Dual Master's Degree in Hotel Administration & Masters of Business Administration (MBA)
Overview
The dual hotel administration/MBA program offered by Harrah College of Hospitality and Lee Business School is designed for those seeking career and business leadership opportunities in hotel administration. The programs will provide students with the needed skills, knowledge, and tools to become visionary and creative business leaders in the field.
The core MBA program is designed to advance the knowledge and practice of business and administration. The masters in hotel administration portion of the dual degree is designed to provide industry-specific knowledge and skills in hospitality and tourism.
Five Reasons to Get a Dual HOA/MBA Degree at UNLV:
- Participate in a Top-Ranked Program: UNLV's hospitality program is ranked #1 in the U.S. (QS World University Rankings by Subject).
- Acquire a Cross-Disciplinary Focus: Gain highly-marketable skills in both business and hospitality management at the master's level.
- Immerse Yourself in a Collaborative Learning Environment: Work closely with classmates on industry-relevant projects.
- Receive Real-World Experience: Take advantage of internship and mentorship experiences with working professionals.
- Take Part in Research Opportunities: Engage with faculty in research that directly impacts the industry.
Bring Your Professional Passions Together with a Dual Degree
Hotel resorts, conventions, entertainment venues, and similar environments represent some of the most complex business sectors in the world. To ensure the health of those organizations, businesses are requiring professionals who have the skills to ensure the success of its operations.. With a dual MBA/master’s in hotel administration (MBA/MS HOA) degree, you can combine business fundamentals with solid service principles to help bring a new level of success to your enterprise.
Faculty
The dual HOA/MBA degree program consists of faculty from Harrah College of Hospitality and Lee Business School. These faculty are world-recognized experts in many business sectors, including the hospitality and tourism industries.
“At UNLV I was able to blend my interests in hotel management and sustainability with a research study that I’m truly passionate about.”Rochelle Good ’18
Dual MBA/MS HOA degree recipient
Career Options
Achieving mastery within two disciplines is a sure-fire way of differentiating yourself from the competition. Your dual degree demonstrates a high level of discipline and showcases your broad range of skills to future employers.
With your dual MBA/MS HOA degree, you’ll have the knowledge and skills to succeed in a variety of roles, including:
- Marketing Analyst Or Manager
- Financial Analyst Or Officer
- Hotel Operations Manager
- Revenue Manager
- Casino Manager
- IT Manager
- Conventional Sales Director
- Food And Beverage Director
- Restaurant Owner/Manager
- Arena Manager
"The UNLV HOA/MBA dual program is a winning combination. Students gain the practical skills needed to build successful hospitality strategies, coupled with the personal development to become a strong leader. Plus, our faculty's real-world experience adds an extra edge, ensuring students graduate career-ready and positioned for success."Patty Coaley, Assistant Professor in Residence at the Harrah College of Hospitality
Admission Requirements
The dual master's in HOA/MBA program is open to graduates from all undergraduate disciplines. Applications are reviewed by both the Harrah College of Hospitality and Lee Business School admissions committees; however, you only need to submit one application and pay only one application fee.
To be considered, applicants must have the following:
- Bachelor's degree from an accredited four-year institution in the United States or an approved equivalent.
- Minimum GPA of 2.75 for the bachelor’s degree or 3.00 for the last 60 credit hours.
- Proof of English proficiency (international students).
- Two letters of recommendation.
- Statement of purpose that describes why you want to join the program and your professional goals relevant to this program.
- Updated resume, which includes academic, professional, and other relevant experience.
- At least one year of full-time management/supervisory experience or three years of cumulative full-time front-line experience in the hospitality industry.
- Applicants are required to take the GMAT/GRE examination. A recommended minimum score of 550 is required for the GMAT examination. GMAT scores more than five years old are not accepted.
Program Structure
The dual master of science in hotel administration and master of business administration (HOA/MBA) degree is designed for those who seek career and business leadership opportunities in hotel administration.
- Requires 51 credit hours (17 courses) with 30 credit hours allocated to the MBA curriculum and 21 credit hours to the HOA curriculum.
- Can be completed in 3 to 3.5 years as a full-time student (with full-time status defined as enrolling in 9 credit hours per semester).
- Offers most evening classes, convenient for working and full-time students.
The core hotel administration curriculum includes courses in:
- The hospitality industry
- Research methodology
- Human dynamics and organizational leadership
- Legal and ethical human resources management
- Financial Management
The core MBA curriculum includes courses in:
- Accounting for managers
- Leadership, teams, and individuals
- Financial decision making
- Market opportunity analysis
- Applied economic analysis
- Data modeling and analysis
Each respected side of the dual degree includes a culminating capstone.
- MBA: Strategic Management
- Integrates knowledge from specialized functional courses into a CEO perspective. Moves beyond a repertoire of generic strategies toward the formation of unique, firm-specific strategies. Builds effective strategies in complex organizational contexts.
- Hotel Administration: Thesis or Professional Paper
- Thesis: This is a substantial work demonstrating the use of research methods and presenting research results. A total of six credits are required for the thesis, which must be completed after a successful defense.
- Professional Paper: The paper's contents are the focus of the final oral examination.
“Our program aims to help students advance their careers by equipping students with management and analytical skills. We provide advanced training for business leadership, including management, accounting, finance, marketing, economics, and data analysis. Our graduates are well-prepared for various management positions and future leadership in the hospitality and tourism industries."-Xin Fan, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, Finance
Application Deadlines
Fall Term:
Feb. 15 – Priority to be considered for funding
May 1 – International applicants
July 15 – Domestic or permanent resident applicants
Spring Term:
Oct. 1 – International applicants
Nov. 15 – Domestic or permanent resident applicants
Summer Term:
This program does not admit students for the summer term.
Program Advisors Contact
Lee Business School
John Baur, Ph.D.
702-895-3675
mba.director@unlv.edu
Prospective Student Contact
Harrah College of Hospitality Office of Graduate Programs
UNLV Hospitality Hall, Room 347
702-895-5413
mygradfuture@unlv.edu
Lee Business School
Graduate Student Services
702-895-3655
LEEogss@unlv.edu
Lee Business School
William F. Harrah College of Hospitality
Catalog Information
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