ON-CAMPUS MS in Tourism & Hospitality Manangement

Education, Experience, and Community

The UF Master of Science in Tourism and Hospitalist Management prepares students with a public and private sector perspective through project-based coursework using data from industry partnerships. The University of Florida campus is located “where nature and culture meet” – in the city of Gainesville, which has been repeatedly named one of the top places to live in the U.S. The state of Florida has a dynamic hospitality and tourism industry that receives more than 100 million visitors annually. It is a great place to live, study and make lifelong friends, professional connections and research collaborations.

 

Admissions Requirements 

• A recognized baccalaureate, graduate or professional degree from a regionally accredited U.S. institution or a comparable degree from an international institution. 
• A minimum grade point average of B (3.0), calculated from all grades and credits after the semester where the applicant reached 60 semester hours or 90 quarter hours.
•  While we are no longer requiring the GRE or GMAT, we will still be assessing your verbal and quantitative abilities.
  • For verbal assessment we will consider:
    • TOEFL scores (if applicable)
    • Statement of Purpose
  • For quantitative assessment we will consider grades in:
    • Math-based natural science courses (e.g. Physics, Chemistry, Astronomy, etc.)
    • Applied and Theoretical Math courses (e.g. Accounting, Finance, Statistics, College Algebra, etc.)
  • For applicants from countries where English is not the official language, UF requires proficiency in spoken and written English and accepts the results of the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or the International English Language Testing System (IELTS).
    • Minimum scores acceptable for admissions are:
      • TOEFL: 550 (paper test); 80 (internet based)
      • IELTS: 6
    • International applicants are exempt from the English proficiency requirement if enrolled for one academic year in a degree-seeking program at a recognized/regionally accredited university or college in a country where English is the official language prior to your anticipated term of enrollment at UF, or if you are from one of the following countries.
• Pursuant to Florida Statute, your application requires the inclusion of all post-high school education and employment, as well as information about ongoing international affiliations and research funding. Please ensure this information is included on your curriculum vitae (CV) or résumé.
• Satisfactory conduct record
• Proof of medical immunization
• If you have already attended the UF Graduate School but not enrolled for two or more consecutive terms, which includes summer sessions, you must apply for readmission whether to the same or a different graduate program.

Any specific questions regarding the application process should be directed to the graduate coordinator: THEMgrad@hhp.ufl.edu

---

Application Deadlines

Admission for Spring: October 1 (May 1 for non-US Residents)

Admission for Fall: April 15 (January 15 for non-US Residents)

Late applications may still be considered for review depending on program availability. Admission decisions will be released by late March for fall applicants who apply by the deadline and November for spring applicants. Incomplete applications will not be reviewed.

Applications are evaluated individually by a faculty review committee. Admission to the program will be based upon the following criteria:

• Verbal and quantitative ability, undergraduate grade point average, TOEFL score (if applicable)
• Three letters of recommendation
• Statement of Purpose
• Compatibility of applicant’s education, experience and research interest with the mission of the program

Any specific questions regarding the application process should be directed to the graduate coordinator: THEMgrad@hhp.ufl.edu

---

How to Apply

• Submit an online application which will include:
1. Statement of Purpose
   • Tell us why you want to attend our graduate program, what you want to do after your degree and any relevant experience you have.
2. Transcripts
• Arrange to have official transcripts sent to the UF Office of Admissions from each postsecondary institution attended.
  • Mail original transcripts to Graduate Admissions located at 201 Criser Hall, PO Box 114000, Gainesville FL 32611-400.
  • If you attended UF as your postsecondary institution, you do not have to order a transcript from the Office of the University Registrar.
  • International applicants must submit official transcripts, mark sheets, and examination certificates in the native language for all secondary and/or postsecondary coursework, along with certified, literal English translations for documents not originally issued in English.
3. Test Scores (GRE, GMAT or TOEFL)
• Arrange to have the testing facility send official test scores to institutional code 5812.
• GRE/GMAT scores are only valid for five years from the date they were taken.
• TOEFL scores are only valid for two years from date they were taken.
4. Letters of Recommendation (3 required)
• The department prefers that at least 2 of these letters of recommendation come from academic sources. The third letter can be from someone known to you in a professional or academic capacity.
• Letters can be submitted electronically through the online application or mailed directly to the department.
  • If sending letters directly to the department, please use the recommendation form here.
5. Resume or Curriculum Vitae

