If you enjoy interacting with people and working in an energized environment where guests are looking to have fun, this major might suit your personality. Lakeland's Hospitality Management program has been going strong for two decades and continues to send qualified graduates into exciting, fast-paced careers at resorts, hotels, restaurants, and even on cruise ships around the world!
Lakeland University has great partnerships with some of the state’s top resorts, and Wisconsin is filled with premier tourist destinations and accommodations.
Whenever people travel, they need a temporary place to call home. And the more people travel—across the country or around the globe—the more homes away from home they will need. It’s a big reason why hospitality management is such an attractive program of study for students who seek a potentially lucrative career in the hospitality industry.
Lakeland’s hospitality management program has always made good use of strong relationships with business partners in the training of its students. Right in Lakeland's backyard, world-class resorts such as the American Club in Kohler, The Osthoff Resort in Elkhart Lake, and Blue Harbor in Sheboygan draw guests from near and far. Internationally renowned golf courses Whistling Straits, Blackwolf Run, and The Bull are also in our immediate neighborhood.
This major falls under the Business program's umbrella, so you will leave Lakeland armed with a strong base of core Business classes. But there is also tremendous flexibility associated with this major, so you can personalize your Hospitality Management Degree with other emphases – such as Marketing or International Business.
At Lakeland, we value work and the learning that happens in the workplace. Our Cooperative Education program is all about hands-on learning outside the classroom. Students learn more by doing. They gain real-world knowledge and earn academic credit for hands-on professional work experience — and coursework is centered around these real-life experiences, situations and career goals. Lakeland students explore their interests and, when they graduate, feel confident they will find a career in which they are passionate.
We have partnered with local, world-class resorts, golf courses, etc. — ensuring our students gain the necessary experience to be successful at Lakeland, and beyond.
*Data provided by Job Center of Wisconsin's Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics for lodging managers.
At Lakeland, we've become more focused on globalization. Students enrolled in Lakeland's traditional program on the main campus, have taken faculty-led trips to South Korea, Cancun, Costa Rica, and the Bahamas. Past study abroad experiences have also taken students to China, Japan, Cancun, Luxembourg, and Ireland, among many other countries. Every two years, a new study abroad class is developed to expose students to the global nature of hospitality.
In addition, because Hospitality Management is such an international industry, one semester of a foreign language (Spanish, German, Chinese or Japanese) is required. Students are strongly encouraged to continue pursuing additional semesters of a foreign language.
There’s more than one way to get a college education and Lakeland offers them all. Lakeland University students have access to a variety of pathways, and each one can be customized to meet your needs. Since our founding in 1862, Lakeland University has been a leader in finding ways to help students make their dreams come true.
If you think you may be interested in a career within the hospitality industry, but aren't sure if you want to pursue a bachelor's degree — we have an option for you.
Lakeland is offering a Certificate in Hospitality Management that allows students to enroll in four classes related to Hospitality Management 100% online. Students will strengthen their operational skills and position themselves for career advancement.
Whether you are currently working or experiencing a change in employment, Lakeland University offers affordable financial options so you can begin your path to a degree.
Maybe you want to pursue your bachelor’s degree? Great! Completing this certificate will have you well on your way, as you will already have 12 credits.
You may apply at any time as Lakeland University operates on a rolling admission basis with 6 start dates throughout the year. Applications will be reviewed until about two weeks before the start of each term.
Once your application is received, your Lakeland University admissions counselor will be in touch.
*Exceptions to the above admission criteria may be granted for students with a cumulative GPA range from 1.75 to 1.99 if the academic experience that resulted in the less than 2.0 GPA was more than two years ago. Furthermore, typically students with a cumulative GPA range from 1.50 to 1.75 will only be considered if the poor academic performance experience that resulted in the less than 2.0 GPA was more than five years ago. Students receiving an exception will be admitted conditionally.
Instructor of Hospitality Management, Chair Business & Technology
