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Academics Undergraduate Programs Bachelor of Science in Business Administration

BSBA in Hospitality, Events and Tourism

at Nichols College

Behind every memorable trip or standout event is a team of professionals who make it happen.

Through the BSBA in hospitality, events and tourism program at Nichols, you’ll learn what they do—and how to become one of them.

Our program combines a business core curriculum with specialized courses that prepare students for roles across the hospitality spectrum, from hotels and lodging to event planning to tourism management. Hands-on learning opportunities woven throughout the program ensure you’ll graduate ready to move your career forward.

Close-up exterior of a Nichols College brick building with a large arched window, with a vibrant yellow fall foliage tree visible along the campus sidewalk

Why Study Hospitality, Events and Tourism at Nichols College?

Our hospitality degree program combines academic coursework with experiential learning opportunities to develop career-ready graduates. Here’s what sets our program apart:

Applied Learning

Put your learning into practice with our program’s real-world approach that includes internships, industry certifications and client-based projects, including with actual businesses and organizations

Industry Certifications

Earn credentials recognized by the industry, including a Certification in Hospitality Business Acumen (CHBA), Crowd Control certification, TIPS certification and others

Expert Faculty

Learn from faculty who have decades of industry experience, including a former Director of Corporate Governance for the Mohegan Tribe, a former manager of luxury suites operations, and members of the leadership team at Mohegan Sun

Professional Connections

Engage with professionals and secure meaningful internships through our career contacts, hands-on employer experiences and alumni network that's 16,000+ members strong

Worcester County Location

Benefit from access to major tourism destinations, corporate headquarters and hospitality venues across Boston and the Northeast, all while getting the personal attention of a close-knit campus community
Plus, our program is AACSB-accredited—only six percent of institutions worldwide are accredited by the prestigious Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business.

Plus, our program is AACSB-accredited—only six percent of institutions worldwide are accredited by the prestigious Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business.

Experiential Learning at Nichols College

Hands-on, experiential learning[Link to Experiential Learning page] is a key component of a Nichols education. Every business student completes an internship, a professional certification and a research, experiential or consulting project before they graduate. Add holistic professional development to that hands-on foundation, and you get real results—95% of recent graduates secured jobs or entered graduate school within six months. All from a college ranked top 10 nationally among undergraduate business schools for mid-career salary potential and best value.

A Nichols College student intern assists with an event at historic Fenway Park in Boston.

Student-Faculty Projects

From assisting with faculty research and teaching to working on an advanced project with your professor, there are many ways to extend your learning beyond the classroom at Nichols.

Learn More About Experiential Learning at Nichols.

Student-Run Opportunities

Whether you’re managing the Thunder Fund, working with Bison Consulting clients, helping run the Nichols Dudley Hill Golf Course Club and Bison Den or pitching ideas to companies, you’ll build career-ready skills.

Learn More About Student-Run Opportunities.

Holistic Professional Development

Build confidence and vital soft skills through experiences that take you into the community, paired with public speaking practice, networking etiquette and signature leadership development. Learn more about professional development at Nichols.

Learn More About Professional Development at Nichols.

Study Abroad

Take your education global through faculty-led trips, international internships, semester abroad programs and short-term travel that let you earn Nichols credits while expanding your worldview.

Learn More About Study Abroad (Study Away).
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Careers in Hospitality, Events and Tourism

A BSBA in hospitality, events and tourism builds customer service, operations and organizational abilities, preparing graduates for positions in lodging, event management, tourism promotion and service-based businesses.

Career possibilities include:

  • Hotel manager
  • Event planner
  • Tourism promoter
  • Wedding planner
  • Resort operations manager
And More
Two Nichols College students in professional attire laughing together at a career and internship fair booth

Meet Your Faculty

Maryann Conrad

Chair, Hospitality and Real Estate Management 508-213-2011

Bryant Richards

Director of CIPA 508-213-2136

Donald Trella

Adjunct Professor

Jeffrey Hamilton

Adjunct Professor
FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions About Our Hospitality, Events and Tourism Program

Can I specialize in a specific area of hospitality?

Yes, while earning your degree, you can focus on areas that match your career goals, such as event management, hotel operations, restaurant management or tourism marketing. Through elective courses and your internship selection, you can build expertise in your preferred sector. Many students also add minors in areas like marketing, communications or sport management to further specialize their skills and increase their marketability.

Does Nichols College offer hands-on experience in hospitality management?

Our curriculum includes real-world projects where you help plan and execute actual events. You’ll also have opportunities to participate in the Hospitality Club, where you can network with industry professionals, attend conferences and work on campus events that expose you to real hospitality scenarios and responsibilities, while connecting with peers who share your passion for the industry.

