Widener University

What you'll study

The programme blends hospitality-specific management topics with general management disciplines to develop operational, financial and strategic capability. Core subject areas typically include hospitality operations and service management, lodging and food & beverage management, hospitality marketing, revenue and yield management, hospitality finance and accounting, human resources for service organisations, and strategic management for hospitality enterprises.

Students also study practical topics such as quality and service design, event and conference management, food safety and sanitation standards, and applied data analytics for demand forecasting and pricing. The curriculum commonly culminates in a capstone project, industry practicum or internship that places students with hotels, restaurant groups, conference centres or other hospitality employers to work on a real operational or strategic challenge.

• Hospitality Operations and Service Management
• Revenue Management and Pricing Strategies
• Food & Beverage Management and Cost Control
• Lodging Management and Property Operations
• Hospitality Marketing and Sales
• Financial Management and Accounting for Hospitality
• Human Resource Management in Service Industries
• Data Analytics and Forecasting for Hospitality
• Capstone Project or Industry Practicum

Entry requirements

Applicants are normally expected to hold a recognised bachelor's degree. A competitive undergraduate GPA (typically around a 3.0) is usually required; applicants with lower GPAs but substantial relevant professional experience may be considered. Typical application materials include official transcripts, a current résumé or CV, a personal statement outlining career goals and fit with the programme, and one or two professional or academic references.

The programme is suitable for those with prior hospitality or business education, and also for graduates from other disciplines who can demonstrate commitment to a hospitality career. Some students enter with several years of industry experience; other pathways include full-time study for recent graduates or part-time schedules for working professionals. Admissions tests (such as the GMAT or GRE) are not always required — check the admissions office for current policy.

Career prospects

Graduates go on to a wide range of managerial and leadership roles across the hospitality and service sectors. Common career paths include hotel operations manager, general manager trainee, food & beverage director, revenue manager, conference and events manager, sales and marketing manager, and guest experience or quality manager. The skills developed also transfer to roles in hospitality consulting, tourism organisations, cruise lines, and corporate travel or event divisions.

Because the programme emphasises applied learning and industry engagement, graduates often move into roles that combine operational oversight with data-driven decision making — for example revenue analytics, property-level financial management, or regional operations leadership.

Why study at Widener University

Widener offers small class sizes and a personalised learning environment that supports close interaction with faculty and industry partners. The university's location in the greater Philadelphia region provides access to a large hospitality market — hotels, convention centres, restaurants, and event venues — which supports internship placements and employer networking.

The programme typically emphasises experiential learning, with opportunities for practicum placements, industry projects and applied capstones. Faculty often bring a mix of academic and practical industry experience, and career services and employer relationships help students identify internships and entry-level management roles. Flexible delivery options and support for part-time study make the programme accessible to working professionals seeking to advance within the hospitality sector.