BBA in Hospitality Management

Students in the Hospitality Management program will have the opportunity to gain valuable real-world licenses and certifications recognized worldwide in the hospitality industry. Credentials are issued by the following agencies:

• American Hotel and Lodging Educational Institute
• National Restaurant Association
• Illinois Liquor Control Commission
• City of Chicago Department of Public Health

Certifications

• Introduction to Hospitality Industries (may be traded in after six months of employment for a position-specific certification in the hotel industry)
• ServSafe Food Service Managers Certification (with reciprocity to city of Chicago and other municipal area-specific food service management licenses)
• Food and Beverage Customer Service Management Certification
• Front Office Operation Management Certification

Saint Xavier University's Hospitality Management program incorporates several high-impact practices designed to enhance student learning and career readiness. 

Internships: The program emphasizes experiential learning through internships in various sectors of the hospitality industry. Students gain practical experience, develop skills, and build professional networks.

Capstone Projects: Students may engage in capstone projects where they work on real-world problems, often in collaboration with industry partners. This hands-on approach allows them to apply their knowledge and skills.

Industry Partnerships:: The program collaborates with local hospitality businesses, providing students with opportunities for networking, mentorship, and job placement.

Guest Lectures and Workshops: The program often hosts industry professionals who share insights and experiences, allowing students to learn from experts and stay updated on industry trends.

Study Abroad Opportunities: Some programs offer study abroad options, giving students the chance to experience hospitality management in different cultural contexts.

Professional Development: Workshops and seminars focused on resume building, interview skills, and professional etiquette prepare students for entering the workforce.

Student Organizations: Involvement in hospitality-related student organizations fosters leadership skills and provides networking opportunities with peers and professionals.

These high-impact practices help students develop the competencies needed to succeed in the hospitality industry while enhancing their overall educational experience.

While each course has a specific learning objective, the program is designed to provide students with the ability to graduate from Saint Xavier University with a competent skill set in relation to business as well as the ethical and moral compass of tomorrow's business professionals who can build work environments and businesses equipped for a challenging and diverse global economy environment.

Why should prospective students choose SXU for their degree?

• The Hospitality Management program at SXU helps students gain the necessary skills to be career-ready for various areas of this advanced field.
• Small class sizes allow for close interaction with professors and student colleagues.
• Students will develop the habit of employing cognitive decision-making to strategically solve problems.
• Students will develop the habit of lifelong learning, ready to meet the demands of a challenging field.
• Saint Xavier University's core values of service, integrity, and excellence, critically important in hospitality management, support students' development as assets to their employers and communities.
• Close proximity to downtown Chicago gives access to more than 2,000 restaurants and 500 hotels.
• Students will be able to earn professional hospitality management licenses and certifications.

SXU's accelerated BBA+MBA Dual Degree program combines a four-year Bachelor of Business Administration and a two-year Master of Business Administration into a five-year program. Students complete 120 credit hours of undergraduate coursework and 30 credit hours of graduate coursework to fulfill the dual BBA+MBA degree. Students may take up to 12 credit hours of MBA coursework concurrent with their undergraduate coursework during their senior year.

Students are encouraged to apply to the 4+1 program in their junior year. Upon acceptance, students may register for courses at the graduate level with permission from the director of the Graham School of Management and the director of the MBA program. The BBA degree is awarded after successful completion of all undergraduate requirements. The MBA degree is awarded upon successful completion of the graduate requirements.

For more information, please contact the GSM director at ghoshFREESXU to set up an appointment.