Tourism and Hospitality, B.A.

The 39-credit major integrates hospitality and tourism coursework with core business disciplines including, marketing, management, and accounting. Students develop competencies in event management, lodging, and food & beverage operations, service management, event management, and industry trends and innovation, while also gaining an understanding of tourism’s role in local and global economies and communities. Courses emphasize hands-on industry-engaged learning.

Program Learning Goals

Students completing the Tourism & Hospitality major will:

Develop core hospitality management and operational competencies through applied learning.
Apply business principles in marketing, management, and accounting to hospitality decision-making.
Understand tourism and hospitality’s role in local and global economies and communities.
Demonstrate leadership, problem-solving, and professional skills for hospitality careers.

Program Requirements

Minimum credits in the major: 39

Minimum grade in major courses: C- or better

Minimum GPA in the major: 2.0

Students complete:

Hospitality & Business Core (24 credits)
Hospitality Management (6 credits)
Internship (3-6 credits)
Hospitality & Business Electives (6 credits)

A maximum of 6 credits of internship, independent study, or travel courses may be applied to the major.

Required Hospitality & Business Core (24 credits)

All students majors must complete:

TAH 101 - Introduction to Tourism & Hospitality Credits: 3
TAH 331 - Sustainable Hospitality Management Credits: 3 OR TAH 221 - Hospitality Management
TAH 301 - Global Issues in Travel & Tourism Credits: 3
ACC 210 - Financial Accounting Information for Decision Making Credits: 3
BUS 260 - Marketing Credits: 3
BUS 340 - Managing Organizational Behavior Credits: 3
TAH 415 - Trends & Innovation in Tourism and Hospitality Credits: 3
TAH 424 - Hospitality Financial Management Credits: 3

Hospitality Management (6 credits - Required)

TAH 222 - Food and Beverage Management Credits: 3
TAH 321 - Lodging Operations & Systems Credits: 3

Internship (3-6 credits)

TAH 409 - Capstone: Tourism & Hospitality Internship Credits: 1-6
(minimum of 150-hour industry experience)

If taken for 6 credits, students complete fewer electives.

Hospitality & Business Electives (6 credits)

Choose a course not already used.

At least one course must be at the 300 level or above.

Approved Hospitality Electives (TAH):

TAH 228 - Introduction to the Craft Beer Sector Credits: 3
TAH 299 - Topics in Tourism & Hospitality Credits: 3
TAH 311 - Event Management Credits: 3
TAH 320 - Green Meetings and Events Credits: 3
TAH 361 - Local Food & Agritourism Credits: 3
TAH 399 - Advanced Topics in Tourism & Hospitality Credits: 1-3 (Must be 3 credits)
TAH 426 - Beverage Operations Credits: 3
TAH 497 - Independent Study in Tourism & Hospitality Credits: 1-3

Business & Related Electives

BUS 241 - Applied Business Modeling Credits: 3
BUS 280 - Legal Environment of Business Credits: 3
BUS 300 - Entrepreneurial Thinking Credits: 3
BUS 301 - Business Analytics Credits: 3
BUS 365 - Consumer Behavior Credits: 3
BUS 373 - Project Management Credits: 3
Approved BUS / GEO / ANT / electives with advisor approval

Major Courses that Satisfy Core Requirements

Students are encouraged to explore Core courses that also count towards their major or minor. Courses listed below are part of this major and also satisfy University Core Curriculum requirements. Course lists that satisfy each requirement can be found on the Core Curriculum webpage.

Writing, Reading, and Inquiry 3
Quantitative Reasoning
Creative Expression
Cultural Interpretation
Science Exploration
Socio-cultural Analysis: TAH 101 - Introduction to Tourism & Hospitality
Ethical Inquiry, Social Responsibility, and Citizenship: TAH 301 - Global Issues in Travel & Tourism
Culture, Power, and Equity
International: TAH 301 - Global Issues in Travel & Tourism
Engaged Learning: TAH 409 - Capstone: Tourism & Hospitality Internship
Capstone: TAH 409 - Capstone: Tourism & Hospitality Internship

USM Core Requirements

Students must complete all Core and degree requirements as part of the Graduation Requirements. For more information, see Academic Policies.

The USM Core Curriculum provides a coherent, integrative, and rigorous liberal arts education that fulfills general education requirements. It is designed to help students become globally aware, purposeful, and lifelong learners.

Please Note: Core requirements may be part of your major and/or minor, and Core may have been fulfilled with transfer credit. Please consult your MaineStreet Degree Progress Report (DPR) and review your degree progress with your Advisor. For additional information, access the USM Core webpage.