Admissions
How do I declare a major in hospitality management?
1. If you are already enrolled at Kent State University, our College office is in 304 White Hall. Please ask the receptionist for a Change of Program form.
2. If you are a transfer student from another university, the following must be submitted to the Admissions Office at Kent State University:
- A transfer application form and a non refundable $30 application fee.
- An official transcript from each postsecondary institution attended. These transcripts should be sent directly from the previous institutions to the Office of Admissions.
- A final high school transcript from the following students:
- Applicants with 24 or fewer semester hours of nonremedial credit earned at other colleges or universities;
- Applicants who, for special reasons, are asked by the Office of Admissions to submit a high school transcript;
- Applicants wishing to receive need-based financial aid.
- Official results of the ACT or the SAT. Test results are not required of applicants who are 21 or older at the time of their first enrollment, who have successfully completed more than 24 semester hours of credit of nonremedial college coursework, or who have been graduated from high school for three or more years.
- Verification of high school graduation is required for financial aid purposes.
Please note that an official evaluation of transfer credit will not be completed until students have been admitted to the university and have submitted official transcripts from all postsecondary institutions previously attended.
3. If you are a freshman, please submit:
- an application form
- application fee
- required academic credentials to Kent State University's Office of Admissions
Application forms can be obtained at:
- Admissions Homepage or
- by calling the Office of Admissions at (330) 672-2444 or
- by writing to: Kent State University Office of Admissions, PO BOX 5190, Kent, OH 44242-0001.
The Office of Admissions must receive a nonrefundable $30 application fee and a high school transcript before processing the application.
ADVISING - ACADEMIC ADVISOR
How do I set up an appointment to see an academic advisor to review the requirements in the hospitality major and discuss career opportunities?
1. The Hospitality Management Program is housed in Nixson Hall. Please stop by 100 Nixson (or call 330-672-2197) and the receptionist will help you set up an appointment with one of our academic advisors.Most appointments last 30 to 40 minutes.
2. The receptionist will give you a listing of the required courses. Please review these before your appointment with the academic advisor.
3. About a month after you have filled out the Change of Program form, you will receive a letter welcoming you to the Hospitality Program and listing your permanent academic advisor. We encourage you to seek their assistance with scheduling courses on a semester by semester basis.
CLASS SIZE
How large will classes be in my major? Will I be known as only a 'student number' by my professors?
Major classes in the Hospitality Management major range from 20 to 40 students. A top priority for Hospitality Management faculty is to be available for consultation and develop professional relationships with each of their majors.
ENROLLMENT
How many students are enrolled in KSU's Hospitality Management program?
Approximately 225 students, with the number of majors increasing each year. Our increasing enrollment is the result of our graduates' career success.
EMPLOYMENT
What types of jobs do Hospitality Management majors secure after graduation?
1. Data on our graduates over the past 10 years indicates that about 50% are managing food service operations, primarily restaurants.
2. The remaining 50% secure positions other than 'food service'. These positions include:
- event and meeting planners
- hotel and resort managers
- sales and marketing representatives for hospitality businesses
- club managers including general managers
- convention managers
- amusement park managers
INTERNSHIP / PRACTICUM
I know completing an internship or practicum will significantly increase my professional success after graduation. Are internships available if I choose to enroll in the program?
1. At Kent State, we enjoy close ties with industry and assist students in seeking a wide range of excellent practicums for students during their senior year. These professional training experiences are faculty supervised, and are planned to develop students' management skills in the industry. Recent (1998-2000) data indicates that the majority of our students were in practicums that involved management positions in the hospitality industry.
2. In addition, many of these students retained full-time management positions after graduation with these businesses.
STARTING SALARIES
What are the starting salaries for graduates of the Hospitality Management program?
Recent graduates in management positions are receiving starting salaries of $28,000 to $33,000. Graduates who have progressed in their careers are reporting salaries of $50,000 to excess of $100,000.
STUDENT ORGANIZATIONS
What student organizations many I become involved with as a Hospitality Management major?
1. The Kent State University Student Chapter of the Club Managers Association of America (CMAA) meets the first week of the month throughout the school year. Members also are invited to attend meetings of the Greater Cleveland Chapter of CMAA.
2. The Kent State University chapter of Professional Convention Management Association (PCMA) is open to all Kent State University students interested in pursuing a career in the growing meetings and events industry. Students participate in various fundraising events; go on tours of hotels, conference and convention centers; listen to industry leaders; and attend the annual convention that provides networking and career opportunities.
3. The Ice Carving Club meets regularly throughout the year. Students at all skill levels are invited to participate in this group. In 2001, two club members won 5th place in the National Collegiate Ice Carving Championship.
ALUMNI
What are area alumni doing these days?
- Tricia Arcaro (August 2006) is the Executive Meetings Manager at Marriott Cleveland East, Warrensville Heights, Ohio
- Amy Petrovic (May 2007) is a Wedding Coordinator at the Bertram Inn & Conference Center, Aurora, Ohio
- Gina Moscorelli (May 2007) is the Catering Manager the the Crowne Plaza, Cleveland, Ohio
- Anne Tutuska (December 2006) is the Assistant General Manager of Red Roof Inn, Springfield, Virginia
- Adam Buehler (Kent August 1993) is Owner/Operator, Outback Steakhouse, Westlake, Ohio
