Hospitality and Tourism Management, BS
The Bachelor of Science in Hospitality and Tourism Management (HTM) prepares students for leadership roles in the global hospitality and tourism industry. Our program emphasizes hands-on, real-world learning experiences in areas such as hotels, events, tourism, and food and beverage management. These experiences ensure our graduates have the skills and confidence to succeed in this dynamic field. Additionally, students earn a minor in business administration, allowing them to be fluent in business while specializing in hospitality.
Program overview
Whether you dream of managing luxury hotels, curating culinary experiences, throwing incredible events, weddings, or building global tourism brands, HTM sets you up for fast career advancement in one of the world’s most exciting fields.
Our HTM program is accredited through ACPHA (Accreditation Commission for Programs in Hospitality Administration, an internationally recognized accreditation authority.
In Hospitality and Tourism Management, you’ll gain real-world experience and career-ready skills that travel with you in whatever you do, go wherever you do — like communication, leadership, and conflict management. Whether you’re into travel, events, food, or just love making people’s day, this major sets you up to build a career that’s fun, flexible, and full of opportunities.
From beach resorts to concert venues to five-star hotels — you bring the vibe; we’ll help you make it a career.
Why study Hospitality and Tourism Management?
A Global, Hands-On Learning Experience
You’ll develop the ability to work effectively with people from different cultures and backgrounds — an essential skill in today’s global hospitality and tourism industry. Learning goes beyond the classroom as students gain real-world experience through study abroad programs, industry engagement at events like the Big Ears Festival, and hands-on projects such as the Blissful Wish Wedding and the STR Student Market Study Competition.
Experiential Learning Through Real-World Projects
From behind-the-scenes event operations at Big Ears to planning and executing unforgettable weddings and analyzing hotel performance on a global scale, students apply their knowledge in authentic professional settings. These experiences build practical skills in event management, operations, analytics, and leadership that set HTM graduates apart.
Industry Connections and Global Career Preparation
Through close collaboration with industry partners and experiential learning opportunities, students build professional networks that open doors to careers across the hospitality and tourism sectors. Graduates leave the program prepared to adapt, lead, and succeed in fast-paced, people-centered environments around the world.
Purpose-Driven Learning Through Community Engagement
The HTM program proudly supports Food4VOLS, a campus-wide initiative focused on reducing food waste and addressing food insecurity. In collaboration with Vol Dining, students help collect surplus food from campus outlets and transform it into nutritious, ready-to-heat meals at the UT Culinary Institute. These meals are distributed through the Big Orange Pantry and several other food access points across the campus to support community members in need. This hands-on experience provides students with practical training in food recovery, meal preparation, and community service — reinforcing UT’s land-grant mission and the program’s commitment to meaningful impact.
What can you do with a BS in Hospitality and Tourism Management?
Graduates of UT’s HTM program go on to build exciting, high-energy careers in industries you might not expect — from luxury hotels and global travel companies to fashion, beauty, events, e-commerce, and entertainment. This degree opens doors wherever people, experiences, and business come together.
Our alumni are out there doing big things — planning red carpet events, managing destination resorts, leading corporate travel teams, and curating guest experiences at theme parks, cruise lines, and boutique hotels.
Event/Wedding Planner or Festival Coordinator
Hotel or Resort Manager
Social Media or Marketing Manager for hospitality brands
Guest Experience Director
Featured Courses
Event Planning and Design
Immerse yourself in the exciting world of event planning! Learn key concepts, master site selection, negotiation, budgeting, and marketing to succeed in the fast-paced event industry.
Wedding Planning & Design
Discover the art of wedding planning! Explore social, cultural, and logistical aspects through expert insights and comprehensive strategies.
Issues and Trends in Customer Service
Transform your customer service skills! Develop a unified approach, understand service culture, and learn innovative strategies to attract and retain customers.
Critical Sustainable Tourism
Explore tourism’s socio-cultural impacts! Understand complex relationships from host and tourist perspectives, focusing on cultural influences and power dynamics in tourism planning.
Complementary Minor
To enhance your major and broaden your academic experience, consider a minor that pairs well with your BS degree. Additional minors may also align with your interests and goals. Explore all available options to find the best fit for your academic and career aspirations.
Our Minors
We offer a variety of minors that will add value to your academic journey including:
- Hospitality and Tourism Management
- Culinary Arts
- Event Planning and Design
- And our cutting-edge Corporate Event Strategy, Promotion and Production — in partnership with the College of Communication and Information
