Three people in robes.

Graduate Programs in Hospitality

The Harrah College of Hospitality offers multiple graduate degree programs that enable students to jump start their careers and set themselves up for leadership roles. Our master’s and doctoral graduates leverage their learning experiences at UNLV to become the educators and executives who are shaping the hospitality and tourism industry.

Whether you want to enter the business sector or do groundbreaking research, the Harrah College of Hospitality will give you the resources and the knowledge to go do amazing things.

#1
TOP HOSPITALITY MANAGEMENT PROGRAM IN THE WORLD -CEOWORLD MAGAZINE (2023)
2nd
2ND MOST DIVERSE CAMPUS IN THE NATION -US NEWS & WORLD REPORT (2022-23)
Affordable
Most Affordable of Top 10 Comparable Programs
Location
Work & Research Opportunities in the Epicenter of the Industry

Master of Science in Hotel Administration (MS HOA)

Come study in the heart of the hospitality industry and further your career with a Master of Science degree from the Harrah College of Hospitality. You’ll learn from some of the most accomplished professors in hospitality academia and have access to countless industry resources. Plus, you’ll work in collaboration with some of the most influential hospitality brands in the world, giving your career a boost that few institutions can provide.

You’ll learn analytical skills, business strategies, and research methods with specific application to the the hospitality and tourism industry. You’ll receive the practical knowledge to excel in your career and the hands-on experience to give yourself an edge after graduation.

As one of the highest rated hospitality and tourism programs in the world, the Harrah College of Hospitality gives graduates a valuable credential. While at UNLV, you’ll enjoy unprecedented access to industry. After graduation, you’ll be able to tap into a global network of >18,000 alumni.

Applicants must satisfy the minimum admission requirements of the UNLV Graduate College and the William F. Harrah College of Hospitality listed on the academic degree page.

To begin the application process for the Harrah College of Hospitality - MS in Hotel Administration program, you must first apply to the UNLV Graduate College, identifying your graduate degree program of choice.

Master of Hospitality Administration (MHA) - online degree

Study anywhere at any time in the Master of Hospitality Administration (MHA) program. This self-paced online program is designed for students with at least one year of hospitality management experience. It gives you the flexibility to pursue your educational goals without interrupting your career.

Similar to the on-campus master’s program, the MHA degree program teaches a variety of skills designed to enhance your career. Students get to choose from two areas of study — hospitality management or gaming management, which allows them to explore the challenges and opportunities that exist in their industry segment of choice.

With an MHA degree, you can leverage the benefits of an advanced education without pausing your career. This flexibility allows you to apply what you've learned in class to your job – making an immediate impact in your workplace while creating opportunities for advancement.

Applicants must satisfy the minimum admission requirements of the UNLV Graduate College and the William F. Harrah College of Hospitality listed on the academic degree page.

To begin the application process for the Harrah College of Hospitality - MHA program, you must first apply to the UNLV Graduate College, identifying your graduate degree program of choice.

Dual Master of Science in Management Information Systems & Hotel Administration (MS MIS/HOA)

Double your professional opportunities with a Master of Science in Hotel Administration from the Harrah College of Hospitality and a Master of Science in Management Information Systems from the Lee College of Business. This dual degree program uniquely qualifies students to solve hospitality industry challenges with technology and data analysis. Graduates are prepared to become key decision makers in hospitality and tourism for decades to come.

The interdisciplinary knowledge gained in this program prepares students to tackle hospitality issues using IT, statistical analysis, and management analysis. Students look at how organizations are run and improve operations and processes to provide a better experience for the customer.

Since earning two degrees simultaneously is rigorous, dual degree holders demonstrate a high level of discipline. This show of dedication not only gives you a broader knowledge base, it also attracts potential employers and distinguishes you from your peers.

Applicants must be admitted to each program individually and, therefore, must meet admission requirements for both programs, listed on the academic degree page.

To begin the application process for the dual MIS/MS HOA program, you must first apply to the UNLV Graduate College, identifying your graduate degree program of choice.

Dual Master of Business Administration & Master of Science - Hotel Administration (MBA/MS HOA)

Combine your passions with the MS in Hotel Administration and MBA dual degree program. Students will study some of the most complex issues facing the hospitality and tourism industry, with an eye toward business improvements that will solve them. Graduates have a unique blend of service and business fundamentals that make them invaluable in the job market.

You’ll learn business principles through the lens of the hospitality and tourism industry. You’ll master two disciplines and graduate with a deeper understanding of hospitality.

Dual degree holders are a rare commodity. Being exposed to multiple disciplines makes you uniquely qualified to lead and manage organizations in the hospitality and tourism industry.

Applicants must be admitted to each program individually and, therefore, must meet admission requirements for both programs. For more information, see the academic degree page.

To begin the application process for the dual MBA/MS HOA program, you must first apply to the UNLV Graduate College, identifying your graduate degree program of choice.

Doctor of Philosophy - Hospitality Administration (Ph.D.)

Whether your academic ambitions relate to higher education or industry research, the Harrah College of Hospitality’s doctoral program offers students the personalized attention, resources, and research support they need to succeed. Plus, an expansive doctoral suite in the college’s new academic facility, Hospitality Hall, provides the ideal research setting for Ph.D. hopefuls.

Las Vegas provides the perfect back drop to explore the innerworkings of the hospitality industry. You will work with renowned researchers and industry professionals to address the industry's most pressing questions.

A doctorate from the top hospitality school in the country positions you to teach at premier institutions or conduct meaningful research in the industry.

Applicants must satisfy the minimum admission requirements of the UNLV Graduate College and the William F. Harrah College of Hospitality listed on the academic degree page.

To begin the application process for the Harrah College of Hospitality - Ph.D. program, you must first apply to the UNLV Graduate College, identifying your graduate degree program of choice.

Gaming Management Certificate - online program

Further your career goals in the gaming industry with a gaming management certification. Program participants study when they want and take classes on their own schedule, making it a perfect solution for busy professionals. The program’s five courses/15 credits can be applied toward the MHA program should the student decide to pursue a degree.

You’ll learn the fundamentals of the gaming business, from operations to marketing to technology. Those who complete the program will have a nuanced understanding of how casinos operate and how to best serve customers in a gaming environment.

Few schools offer an education in gaming management. As a student of the program, you’ll receive industry knowledge that others don’t, which will give you an edge in the job market.

  • 4.00 scale, or 3.00 or higher in the last two years of study
  • A minimum of three years of full-time management experience in the hospitality industry.

Students applying to the Gaming Certificate program follow the same process as those applying for the college's Master of Hospitality Administration (MHA) degree program. As such, you must first apply to the UNLV Graduate College, identifying the “Gaming Certificate” as your program of choice.

Request Information

If you have questions regarding our graduate degree programs, we want to hear from you. Please complete our information form or email your question(s) directly to mygradfuture@unlv.edu.