Online Hotel Management Diploma and Certificate Info

Hotel managers handle the daily operation of hotels and resorts to ensure that travelers and vacationers have a great experience at their establishments. Students in search of online certificate programs in hotel management can find educational options addressing many specific hospitality duties. This article discusses details and information related to online hotel management certificate programs.

Online Hotel Management Certificate Program Overview

Online hotel management certificate and diploma programs are structured to train students in managing all details related to the successful operation of hotels and resorts. Many programs cater to individuals who are already in the industry, by allowing students to take specialized programs in specific areas of hotel management. These may include food storage and preparation, accounting, staff management, facilities maintenance or customer service. The majority of online hotel management certificate programs require students to have a high school diploma or GED.

Program Description and Details

Individuals interested in an online hotel management certificate program should expect to complete anywhere from 20-30 credits of coursework depending on the program they're enrolled in. Some schools offer open enrollment for their online programs, meaning students can begin working toward a certificate at any time. Some programs even provide paid internships where students can exercise their online lessons in the workplace.
Most schools provide online chat clients and discussion forums so students in the program may communicate with each other and faculty. Schools also typically require that students in online programs purchase digital textbooks or specialized software for some aspects of their courses (exams, communication with students and faculty, etc.).

Common Hotel Management Course Information

Online hotel management certificate programs typically include courses in a variety of subject areas, including food preparation and storage, accounting, marketing and customer service. Most online hotel management certificate programs include courses that have general education prerequisites. Students should check with the school offering the program they are interested in to see if general education courses are included in the certificate program or must be taken separately.

Food Safety and Sanitation Course

Students learn how to properly preserve food and to gauge whether stored food is still edible. This course also discusses the hazards involved with unsafe storage and sanitation methods.

Financial Management Course

This course teaches students how to work with a hotel budget and determine which aspects of their hotel operation are making a profit and which are not. Students also learn how to effectively allocate funds to different portions of a hospitality operation.

Staff Management Course

Staff management courses equip students with the skills necessary to effectively manage teams of employees working in different areas of the hotel. Topics covered can include settling disputes among staff members or between customers and staff members, dealing with crises and establishing staff priorities.

Career Information For Students Who Complete The Program

Graduates of certificate programs in hotel management can move into entry-level positions in the hospitality industry. Usually, these are assistant management or low-level management jobs at hotels, motels or resorts. However, certificate holders are qualified for positions at other businesses, such as hostels, restaurants and inns. According to the U.S. Bureau Of Labor Statistics (www.bls.gov), the average median salary for hotel managers was around $46,000 in 2008.

Continuing Education Opportunities

Most online certificate programs provide students with the educational background to move into undergraduate degree programs in hotel management. From there, many students can apply for more advanced jobs or receive promotions at their current positions. There are also graduate level programs in hospitality and hotel management for students looking to move beyond management and open their own hotels or resorts. Many schools offer online programs for both undergraduate and graduate degree programs.