Hospitality, Tourism and Event Management Studies, BS

Program Introduction

The Stockton University Hospitality, Tourism and Event Management Studies program launches students’ careers, through active learning, internship experience, and professional networks. Profession ready graduates are empowered with passion, knowledge, skills, values, and engaging perspectives to develop as competitive leaders. As a major employer in the world today, education in Hospitality, Tourism and Event Management can open doors to exciting career paths in every segment of the industry.

The hospitality, tourism and events industry is one of the largest career sectors in the world and continues to grow at a rapid pace. Not only do our graduates work for leading hospitality and tourism employers, but also in emerging industry sectors.  The Bachelor of Science in Hospitality, Tourism and Events Management prepares students for a leadership career throughout the hospitality industry. Students learn all aspects of the industry, including finance, operations, customer service theory, human resources, marketing, and communications to list a few, to build a solid foundation of skills that will help them secure positions in the top companies in the world. Our faculty offers students a robust perspective on the hospitality industry as well as real-world experience. Students have the option to complete a generalized degree or select an area of interest tailoring the depth and knowledge of industry sectors in Event Management, Resort Management, Restaurant and Beverage Management, or Tourism Management. The most common career opportunities by area of interest:

Event Management:

• Event Coordinator

• Event Manager

• Meeting Planner

• Event Director

• Conference Manager

• Exhibition Coordinator

• Event Producer

• Event Sales Manager

• Wedding Planner

• Venue Manager

Resort Management:

• General Manager

• Front Office Manager

• Rooms Division Manager

• Sales and Marketing Manager

• Revenue Manager

• Concierge

• Director of Operations

• Housekeeping Manager

• Guest Services Manager

• Experience Manager

Restaurant and Beverage Management:

• General Manager

• Restaurant Manager

• Front of House Manager

• Assistant Manager

• Director of Operations

• Food and Beverage Manager

• Catering Sales Manager

• Marketing Manager

Tourism Management:

• Tourism Manager

• Destination Manager

• Travel Consultant/Advisor

• Tour Guide

• Event Coordinator

• Visitor Services Supervisor

• Sales Manager (in hospitality/tourism)

• Marketing Coordinator (in tourism boards or agencies)

• Customer Experience Manager

• Cultural Heritage Manager

Admission to the Program

The Hospitality, Tourism and Event Management Studies program is open to any student with an active interest in hospitality, tourism, or the events industry. 

Program Organization and Graduation Requirements

The Hospitality, Tourism and Event Management Studies program (HTEM) offers a B.S. degree. This program is a business-oriented degree and requires many of the same core courses as the Business Administration B.A. and B.S. degrees, with additional core and elective courses in Hospitality, Tourism and Event Management.  

Bachelor of Science Degree

The B.S. degree in HTEM blends the practical with the theoretical. Whether working in the New Jersey area or elsewhere around the globe, students will acquire real world experience tied to their academic program preparing them for success and leadership in the fields of hospitality and tourism. Students will gain self-confidence, network with professionals, and explore possible career options in this dynamic industry. 

The B.S. in Hospitality, Tourism and Event Management Studies requires 20 program courses (80 credits), as follows: 

• 7 Business Foundation courses,

• 3 courses in the Experiential Learning Sequence (plus a 0 credit Professional Work Experience),

• 6 courses in the Hospitality, Tourism and Event Management Studies Core, and

• 4 Hospitality, Tourism and Event Management Studies electives 

This degree also requires 48 additional credits in General Studies/At-Some-Distance courses.

Note that a grade of “C or better” is required in all Hospitality, Tourism and Event Management Studies program courses.  

Program Special Features

Areas of Interest

The B.S. in Hospitality, Tourism and Event Management Studies requires 4 courses (16 credits) of Hospitality, Tourism and Event Management Studies electives. Students are encouraged to focus their studies on specialized Hospitality, Tourism and Event Management Studies Areas of Interest, which involve choosing a specific set of related electives focused on a specific theme. Students also have the opportunity to tailor their Areas of Interest in consultation with the Hospitality, Tourism and Event Management Studies advisor. 

Areas of Interest are available in:

• Event Management,

• Resort Management,

• Restaurant and Beverage Management,

• Tourism Management.  

Experiential Learning Sequence

The Experiential Learning Sequence requires students to complete Professional Work Experience (HTMS 3901) then take coursework that includes Career Development (HTMS 3127) and Business Policies and Strategies (HTMS 4112) as well as an HTMS Internship course (HTMS 4970).  Professional Work Experience (HTMS 3901) is a pre-requisite before Career Development (HTMS 3127). Stockton’s work, internship, and eventual job placements for majors in HTEM range from local to global locations and include a variety of experiences throughout the hospitality, tourism and events tourism industry. The HTEM program maintains a strong alumni network linking graduates through targeted alumni programming and communications. 