---

Transfer of Credit

Only graduate-level (5000-7999) work with a letter grade of B or better is eligible for transfer of credit. A maximum of 15 transfer credits are allowed. This total can include no more than 9 credits from institutions approved by UF, with the balance obtained from post-baccalaureate work at the University of Florida. Credits transferred from other universities are applied toward the degree requirements, but grades earned are not computed in the student’s grade point average. Acceptance of transfer of credit requires approval of the student’s supervisory committee and the Dean of the Graduate School.

Petitions for transfer of credit for a master’s degree must be made during the student’s first term of enrollment in the Graduate School.

The supervisory committee is responsible for using established criteria to ensure the academic integrity of coursework before accepting graduate transfer credits.

---

Graduate Program Guidelines

Below are some important guidelines and information necessary for completing your Master's Degree in the Department of Tourism, Hospitality & Event Management. If you have any questions, please contact your advisor or Graduate Coordinator.

Jinwon Kim | jinwonkim@ufl.edu
Assistant Professor; Interim Graduate Coordinator

---

CONCENTRATIONS & SPECIALIZATIONS

Concentration: A subprogram in a major that is approved by the Graduate Council and may appear on the student transcript.

• Tourism Concentration (8 credits)
• Natural Resource Recreation Concentration (9 credits)

Specialization: A specialization allows students maximum flexibility to choose prescribed coursework that relates to personal and career interests. Specializations do not appear on student transcripts.

• Tourism Analytics Specialization (12 credits)
• Destination Development and Crisis Management Specialization (9 credits)
• Online Hospitality Business Management Specialization (12 credits)

---

ADVISORS AND SUPERVISORY COMMITTEE

The Graduate Coordinator will assign the student to a graduate faculty advisor prior to his/her first semester of enrollment. The student has until the end of the first semester of enrollment to select a different supervisory committee chair if desired. There must be a minimum of three supervisory committee members for thesis students and a minimum of two committee members for non-thesis master students (this includes the supervisory committee chair).  Note that each member must hold graduate faculty status. It is strongly recommended that the supervisory committee members be selected by the end of the first semester of enrollment. However, in no case shall they be selected later than the end of the second semester of enrollment.

If the student selects the thesis option, one supervisory committee member must be from outside the student’s major department. If the student selects a minor, one supervisory committee member must be from the minor department.  If the student desires to change his/her supervisory committee chair or members, he/she must petition to the department graduate committee, who makes a recommendation to the Department Chair for final approval.

Minimum Committee Member Requirements

• Non-Thesis: Chair + 1 Member
• Thesis: Chair + 1 Member + 1 External Member
• THEM Supervisory Committee Form

---

Elective Course Work

The student and advisor select elective coursework based on the student’s career or research interests. Projects relating to interest areas can be completed as non-lecture coursework. Coursework taken outside of the THEM department must be approved by the student’s advisor.

Undergraduate courses (1000-2000) may not be used as any part of graduate degree requirements. All 1000- and 2000- level courses may be taken on a satisfactory/unsatisfactory (S/U) basis to enhance one’s background knowledge, if enrolled as a graduate student, but do not count towards the credits needed for an MS degree.

Six credits of upper level undergraduate courses (3000-4000) outside the THEM department may count when taken as part of an approved graduate program. Consult your Academic Advisor/Committee Chair before registering to determine if the proposed course is acceptable to your degree plan. Enrollment without approval may result in the course being evaluated as inadequate to count towards the MS degree.

