[bmw335xi]

I've been considering getting a Master's of Science Degree in Hotel Administration since I received by Bachelor's Degree earlier this year. I have over a year experience in a management position and I'm preparing to take the GMAT soon, so I already meet the admission requirements.

Is anyone familiar with this program? Good or Bad? Is it practical information that can actually be used in the real world? Do businesses in the Vegas area or the SW Region of the United States view it positively or even aware of it? Are there any job placement programs afterwards or career fairs specifically for the Harrah College of Hotel Administration? Sorry about all the questions, but if you have an answer for any of them or any other piece of information you would like to share, please do so.

Thanks a lot!

[jfkIII]

A Masters degree in Hotel Administration???? I would think a bachelors degree would be more than sufficient.

Heck...if you're gonna go for a masters...why not go for the doctorate degree in hotel admin!

[Buzz123]

For reasons that should be obvious UNLV is considered one of the best schools in the country, if not the best, for hotel administration. I don't know if you'd do much better in the real world with a masters though. For more specific information I'd think you'd want to contact the university rather than rely on the opinions posted here.

[bmw335xi]

Well, my Bachelor's Degree is in Business Management with a minor in Marketing. I didn't major in my school's hospitality program. UNLV requires you to have a business major (doesn't matter which major) and at least a year of managerial experience or three years of general hospitality experience. I would like to begin classes in Fall 2011, which by then I'd have about 1.5 years of managerial experience in the food and beverage industry. I just got back from Vegas a few days ago, but didn't have time to stop at the admission's office. However, I will be going back to Vegas at the end of October. I usually like to hear from both the school and ordinary people. I'm sure UNLV will tell me of course there's thousands of job opportunities after I graduate etc, but I know school's will say anything to get you to apply, especially an out-of-state student with out-of-state tuition rates =]. Thanks for the replies.

[SportyandMisty]

If it were me, I'd go to Cornell as my first choice and UNLV as my second choice.

[themepark]

I'd always been told not to waste time/money on Master's in Hotel Administration unless you're looking to go into research/teaching.

[dynimagelv]

you'd be wrong sporty unless you want to work on the east coast....Nevada hotels and casinos will give far mor weight to INLV then to Cornell

[Bigpappacam]

I remember seeing Harrah's posting internships to students who were only from the Harrah's UNLV College of Business. However internships is a much different game than management.

[bmw335xi]

Thanks for the replies!

I thought about Cornell, but I don't want to simply attend school. I want to continue getting new ideas on hotel and restaurant design, decor, menu planning etc, which Vegas offers. I also have made a lot from the stock market and would like to keep an eye out for good deals to buy and rent out houses/condos until the housing market turns around. If I decide to get a job instead of opening my own place, I'd like to live somewhere in the SW, which I think UNLV like one other member mentioned would probably be better. I have no problem doing an internship, in fact I'd prefer it over a job at first, so I can prove myself worthy. It's not management, but I think the experience and training would be great.

[kris8888]

I'm currently working in the hotel industry with a Bachelors degree under my belt. There are definitely advantages to having a Masters. I have spoken with alumni from both Cornell and UNLV Masters programs. Both are excellent, but they are different, so it depends on what you want. Many who go to the Cornell one-year program already have years under their belt and are already at a management position so a one-year program is what they need to spend minimal time out of the job market and go back in one year later with the degree. This program is meant for those who know exactly where within hospitality they intend to specialize (no time to try this and try that in the one-year program). The UNLV program takes longer, but allows you to continue to work while in school, giving students the ability to graduate WITH more experience under their belt. (Cornell professors themselves even told me that many Cornell masters grads found they had to put in some time after graduating to get their experience up to par if they weren't going into the program with many years of experience, but that they advanced quickly, with the masters under their belts. One prof told me some students were impatient, thinking that the degree meant they should immediately see the pay grade increase).

I have had alumni from both schools tell me that the Masters programs were valuable and that they simply would not have been as successful without it. As far as admissions go, few people are admitted to either program without management experience. (it doesn't have to be hospitality related, but they want to make sure you've been in a business management environment long enough to contribute to the program). What experience you don't have in hospitality going IN, you'll still have to obtain when you get OUT. Ask anyone in hospitality industry, you can't read a book on how to survive in the industry, you have to learn it by getting thrashed by it a few times in the real world. Like any degree, you can't expect the degree to win you a better pay grade. You have to make the degree work for you. I've seen many top MBA grads actually cower in a corner crying when things got tough and demanding, while some freshman undergrad student stepped in and saved them from losing their jobs. And in hospitality, you either have it or you don't. So yeah, go for the UNLV or Cornell masters, but make sure you've put in some time in hospitality to know exactly what you're getting into! If you check out linkedin, I think you'll find many UNLV and Cornell hotel school alumni who will be happy to answer questions about their experiences. And in fact, if you're going to Las Vegas, just ask any front desk agent or other hotel staff and I think you'll find many are in the program or are alumni. I've found a few myself this way! They're usually thrilled at your interest and are happy to help. Hey, thats why they're in the biz!