Our program will provide you with industry-specific management skills equipping you with knowledge and experiences through holistic engaging coursework, small class sizes, hands-on projects, and the real-world internships and travel experiences needed to excel in this ever-evolving field.
The curriculum offers opportunities to specialize through a concentration in one of three areas including tourism, hospitality, or event planning leading to employment opportunities including hotel, club, and resort manager, event planner, destination wedding planner, restaurant manager, cruise director, convention and meeting services, corporate travel coordinator, tourism marketing, or the chance to own and operate your own business.
Tourism, hospitality, and events are consistently recognized as top-ranked business sectors driving economic growth, cultural exchange, and job creation on a global scale employing millions of people on all levels of service. If you are looking for a degree that values creativity, innovation, personal growth, and hands-on experiences, join us on this journey and unlock a world of possibilities!
Concentrations
Tourism, Hospitality, and Event Management, B.S. - Event Management
The event management concentration offers specialized skills that are highly valued in an industry focused on planning, organizing, and executing various types of events, from corporate meetings to weddings and festivals.
One of the key benefits of our concentration in event management is its emphasis on creativity, project management, communication skills and problem-solving. You will learn how to handle everything from logistics and budgeting to vendor coordination, risk management, and client communication, ensuring that you are well-prepared to manage complex and high-stakes events.
The skill set gained from an event management concentration is versatile, enabling professionals to work in a wide range of industries, including hospitality, entertainment, sports, and non-profit organizations.
The event management industry is growing rapidly, driven by increased demand for organized and memorable experiences. Businesses, individuals, and organizations are constantly hosting events, creating a steady demand for professionals in this field.
Event careers include:
- Event Planners
- Entertainment Directors
- Conference Coordinators
- Wedding Planners
- Festival Organizers
- Exhibition Managers
- Corporate Event Managers
- Venue Managers
- Equipment and Service Providers for Event Organizations
Tourism, Hospitality, and Event Management, B.S. - Hospitality
The hospitality management concentration provides you with the skills and knowledge necessary to be successful in a global industry that spans hotels, restaurants, resorts, private clubs, event planning, and more. One of the primary benefits of this concentration is its focus on practical, real-world experience combined with theoretical learning in areas like customer service, operations management, marketing, and financial planning. This combination prepares you to handle the diverse challenges in the fast-paced hospitality sector.
The hospitality industry is one of the largest employers globally, making it a sector with substantial job availability. Hospitality management professionals are in demand across hotels, cruise lines, event venues, and even in non-traditional sectors like corporate offices and healthcare facilities, where hospitality principles are increasingly valued.
You can pursue various career paths, including roles as:
- Hotel Managers
- Restaurant Managers
- Event Planners
- Club and Resort Directors
- Operations Managers
- Food and Beverage Director
- Front Office Manager
- Sales and Marketing
Tourism, Hospitality, and Event Management, B.S. - Tourism
A concentration in tourism opens doors to a dynamic and growing industry that offers diverse career opportunities worldwide. The tourism sector plays a significant role in many economies, driving revenue through hospitality, travel, and cultural experiences. The tourism industry is one of the largest employers worldwide, supporting millions of jobs across various sectors.
The tourism concentration provides knowledge in areas like destination management, travel marketing, tour operations, destination marketing, and sustainable tourism. The international scope of the industry means that career opportunities aren’t limited to one country — professionals can find employment in destinations across the globe. These roles allow for both creativity and positive interaction with people, making tourism an attractive choice for those who enjoy working in diverse environments.
Here are a few of the career possibilities:
- Travel Agent
- Tour Guide
- Tour Operator
- Cruise Director
- Destination Marketing Specialist
- Event Coordinator
- Adventure Travel Guide
- Airline Customer Service Representative
- Transportation Manager
- Cultural Heritage Manager
Tourism, Hospitality & Event Management
Tourism, Hospitality & Event Management programs at Southern Connecticut State University are accredited by the Council on Accreditation for Parks, Recreation, Tourism and Related Professions (COAPRT). COAPRT recognizes academic programs in colleges and universities that prepare new professionals to enter the parks, recreation, tourism and related professions COAPRT Accreditation is a status granted to an academic program that meets or exceeds stated criteria of educational quality. In the United States, accreditation of professional preparation curricula is conferred by non-governmental bodies, which are often closely associated with professional associations in the field. COAPRT accredits baccalaureate degree programs in this profession. COAPRT is accredited by the Council on Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA).
Important Information Regarding Degree Mills
Please watch this important video regarding degree and accreditation mills. According to CHEA, "Degree mills and accreditation mills mislead and harm. In the United States, degrees and certificates from mills may not be acknowledged by other institutions when students seek to transfer or go to graduate school. Employers may not acknowledge degrees and certificates from degree mills when providing tuition assistance for continuing education. "Accreditation" from an accreditation mill can mislead students and the public about the quality of an institution. In the presence of degree mills and accreditation mills, students may spend a good deal of money and receive neither an education nor a useable credential." Read more on CHEA's website.
Program Evaluation
COAPRT standard 2.05.05 requires reporting of aggregated results of learning outcomes assessment. Results for the most recent academic year (2024/2025) follow.
7.01 A. During the 2024 – 2025 academic year, 90% of students achieved 80% or better on Worksheet #1 in REC 363 Event Management demonstrating the ability to explain the nature and scope of Tourism, Hospitality, & Event Management (T.H.E.M.) as it relates to the leisure service industry.
7.01 B. During the 2024 – 2025 academic year, 94% or students achieved an 80% or better for Learning Outcome #1 in THE 381 Contemporary Issues in Leisure.
7.02 During the 2024 – 2025 academic year, 92% of students received a grade of 85% or better on their final project in THE 365 Event Planning and Production demonstrating their ability to design, implement and evaluate services that facilitate targeted human experiences and that embrace personal and cultural dimensions of diversity through the planning and implementation of specific events both on and off campus.
7.03 During the 2024 – 2025 academic year, 80% of students will achieve a grade of 80% or better in THE 368 Risk Management for Tourism, Hospitality and Events demonstrating knowledge about operations and strategic management in T.H.E.M.
7.04 During the 2024 – 2025 academic year, 100% of students successfully completed all requirements for the REC 301 and/or REC 400 Internships including weekly reports with a record of hours worked and reflections on a series of questions relative to their learning experiences at the internship site.
Institute for Adapted Sports and Recreation
The Institute for Adapted Sports and Recreation provides programs for individuals with various disabilities. Through the institute, we also offer recreational therapy to individuals with disabilities living in the community. We have partnered with local organizations, where graduate students facilitate leisure activities as a way for clients to develop social skills.
School / College
College of Health & Human Services
Department
Recreation, Tourism and Sport Management
Contact
Dr. Lee J. deLisle