A master’s in hospitality to reach your goals

A master’s in hospitality to reach your goals

Earn a master’s degree in hospitality management on campus at Swiss Hotel Management School or through our new online master’s degree program. Read more to learn which program is best for you.

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By Swiss Education Group

4 minutes
Earn your master's in hospitality at SHMS

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Which master's degree in hospitality management program suits you best?

Swiss Hotel Management School (SHMS) offers three different master's degree programs tailored to cater to the demand for higher education by students and working professionals. Whether the goal is to excel in a current career path, or transition into the hospitality and events management industries, SHMS has a degree program for those who are searching to further their career with a master’s in hospitality.

Master of Arts in International Hospitality Business Management (MA):

  • Comprehensive program covering hotel and hospitality lifestyle business management and operations.
  • Specializations available in hotel management, event management, or luxury brand management.
  • Focus on developing leaders and managers for hotels, resorts, and luxury lifestyle businesses.
  • Well-rounded curriculum with theoretical knowledge and practical applications.
  • Optional internship for real-world experience.
     

The Master of Arts in International Hospitality Business Management program is offered on the Caux campus and is designed to provide students with a comprehensive set of core classes that cover the intricacies of hotel and hospitality lifestyle business management and operations.

Students delve into various aspects of the industry, including marketing, food and beverage management, leadership in business, and hotel operations. From this base, students choose a specialization in either hotel management, event management or luxury brand management. The latter two options appeal to those who prefer to enter the burgeoning luxury retail or lifestyle event sectors instead of the traditional hospitality options.

The program focuses on nurturing professionals who can lead and manage hotels, resorts, and other luxury lifestyle businesses with finesse and efficiency. It offers a well-rounded curriculum that covers both theoretical knowledge and practical applications, as well as an optional internship, preparing graduates for a successful career in the dynamic hospitality and lifestyle sector.

Master of Science in International Hospitality Management (MSc):

  • Business Focus: The curriculum emphasizes business management, leadership, and technology-driven value creation to equip you for success in the competitive market.
  • Electives: You can choose from contemporary elective classes, such as social media strategy, analytics-driven decision-making, sustainable value creation, and AI, to tailor your studies to your interests.
  • Experiential Learning: Engage in real-world scenarios and hands-on experiences to develop practical skills and prepare for the challenges of the ever-evolving hospitality industry.
     

The Master of Science in International Hospitality Management program is offered on the Leysin campus. It is centered on developing expertise in business management and leadership, strategy and risk management, strategic design and operations, and technology-driven value creation.  Contemporary elective classes allow students to hone their studies in two areas of interest such as social media strategy, analytics-driven decision-making, sustainable value creation and AI.  

The MSc will prepare graduates to be competent hospitality business managers who can create and deliver successful initiatives across different industries. The curriculum emphasizes modern business strategy, and students are exposed to real-world scenarios through experiential learning opportunities. This master’s in hospitality prepares them to tackle the challenges of the ever-evolving hospitality industry with creativity and precision.

A Master's in hospitality will take you far.
A master's in hospitality will help you excel in the industry.

 

Both the MA and MSc programs are awarded with dual diplomas, one from SHMS and one from the University of Derby, UK, and are typically completed in 12 months, a shorter masters in hospitality program than other institutions. The year is comprised of a semester of courses followed by a second semester of independent study. In the MSc program, the second semester is spent working on an integrated business project or dissertation. In the MA program, the second semester is spent working on an integrated business project as well as an optional internship.

Which program is for me?

Your previous studies and your career objectives will drive this decision. Though both master's degree in hospitality management programs are strong and will take you far in your career, there are differences that will determine the best choice for you.

The MSc program at SHMS has an innovative and business-focused approach. It is designed for students who aspire to become contemporary leaders, managers or want to pursue business-related roles in various industries. This program covers business fundamentals geared toward understanding the modern consumer to advance in a dynamic and competitive market.

The MSc degree is usually the choice for students who already possess a bachelor’s degree in hospitality. For recent graduates, going straight into the MSc program can excel their career path. A bachelor’s degree in hospitality will certainly get you started in your career, however, if your goal is higher management and leadership in the industry, an MSc will take you further, faster. Even when starting out, graduates with an MSc usually can command a higher salary than a graduate with a bachelor’s degree.

The Master of Arts (MA) program has a vocational focus. It is targeted toward professionals who already possess experience in the business field, either existing hospitality professionals or those looking to change industries. This program aims to enhance the practical skills and knowledge of these experienced professionals, enabling them to further excel in their current careers or transition to higher positions within the industry. The MA program emphasizes practical application, management techniques, and specialized skills relevant to various sectors within the business domain.

The MA can be attractive to some students who have a bachelor’s degree in hospitality due to the specializations. The specializations, particularly Luxury Brand Management and Event Management, offer a unique focus in a trending career sector not found in other programs.

In short, the MA program at SHMS caters to experienced professionals seeking career advancement and practical knowledge, while the MSc program is oriented towards aspiring entrepreneurs and future business leaders, providing them with a solid foundation in business principles and strategies. Both programs drive careers forward. The only question is; Where would you like your career to go?

Online Master of Arts in Executive Hospitality Management

For working professionals or anyone who needs flexibility to study, SHMS also offers an Online master’s degree program. The online Master of Arts in Executive Hospitality Management program offers greater flexibility as students can set their pace of study and complete the course in 18 months to 3 years. This Online master’s degree allows experienced working professionals to balance their personal and professional commitments while earning their degree. With a focus on the same rigorous curriculum and industry-relevant skills as the on-campus degree programs, the Online master’s degree program ensures that working professionals can enhance their expertise and unlock new opportunities in the hospitality industry.

All SHMS master’s degree programs drive careers forward. The only question is, where would you like your career to go?

Career options with a master's degree in hospitality management

Upon completing Master of Arts in International Hospitality Business Management, diverse career opportunities await. Depending on the specialization chosen, graduates can find employment in traditional hospitality management positions as well as luxury brand and lifestyle positions such as event planning for corporations, festivals, trade shows, sports events; the list is endless.  With the growing significance of experiential marketing, event management professionals are also in demand by marketing agencies and companies aiming to create unique brand experiences.

For graduates of the Master of Science in International Hospitality Management, graduates can explore various career paths in the business of hospitality. This degree can put graduates on  the path to roles such as hotel manager, resort manager, food and beverage director or even venture into hotel consulting and entrepreneurship.

Similarly, graduates of the Online Master SHMS can tap into the same career opportunities as their on-campus counterparts. The online program ensures that working professionals can upskill and progress in their current hospitality roles or venture into new areas of the industry with confidence and competence.

Each master's degree in hospitality management program offered by the Swiss Hotel Management School caters to specific career aspirations and individual circumstances. Prospective students should carefully assess their personal preferences, career aspirations, and lifestyle factors to make an informed decision about which program aligns best with their goals.

Whatever program is chosen, a master’s in hospitality from SHMS equips graduates with the skills and knowledge necessary to excel in the dynamic and rewarding worlds of hospitality and events.

Interested in earning a master’s degree with SHMS? Contact us for guidance in selecting the best program for your goals.

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By Swiss Education Group