Hospitality Administration, Ph.D.

• Program Description
• Program Objectives
• General Admission Requirements
• Application
• Residency Requirement
• Degree Requirements

Program Description

The Conrad N. Hilton College of Hotel and Restaurant Management at the University of Houston presents the Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degree program in Hospitality Administration.  This program is designed for students who wish to become hospitality researchers and/or professors at a research oriented university.  Specifically, the program will provide students with the theoretical (conceptual) foundation, practical knowledge, research development and critical thinking skills for hospitality administration.

Hospitality Administration includes most food and beverage (e.g., catering), club (e.g,. private clubs), convention and event planning, airline food and beverage service, cruise ship management or any other tourism/hospitality disciplines.  The topics include hospitality finance, hospitality marketing, hospitality accounting, hospitality human resources, service, and general hospitality management.

The program emphasizes flexibility, independence and inter-disciplinary study to accommodate the needs and research interests of each student from all around the world.  As a requirement of the doctoral program, students are expected to obtain experience in teaching and research.  Graduate faculty will mentor the students in the classroom as well as in research settings. 

The Conrad N. Hilton College of Hotel and Restaurant Management University of Houston is consistently rated among the top hospitality programs in the world.  The College has cultivated relationships with the industry’s top employers, organizations, and associations. Our graduates continue to excel and open the doors for those who follow.

Program Objectives

The Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) objectives are:

• To develop teaching skills for both undergraduate and graduate levels
• To disseminate information about the hospitality industry
• To develop theory and add knowledge to the field
• To identify problems through analysis
• To identify solutions from competing alternatives through quantitative and qualitative metrics
• To effectively communicate research outcomes
• To develop grantsmanship capabilities

General Admission Requirements

Students who have successfully completed an M.S. degree in Hotel and Restaurant Management or a similar degree with an overall grade point average (GPA) of 3.2 on a 4.0 point scale for their last degree completed and a GMAT or GRE score in the upper 35th percentile will be considered.

Students who have completed a B.S. with a GPA of a 3.5 or above, GMAT or GRE score in the upper 35th percentile and with at least 10 years of supervisory industry experience will be considered  for conditional admittance to the Ph.D. program.  These students should complete all prerequisites in order to take the Ph.D. level classes.  Based upon passing the candidacy exam, students will be allowed to enter the Ph.D. program.  Otherwise, they will be allowed to complete the M.S. program and then be allowed to reapply for the Ph.D. program upon completion of the M.S.  This allows successful industry professionals to enter the Ph.D. program directly due to their exceptional industry experience and academic background.

All international students must meet the admissions requirements as specified by the University and College, attaining minimal scores on the TOEFL of 600 (250 computer-based test; 100 online-based test) or have earned a degree from an accredited U.S. institution.  An interview is required prior to acceptance into the program. 
Note: Students may be required to take additional courses to overcome any deficiencies as determined by the program director. 
The Graduate Faculty Committee will review each applicant’s admission application packet.

Application

All applicants must submit for admission:

• A completed Graduate Application Form, University of Houston.
• A non-refundable application/evaluation fee of $50 (domestic applicants).  Payments must be made with a credit card, a personal check or money order denominated in U. S. dollars, payable to the “University of Houston.” 
• Two (2) official transcripts of all academic work, including subjects taken and grades earned.
• Official GRE or GMAT test score results and an additional certified photocopy of the score card must be sent with the application.
• Three (3) letters of recommendations.
• A personal statement of purpose, which includes a 3-page double-spaced paper with 1-inch margins on career goals, research interests or justification of pursuing the Ph.D. program.
• A complete Resume or Curriculum Vitae.

In addition to the requirements listed above, international applicants are required to:

• Send a non-refundable application/evaluation fee of $125 (international applicants).
• International applicants must submit official TOEFL test scores (minimum 600 paper-based, minimum 250 computer-based, or 100 online-based).  Students are exempt from the TOEFL if from Australia, the Bahamas, Belize, The British Isles, English-speaking Canadian provinces, the Fiji Islands, Jamaica, Liberia, New Zealand, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Trinidad, the United States, the Virgin Islands, the West Indies or Zimbabwe.  Individuals lacking fluency in speaking English will be requested to take English language courses.
• International applicants must submit a Letter of Financial Backing and a signed Statement of Understanding enclosed in the Graduate Application Form.

All application materials and admission inquiries should be addressed to:

Dianca Chase

Graduate Program Coordinator

229 C.N. Hilton Hotel and College

Houston, TX 77204-3028

Transfer students will be considered for this program and will be subject to the same regulations that govern all students that transfer to the College of Hotel and Restaurant Management at the University of Houston.  Students may apply to have a maximum of 9 semester hours relevant to the planned program to be transferred as long as the credits have not been applied to a previously completed degree.  Only courses with a grade of “B” or better would be considered for transfer.  Transfer students can request transfer of credits by providing a complete list of courses that they would like considered for transfer.  The Graduate Program director will examine and approve the courses that will be transferred.  Students would be required to complete a graduate petition form indicating the courses they request to be transferred along with a set of official transcripts from all Colleges attended.  This petition must then be approved by the graduate program director, the associate dean of academics of the College and the Dean of Graduate School at the University.  International transcripts will be evaluated by the Office of International Admissions and transfer equivalency from non-United States colleges/universities will be determined by the Office of International Admissions.

Residency Requirement

Acquiring a doctoral degree requires a strong commitment.  Students who stretch out their studies are usually unable to complete them.  Thus, full-time students must enroll in a minimum of 9-credit hours per semester.  With the exception of credits transferred at the beginning of a student’s program, all courses must typically be taken at University of Houston.  The maximum credit hours can be transferred from other institutes are nine.