The ever-evolving hospitality industry thrives on creating exceptional experiences for guests, whether it be in luxury hotels, charming bed and breakfasts, or resorts. If you are passionate about service, management, and contributing to the smooth operations of such establishments, an online associate degree in hospitality management could be your gateway to a fulfilling career.
These flexible programs offer an accessible and affordable foundation for individuals seeking entry-level positions or looking to enhance their current standing in the hospitality industry. Typically costing around $5,000 per year on average, these programs can be completed in as little as two years, allowing you to balance your education with work and personal commitments.
Coursework often explores core areas like hospitality principles, food and beverage management, accounting, marketing, and human resources. Additionally, many programs offer specialized tracks in areas such as hotel operations, event management, or tourism, allowing you to tailor your education to your specific interests within the hospitality field.
Admission requirements typically involve a high school diploma or GED, transcripts, and standardized test scores might be required by some institutions. However, with the convenience of online learning, geographical limitations are often eliminated, opening doors to a wider range of aspiring hospitality professionals.
So, if you are ready to embark on a rewarding journey in the world of hospitality, this article will serve you a great deal. We have provided details of the best online associate degree programs available. We have also explored factors like program curriculum, accreditation, career outcomes, and more, equipping you with the necessary information to choose the best college for this rewarding career.
Best Online Associate in Hospitality Management Programs
1. Cincinnati State Technical and Community College
Cincinnati State’s online Associate in Hospitality Management program provides two specialization options: food and beverage or operations. The food and beverage track entails three culinary courses, while the operations track includes modules on room division management and food and beverage division management. Students can also gain credits through cooperative educational experiences in the field.
Applicants are required to submit all previous official transcripts and must have a high school diploma or GED. The application is free, but admitted students need to pay a $15 fee. The average cost of $169 per credit in-state students and $337 per credit for out-of-state students. Higher Learning Commission
2. Delgado Community College
Delgado’s online Associate in Hospitality Management program, based in Slidell, Louisiana, adopts a uniform tuition rate for all online learners, regardless of their location. The program offers six concentrations for students to choose from, namely beverage management, catering management, hotel and lodging management, meeting and event management, restaurant management, and tourism management.
Applicants are required to provide evidence of a high school diploma or its equivalent. Once admitted, students must undergo a self-paced online orientation. The cost of tuition is $134 per credit. This college holds accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
3. NHTI-Concord’s Community College
NHTI, situated in Concord, New Hampshire, provides an online Associate in Hospitality and Tourism Management program. The curriculum mandates courses in event, meeting, and conference planning, principles of sales, business law, and human resource management. In their concluding semester, all students participate in a senior travel seminar focused on exploring hospitality industry issues through case studies.
Prospective students are required to submit official transcripts and evidence of a high school diploma or its equivalent. The cost of tuition is $215 and $490 per credit for in-state and out-of-state students respectively. This college holds accreditation from the New England Commission of Higher Education.
4. Atlantic Cape Community College
Situated in Mays Landing, New Jersey, Atlantic Cape presents an online Associate in Hospitality Management program. The curriculum encompasses mandatory courses such as hotel operations, restaurant operations, hospitality sales and marketing, and catering and events planning. In the final semester, all students must undertake a 135-hour internship in the hospitality field.
Applicants must be at least 18 years old and possess a high school diploma or GED. The tuition costs $146 per credit for in-state students and $246 per credit for out-of-state students. The college is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.
5. Albany Technical College
Albany Technical College (ATC) in Albany, Georgia, offers an online Associate in Hospitality Management program focusing on effective management strategies for hotels, restaurants, and tourism. The comprehensive 60-credit curriculum covers key areas such as event planning, hospitality law, hospitality marketing, and food and beverage management. A mandatory internship at an approved local site is required for all students to gain practical experience in the field.
Prospective applicants must provide proof of a high school diploma or GED and submit ACT, SAT, or COMPASS scores. The program’s cost-per-credit is $100 for in-state students and $200 for out-of-state students. Albany Technical College holds accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
6. Casper College
Casper, Wyoming’s online Associate in Hospitality and Tourism Management program enables students to complete their degree entirely online without the need to visit the campus. Over the two-year duration of the program, students engage with courses covering human resource hospitality management, recreation and tourism planning and development, convention sales and management, and hotel operations management.
Prospective students are required to provide evidence of a high school diploma or GED. Upon acceptance, incoming students must meet with an advisor and participate in an orientation. The cost-per-credit is $145 for in-state students and $355 for out-of-state students. The school holds accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission.
7. Genesee Community College
Based in Batavia, New York, GCC offers an online associate program in Tourism, Hospitality, and Event Management. The program includes a unique event planning course where students organize an event for 1,500 attendees. Additionally, students have the opportunity to join the Travel Club, take part in the Walt Disney World college internship program, and gain proficiency in the AAA Apollo system, enhancing their prospects for employment in travel agencies and car rental companies.
Applicants are required to possess a high school diploma or GED. The program facilitates seamless transfers, with agreements in place with institutions such as SUNY Buffalo State, Niagara University, Rochester Institute of Technology, and SUNY Plattsburgh. The cost-per-credit is $195 for in-state students and $220 for out-of-state students. The program is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.
8. Western Technical College
Located in La Crosse, Wisconsin, Western provides an online Associate in Hospitality Management program, catering to the state’s significant hospitality industry. The 60-credit curriculum delves into crucial topics such as quality customer service, principles of hospitality management, team building and problem-solving, and hospitality cost control. A key component of the program is the requirement for all students to complete a hospitality management internship in the field.
Prospective applicants are subject to a $30 fee and must furnish proof of a high school diploma or its equivalent. Additionally, most incoming students are required to take the ACCUPLACER placement test. The cost-per-credit is $141 for in-state students and $212 for out-of-state students. The program is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
9. Chemeketa Community College
Situated in Salem, Oregon, Chemeketa offers an online Associate in Hospitality Management program with the advantage of online students paying the same tuition rate as in-state learners. The program comprises 72 credits of major courses, covering industry-specific topics such as catering and banquets, lodging operations, meetings and conventions, and customer service management. A capstone course in strategic management in hospitality and tourism is a mandatory component for all students.
Prospective students are required to provide a high school diploma or GED, complete orientation videos, and undergo a placement test. The cost-per-credit is $130, and the program holds accreditation from the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities.
10. Peninsula College
Nestled in Port Angeles, Washington, on the northern boundary of the Olympic Peninsula near Olympic National Park, PC embraces its natural surroundings. The college offers an online Associate program in Hospitality and Ecotourism, emphasizing topics such as technology in the hospitality industry, adventure travel leadership and guiding, and hospitality and tourism marketing. A vital component of the program is completing a relevant internship in the field.
The college maintains an inclusive “open door” admissions process, with prospective students only required to complete a free application.
The cost-per-credit is $148 for in-state students and $331 for out-of-state students, and the program is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities.