What's the difference between a major in "Hospitality Administration/Management" and "Hotel Management"?

Question

I'm starting at community college for a year or two, to knock out all the required courses before transferring to a college specializing in Hospitality. I'd like to be a manager of a hotel, resort, cruise ship, something of the like. A lot of the schools have the two aformentioned majors. What is the difference between the two? If I were to guess, it sounds like Hotel Management may be more specialized in just that, where as Hospitality Management might be more broad? But, I could be wrong. Which one would be the better choice for a good career? Anybody have any insight on this? Websites with info on the career would be appreciated also =)

Answer 1

Your guess is correct. Since both majors require a major investment for the school in equipment and facilities, many schools start out simply and expand as they can afford it to a full-fledges hospitality management program (although a few just call their program hospitality management from the outset, so you should look into what is offered as well). When I was a student, I got my degree in a department labeled "Hotel and Restaurant" management; then, as it grew to encompass things like country clubs and resorts, the name of the department changed a couple of times. If I were you, I would go for the broadest possible program, unless you know exactly what you want to do (and it doesn't sound like you do yet).