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Hospitality and Tourism Management

Purdue University in West Lafayette

The White Lodging-J.W. Marriott School of Hospitality and Tourism Management (HTM) is a global leader in hospitality management education. The Journal of Hospitality Education has ranked Purdue’s HTM program No. 1 at the undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral levels. HTM is primarily an applied business field. The program prepares students for management and leadership careers in the hospitality and tourism industries.

Students obtain hands-on experience and knowledge in HTM's Boiler Bistro, the John Purdue Room, the Union Club Hotel and through two paid internships (in the United States and abroad) at restaurants, resorts, sports facilities, country clubs, convention and visitor bureaus, and hotels.  Students have the opportunity to study abroad in amazing locations such as the Shangri La Hotels in China; the Sponsored Internship and Study Abroad program in China is one of the leading programs of its kind.

Students develop critical thinking skills and a broad perspective in operations management, human resources, leadership, hospitality law, accounting, finance, marketing, information systems and international relations. Students can choose concentrations in the following areas: environmental sustainability, finance, and marketing and sales. HTM also offers an event and meeting management minor. More than 94% of HTM graduates secure a job within six months of graduation.

PLANNED SUCCESS Entrepreneurs take calculated Risks

portrait of Tim McEnery

"Having a detailed business plan is — by far — the number one reason we could be successful," says Tim McEnery (HTM '99), founder and CEO of the popular Cooper's Hawk winery-and-restaurant chain.

After nearly five years of planning, this hospitality and tourism management alumnus launched his unusual and risky enterprise in 2005. The first location opened in Orland Park, a Chicago suburb, where it grossed $5 million its first year. Today, McEnery oversees 22 Cooper's Hawk locations in seven states. Cooper's Hawk is expected to do over $150 million in business this year.

"In the plan, I thought out every aspect of the business, including potential hurdles," McEnery says. "When something went wrong, I had already considered it. I had a 'plan B' for dealing with it."

Long-term planning also translated to working long hours in the industry, mastering its intricacies. "People have to be willing to spend the time it takes to learn. Like Malcolm Gladwell says, you need those 10,000 hours," McEnery adds.

McEnery loves his job. "If it works, it's the best gig out there. It's tough, but incredibly rewarding."

HHS Life 360 Article By Marti LaChance, Fall 2015

Plan of Study

Hospitality and Tourism Management Webpage

Transfer to Hospitality and Tourism Management

Purdue admits to individual majors. Transfer students must meet Purdue's overall transfer criteria, as well as any major-specific requirements. Before you apply, check the closed programs page to confirm this major is open to transfer students. If it is, refer to the information below for major-specific transfer criteria.

Minimum GPA: 2.0


Contact Information

HHS Undergraduate Student Services
(765) 494-8533
hhsrecruitment@purdue.edu

College of Health and Human Sciences
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Careers in Hospitality and Tourism Management

The employment rate for graduates is well over 90%. 

  • Restaurants
  • Lodging Operations
  • Country Club management
  • Resorts
  • Corporate dining accounts
  • Airlines
  • Cruise lines
  • Vacation ownership resorts
  • Catering businesses
  • Conventions and visitor bureaus
  • Sales
  • Convention and conference centers
  • Event planning

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