The Hotel & Lodging track offers students the opportunity to learn specific skills to work in all aspects of the hotel and lodging industry with a focus on front and back of the house and revenue management. The curriculum was designed for individuals with a specific interest in hotels, lodging, cruise ship operations, group sales, or property management.

Quick Program Stats

Hospitality Course Requirements

To qualify for admission to the hospitality program, FIU transfer students with 60 credits must have a minimum 2.0 GPA and must be otherwise acceptable into the program. All University Core Curriculum requirements must be completed prior to graduation from the university. Students with less than 60 transfer credits may need to meet the freshman criteria established by the university.

See the Hotel & Lodging Management Track Sheet.

  • Core Courses (45)

    Pre-core:  

    Common Prerequisite Courses: 6 credits (Complete all)

    • HFT1000 Introduction to Hospitality and Tourism Management - 3 credits
    • ECO2013 Principles of Macroeconomics - 3 credits OR
      ECO2023 Principles of Microeconomics - 3 credits

    Lower Division Courses: 9 credits (Complete all)

    •  HFT2401 Accounting for the Hospitality Industry - 3 credits
    • HFT2441 Hospitality Information Technology - 3 credits
    • HFT2220 Human Resources Management for Hospitality Industry - 3 credits

    Courses listed can be met by approved courses taken from a transfer institution. If these courses are not taken prior to transferring into program, they may be completed as elective credits as part of the degree program.

    Hospitality Core Requirements: 30 credits (Complete all)

    • HFT3453 Lodging Operations Control - 3 credits OR
      HFT3754 Introduction to Events Management - 3 credits
    • FSS4234C Advanced Food and Beverage Operations - 3 credits
    • HFT3503 Hospitality Marketing Strategy - 3 credits OR
      HFT4509 Tourism Destination Marketing - 3 credits
    • HFT3603 Hospitality Industry Law and Ethics - 3 credits
    • HFT4413 Hospitality Analytics - 3 credits
    • HFT4464 Financial Analysis in the Hospitality Industry - 3 credits
    • HFT4474 Management Accounting for the Hospitality Industry - 3 credits
    • HFT3292C Entrepreneurship in the Hospitality and Tourism Industry - 3 credits
    • HFT1070 Pathway to Success I - 0 credits
    • HFT3072 Pathway to Success II - 0 credits
    • HFT4295 Leadership in the Hospitality Industry - 3 credits OR
      HFT3006 Emotional Intelligence and Soft Skills for the Hospitality Industry - 3 credits OR
      HFT3073 Social Responsibility in the Hospitality Industry - 3 credits OR
      HFT4545 Managing High-Functioning Teams - 3 credits
    • HFT4945 Advanced Internship in Hospitality/Tourism Management - 0 credits OR
      HFT3941  Internship in Hospitality Management - 0 credits
    • HFT4296 Project Management in Hospitality and Tourism - 3 credits

    Courses waived in the hospitality/tourism core may be replaced with another course from the hospitality or tourism management program or be used to fulfill University Core Curriculum requirements.

  • Required Major Courses
    • HFT 4323 Hospitality Facilities Environmental Systems
    • HFT 4468 Hospitality Revenue Management
    • HFT 3799 Customer Service and Experience Management
    • Choose one of the following courses:
      • HFT3314 Hospitality Property Management
      • HFT4508 Group Business Sales and Services
      • HFT3202 Fundamentals of Management in the Hospitality Industry
      • HFT3651 Residential Hospitality
      • HFT4293 Hotel Food Service Operations Seminar
      • HFT3277 Club Operations Management
      • HFT4274 Short-Term Rental Management and Vacation Ownership
      • HFT4654 Fin/Legal Asp Re Dev
      • HFT4936 Hotel Management Seminar
      • HFT3782 Casino Hotel Management
      • HFT4343 Hotel and Restaurant Planning and Design
      • HFT3005 Senior Living Facilities Management
      • HFT3770 Cruise Line Operations & Management
      • HFT4932 The David Grutman Experience
      • HFT3643 Hospitality Real Estate
  • Electives or Concentrations

    Electives can be chosen from any 3000/4000 level HFT or FSS course.

  • Industry Experience Requirement

    All students are required to get relevant hospitality work experience through the following requirements:

    • 500-2000 hours of industry experience completed while in the program
    • 300 hours in HFT4945 or 500 hours of hospitality/tourism related practical training work experience in HFT3941
    • For additional information please see the Industry Experience section
Hospitality student studying

Industry Experience

Chaplin School students learn in the classroom and in the field. By prioritizing experiential learning as a necessary part of our student’s coursework, our program uniquely prepares students to enter the hospitality and tourism industry. At the Chaplin School you will gain experience, make connections, and build your resume, all while earning credits towards your degree. A minimum of 500 hours of hospitality/tourism-related practical training work experience is required. In addition, the student is required to complete one of the two internship options available:

300 hours in HFT4945 or 500 hours of hospitality/tourism related practical training work experience in HFT3941.

The work experience and internship hours must be major related and approved by an advisor. Work experience documentation is required. Students with extensive industry management experience may apply for a waiver of the 1,000-hour work experience and Advanced Internship.

For more information, please visit our career services page or book an appointment with our dedicated career development counselor.

FIU campus with welcome sign

Careers in Hotel & Lodging Management

Explore various career opportunities in the field of Hotel & Lodging Management:

  • General Manager/ Assistant General Manager
  • Director of Rooms
  • Director of Housekeeping
  • Director of Front Office
  • Director of Engineering
  • Accounting/Finance
  • Human Resources
  • Sales & Reservations Manager
  • Spa & Wellness/ Recreation Manager
I was looking for a school that had a lot of different opportunities. So when I came to FIU, I loved the campus; It was so beautiful. I got to meet a lot of the professors; they were super inviting. Plus, there are so many different opportunities in Miami. This is a great place to study.

Samantha Wagner, Rochester, NY

Minors

A minor is not required to complete the BS in Hospitality & Tourism Management degree. Interested students may elect a minor in an outside program if they choose to with guidance from an academic advisor.

Students from outside the hospitality major may choose to minor in hospitality in the following areas:

  • Beverage Management
  • Hospitality Leadership
  • Events & Entertainment
  • Global Sustainable Tourism
  • Hotel & Lodging Management
  • Restaurant & Culinary Management
  • Travel & Tourism Management
  • Hospitality Studies
  • International Hospitality Studies

For more information on coursework or applying for a minor please see the minors page.

Tuition

One of Florida International University’s main objectives is to provide you with an affordable, high-quality undergraduate education.

Our tuition ranks among the lowest in the nation and the lowest among our competitors. In fact, Kiplinger’s Personal Finance magazine consistently ranks FIU among the top “100 Best Values in Public Colleges”—and U.S. News & World Report also recognizes FIU as a “best buy” in higher education, ranking our students among the least indebted college students in the nation.

For more information about tuition, please visit the Admissions Office Cost & Aid page.