Doctor of Philosophy

The doctor of philosophy in hospitality management is designed for persons interested in teaching at the university level or working in industry. Following are required academic and other qualifications for admission into the doctorate program.

Academic Background:

  • Business law (3 semester credits)
  • Computer science (3 semester credits)
  • Economics (3 semester credits)
  • Financial accounting (3 semester credits)
  • Food preparation (3 semester credits)
  • Human resource management (3 semester credits)
  • Management (3 semester credits)
  • Managerial accounting (3 semester credits)
  • Marketing (3 semester credits)
  • Nutrition (3 semester credits)
  • Quantity food production (5 credits)

Admission Requirements:

  • Baccalaureate degree from accredited college or university
  • Master’s degree with GPA of at least 3.25/4.00, excluding graded research credits (thesis is recommended)
  • One degree in hospitality management or related field
  • Prior successful professional experience in the foodservice or lodging industry
  • Graduate Record Examinations (GRE) general test or Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) scores, taken within last 5 years
  • Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) score of 530 (paper test) or 71 (Internet-Based test) at time of application required for international students (applicants holding either a bachelor’s or master’s degree from an accredited U.S. institution are exempt from TOEFL)
  • Personal letter describing plans for a professional career and how graduate study in FLM contributes to these plans

Download flyer for more information.

Visit the Iowa State University Graduate College site for application requirements.

CourseCourse DescriptionCredits
HSPM 505Hospitality Management Scholarship and Applications1
HSPM 506Current Issues in Hospitality Management1
HSPM 604Professional Writing2
HSPM 699Research15
Research methods and statistics12
Select a minimum of 9 hours from the following:9
HSPM 633Advanced Hospitality Financial Management 
HSPM 634XTheory and Research Seminar in Event Management 
HSPM 638Advanced Human Resources Management in Foodservice and Lodging Organizations 
HSPM 640Advanced Hospitality Marketing 
HSPM 652Advanced Lodging Operations 
HSPM 680Analysis of Research in foodservice Operations 
Total credit hours 72

The Iowa State University course catalog lists course descriptions of graduate courses offered.

Scholarships and graduate teaching/research assistantships are available for on-campus students.

Contact the Assistant Director of Graduate Education (DOGE) for hospitality management with any questions.