Graduate Bulletin

Tourism and Hospitality Management, M.T.H.M.

SCHOOL OF TOURISM AND HOSPITALITY MANAGEMENT

Admission Requirements and Deadlines

Application Deadline:

Fall: April 1

Spring: September 30

Applications are processed as they arrive through the deadline.

Letters of Reference:

Number Required: 3

From Whom: Letters of recommendation should be requested from individuals who are capable and prepared to make judgments on the applicant's ability to complete graduate studies. Undergraduate faculty and advisors are the best sources. Character references are acceptable, but at least one letter should be from an individual in higher education, if feasible. If the undergraduate work was completed a number of years ago, this may be a difficult request; therefore, applicants should use discretion when selecting the three best references.

Coursework Required for Admission Consideration:

TBA

Bachelor's Degree in Discipline/Related Discipline:

No.

Statement of Goals:

The Goal Statement (350-500 words) should include three components: academic/professional goals, personal strengths that will contribute to success in the graduate program, and personal weaknesses that may inhibit success in the program.

Standardized Test Scores:

The GRE/MAT is required. 60-70% range on the GRE verbal and quantitative sections or 60-70% range on the MAT.

Minimum TOEFL score or range of scores needed to be accepted: 575 on the paper-based test or 230 on the computer-based test. Applicants who score below 600 on the paper-based test or 250 on the computer-based test will be required to take and pass a remedial English course during their first semester at Temple University.

Resume:

A resume is required.

Transfer Credit:

Graduate credits from an accredited institution may be transferred into the program. The credits must be equivalent to coursework offered at Temple University and the grade must be a "B" or better in order to transfer. The maximum number of credits a student may transfer is 6.

Program Requirements

Campus Location:

Main Campus

Students may take their two business electives at the Fort Washington, Ambler, or Center City campuses.

Full-Time/Part-Time Status:

Students are required to complete the degree program through classes offered after 4:30 p.m.

General Program Requirements:

Number of Didactic Credits Required Beyond the Baccalaureate: 33

Required Courses:

THM 507, 521, 523, 527, 529, 566

Three courses within the option, and two courses from the Fox School of Business and Management.

Internship: Yes, an internship is required. All students must complete a minimum of 3 semester hours (180 clock hours) of internship (THM 566).

Language Examination: No language examination is required.

Additional Requirements:

The Master of Tourism and Hospitality Management (M.T.H.M.) is a 36-semester hour credit degree program. Three separate tracks have been designed to fulfill individual needs. All three tracks require the completion of the Tourism and Hospitality Management Core (21 s.h.), two courses from The Fox School of Business and Management, as well as a chosen track. Core Courses in Tourism and Hospitality Management (21 s.h.) THM 507 Research and Quantitative Methods THM 521 Management of Organizations in Tourism and Hospitality THM 523 Financial Management in Tourism and Hospitality THM 527 e-Business for Tourism and Hospitality THM 529 Marketing in Tourism and Hospitality THM 566 Graduate Internship THM 959 or 960 Master's Project/Master's Thesis OPTION 1: Management (15 s.h.) THM 540 Legal Issues in Tourism and Hospitality Two School of Tourism and Hospitality Management Electives Two Fox School of Business and Management Electives STHM Management Electives (6 s.h.) THM 519 Meeting, Conference, and Event Management THM 541 Entrepreneurship and Real Estate THM 542 Service Management in Tourism and Hospitality THM 543 Consumer Behavior in Tourism and Hospitality THM 544 The Gaming Industry THM 546 International Tourism THM 547 Tourism Development OPTION 2: Information Technology (15 s.h.) THM 531 e-Marketing and Supply Chain Management for Tourism and Hospitality Prerequisite: THM 529 Marketing in Tourism and Hospitality THM 532 Management Information Systems in Tourism and Hospitality THM 533 Seminar for Information Technology in Tourism and Hospitality Two Fox School of Business and Management Electives OPTION 3: Research (15 s.h.) Prerequisite: STAT 402 Statistical Analysis STAT 551 Regression, Time Series, and Forecasting for Business Applications or STAT 554 Survey Techniques for Business Applications GUS 465 Geographic Data Systems THM 560 Advanced Data Analysis for Tourism and Hospitality Research Two Fox School of Business and Management Electives

Culminating Events:

Thesis:

The Master's thesis option is an original empirical study that demonstrates the student's knowledge of both research methods and a mastery of his or her primary area of interest. Theses should be rigorously investigated under the direct supervision of a major advisor and should be limited to a specific problem in tourism and hospitality management. Students are required to defend their theses publicly to the academic community. A student preparing to defend a thesis should confirm a time and date with the Master's Committee and register with the graduate coordinator. After the time, date, and room are approved, the graduate coordinator will post fliers announcing the defense. The student's Master's Committee is responsible for evaluating the thesis and the defense. No thesis should go to defense unless it is ready for public scrutiny. The Committee will evaluate the student's ability to express verbally his or her research question, methodological approach, primary findings, and implications. The Committee will vote to pass or fail the thesis and the defense at the conclusion of the public presentation. If the student must make revisions, those changes must be approved as arranged by the Committee.

