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Hotel and Restaurant Administration

University of Central Missouri's liberal arts tradition of broadly educating students for a global environment instills character and values required for responsible decision-making in personal and professional activities. The liberal arts core develops skills in communication, critical thinking, ethics, interpersonal relationships, leadership, and technology that are applied in the hospitality professional courses leading to the Bachelor of Science degree in hotel and restaurant administration.

This program is dedicated to providing a current and high quality education in preparing students for careers in the world's interdependent lodging, food service and related industries. The professional curriculum and co-curricular activities of the College of Health and Human Services support this objective by integrating technology, leadership, and practical experiences within the scope of its educational mission. The college also strives to obtain the resources necessary to maintain a leadership role in integrating technology across the curriculum.

Internships

All students must complete at least 20 credit hours of coursework and attend a career planning seminar before completing the 360 hours of approved industry experience to graduate. Our placement rate is 100 percent with about 95 percent of our students working in their major. Major companies recruit on campus.

The placement outlook is outstanding. It is said to be the largest industry in the world and the first, second or third largest employer in more than 30 states. Government employment projections predict that over the next 10 years management positions in lodging, food service, tourism, and recreation and sports will grow by twice the overall rate of employment growth in the economy.

Our students have done internships mainly in the summer semester in many states and some foreign countries. Students gain experience in such diverse areas as convention centers, sports arenas, travel companies, international hotel management companies, food beverage management in all kinds of settings, events and meeting planning, accounting, human resource management, car rental management, resort management, convention and visitors bureaus, hotel and restaurant development/ownership, and casino management.

Hotel Internships

Major employers include Hyatt, Marriott, Drury Inn, Holiday Inn, Hilton, Fairmont, Disney and Aramark.

Special Facilities

Our kitchen laboratory allows students to gain culinary management skills that are important in food and beverage management. Research opportunities exist in both the Quantities Food Lab and Hospitality and Travel Marketing courses.

Student Organizations

Students are encouraged to join the Hospitality Management Association. Many campus, professional, and community-focused activities involve our students, either through classes or attendance at major conferences and trade shows. For example, 10 students typically attend the International Hotel/Motel and Restaurant Show in New York City that includes a tour/reception of the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel, a tour of the Statue of Liberty, a Broadway experience and other New York City experiential opportunities. Students also attend a hospitality symposium in February at Oklahoma State University and the National Restaurant Association Trade Show in Chicago.

Career Opportunities

Students begin their career after graduation as front office assistant managers, restaurant managers, sales managers, food and beverage assistant managers, bar managers, executive housekeepers, human resource personnel, accounting personnel and resort development personnel.

Department Scholarships

The department offers the Hospitality Management Association Undergraduate Scholarship. Various additional scholarship opportunities are available to our hospitality students based on need, academic achievement, and career aspirations.

To Learn More

Hotel and Restaurant Administration
660-543-4256

Admissions
660-543-4290