Transfer-Friendly Program
Our transfer-friendly program lets you bring in up to 60 transfer credits from prior coursework or professional experience. This means you can graduate faster without sacrificing the quality of your education.
Make a Reservation for Industry Leadership
Do more than just study the business of hospitality—live it firsthand. UW-Stout's 100% online, ACPHA-accredited Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Hotel, Restaurant & Tourism Management (HRTM) goes beyond textbooks, blending established industry expertise with applied, industry-aligned experience to prepare you to succeed in the dynamic hospitality industry. Develop top-tier management skills, drive business success, leverage new technology, and open doors to incredible career opportunities while building a powerful professional network that will amplify your business career.
With UW-Stout’s industry-connected education, you’ll graduate ready to lead in hotels, restaurants, clubs, and events—and prepared to succeed in a fast-paced, rewarding career.
Career-Defining Curriculum
For more than 50 years, UW-Stout has cultivated generations of business leaders in hospitality! You'll gain firsthand knowledge from industry-leading innovators—whether managing behind the scenes or curating the guest experience out front—through a cutting-edge hospitality curriculum and unparalleled industry access that prepares you to make an immediate impact.
Program Overview
Earn a Professional Certificate While Fulfilling Your Degree Requirements
Transfer Student Support
Transfer Agreements
UW-Stout has established transfer agreements (articulation agreements) with a number of regional institutions that will accelerated your transfer to UW-Stout.
- Chippewa Valley Technical College (WI)
- Fox Valley Technical College (WI)
- Milwaukee Area Technical College (WI)
- Normandale Community College (MN)
- Joliet Junior College (IL)
- View the Full List of Articulation Agreements
Personalized Support
For students enrolled in two-year programs at other institutions, we're eager to work directly with you to maximize your credit transfers.
ProStart Students
For culinary-focused high school students, UW-Stout has established new articulation agreements with ProStart at the national and state levels. These agreements offer a unique opportunity for current high school students to earn 12 credits in the HRTM program at no cost. This allows you to get a head start on your hospitality management journey even before you arrive on our campus.
Use the Request Information form to receive a program summary and learn more about the Bachelor of Science degree in Hotel, Restaurant & Tourism Management.
Request Information
The B.S. Hotel, Restaurant & Tourism Management program provides a specialized education and is accredited by the Commission for Programs in Hospitality Administration.
Dedicated Scholarships to Fund Your Future
Don't let financial barriers hold you back—our scholarships make your dream career more accessible than ever. Our $1,000 HRTM Alumni Scholarship is specifically designed for first-year and new transfer students, and there are numerous additional scholarships available for incoming and continuing students majoring in Hotel, Restaurant, and Tourism Management. With a single application, we'll consider your for every scholarship we offer.
HRTM Alumni Scholarship ($1,000)
Established by alumni to honor the legacy of Professor Philip H. McGuirk, the HRTM Alumni Scholarship for New Students is a $1,000 one-year, non-renewable scholarship available for new entering students pursuing a major in Hotel, Restaurant & Tourism Management. No additional scholarship application is required.
Eligibility
- Incoming first-year OR transfer student from an accredited college
- Enrolled as a full-time, degree-seeking student for fall semester in the B.S. Hotel, Restaurant & Tourism Management program
- Cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher from the most recent school attended
- On-campus and online/customized instruction students are eligible
Industry-Experienced Faculty Instruction
Forget TA-taught classes and 200-person lectures. At UW-Stout, building close relationships with our industry-experienced and academically accomplished hospitality faculty will play a key role in your polytechnic education and your career. Learn more about your future instructors!
100% of Graduates Are Employed or Continuing Their Education Within 6 Months
Experiential Learning at Every Level
At UW-Stout, applied learning goes beyond the classroom. Our program provides opportunities to dive into the industry and develop leadership skills through overnight site visits, executive guest lectures, industry conferences, and paid internships. Guided by industry-expertienced instructors, these experiences are your gateway to a successful career and why our graduates are in high demand by top hospitality brands.
- Industry conferences, such as the Club Management Association of America World Conference and Hospitality Sales and Marketing Association International Adrian Awards.
- Site visits with leading-edge hospitality businesses, such as Destination Kohler, Erin Hills Golf Course, Four Seasons Minneapolis, Kalahari Resorts and Conventions, Margaritaville Restaurants, Sand Valley Golf Resort, and exclusive clubs like Interlachen Country Club and Geneva National Golf Club (among many others).
