Description of Major
The program in hospitality management was established in 1947 in recognition of the demand for hotel and restaurant industry executives with the objective of providing the kind of education tomorrow’s hospitality manager will need. The curriculum is designed so that students must meet high standards of achievement in general education and must acquire not only the specialized knowledge needed for their hospitality industry careers, but also understand the basic functions, objectives and tools of management that are common to executive roles. This professional program is nationally and internationally known. Interested students should consult a faculty advisor for more information.
In the first two years at FSU, students should take courses to complete the following requirements:
- General Education requirements
- Multicultural Course requirements
- Prerequisite Coursework requirements
Some courses may fulfill requirements in multiple areas.
Lower-level Prerequisites for Hospitality Management & Tourism Majors:
These courses must be completed with a “C-” or better prior to admission to the Hospitality Management & Tourism major.
- CGS 2100 (3) Microcomputer Applications for Business or CGS 2518 (3) Spreadsheet for Business
- ECO 2013 (3) Principles of Macroeconomics or ECO 2023 (3) Principles of Microeconomics
- HFT 1000 (3) Introduction to Hospitality & Tourism Management
- MAC 1105 (3) College Algebra
Note: Statewide common prerequisites are always under review. For the most current information and for acceptable alternative courses, visit the “Common Prerequisites Manual.” This is available from the “Student Services” section of http://www.flvc.org.
Requirements for Progression to the Upper-Division Major
Admission to the limited access business programs requires the following:
- Completion of at least 52 semester hours.
- Completion of HFT 1000, CGS 2100 or CGS 2518, ECO 2013 or ECO 2023, and MAC 1105 with a grade of “C-” or better in each course.
- Cumulative grade point average on all college work attempted of at least 2.50.
Hospitality Management & Tourism Major Area Requirement:
Students must earn a “C-” or better in each course.
- HFT 3424 (3) Hospitality Financial Analysis (prerequisite Admission to the Major)
- HFT 3431 (3) Hospitality Managerial Accounting (prerequisite Admission to the Major)
- HFT 3603 (3) Law for Hospitality Operations (prerequisite Admission to the Major)
- HFT 3806 (3) Introduction to Food and Beverage Management (prerequisite Admission to the Major)
- HFT 4224 (3) Hospitality Leadership and Ethics (prerequisite Senior Status)
- HFT 4253 (3) Lodging & Luxury Hotel Management (prerequisite Admission to the Major)
- HFT 4471 (3) Revenue Management in Hospitality (prerequisite Admission to the Major)
- HFT 4502 (3) Integrated Marketing for Hospitality (prerequisite Admission to the Major)
- HFT 4802 (3) Catering Management (prerequisite HFT 3806)
Hospitality & Tourism Management majors must complete a minimum of 3 credit hours of HFT 3941 (Management Internship) and a combined total of 12 credit hours of electives (see below) and HFT 3941 (Management Internship).
Hospitality Elective Requirements:
Students must earn a “C-” or better in each course.
**Students must have a combined total of 12 credit hours that includes HFT 3941 (Management Internship) and these Electives**
- HFT 2060 (3) Coffee and Tea (prerequisite None)
- HFT 2061 (3) Ales, Lagers and International Cultures (prerequisite None)
- HFT 2062 (3) International Wine and Culture (prerequisite None)
- HFT 2063 (3) Distilled Spirits (prerequisite None)
- HFT 2080 (3) International Protocol (prerequisite None)
- HFT 2716 (3) International Travel and Culture (prerequisite None)
- HFT 2890 (3) International Food and Culture (prerequisite None)
- HFT 3100 (3) Introduction to Global Club Management (prerequisite None)
- HFT 3240 (3) Managing Service Organizations (prerequisite None)
- HFT 3270 (3) Resort Operations (prerequisite Part of Destin-based Internship Program)
- HFT 3275 (3) Resort Development (prerequisite Part of Destin-based Internship Program)
- HFT 3519 (3) Convention Services and Event Management (prerequisite None)
- HFT 3542 (3) Event Management (prerequisite None)
- HFT 3700(3) Tourism Management and the Environment (prerequisite None)
- HFT 4064 (3) Ales/Lagers and Culture (prerequisite Must be 21 years old)
- HFT 4205 (3) Conversational Spanish for Hospitality Managers (prerequisite None)
- HFT 4866 (3) Wine and Culture (prerequisite Must be 21 years old)
- HFT 4930 (3) Special Topics in Hospitality (prerequisite Permission of Instructor)
Additional Information:
- Hospitality Management majors must complete 1,000 hours of work experience in the hospitality industry at the post-secondary level. Students must report hours to the Internship Director to receive credit for their work hours.
- Students are required to complete a Management Internship(s) for academic credit (HFT 3941) through the Dedman College as part of their work experience (3 credit hours must be earned). The hours worked during the Management Internship(s) will count toward the required 1,000 hours of work experience. For further information about Internships, please contact the Internship Director at the Dedman College of Hospitality, (850) 644-8245.
- In addition to the requirements outlined above, each student must complete all University-wide requirements for graduation. These requirements include liberal studies requirements, the multicultural requirement, the Gordon Rule writing requirement, the summer college requirement, the FSU residency requirement, and total hours requirements.
- Students needing elective hours to satisfy the University 120 total hours requirement are encouraged to take additional courses from the list of hospitality electives that are taught in the Dedman College beyond the semester hours required.
- Typically, core Hospitality Management courses are not offered in the summer terms at the Tallahassee campus. The Dedman College offers a Summer Study Program in Switzerland through FSU International Programs. In addition, the Dedman College offers a Summer Resort Management Program in Destin, FL.
- Students must not enroll in any course at another institution without first receiving approval from the Dedman College. Once enrolled at FSU, students should plan to take their Hospitality courses at FSU. Any exception to this policy must be approved in advance by the Dedman College. Transfer of upper-level Hospitality courses completed prior to enrolling at FSU must be from other 4-year, accredited institutions. These courses must be approved for course substitution by the Dedman College upon entering FSU.
- Dedman College Scholarships information.
Remarks:
- Courses taken at a Community College may not be substituted for 3000/4000 level courses.
- A minimum of 45 hours at the 3000 level or above, at least 30 of which must be taken at this University. At least half of the major course semester hours must be completed in residence at this University. After enrolling at this University, all remaining major course requirements must be completed at this University.
- The final 30 hours must be completed in residence at this University.
- Summer program: European Summer Study in Switzerland.
Hospitality & Tourism Management Program Faculty

Cynthia Johnson, MS
(850) 770-2217
crjohnson@dedman.fsu.edu

Tracee Watkins, MBA
Holley A-211-A
(850) 770-2217
tewatkins@fsu.edu