Accelerated Schedule

Students can earn the B.S. Degree in Hospitality, Tourism and Event Management Studies in 4 years by taking 4 courses each semester (fall and spring) and having summers off.  However, HTEM has committed to offering a regular set of summer courses (assuming sufficient demand) such that students may be able to complete the degree in three full years (Fall and Spring Semesters) plus one summer session. Because of Stockton’s fixed tuition policy this accelerated option saves students the cost of a full semester of tuition and housing.  

B.A. or B.S./MBA ACCELERATED DUAL DEGREE PROGRAM

For highly qualified students, the Hospitality, Tourism and Event Management Studies program also offers an accelerated dual-degree program in which students may obtain an undergraduate degree (B.S. in Hospitality, Tourism and Event Management Studies) and an MBA in a format that can be completed in as little as five years. Dual-degree students follow a modified program and start taking MBA courses in their senior year. 

Entry into the Program:

Incoming First-Year Studies

Students interested in the dual-degree program must formally apply for acceptance after they have completed at least one semester at Stockton. To be considered for this program, students must have an overall minimum cumulative GPA of 3.5 at time of application. 

Continuing and Transfer Students

Students interested in the dual-degree program must formally apply for acceptance before or during the second semester of their junior year. To be considered for this program, students must have an overall minimum cumulative GPA of 3.5 at time of application.

Dual-degree students must maintain a minimum GPA of 3.5 to remain in the dual-degree program. 

Accelerated Dual-Degree Program Requirements

The full requirements for the accelerated dual-degree program can be accessed from the HTEM Website. Students enrolled in, or intending to enroll in, this program should be aware that the following courses are expected to be taken at the graduate level (and should not be taken as part of the student’s undergraduate requirements):

• Business Law: dual-degree students are NOT expected to take the undergraduate business law course (HTMS 3110 Legal Social Ethical Environments of Business) and ARE required to take the graduate course PLAW 5250.

• Capstone: dual-degree students are NOT expected to take the undergraduate capstone course (HTMS 4112) and ARE required to take the graduate capstone course (BSNS 5505) which will be taken in year five.

• Internship: dual-degree students are NOT expected to take the undergraduate internship class (HTMS 4970) but ARE required to take the graduate internship class HTMS 5900 Internship. 

In addition:

• Electives: HTMS 5112 Current Issues in Hospitality Management will be substituted for the HTMS 4112 capstone course.

• One MBA course (core or elective) is also counted as an undergraduate elective. The choice of this course should be discussed and approved by the preceptor. 

The undergraduate degree will be awarded when the student completes the undergraduate business major requirements and reaches 128 credits. These 128 credits may include undergraduate and graduate credits. 

Students in this dual-degree program must meet with the Dual-Degree Coordinator or their designee every semester to guide them through the program of study. 

Dual-degree students must finish their undergraduate requirements and apply for undergraduate graduation as soon as possible—usually as they are finishing their fourth graduate class. Permission from the Dual-Degree Coordinator must be obtained before taking a fifth graduate class while still in undergraduate status. 

Atlantic City

In 2018 Stockton University opened the Atlantic City location in addition to Stockton’s main campus, which provides Hospitality, Tourism and Event Management Studies students with a unique opportunity of living, learning, and earning, in the heart of the largest tourism destination in New Jersey. 

Course Sequencing and Schedule Planning

In considering course selection and sequences, students should understand that Stockton University does not have an evening division or an evening program. Consequently, there is no guarantee that all courses required for graduation will be offered every semester during evenings. While many required courses are offered during the evening, it is highly likely that at some point students who only take courses during evening hours will have to revise their schedules to ensure they take the daytime-only courses they will need to graduate.

Should the student be unable for any reason to take a prescribed course in the regular semester, it is his/her responsibility to take the course later. The student should not expect a waiver for the course at a subsequent date, nor should s/he expect that the course will be offered at an unusual time just to meet the individual’s personal needs.

Students should also understand that it is their responsibility to make certain that their academic records are in proper order at the time they make an application for graduation with a bachelor’s degree. 

Graduation with Distinction

A Bachelor of Science degree with “Distinction in Hospitality, Tourism and Event Management Studies” will be awarded to students who have completed at least 32 program credits at Stockton, have a GPA in the Hospitality, Tourism and Event Management Studies major of 3.85 and above, and rank in the top 10% of HTMS graduating seniors (again, based on their Hospitality, Tourism and Event Management Studies GPA).

Full degree curriculum and transfer audits for the program can be explored using the Degree Works web-based tool. Full details about the curriculum are accessible on the website.