---

Non-Lecture Coursework

To register for independent study, internship, or supervised research courses, students must complete and submit a THEM Special Course Registration Form or to their advisor for approval, and then to the Graduate Program Assistant for processing.

PRACTICUM - LEI6944

• Should be completed during final 2 semesters of study
• Every 48 clock hours = 1 credit hour of coursework
• Registration credits vary from 1-3 credits with a maximum of 6 credits
• The student’s supervisory committee chair/advisor will assist with the practicum placement and serve as the university practicum supervisor
• LEI 6944

PROFESSIONAL PAPER - LEI6905

• Should be completed during final 2 semesters of study
• THEM Special Course Registration Form
• TRM Professional Paper Syllabus

---

NON-THESIS CAPSTONE PROJECT

The purpose of the Capstone Project is threefold:

• Documents that the student is able to take newly acquired knowledge and skills and apply them to professional practice
• Helps the student understand their weaknesses and strengths when seeking employment
• Prepares the student in organizing information that will help them in seeking employment by effectively promoting themselves
• Should be completed during final semester of study
• TRM MS Capstone

---

Thesis Procedures

• The student develops a prospectus.
• The supervisory committee chair approves the prospectus.
• The student works with his/her advisor to select the additional supervisory committee members.
• The student writes the first three chapters (Introduction, Review of Literature, and Methods) and presents the proposal in a public forum.
• THEM Proposal/Defense Announcement Form
• The student completes and defends the thesis in a public forum.
• THEM Proposal/Defense Announcement Form
• All forms must be completed and submitted per the university’s schedule.
• Thesis Checklist
• THEM Grad Thesis Defense Packet

NOTE: Students must defend their Thesis during their last 2 semesters of study.

---

CONCURRENT DEGREE PROGRAMS

The Department of Tourism, Hospitality & Event Management is able to develop a concurrent plan with several other programs on campus. The purpose of a “concurrent” program is to allow students to pursue more than one graduate degree at the same time, with the opportunity to share credits. We strongly prefer our concurrent degree students to take at least 1-2 THEM classes each semester or alternate semesters.

Any student interested in pursuing two master’s degrees in two different programs or two master’s degrees in the same program concurrently should discuss the proposed study with Graduate Student Records before applying. Written approval is needed from each academic unit and the Graduate School Dean. The student must be officially admitted to both programs through regular procedures. No more than 9 credits from the first program may be applied toward the second.

• Concurrent Degree Program Application

---

 TRANSFER OF CREDIT

Only graduate-level (5000-7999) work with a letter grade of B or better is eligible for transfer of credit. A maximum of 15 transfer credits are allowed. This total can include no more than 9 credits from institutions approved by UF, with the balance obtained from post-baccalaureate work at the University of Florida. Credits transferred from other universities are applied toward the degree requirements, but grades earned are not computed in the student’s grade point average. Acceptance of transfer of credit requires approval of the student’s supervisory committee and the Dean of the Graduate School.

Petitions for transfer of credit for a master’s degree must be made during the student’s first term of enrollment in the Graduate School.

The supervisory committee is responsible for using established criteria to ensure the academic integrity of coursework before accepting graduate transfer credits.

• THEM Graduate Credit Transfer Request

---

TIME LIMITATIONS

All work (including transferred credit) counted toward the master’s degree must be completed within 7 years before the degree is awarded.

---

FINANCIAL SUPPORT

Stipend and tuition support are not provided to students enrolled in the MS degree program. For more information on federal, state and university aid programs and a limited number of privately funded scholarships, visit The Office for Student Financial Affairs at UF.

While we do not provide assistantships for Master’s level students in our Department, the organizations below offer Graduate Assistantships on campus:

• J. Wayne Reitz Union
• Office of Student Affairs
• Division of Housing

 

---

Meet Virginia!

A THEM Alum 

Virginia Brubaker graduated with a MS in Tourism and Hospitality Management. Listen to how she enjoyed her experience at UF. 

 

---

---