University of Hawaii at Manoa

What you'll study

The programme combines advanced management theory with practical hospitality applications. Core topics typically include operations management, strategic management for hospitality, service design and quality, revenue management and pricing, hospitality finance and accounting, and hospitality law and ethics. Research methods and data analysis prepare students for evidence-based decision making, and many programmes include a capstone project or thesis option that applies academic learning to a real-world business problem.

Elective modules often allow specialisation in areas such as sustainable tourism and destination management, meetings and events management, revenue and distribution systems, digital marketing for hospitality, and cross-cultural management. Practical learning components — such as internships, industry practicum placements, case studies and site visits to hotels and resorts — are commonly integrated to build operational skills and industry connections.

Entry requirements

Applicants are normally expected to hold a recognised bachelor’s degree in any discipline. Admissions committees look for evidence of academic ability, professional potential and clear motivation for graduate study in hospitality. Relevant work experience in hotels, restaurants, tourism organisations or related service industries can strengthen an application but is not always mandatory.

Typical application materials include a résumé or CV, academic transcripts, one or more letters of recommendation, and a personal statement outlining career goals. International applicants must demonstrate English language proficiency through an approved test or equivalent qualification. Some students may be invited to an interview as part of the selection process.

Career prospects

Graduates progress into management and leadership roles across the hospitality and tourism sectors. Common career outcomes include hotel or resort general manager, food and beverage director, operations or rooms division manager, revenue or yield manager, events and conference manager, and roles in tourism development or destination marketing organisations. Graduates also find opportunities with cruise lines, airline hospitality, consulting firms, and corporate roles in hotel chains or third-party management companies.

Those interested in research or academia can use the master’s as preparation for doctoral study; others leverage their degree to launch entrepreneurial ventures such as boutique hotels, event companies or eco-tourism enterprises.

Why study at University of Hawaii at Manoa

Studying at the University of Hawaii at Manoa places you in a globally recognised Pacific hub for tourism and hospitality, giving direct access to a highly developed visitor economy and a wide range of industry partners from luxury resorts to community tourism initiatives. The university’s business and hospitality faculty bring regional expertise on Asia–Pacific markets, sustainable tourism and island economies, offering perspectives that are particularly relevant to organisations operating across cultural and geographic boundaries.

Students benefit from experiential learning opportunities in Hawaiʻi’s diverse hospitality sector, networking with local employers, and field-based learning that leverages the campus location. The programme’s combination of academic rigour and practical engagement is designed to equip graduates with the strategic, operational and intercultural skills demanded by senior hospitality roles worldwide.