- Guest lectures from managers and executives of leading companies, including Disney, Hilton Hotels International, IdeaS Revenue Solutions, Intercontinental Hotels Group, The Breakers, and Rosewood Hotels and Resorts.
- Regional and state-level events that support your interests in hotels, restaurants, events, club management, and tourism.
- Study abroad in Europe or Australia for a semester or a week—a once-in-a-lifetime experience unlike anything else you will encounter in college.
Professional Internship Placements in Hospitality
Take your education into the field and earn while you learn through UW-Stout’s award-winning Cooperative Education & Internship Program (CEIP) and other placements that offer paid and pro bono opportunities to impact your industry. Unlike traditional internships, our professional credit-earning experiences will connect you with leaders in your field, including global hospitality giants, luxury resorts, private clubs, and tourism organizations. We’ll ensure you’re set up for success long before you graduate—more than a third of Stout students accept positions after graduation with their internship employer.
Recent Internship Sponsors
- The American Club Resort
- Geneva National Resort
- Hospitality Minnesota
- Kalahari Resort & Convention Center
- The Limelight Hotel Snowmass
- Michigan Avenue Events
- Omni Hotels & Resorts
- Stock Farm Club
- Yellowstone National Park Lodges
Select Internship Position Titles
- Client Relationship Management Intern
- Event Management Intern
- Food & Beverage Intern
- Front Desk Agent
- Guest Services Intern
- Hospitality Intern
- Lodging Intern
- Wedding & Event Assistant
A Legacy of Alumni Success
UW-Stout's hospitality programs have shape the industry's future leaders and driven innovation in excellence for more than 50 years. Our alumni lead the way as C-suite executives, managers, buyers, promoters, project managers, and more in the hotel, resort, restaurant, and tourism industries with internationally recognized names. Not only will they help you as you prepare for your career; you'll see their companies on campus for some of the largest career fairs in the Midwest.
Recent Employers
- L'Auberge Del Mar
- Bryce Canyon National Park
- Destination Geneva National
- Destination Kohler
- Four Seasons Hotels & Resorts
- Hightop Hospitality
- Hilton Worldwide
- Hyatt Corporation
- InterContinental Hotels & Resorts
- Interlachen Country Club
- The Little Nell
- Marriott International
- Minnesota Vikings
- Omni Hotels & Resorts
- Triple Creek Ranch
- Vail Resorts, Inc.
Program Objectives
The Hotel, Restaurant, & Tourism Management program strives to ensure that by graduation you are able to:
- Grasp the scope and major components of the hospitality industry.
- Develop the unique characteristics needed to lead hospitality and other service-oriented industries.
- Apply fundamental management theories to the effective management of hospitality industry businesses.
- Explain current issues, trends, opportunities, and unique challenges facing the hospitality industry.
- Demonstrate the fundamental management and leadership skills needed for career success within the hospitality industry.
- Identify the impacts that current, emerging, and future trends have on effective hospitality operations.
Student Organizations
The Club Management Association of America (CMAA) Student Chapter is your gateway to the exclusive and rewarding world of private club management. As one of the oldest and most respected student chapters in the country, CMAA provides unmatched opportunities to connect with industry leaders, gain hands-on experience, and build a strong foundation for your future career. Through networking events, professional development, and national internships at some of the most prestigious private clubs in America, members develop the skills and connections needed to excel in the industry. The chapter also offers access to exclusive scholarships, immersive learning experiences like the annual CMAA World Conference, and travel opportunities that provide firsthand exposure to top-tier clubs across the country. Whether you're looking to expand your professional network, enhance your resume, or gain real-world experience, CMAA helps you take the next step toward a successful career in hospitality.
Hospitality, Sales, and Marketing Association International (HSMAI) Student Chapter is committed to growing business for hotels and their partners and is the industry’s leading advocate for intelligent, sustainable hotel revenue growth. The association provides marketing, sales and revenue optimization professionals with tools, insights, and expertise to fuel sales, inspire marketing, and optimize revenue. The student chapter tours hospitality properties, conducts sales blitzes, as well as participates in events with our state and global HSMAI chapter, along with fundraising to attend the national Adrian Awards event.