Hospitality, Events, and Tourism Courses

Required Courses

This course provides an introduction to the world of hospitality and tourism. The various segments of the hospitality industry and career opportunities are explored: lodging, food service, event and meeting planning, casinos, travel, tourism, theme parks, resorts, cruise lines, and private clubs. Students gain an historical perspective and current perspective, while examining the only thing that customers of this industry actually purchase, The Guest Experience.

This course introduces students to the fundamental practices involved in effective human resource management, such as recruiting, performance evaluation, compensation, employment law, and employee rights. HR theory and practice are emphasized within the context of improving organizational productivity and developing employee potential.

Events from weddings to business conferences breathe life into the hospitality industry. Hosting and managing events in the hospitality is big business. Students will explore the key business concepts behind event management in the hospitality industry including planning, coordination, execution and measurement of event success. Students will be assigned to work with a hospitality company to provide assistance with an actual event or event management related challenge.

This capstone course will integrate knowledge and skills into the critical thinking process required for corporate decision making and strategic planning. Case studies and research of existing corporations within the hospitality industry will be the basis for study.

The Internship in Hospitality Management will afford students an opportunity to apply the concepts from the classroom to practical situations at an industry-based site. Students will gain an appreciation for the dynamic nature of the workplace, while obtaining valuable experience and networking with industry professionals. Research, reading assignments, and an industry analysis paper will serve to enhance the internship and underscore the need for professional development and learning in order to meet the challenges and demands of this rapidly changing field of management.

Elective Courses

choose one from the following options:

This course will examine the relationship of understanding the role of the self in understanding others who may hold differing values. This is a vital component since, according to the researcher and writer James Neuliep, "culture teaches us how to think, conditions one how to feel, and instructs one how to act, especially how to interact with others." In other words, our understanding of ourselves and how we become that way helps us to understand others and how they became the way they are. We need to establish the idea in our consciousness that our understanding of how important our essence, our cultural identity, is to us, is equally important to people from other cultures' understanding of themselves. By moving to this understanding of difference, we gain a stronger sense of how important it is to find ways to be productive with others. With current markets being so globally focused, and people coming to the US from other places, it is quite likely that professionals will need to have this ability as global markets continue to shrink.

Casino/gaming operations are structured and managed differently from other hospitality operations. This course discusses the economics of gaming, rules and regulations that affect day-to-day operations, government restrictions, operations of key departments, and marketing strategies. Students will interact with casino executives and perform simulated assignments from the industry.

This course will focus on day-to-day operations, addressing such issues as planning and scheduling, transportation and control of customers, layout and location of facilities, inventory management, reservation and pricing systems, quality and customer satisfaction, decision-making techniques, and process control and improvement.

Travel and tourism is one of the largest industries in the world and a strong growth segment within the hospitality management field. This course explores why and how people travel, where they go and the motives behind travel related purchases. Students are introduced to travel and tourism themes including supplier and intermediary networks, airline and cruise transportation, the psychology of travel, travel technology, safety and security, and the economic, social, and environmental impacts of tourism. Experiencing the travel and tourism industry first hand is an integral component of the course, as students create customized itineraries, participate in off campus field trips, and engage with industry guest speakers.

This course is offered on an occasional basis and addresses topics and themes of special interest not covered in the standard course offerings in Hospitality Management.

This course is offered on an occasional basis and addresses topics and themes of special interest not covered in the standard course offerings in Hospitality Management.

No description available.

No description available.

No description available.

Many of us long to be a member of a championship team and wear the "ring" - and organizations are no different! Companies who value a culture of excellence are also known to have higher employee engagement ultimately resulting in better performance results and higher impact. "Be our guest" as we explore Disney's framework for delivering a consistent superior experience that emotionally connects their customers to the Disney brand for life. This course will have to discovering the "magic" inherent in several leading organizations and developing a winning combination of culture, metrics, and values that ultimately create a coveted culture of "champions." Application and practice in all forms will be at the core of this course.

This course will focus on day-to-day operations, addressing such issues as planning and scheduling, transportation and control of customers, layout and location of facilities, inventory management, reservation and pricing systems, quality and customer satisfaction, decision-making techniques, and process control and improvement.

This course is offered on an occasional basis and addresses topics and themes of special interest not covered in the standard course offerings in sport management.

Free Electives

15 credit-hours of electives

Interested in Learning More?

Join us at one of our upcoming campus events in Dudley, MA, or schedule a campus visit. You can also contact our Admissions team to discuss your academic goals and how Nichols can help you reach them.