Monday, 21 May 2012

Online Schools for Resort Management: How to Choose

Resort management is a broad field within the hospitality industry. There are a number of degree programs relating to resort management which are offered online, such as an associate's degree in hotel and restaurant management or master's degree in hospitality administration. This article details those online programs and the levels at which students may earn their degree.

How to Select an Online Resort Management School

Program Levels

When selecting an online resort management school, prospective students may want to understand the level of study he or she needs to fulfill his or her career goals. Degree programs related to resort management are available at the certificate, undergraduate and graduate levels. Each of these online programs requires a different level of commitment.
An online associate's degree often takes two years of full-time work and may lead to an entry-level position in the hospitality field, such as an assistant manager or associate. A distance learning bachelor's degree often opens graduates up to similar entry-level careers, though the 4-year degree holder may often be able to move up in supervisory positions quicker than those with an associate's degree. However, many management positions are based on experience in the field and it is not impossible for one with an associate's degree to rise to an upper management position. Some specific resort management positions in the hospitality field include front desk manager, group sales manager, executive housekeeper and catering manager.

Program Type

Because there are often many areas within a resort, there are many specific programs within resort management. Some of these include restaurant management, spa management and hotel management. When choosing a program, the student may consider which aspects of the resort interests him or her most. Student who wish to work in the food industry as it relates to resort management should find a program in restaurant management rather than one which only features event management or spa management.
Most programs related to hospitality and resort management give students the option of taking related hospitality courses as electives, as well. At the bachelor's degree level, student often have the option of earning a minor in a separate field of hospitality management than the one he or she has chosen as a major, such as lodging or casino management.

Required Technology

Resort management online programs have multiple technical requirements and prospective students should their personal computer has the correct software required according to the school's website. Some of the required technology may include an Internet service provider, instant messaging service, modem with the correct speed and a computer with sufficient space to download materials required by each class.

List of Online Resort Management Programs

Online Certificate in Hospitality Management

An online certificate in spa and hospitality management may be earned while the student is at a number of levels in his or her career. These include those beginning in the industry and veterans seeking to fresh up his or her skills. Many certificate programs are available fully online and do not require an internship. Classes cover facilities management, food safety and event promotion.

Online Associate's Degree in Hotel and Restaurant Management

Some online associate's degree programs in hotel, restaurant and institutional management may include classes in food safety and sanitation, hospitality supervision and management in the hospitality industry. These courses may be taken through the school's online degree portal, such as Blackboard or WebCampus, which are online bulletin board-like programs found on a school's website. In addition to these classes, students are often required to complete an internship or field experience. This field experience may require a certain number of hours working under the supervision of a hospitality professional at an outside business.

Online Bachelor's Degree in Hospitality and Tourism

An online bachelor's degree program requires students take about 120 credits of coursework, which often equals four years of full-time study. In addition to hospitality courses, students take courses in business and general studies, such as math, English and history. Most of these courses are taken fully online, though an internship at an external business may be required for this degree program.

Online Master's Degree in Hospitality Administration

A master's degree program in hospitality administration may be taken fully online and often assumes the student currently works in the hospitality industry. Courses are often offered through an online course management program and cover hospitality topics in marketing, management and human resources. Professors may be available to students by e-mail, phone, chat rooms and discussion boards.

No comments:

Post a Comment