Hospitality Restaurant and Tourism Management

The Hospitality, Restaurant, and Tourism Management program at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln offers students a comprehensive education designed to prepare them for dynamic careers in the thriving industries of hospitality, dining, and travel. This program combines core business principles with specialized knowledge in hospitality management, culinary arts, event planning, and tourism operations. Students will gain practical skills through hands-on experiences, internships, and industry partnerships that enhance their understanding of customer service, restaurant operations, hotel management, and destination marketing. The curriculum emphasizes leadership, strategic planning, financial management, and sustainable practices, equipping graduates to excel in competitive environments. Faculty experts bring real-world insights into the classroom, ensuring students are workforce-ready upon graduation. Additionally, students have opportunities to engage in research projects, study abroad programs, and professional development activities that broaden their global perspective and industry connections. With a strong focus on experiential learning, the program prepares students for diverse roles such as hotel general managers, restaurant owners, event coordinators, and tourism developers. Graduates from the Hospitality, Restaurant, and Tourism Management program are well-positioned to contribute to the economic growth of the hospitality sector locally, nationally, and internationally, making a positive impact through innovative practices and exceptional service.

All UNL students will be required to complete a minimum of 3 hours of approved course work in each of the 10 designated Achievement Centered Education (ACE) student learning outcome areas. These can be viewed at http://ace.unl.edu. Students will be provided a list of classes they can select from to meet each of the 10 ACE Student Learning Outcomes (SLO). There may be required courses within the degree program that will also satisfy ACE requirements. Therefore, it is highly recommended that students contact their advisor prior to registering for ACE classes in order to insure that each of the class selections are in the best interest of the students’ academic program.

ACE Requirements 30

• ACE 1. Written Communication3
• ACE 2. Oral Communication3
• ACE 3. Mathematical, Computation, Statistical or Formal Reasoning3
• ACE 4. Scientific Methods and Knowledge of the Natural and Physical World3
• ACE 5. Humanities3
• ACE 6. Social Science to Understand and Evaluate Human Behavior3
• ACE 7. Arts3
• ACE 8. Ethical Principles, Civics and Stewardship3
• ACE 9. Global Awareness or Human Diversity3
• ACE 10. Capstone Course (HRTM 479)3
• HRTM Core Requirements45-48

Only grades of C or above will count toward graduation requirements for HRTM and NUTR courses.

• SCIL 101 Science and Decision-Making for a Complex World3
• EDPS 209 Strategies for Academic Success3
• *ACCT 200 Accounting for Business Decisions or ACCT 201 Introductory Accounting I3
• *ECON 200 Economic Essentials & Issues or ECON 211 Principles of Macroeconomics & ECON 212 Principles of Microeconomics (AECN 141Introduction to the Economics of Agriculture can be substituted for ECON 212)3-6
• HRTM 171 Career Exploration in Hospitality Management1
• HRTM 172 Field Experience in Hospitality Management I1
• HRTM 310 Managerial Decision Models in Hospitality & Tourism3
• HRTM 360 Hospitality & Tourism Marketing or *MRKT 300 Contemporary Marketing or MRKT 341 Marketing (ABUS 341)3
• HRTM 374 Guest Services Management3
• HRTM 397 Internship in Hospitality Management Supervision1
• HRTM 476 Internship in Hospitality Management3
• HRTM 483 Hospitality Finance or *FINA 300 Financial Decision Making3

Select two courses from the following:6

• HRTM 274 Introduction to Food & Beverage in the Hospitality Industry (3 cr)
• HRTM 280 Introduction to Tourism (3 cr)
• HRTM 285 Introduction to the Lodging Industry (3 cr)
• HRTM 289 Introduction to the Event Industry (3 cr)

Select one course from the following:3

• HRTM 481 Legal Environment in Hospitality Management (3 cr)
• AECN 256 Legal Aspects in Agriculture (3 cr)
• AECN 357 Natural Resource & Environmental Law (NREE 357) (3 cr)
• *BLAW 300 Business, Government & Society (3 cr)
• BLAW 371 Legal Environment (3 cr)
• BLAW 372 Business Law I (3 cr)

Select one course from the following:3

• HORT 200 Landscape & Environmental Appreciation (GEOG 200/LARC 200) (3 cr)
• HORT 261 Floral Design I (3 cr)
• TMFD 121 Visual Communication & Presentation (3 cr)

Select one course from the following:3

• JGEN 120 Basic Business Communication (3 cr)
• JGEN 200 Technical Communication I (3 cr)
• JGEN 300 Technical Communication II (3 cr)

Leadership and Communications Minor 18

Select three courses from the following:9

• ALEC 102 Interpersonal Skills for Leadership (3 cr)
• ALEC 202 Leadership Development in Small Groups & Teams (3 cr)
• ALEC 302 Dynamics of Effective Leadership in Organizations (3 cr)
• ALEC 305 Presentation Strategies for Agricultural Audiences (3 cr)
• Select three courses from the following:9
• ALEC 337 Instructional Internship in Leadership Development (3 cr)
• ALEC 388 Ethics in Agriculture & Natural Resources (AECN 388) (3 cr)
• ALEC 407 Supervisory Leadership (3 cr)
• ALEC 410 Environmental Leadership (NRES 413) (3 cr)
• ALEC 414 Classic Figures in Leadership (3 cr)
• ALEC 466 Leadership & Diversity in Organizations & Communities (3 cr)
• ALEC 477 Leadership & Motivation (3 cr)
• ALEC 488 Leadership, Power & Influence (3 cr)
• AERO 331 or AERO 332 Air Force Leadership Studies I or II (May be substituted for Air Force ROTC student only)

HRTM Professional Electives 21

Select 21 hours from the following. Must fulfill prereqs; no substitutions.

