Hospitality Undergraduate Degree Program Review & Rankings?

[PhillipJFry]

Hello all,

After ten years of working for the family's roofing and siding business, I've broken free, and now I'm very interested in pursuing a career in hospitality (which I should have done 10 years ago). But first I want to finish my college education, and I want to earn a hospitality management degree.

Because of my fondness of Orlando (I actually lived there for a year a while back), and of Disney and Universal, I am interested in the Rosen College of Hospitality. However, in all the hours of research I've done, I have had a very difficult time finding any reports comparing its program to other college programs. I can find plenty of rankings and reviews of the University of Central Florida as a whole, but not for Rosen College in particular.

Does anyone have any information whatsoever (rankings, reviews), that can help me make a decision. Or, perhaps you know a current student who can help me get some perspective on the school. I am also trying to figure out what sort of reputation the school has in the hospitality industry.

I appreciate any help at all. Thank you!

 

[CelebrationNM]

The Cornell School of Hotel Administration is a good one. An experienced faculty, on-campus hotel, interesting classes, good reputation. Part of that school is the Center for Hospitality Research, a well-known research center for all things hospitality--restaurant, hotel, etc.

Hopefully others will have some ideas as well.

 

[kenovak]

Purdue University is number one in the nation among hospitality recruiters. Purdue and Cornell are typically considered the best programs in the country.

 

[mikelo]

If you're interested, University of Las Vegas is good too! Hey, if you ever want to work in one of those mega-hotels, that's the way to go!

 

[PhillipJFry]

Thanks for the tips. Any additional information would be greatly appreciated!

In particular, does anyone know about Rosen College's reputation among recruiters?

 

[Traveliz]

My daughter goes to Rosen - its sort of "new" to the game. UCF apparently had a Hospitality Program but not to the level of the one it now has - its been five years or so since this separate campus was build and the program was expanded.

If you have a chance your really should visit. We visited twice before she applied and were very pleased. It's different than some of the Hospitality degrees but I am not so Hospitality smart to tell you what it is - just that where we are now most of the Hospitality degrees were very strong on food and culinary and at Rosen you can get a broader range of hospitality experiences.

I believe they believe they are second to UNLV's Hospitality program. We were told (a year and a half ago) that up to that point they had 100% placement after graduation. It probably helps that all students are required to do three paid internships there and many/most get positions in the type of fields or businesses they want to ultimately work at for these internships and then start working up the ladder while they are in college.

The teachers she has had thus far include many who are leaders in the Hospitality field with great real life experiences.

Hope that helps.
Liz

 

[PhillipJFry]

Traveliz,

You write that Rosen's program is second in the nation after UNLV. Do you happen to know where I can find more information about that? The name of the report or what publication produced it? Or where you heard it?

Any information will be most helpful!!

Thank you!

 

[Traveliz]

Traveliz,

You write that Rosen's program is second in the nation after UNLV. Do you happen to know where I can find more information about that? The name of the report or what publication produced it? Or where you heard it?

Any information will be most helpful!!

Thank you!

No I do not AND that is the information given to me by the admissions counselor at Rosen so it may be based on their interpretations. That is why I said they believe they are second...several times in our talks with them they stated they felt that was the program they were chasing.

Have you visited Rosen?

Liz

 

[PhillipJFry]

Liz,

I'm actually visiting Rosen today (Friday, Feb 13). They are having an Open House, and I'm hoping to get a lot more information.

It is a beautiful day in Orlando. Maybe we'll be able to go to a park after the visit to Rosen!

 

[Traveliz]

Liz,

I'm actually visiting Rosen today (Friday, Feb 13). They are having an Open House, and I'm hoping to get a lot more information.

It is a beautiful day in Orlando. Maybe we'll be able to go to a park after the visit to Rosen!

Great - I hope you enjoy your visit - be sure and come back online and let everyone know what you think.

Liz

 

[PhillipJFry]

We visited Rosen last weekend for their open house, and it was a really great time. The campus is beautiful, and everyone was really friendly. Here are a few pointers about the program at Rosen.

