Business, Hospitality and Tourism Management

The Virginia Tech Hospitality and Tourism Management (HTM) graduate programs are consistent with the mission of a comprehensive research university; our program emphasizes developing student ability to generate new knowledge through research and to apply that knowledge to the challenges and problems of hospitality and tourism businesses. HTM is one of six departments in the Pamplin College of Business. Our vision, which permeates throughout our graduate program, is to build on a legacy of teaching and research excellence and to create global leaders in the business of hospitality and tourism management.

We offer two graduate degrees:  Masters of Science in Business Administration (MSBA) with a concentration in Hospitality and Tourism Management, and a Ph.D. in Business with a Concentration in Hospitality and Tourism Management.  The MSBA is offered primarily at our National Capital Region Campus in Falls Church Virginia but with availability via online capabilities on our Blacksburg campus. Three graduate certificates are also available at our National Capital Region Campus in revenue management and data analytics, international strategy, and entrepreneurship. For more information, go to the certificate tab in the graduate catalog. The Ph.D. is offered exclusively at the Virginia Tech campus in Blacksburg. 

Our graduate program is widely recognized as one of the premier programs of its kind in the world. Graduates are prepared for challenging Hospitality and Tourism Management careers in academic and/or industry positions. Two principles permeate our graduate programs.  First, our graduate programs focus on the application of theories and methodologies from a variety of disciplines to the critical challenges and problems of hospitality and tourism management businesses; the department provides extensive opportunities for graduate students to partner with faculty to conduct research on significant industry problems. Second, the program is customized to the student's interests; degree candidates and their advisory committees plan individual graduate programs pursuant to the student's career goals and degree requirements. 

For MSBA graduate students, the program provides an opportunity for growth as a student and as a career-directed individual. The goal is to provide advanced knowledge and tools to middle management personnel, consultants and researchers in the hospitality and tourism industry. This goal is accomplished by providing a stimulating environment that encourages seeking knowledge and applying it to the needs of the industry. Fulfillment of the goal occurs as a result of considerable interface and focus, in the classroom and out, with industry and educational leaders on issues of immediate and long-term importance to the industry. The degree includes opportunities in three primary areas of specialization: revenue management and data analytics, international strategy, and entrepreneurship.

At the Ph.D. level, the program emphasizes the research applications of business concepts and strategies to hospitality and tourism management. The goal of the Ph.D. program is to develop the next generation of faculty for Hospitality and Tourism Management Business programs at major research universities throughout the world.  We accomplish this goal by producing doctoral graduates who have both conceptual and methodological knowledge and significant research experience in the applications of that knowledge during their Ph.D. program.  Students develop the knowledge, skills and research abilities to become successful scholars by engaging in close and collegial research collaborations with a faculty comprised of internationally renowned scholars, journal editors, and professional leaders.

What You'll Need

Transcripts

Include a scanned copy of your college transcripts with your online application, then arrange for an official copy to be sent to us after you receive an offer of admission.

Letters of Recommendation

Check to see whether your department requires letters of recommendation from references. If so, you can include the letter writers' email addresses in your online application, or have the people you ask to write those lettes send paper copies directly to your program’s department.

Graduate School Testing Requirements

The Graduate School does not require entrance tests, but check to see whether your department requires you to submit GRE, GMAT, or subject test scores with your application. If so, have the testing agency send official scores to Virginia Tech Graduate School, code 5859. 

International students may be required to submit TOEFL scores. 

Application Fees

Degree-seeking students must include a $75 fee with their application, though check to see if you qualify for a waiver or reduced fee. All application fees are non-refundable.

Refund procedure

All application fees are non-refundable.