Retail, Hospitality, and Tourism Management

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http://rhtm.utk.edu

Nancy J. Rutherford, Head
Ann Fairhurst, RCS Graduate Program Director
Rachel Chen, HRT Graduate Program Director

The Department of Retail, Hospitality, and Tourism Management offers the master’s degree with a major in retail, hospitality, and tourism management and concentrations in hospitality and tourism management and retail and consumer sciences.

The programs in retail, hospitality, and tourism management prepares students for careers in industry and business, public and private agencies, and educational institutions. Master’s level work develops students’ technical skills in retail management, merchandising, hospitality management, tourism, and related consumer services. The advanced work undertaken for the doctoral degree focuses on building and applying research skills to advance the fields of retail and consumer sciences and hospitality and tourism.

Interested students should contact the department for more information or visit the department link on the college website.

Admission
A complete file for review includes the Graduate Application for Admission file, Department of Retail, Hospitality, and Tourism Management application, Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores for the general section, and three Graduate Rating Forms completed by individuals who can attest to the potential for graduate education.

In addition to specified entrance requirements stipulated by the Graduate Council, admission to the master’s program with a major in consumer services management is dependent on completion of undergraduate courses that give the necessary background for success in the graduate program. For the concentration in hospitality and tourism management, students should have an adequate background in hotel and/or restaurant management and/or tourism management supported by coursework in food production, cost control, or lodging management. For the concentration in retail and consumer sciences, students should have an adequate background in retailing and/or consumer science supported by coursework in marketing and statistics.

Superior students deficient in one or more of the above requirements may be admitted at the discretion of the department’s graduate faculty. Deficiencies may need to be addressed through undergraduate coursework.

Academic Standards
Evaluation of student progress will normally occur prior to enrollment for thesis hours (or the non-thesis option) and during the second semester of full-time enrollment in the program. The review of the student will be undertaken by the faculty with consideration given to factors such as GPA (minimum 3.0), portfolio evaluation, and demonstrated research capability.

If progress or performance is deemed insufficient, the faculty may recommend probation with specific goals set for a specified time or termination.

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