Become a leader in a global industry

Hospitality management is a global industry centered around how people live, work, and play. Whether you’re managing a resort, directing foodservice operations for a medical system, creating unforgettable experiences or executing a business conference, your wealth of knowledge and experience can take you anywhere when you graduate.

Your Iowa State education in hospitality management prepares you for a career improving management effectiveness and quality of service in resorts, food and beverage enterprises, lodging establishments, clubs, recreation attractions, and tourism-related entities.

Our program is accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Programs in Hospitality Administration (ACPHA), is the only four-year option in Iowa, and is well-known for excellence in teaching and research.

Careers in Hospitality Management

  • Amusement /Theme Park Manager
  • Beverage Operations Manager
  • Casino Manager
  • Hotel Manager
  • Resort Manager
  • Restaurant Manager
  • Sales and Marketing Manager
  • Senior Living Manager
  • Travel Agent

Internships
Our students participate in internships locally, nationally, and internationally with a range of hotels, restaurants, caterers, theme parks, sports facilities, cruise ships convention and visitors bureaus, independent businesses, and country clubs.  Students research potential internships and employers in two classes, AESHM 111: Professional Development for AESHM and AESHM 311: Seminar on Careers and Internships.  Talk to your internship coordinator for more information.

Career services
Prepare for your next job or internship with Career Services, where staff help you with job and internship searches, career fairs, interview preparation, and resume/cover letter reviews.

Look at a list of career possibilities inside the hospitality management industry. See where other students have interned at Career Connections.

Graduate program preparation

Some students may choose to further their education with a graduate degree, such as a:

  • Master of Business Administration
  • (MBA)
  • Master of Event Management
  • Master of Hospitality Management

Hospitality management study abroad programs

Expand your education with study abroad opportunities, including programs in the Bahamas or Dubai! The hospitality management program offers various international opportunities through the College of Health and Human Sciences International Programs office.

Program information and learning outcomes

The Hospitality Management program mission is to create, share, and apply knowledge to provide hospitality consumers with products, services, and experiences to enhance overall well-being. We accomplish our mission with a personalized, nationally ranked program. Our students learn in a nurturing, safe, and inclusive environment, with caring faculty with industry experience. 

In the classroom, you’ll become an expert in business management principles and the fundamentals of hospitality operations by:

  • Developing and integrating the core set of business skills you’ll need to successfully operate a hospitality and tourism organization
  • Learning communication skills to effectively run operations and manage employees
  • Formulating and making business decisions
  • Evaluating leadership principles necessary in today’s diverse, global hospitality and tourism industry
  • Executing the best practice for exceeding customer expectations
  • Using the latest technology to achieve operational efficiency

Curriculum requirements

4-Year plans

Retention Data

Facilities and laboratories

Joan Bice Underwood Tearoom is a non-profit, teaching operation in a hands-on learning lab that serves approximately 100 guests. The HSP M 380L: Food Production Management Experience class operates the Tearoom. Meal service is provided for faculty, staff, students, and visitors.

In the Student Innovation Center, you can find SPARKS, a 100% student-run café operated by the AESHM Department.  Students learn to manage daily business decision regarding inventory, food safety, hiring, product pricing, and marketing.

You can also find the Culinary Creation Lab in the Student Innovation Center, where students can express their creativity in hospitality management courses like HSP M 393C: Innovations in Chocolate, HSP M 393F: Culinary Fusion, and HSP M 280: Non-Alcoholic Beverages and Café Operations.

Faculty

Dr. Thomas Schrier, Program Director

Dr. SoJung Lee, Director of Graduate Education for Hospitality Management

Dr. Susan Arendt

Dr. Eric Brown

Stewart Burger, M.S.

Carolyn Elbert, M.S.

Dr. Eunha Jeong

Dr. Jewoo Kim

John Kramer, M.S.

Dr. Anirudh Naig

Dr. Tianshu Zheng

Academic policies

University academic policies and procedures can be found on the Office of the Senior Vice President and Provost website.  Class specific policies can be found in their respective syllabi.