About the B.A. in Hospitality Management
Ranked in the top 25 in the world by CEOWORLD, Kendall College’s Bachelor of Arts in Hospitality Management prepares you to excel in the business and craft of managing restaurants, resorts, hotels and events. Your training will cover all aspects of culinary and hospitality management and prepare you to lead in this fast-paced industry. Located in Chicago, a world-class culinary and tourist destination, you’ll enjoy hands-on learning experiences, the guidance of industry experts and premier work opportunities.
After completing core coursework in hospitality, you’ll specialize in one of the following concentrations:
- Hotel & Lodging Management
- Event Planning
- Food & Beverage Management
- Tourism
Like the industry itself, Kendall boasts a diverse international population. About 35% of this program’s students are international. And you have the opportunity to study abroad at a variety of resorts and restaurants here and across the globe.
Program Highlights
Internship Experience
Go beyond the classroom with two internship opportunities built into the program, totaling over 500 hours of work experience. Work at a local business under the guidance of industry mentors and faculty and gain real-world skills and knowledge to apply to your future career.
Customizable Degree
Shape your degree to match your career interests and goals with four different concentrations and a variety of electives to mix and match. Enhance your degree by adding a minor or a second concentration, such as our new Entrepreneurship Concentration.
Professional Development
Prepare yourself for the job market by taking advantage of career workshops, internships and guest speakers, as well as a culminating Senior Integrative Project, wherein you collaborate with students from across the college on a complex project within multidisciplinary teams.
State-of-the-Art Facilities
Apply your classroom knowledge to real-world situations by hosting and serving multi-course meals in Kendal College’s fine dining restaurant, the Dining Room. Event Management students will plan banquets, business meetings and parties on campus, and students will also get to organize events and serve guests in our elegant Wine Room.
A Complete Education
Gain comprehensive skills and knowledge that will serve you no matter which career you pursue after graduation. Receive training in financial management, marketing, leadership, technology, communication and more.
Top 25 in the World
Ranked in the top 25 in the world by CEOWORLD
What You Will Learn
61% Major, Minor, and Elective Courses, 6% Internship and Professional Development, 33% General Skills Development: Our award-winning faculty draw on firsthand knowledge of managing hotels, world-class restaurants and large-scale events to design their courses and assignments. They stay current with industry trends through continued work in the field and active participation in industry associations, so you’ll be learning the newest best practices in the industry. Highlights of what you’ll learn include:
Management and Leadership
Hospitality management principles; Leadership strategies and motivation; Staffing, processes, systems and technologies; Service philosophy; Integrative solutions for customers and employees; Interpreting feedback; Communication between teams.
Marketing and Sales
Consumer behavior; Segmentation and channel management; Public relations; Advertising; Digital marketing; Building brand loyalty; B2B and B2C marketing.
Accounting and Finance
Double entry bookkeeping; Income statements and balance sheets; Cash flow statements; Financial analysis; Projecting revenue; Drafting financial plans and budgets; Assessing operational performance.
Concentration Courses
Fifteen quarter hours will be dedicated to courses focusing specifically on your chosen concentration. Courses range from topics in facility operations, to business planning, to event production and more.
Career Outlook
An education from Kendall College at National Louis University prepares you for a hospitality management career that is fast-paced and relentless. Armed with the real-world training and experience you’ll cultivate at Kendall College at NLU, you will be equipped to make a mark for yourself in whatever career path you choose. Our alumni have gone on to succeed in a variety of fields armed with a unique combination of business training and specialized advanced classwork.
With over 5,195 restaurants, 119 hotels and the largest convention center in North America, Chicago is the perfect place to launch your career in hospitality management.
The following are some notable career paths you can pursue with a B.A. in Hospitality Management from Kendall College:
- Wine Sommelier
- Hotel Manager
- Restaurant Manager
- Event Planner
- Catering Manager
- Hospitality Consultant
- Conference Organizer
- Wedding Planner
- Spa Director
- Marketing/PR Consultant
- Tourism Management
