Doctor of Philosophy in Hospitality Administration
Earn your Ph.D. in Hospitality Administration at UNLV
The Harrah College of Hospitality’s premier Ph.D. in Hospitality Administration program gives students the opportunity to engage in meaningful research with some of the world’s most renowned hospitality and tourism experts. Collaborating with your professors, top professionals, and fellow doctoral students, you’ll tap into a wide array of industry topics: from customer loyalty to sustainability – technology innovation to brand management. You’ll graduate with the knowledge and confidence to launch a successful career in academia or the private sector.
Overview
Duration
3 years
Required Credits
60
Location
UNLV campus
5 Reasons to get a Ph.D. in Hospitality Administration at UNLV
- Top-ranked hospitality college
- Located in the center of the hospitality industry.
- Opportunities to gain relevant research and teaching experience under the guidance of leading hospitality experts.
- Ultra-modern doctoral suite with dedicated personal research space.
- Available financial support, graduate assistantships, and funds for conference travel and dissertation research.
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About Our Ph.D. Program
With the support of seasoned faculty members, Harrah College of Hospitality doctoral students learn through a combination of coursework/exams, teaching, and original research that culminates in a dissertation. Full-time students typically complete the program’s required 60 credit hours within 3 to 3.5 years, while part-time students average between 4.5 and 5.5 years.
Application Deadline
The deadline to submit an application for the Hospitality College Ph.D. program is January 1 (fall-term entry only)
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.
How Hospitality Rebels are Changing the World
The Harrah College of Hospitality is a close-knit community of thought leaders working together to bring innovation and solutions to an industry charged with creating new ways to deliver great customer experiences. Whether conducting research, teaching, or networking with industry, our doctoral students and alumni (along with their professors) are bound by this spirit of innovation.
“There are plenty of resources, opportunities, and support here at the college for Ph.D. students. Plus we have diverse, active student groups, which makes the campus experience more fun and engaging.”
Junghoon Lee
Ph.D. student, UNLV Harrah College of Hospitality (research area: consumer behavior in the golf industry)
“UNLV provides a great opportunity to network with some of the most prominent people in the hospitality industry and beyond. Whether it’s M, Marriott, or MGM, the connections you make at UNLV are second to none!”
Nasim Binesh, ’22 Ph.D.
UNLV Alumna & Assistant Professor, University of Florida (research area: technology solutions, data analytics, and revenue management)
"Our Ph.D. program focuses on both research and teaching to create the best student experience and cultivate top-quality educators and researchers in the hospitality field.”
Seyhmus Baloglu, Ph.D.
Professor and Associate Dean of Research, UNLV Harrah College of Hospitality (research area: branding, customer loyalty, online marketing, gaming analysis, etc.)
What Can I Do with a Ph.D. in Hospitality Administration?
Students pursuing a Ph.D. in Hospitality Administration gain research and teaching skills that translate into professional opportunities in both private industry (e.g., serving as consultants) and academia (e.g., serving as professors/researchers). In addition to mastering core principles in hospitality management, our Ph.D. students create impactful original research that delves into some of the industry’s most pressing topics, including:
- Casino Marketing
- Corporate Social Responsibility
- Consumer Behavior
- Food & Beverage Trends
- Gaming Analysis
- Hospitality Information Technology
- Hospitality and Tourism Marketing
- Human Resources & Organizational Behavior
- Revenue Management & Pricing
- Sustainable Development
Faculty
Representing all facets of the hospitality and tourism industry, our world-recognized professors bring a rich mix of research and practical experience to the program. Faculty members regularly consult with the industry on training and strategic management issues as well as publish scholarly and applied research articles.
Research
Working with professors, Ph.D. students gain the research skills to tackle issues affecting a multitude of hospitality industry segments. Students enjoy personal research space inside our beautiful Ph.D. Suite and receive opportunities to present at industry conferences and coauthor journal articles.
Admissions
Applicants for the Ph.D. program must hold a master’s degree from an accredited institution with at least 24 credit hours in hotel administration, food service administration, tourism-convention administration, or a closely aligned field. See full admissions requirements below:
Funding Your Education
Those applying to be full-time Ph.D. students are awarded graduate assistantships, which provide a monthly stipend, tuition waiver, and a partial fee waiver. In addition, the college offers a stipend for research activities and conference attendance.
Harrah college of hospitality office of graduate programs
Questions about the program?
Visit: Hospitality Hall (UNLV), Room 347
Call: 702-895-5413
Email: mygradfuture@unlv.edu