Doctor of Philosophy in Hospitality Management

Why this degree?

The PhD program places a strong emphasis on methodology and the scientific process and equips students with the skill set necessary to make significant contributions in the chosen research field.

 

What can you expect?

PhD students are provided one-on-one research supervision at the graduate faculty level and unique insight into the corporate inner-workings of Ithaka Hospitality Partners, the HOSP program's delivery partner. Doctoral students are encouraged to interact with the Ithaka Hospitality Partners senior leadership team and to identify other possible research partnerships, in order to develop projects that are ground-breaking and theoretically challenging from an applied perspective.


PhD Program Learning Outcomes

Program Goal 1:

Research. To prepare students to be effective researchers in the hospitality and tourism fields.

Outcomes: HOSP Ph.D. students will be able to

  1. Develop a high level of theoretical expertise in the hospitality and tourism fields by generating research questions that clearly advances the literature and their specific areas of specialty.
  2. Build up rigorous methodological competencies appropriate to hospitality and tourism fields and student’s specific area of specialty.
  3. Apply novel research methods/approaches to solve emerging problems in the hospitality and tourism fields.
  4. Develop knowledge and skills to successfully secure grants and funding to support research.
  5. Communicate their research clearly and professionally in both written and oral forms appropriate to the hospitality and tourism fields.

 

Program Goal 2:

Teaching. To prepare students to be effective educators in the hospitality and tourism fields.

Outcomes: HOSP Ph.D. students will be able to

  1. Foster the understanding of hospitality and tourism knowledge for others (e.g., students) through demonstrated pedagogical knowledge.
  2. Integrate research findings into classroom teaching, especially those related to

student’s academic interests.

  1. Synthesize feedback gathered from various sources (student, self-evaluation, peers, supervising faculty members, etc.) to continuously enhance teaching
  2. Create a teaching portfolio that documents and assesses student’s teaching abilities and experiences for future employment.

 

Program Goal 3:

Professional Development. To enable students to develop as successful professionals and be attractive to employers for highly competitive positions in academic institutions, professional organizations, industry, and government.

Outcomes: HOSP Ph.D. students will

  1. Earn professional certifications related to the various segments of the hospitality and tourism fields, offered by the department or by outside entities.
  2. Be involved during their graduate program in preparing for leadership roles and responsibilities they will assume throughout their future careers.
  3. Participate in professional organizations, becoming members and attending meetings.
  4. Enhance their professional bases through internships and other industry practical experiences.

 

How do I apply?

  1. Application for admission is available online from the Graduate School Web Page. Applications must be accompanied by the required 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.

 

  1. One official transcript of all undergraduate- and graduate-level study from each school previously 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. Transcripts should be sent directly to the Graduate School.

 

  1. 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 5 Overall Band Score on the IELTS.

 

  1. International students must also complete a Statement of Finances Form from the Graduate School. This form certifies that a specific amount of money is available to support the applicant's education and living expenses while at Auburn University.

  1. A detailed resume or curriculum vitae, to be uploaded with the online

 

  1. At least three letters of recommendation from individuals who are able to speak to your ability to pursue graduate studies. The letters should be submitted on the online application system by the Academic references are the preferred source of recommendation, especially for PhD applicants. If an applicant to the MS program completed their undergraduate degree a long time ago and is unable to acquire recommendations from their former professors, including recommendation letters from managers/employers are acceptable. In all cases, the letters of recommendation are intended to speak to your ability to successfully pursue graduate studies. HOSP graduate faculty will be interested in how your recommenders discuss both your work (e.g., strengths, skills, achievements) and personality (e.g., motivation, attitude, ability to work with others). We will need to see related examples, stories and anecdotes that gave your recommenders the impression they have of you as a candidate.

 

  1. A Personal Statement (not to exceed two pages) that the admission committee can use to get a sense of you as a whole person. The letter is to be uploaded with the online application. Use this letter as an opportunity to share:
    • Your life experiences that can serve as evidence for your ability to be persistent and successful, and whether any of these experiences equipped you with unique perspectives that you could contribute to the HOSP graduate program, field, or profession.
    • Examples of how you engage with
    • Contexts around any perceived gaps or weaknesses in your academic records.
    • Your future plans
    • Any additional information that may aid the HOSP graduate faculty in evaluating applicants’ personal preparation and aptitude for graduate study at HOSP.
  1. Applicants to the Ph.D. program must submit a research interest statement (not to exceed two pages). The statement describes any past research involvement and preparation, current research interests and how you became interested in your chosen area of study within the hospitality and tourism fields, and future research works to be completed, especially if the applicant has begun to focus on more specific research questions. Although knowledge and ideas of successful applicants will develop throughout their graduate program, this statement should communicate the depth of interest and comprehension of your research interests, realization of what goes into research, and the scholarly skills you want to learn.

 

  1. While the information that is essential in making admission decisions is included within our required documents, applicants have the option to submit supplementary application material that allows them to best represent themselves. Members of the admission committee may consider the supplementary material when making the This may include, but not limited to, GRE or GMAT exam scores, academic papers, additional letter of recommendation, portfolios, and media (links to video, audio, or images). These materials are entirely optional, and we recommend that the applicant thinks carefully before sending in too many extra supplementary materials.

 

For additional information about the 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