advanced Tourism Analysis (3 credit hours)
HOSP 6550 Club Management (3 credit hours)
HOSP 6540 Conference Coordination (3 credit hours)
HOSP 6380 Study Travel in HOSP (variable credit hours)
HOSP 7920 Professional Internship (1-3 credit hours)
*Required core courses may be substituted with committee approval if the equivalent course was taken as an undergraduate. Electives may be selected to allow for specialization in a particular hospitality-related area.
HOSP Online MS Admission Requirements
1. Application for admission (available online from the Graduate School Web Page ). Applications must be accompanied by the required fee. These fees may be paid online via credit cards (Visa, MasterCard, American Express, or Discover) at the end of the application process. Applications and records will not be processed until the application fee has been received by the Graduate School.
2. One official transcript of all undergraduate- and graduate-level study from each school previously attended. An applicant who, because of current enrollment, cannot provide final transcripts at the time of application must submit transcripts of all completed study, as well as incomplete transcripts from the current institution. Applicants do not need to provide transcripts for credits earned at Auburn University.
3. A detailed resume or curriculum vitae, to be uploaded with the online application.
4. At least three letters of recommendation from individuals who are able to speak to the applicant's ability to pursue graduate studies. The letters should be submitted on the online application system. The letters of recommendation are intended to speak to your ability to pursue graduate studies. Academic references are the preferred source of recommendation. However, if you completed your undergraduate degree a long time ago and unable to acquire recommendations from your former professors, or you have worked in a relevant field, including recommendation letters from your managers/employers are acceptable.
5. A statement of purpose (not to exceed two pages) demonstrating the applicant's purpose in applying for HOSP graduate study, particular area of specialization within the hospitality and tourism fields, future plans, unique qualifications for and commitment to the hospitality and tourism, and any additional information that may aid the HOSP graduate faculty in evaluating applicant's preparation and aptitude for graduate study at HOSP to be uploaded with the online application.
6. Applicants whose native language is not English must submit the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or International English Language Testing System (IELTS). To be considered for admission, applicants must score at least 79 on the internet TOEFL (iBT), 213 on the computer TOEFL (cBT), 550 on the paper TOEFL (pBT), or 6.5 Overall Band Score on the IELTS.
HOSP Graduate Admission Frequently Asked Questions
For additional information about the online MS in HOSP program, email Dr. Ayoun:
Dr. Baker Ayoun
HOSP Graduate Programs Officer
Horst Schulze School of Hospitality Management
324H Rane Culinary Science Center
205 South College Street
Auburn University, AL 36830
E: bma0002@auburn.edu