Program Advisory Committee
Advisory Committee Members
| First Name | Last Name | Title | Organization |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ai | Asakura ('91) | Alumni Program Manager | U.S.-Japan Council |
| Carole Jean | Baier | Program Associate | UW-Stout |
| Eric | Brey | Professor | UW-Stout |
| John | Chastan ('91) | General Manager | Kalahari Resorts & Conventions |
| James | Condon ('16) | Guest Service Manager | InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) |
| Rana | Connors ('20) | Front Desk & Guest Services Manager | Lodge Kohler |
| David | Crabtree ('89) | CEO | Jimmy Buffett's Margaritaville Restaurants |
| Pete | Foster ('93) | President | Wismin Hospitality / Eastside Hospitality |
| Dan | Freedman | Dean, CSTEMM | UW-Stout |
| Haley | Gales | Regional Director, People & Culture | Graduate Hotels |
| Kristal | Gerdes | Professor; Chair, Hospitality & Technology Innovation Department | UW-Stout |
| Steve | Green ('94) | Principal Sales Specialist, Emerging Innovations | IDeas/SAS Softwate MSP |
| Pete | Hayda ('79) | Managing Director, Sales & Marketing | Little Nell Hotel Group |
| Bailey | Jacque | Student | UW-Stout |
| Jay | Jones | Assistant Professor | UW-Stout |
| Lee | Kerfoot ('00) | Vice President | Hospitality Real Estate Counselors (HREC) |
| Erin | Konsela | Corporate & Foundation Relations Gift Office | University Foundation |
| Jason | Manke | Director of Corporate Recruitment | Kalahari Resorts & Conventions |
| Terri | Mertz ('92) | Regional Director/AMER Revenue Management | InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) |
| Reese | Millam ('24) | Program Associate | UW-Stout |
| Mike | Niersbach ('90) | Regional Vice President | Compass Group USA |
| Garth | Peterson ('96) | Managing Director | IDeas/SAS Software MSP |
| Betsy | Pudliner | Associate Professor | UW-Stout |
| Doug | Rohde ('89) | President | LHR Hotel Management |
| Noah | Rosenberger | Student | UW-Stout |
| Grace | Rucker | Student | UW-Stout |
| Randy | Ruder ('93) | General Manager; Chairman, CMAA | Beachpoint Club |
| Amy | Shahin ('96) | Director, Sales & Marketing | JW Marriott Mall of America |
| Paul | Sheehan ('92) | Director, Sales - Hormel Ingredient Solutions | Hormel Foods |
| John | Sobota | Lecturer; Program Director | UW-Stout |
| Scott | Stuckey ('88) | General Manager | Omni Hotels |
| Renee | Surdick | School of Management Director | UW-Stout |
| Alex | Vernon ('18) | ProStart Manager | Wisconsin Restaurant Association |
| David | Weber ('91) | Vice President, Foodservice Sales | Hormel Foods |
| Victoria | Marley | Manager of Partnerships & Programs | Hospitality Minnesota |
| Michael | Wilson ('91) | Director, Conventions & Meeting Planning | American Veterinary Medical Association |
| Samantha | Ziwicki ('21) | Corporate Relations | Minnesota Vikings |
Customized Tuition & Fees
UW-Stout degree programs using the all-inclusive customized instruction model are designed with the adult learner in mind. Other universities will present costs and value differently, so make sure you're comparing apples to apples. If you're comparing UW-Stout's online degree customized instruction (CI) tuition to our competitors, keep in mind:
- Customized instruction tuition rate includes the textbook rental fee.
- There are no additional or hidden university-based semester or technology fees.
- Students in customized instruction programs pay the same rate of tuition regardless of where you live--Wisconsin, California, Texas, or in a foreign country.
More Value for Your Money
Customized Instruction also provides:
- Program Director/Coordinator: Faculty with academic and industry expertise.
- Student Services Advisor: One point of contact, providing dedicated support throughout your degree program.
- Course Sequences & Matrices: Plan ahead with clear program outlines so you know what courses are offered when.
- Stackable Courses & Programs: Many of our courses and certificates can be applied to our degree programs.
- Flexibility: Courses are designed to offer the flexibility and convenience working professionals need to get ahead in their careers without sacrificing their current income and responsibilities.