Thesis or Master's Project:

The Master's project option is intended to give students the opportunity to engage in systematic inquiry, while allowing for creative expression in the development of a final product. After identifying a specific problem or area of investigation, the final product for the project may take such forms as a video tape, a program evaluation, a demonstration, a new design, a research paper for publication, a grant proposal, or a manual. The project may be specific to an agency. Steps Needed a) Completion of all course requirements. b) A written proposal must be submitted to the project committee composed of two Graduate Faculty members in the School who are selected by the student. One member will serve as the major advisor for the project. The proposal should identify the area of investigation, state the significance, outline the steps to be used in systematic inquiry, and describe the nature of the final product.

Upon completion of the Master's project, the student must formally present the project to the project committee at a final meeting. After the candidate leaves the room, the committee will decide if the project is approved.

Contacts

Program Contact Information:

www.temple.edu/STHM

Department Information:

School of Tourism and Hospitality Management
412 Vivacqua Hall (062-62)
1700 North Broad Street
Philadelphia, PA 19122
STHM@blue.temple.edu
215-204-8701

Department Contacts:

Admissions:

Patricia McFadden
pmcfad01@temple.edu
215-204-0520

Program Coordinator:

Ira G. Shapiro, Ph.D.
many@temple.edu
215-204-6295

Graduate Chairperson:

Ira G. Shapiro, Ph.D.
many@temple.edu
215-204-6295

Chairperson:

Ira G. Shapiro. Ph.D.
many@temple.edu
215-204-6295

About the Program

The mission of the master's program in Tourism and Hospitality Management is to develop advanced professionals in the field of tourism, hospitality, and commercial recreation management. Professionals in this field should have an education that enables them to be expert managers, marketers, and planners in the public, private, and commercial sectors. The program prepares students to be middle-level and, eventually, to be upper-level managers in the tourism and hospitality industry. The degree program is based not only on the practical application of management techniques, but also on the theoretical foundation that defines the profession. This makes the degree program clearly distinct from generic management curricula that do not include an industry-specific core. (Students interested in studying at the doctoral level should refer to the Ph.D. program in Business Administration with a concentration in Tourism offered in The Fox School of Business and Management.)

Time Limit for Degree Completion: 4 years

Campus Location:

Main Campus

Students may take their two business electives at the Fort Washington, Ambler, or Center City campuses.

Students are required to complete the degree program through classes offered after 4:30 p.m. Students are able to complete the degree program on a part-time basis (8 credit hours or less per semester).

Department Information:

School of Tourism and Hospitality Management
412 Vivacqua Hall (062-62)
1700 North Broad Street
Philadelphia, PA 19122
STHM@blue.temple.edu
215-204-8701

Ranking:

While there is no formal ranking of programs in tourism and hospitality management, the program at Temple University has received national recognition as a new program combining tourism and hospitality management.

Accreditation:

Not applicable.

Areas of Specialization:

There are three areas of specialization: Management, Information Technology, and Research. Management is the traditional management curriculum. This option is designed for individuals who want to increase their management knowledge and potentially to obtain a career promotion in a management position. Information Technology is designed for individuals who are seeking a career in the dynamic, fast growing tourism.com industry or are seeking to further their knowledge about the latest industry-specific advancements in managing information electronically. Research is designed for individuals who desire a career in tourism marketing and research firms. These could be commercial businesses or public governmental entities.

Job Placement:

Students typically find placements in convention and visitors bureaus, event management companies, convention centers, hotels, and resorts.

Affiliation(s):

The program in Tourism and Hospitality Management is affiliated with The Fox School of Business and Management at Temple University.

Interdisciplinary Study:

The program encourages interdisciplinary coursework, research, and interactions among faculty and students with interests in management, information technology, and research.

Study Abroad:

Students who wish to do their internships abroad will work closely with their academic advisors who will assist with the necessary contacts and supervision.

Licensure:

Not applicable.

Non-Degree Student Policy:

Students who are eligible for admission may take up to 9 semester hours of coursework as non-matriculated students. If accepted into the program, the courses may be approved toward the degree program.

Financing Opportunities

Teaching and Research Assistantships at Temple University currently provide a stipend for 9 months. Full-time tuition for 9 semester hours is included for each semester (Fall and Spring) during the academic year. Teaching and Research Assistantships within the School of Tourism and Hospitality Management are reserved for students who are capable of teaching undergraduate classes in specialized academic areas or assisting in faculty research. Teaching and Research Assistants are expected to provide 20 hours per week of service throughout the academic year. Teaching and Research Assistantship applications will not be evaluated until all appropriate materials and a Graduate School application have been received. Teaching and Research Assistantships are available only to admitted students. The evaluation of applicants for Teaching and Research Assistantships will begin by March and continue until all positions have been filled.

Other Financial Opportunities