LAUNCH YOUR CAREER, DISCOVER THE WORLD

The Hospitality Management and Tourism (HMT) program prepares students for careers in the hospitality and tourism industries by blending service and event management with business principles. From mastering business strategy to creating unforgettable guest experiences, develop the skills you need to succeed in a growing global industry.

The HMT program provides students with the specialized knowledge, skills, and real-world experiences needed to succeed in a dynamic career in hospitality and tourism—whether you’re drawn to luxury hotel and resort management, sustainable tourism development, experiential event planning, digital travel marketing, food and beverage entrepreneurship, sports and entertainment hospitality, equine hospitality, or craft beverage tourism.

Our hands-on, project-based curriculum and internship experience facilitate the learning of industry practices related to guest experience design, revenue and brand strategy, AI-driven hospitality solutions, financial management, and service management. You will be challenged to exercise creative thinking across marketing, communications, operations, and leadership while establishing the professional connections that will set you apart.

Careers

The Hospitality Management and Tourism degree will prepare you for careers in domestic or international destinations in the hospitality and tourism industries, such as:

  • Amusement park supervisor
  • Banquet/catering director
  • Concert/festival producer
  • Entrepreneur
  • Event planner
  • Food and service manager
  • Hotel operations director
  • Park administrator
  • Sales director
  • Tour director

Accelerate Your Career Into Graduate School

For highly motivated students, the opportunity exists to integrate up to 12 credit hours of undergraduate and graduate coursework through the Accelerated Master’s Pathways or AMP program. Students will save time and money by receiving dual credit for select courses taken during their senior year of undergraduate studies. Those interested in pursuing this path to a graduate degree should consult with their academic advisor.

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BEYOND THE CLASSROOM

Many opportunities are available for students to learn outside the classroom. Our required credit-bearing internship helps students develop their professional skills under the joint supervision of a qualified manager and internship supervisor. Students can also take advantage of study abroad tours that offer behind-the-scenes views in top hospitality and tourism destinations around the world. Whatever your interests, our faculty and staff will work with you to identify the opportunities that best fit your career goals.

Visit Lex sign with students
Students at the Arboretum

MINORS AND CERTIFICATES

Boost the power of your degree by adding a minor or certificate. Are you interested in further developing your business skills? Consider adding a minor in business, communication, or international business or a certificate in innovation and entrepreneurial thinking. Further your leadership skills with a certificate in Agricultural Leadership or Clinical Leadership and Management. If you are looking to expand your understanding of hospitality and tourism with a Kentucky signature industry, consider a certificate in Distillation, Wine and Brewing Studies.

Experiential Learning

Hands-on learning is at the heart of what we do in HMT. Our program provides real-world experiences for a variety of hospitality and tourism fields, both in and out of the classroom. Our students are supported through all academic opportunities, from transformative coursework to internships to study abroad opportunities.

HMT 270 Principles of Travel and Tourism

Students learn about the structure, operation, and characteristics of domestic and international tourism.

HMT 320 Hospitality and Tourism Marketing

Students gain experience developing a marketing feasibility study and marketing plan and strategy for a hospitality operation.

HMT 350 Revenue Management

Students explore concepts of pricing, value, forecasting, inventory, distribution, and evaluation for maximizing revenue.

HMT 414 Entrepreneurship in the Hospitality Industry

Students think like entrepreneurs as they learn the steps to creating a new company and implementing a new business initiative.

Living Learning Program

The Living Learning Program (LLP) supports student success by placing students with similar interests into smaller communities in particular residence halls.

Academic Enrichment

Our college believes in learning by doing. Our students are required to complete at least one type of experiential or hands-on learning opportunity, such as undergraduate research, an internship or an education abroad experience.

Scholarships

Thanks to generous alumni, donors and community partners, we have one of the largest scholarship programs at UK. Only one application is required for our college’s scholarships, but there are hundreds of potential awards.

Student Services

We’re here to help you grow personally, academically and professionally.

Ready to turn your passion into a career?

Explore endless opportunities at the University of Kentucky and take the first step toward your future.

Academic Advisor II
Jennifer Disponette

Academic Coordinator
Amber Gray-Kurz

Director of Undergraduate Studies
RayeCarol Cavender, PhD

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