1. It just passed UNLV as the largest hospitality program in the country. The college has around 2600 students.

2. They say that Rosen offers the most comprehensive undergraduate hospitality program. Their three main degree paths are (1) Bachelor of Science in Event Management; (2) Bachelor of science in Hospitality Management; and (3) Bachelor of Science in Restaurant and Food Service Management. They do not have a culinary program per se, but they do offer classes on food preparation, beer and wine appreciation, and catering.

3. The college has it's own private campus, which is only a few years old, and is gorgeous. The campus is located about 5 minutes from Universal Orlando, about 20 minutes from Disney World, and about 15 minutes from downtown Orlando. It is 26 miles, or about 30 to 40 minutes, away from the main UCF campus. Monday through Thursday, shuttles run regularly between the two locations.

4. It is possible, as a Freshman at UCF who wants to major in hospitality, to take every single one of your classes, including general studies, at the Rosen college campus. I'm not entering as a Freshman, but if I was, I think this would be an incredible benefit.

5. Rosen has brand new student apartments, built in 2005, located right next to the teaching and student facilities. We didn't take the tour because we'll be looking for housing elsewhere, but everyone seems really pleased with them. Along with the apartments, the Rosen campus has all the students services necessary (academic office, cafeteria, etc.), so as I mentioned above, an entering Freshman may not ever have to go to the main UCF campus.

6. Rosen has a 100% placement rate for their graduates at the executive, manager, or manager-in-training career level.

7. Rosen requires 3 paid internships as part of their hospitality program. Students often get internships with the companies they eventually get hired by.

8. The college has 46 faculty members from 16 countries around the world. There is a strong emphasis on international cultures and studies.

9. The student ratio is 70% female, 30% male. Also, somewhere between 80% and 90% of the students are transfers, like me!

Well, that's most of what I learned in a nut shell. I'm going to apply this weekend. I've very excited.

 

[Traveliz]

We visited Rosen last weekend for their open house, and it was a really great time. The campus is beautiful, and everyone was really friendly. Here are a few pointers about the program at Rosen.

1. It just passed UNLV as the largest hospitality program in the country. The college has around 2600 students.

2. They say that Rosen offers the most comprehensive undergraduate hospitality program. Their three main degree paths are (1) Bachelor of Science in Event Management; (2) Bachelor of science in Hospitality Management; and (3) Bachelor of Science in Restaurant and Food Service Management. They do not have a culinary program per se, but they do offer classes on food preparation, beer and wine appreciation, and catering.

3. The college has it's own private campus, which is only a few years old, and is gorgeous. The campus is located about 5 minutes from Universal Orlando, about 20 minutes from Disney World, and about 15 minutes from downtown Orlando. It is 26 miles, or about 30 to 40 minutes, away from the main UCF campus. Monday through Thursday, shuttles run regularly between the two locations.

4. It is possible, as a Freshman at UCF who wants to major in hospitality, to take every single one of your classes, including general studies, at the Rosen college campus. I'm not entering as a Freshman, but if I was, I think this would be an incredible benefit.

5. Rosen has brand new student apartments, built in 2005, located right next to the teaching and student facilities. We didn't take the tour because we'll be looking for housing elsewhere, but everyone seems really pleased with them. Along with the apartments, the Rosen campus has all the students services necessary (academic office, cafeteria, etc.), so as I mentioned above, an entering Freshman may not ever have to go to the main UCF campus.

6. Rosen has a 100% placement rate for their graduates at the executive, manager, or manager-in-training career level.

7. Rosen requires 3 paid internships as part of their hospitality program. Students often get internships with the companies they eventually get hired by.

8. The college has 46 faculty members from 16 countries around the world. There is a strong emphasis on international cultures and studies.

9. The student ratio is 70% female, 30% male. Also, somewhere between 80% and 90% of the students are transfers, like me!

Well, that's most of what I learned in a nut shell. I'm going to apply this weekend. I've very excited.

I am glad to hear your review - my daughter loves it too and I agree it is beautiful. The classrooms are even beautiful!

Your review sums up the campus and experience perfectly. And glad to hear they are still showing 100% placement these days!

Liz

 

[jmhhjr1]

RIT (Rochester Institute of Technology) and Niagara University have very good Hospitality programs. Both with an average of 98% job placement after graduation and endless opportunities. I have been accepted to both schools. I will probably be going to RIT because it's a better fit for me.