• AECN 225 Agribusiness Entrepreneurship in Food Products Marketing (EAEP 225/MRKT 225) (3 cr)
• AECN 376 Rural Community Economics (3 cr)
• ALEC 428 Leadership in Public Organizations (NRES 428) (3 cr)
• CRPL 400 Introduction to Planning (3 cr)
• CRPL 420 Grant Writing & Fund-Raising (3 cr)
• CRPL 480 Economic Development Planning (3 cr)
• EAEP 101 Introductory Seminar on Opportunities in Entrepreneurship (1 cr)
• EAEP 388 Agribusiness Entrepreneurship (ABUS 388/AGRO 388/ENTR 388/HORT 388) (3 cr)
• EAEP 488 Business Management for Agricultural Enterprises (ABUS 488/AGRO 488/ENTR 488/HORT 488) (3 cr)
• ENTR 121 Introduction to Entrepreneurial Management (MNGT 121) (3 cr)
• ENTR 291 Special Topics in Entrepreneurship for Non-Business Majors (3 cr)
• ENTR 321 Entrepreneurship & Innovation in Organizations (MNGT 321) (3 cr)
• ENTR 322 Family Business (MNGT 322) (3 cr)
• ENTR 421 Initiating & Managing Entrepreneurial Growth (MNGT 421) (3 cr)
• ENTR 422A Small Business Owner (MNGT 422A) (3 cr)
• FINA 307 Principles of Individual Risk Management & Insurance (3 cr)
• HORT 489 Urbanization of Rural Landscapes (AGRO 489/CRPL 489) (3 cr)
• HRTM 291 Special Topics in Hospitality, Restaurant & Tourism Management (1-6 cr)
• HRTM 296 Independent Study (1-6 cr)
• HRTM 373 Catering (3 cr)
• HRTM 391 Special Topics in Hospitality, Restaurant & Tourism Management (1-6 cr)
• HRTM 396 Independent Study (1-6 cr)
• HRTM 472 Fine Food & Wine (3 cr)
• HRTM 474 Food & Beverage Management (3 cr)
• HRTM 477 Hospitality Facility Planning & Purchasing (3 cr)
• HRTM 478 Tourism Resources & Development (3 cr)
• HRTM 484 Human Resources Management in the Hospitality Industry (3 cr)
• HRTM 485 Advanced Lodging Operations (3 cr)
• HRTM 489 Advanced Event Operations (3 cr)
• HRTM 495 Hospitality Management Study Tour (1-6 cr)
• HRTM 496 Independent Study (1-3 cr)
• *MNGT 300 Management Essentials for Contemporary Organizations (3 cr)
• MNGT 320 Principles of Management (3 cr)
• MNGT 361 Human Resource Management (3 cr)
• MNGT 365 Managing Diversity in Organizations (3 cr)
• NUTR 343 Meat CulinologyIII: Foodservice Applications (ASCI 343) (3 cr)
• NUTR 372 Food Safety & Sanitation (FDST 372) (3 cr)
• HRTM 471 Vines, Wines & You (HORT 471/NUTR 471) (3 cr)

NOTE: Students have the option to complete the Business Minor for Non-Business students offered through the College of Business Administration. A Change of College, Degree, Major and/or Advisor (CDMA) form will need to be filled out in order to add the minor to the student’s degree audit. The CDMA form can be filled out in the Dean’s Office at 103 Agricultural Hall.

*Course meets the requirements for the Business Minor (must be taken as a grade).

Free Electives3-6

Total Hours Required for Graduation120

• There is a $45 application fee payable online with a credit card.
• Secondary school transcript
• Secondary school certificate/diploma
• Non-native English speakers must submit an IELTS or TOEFL score demonstrating proficiency in English.
• In order to be issued an I-20, you must submit a bank statement showing sufficient support for the first year of study.

Scholarships

• GLOBAL LAUREATE SCHOLARSHIP
• GLOBAL EXCELLENCY SCHOLARSHIP
• GLOBAL AMBASSADOR SCHOLARSHIP
• GLOBAL DIPLOMAT SCHOLARSHIP
• GLOBAL DELEGATE SCHOLARSHIP
• GLOBAL CONSUL SCHOLARSHIP

The Hospitality, Restaurant, and Tourism Management program at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln offers students a comprehensive education designed to prepare them for successful careers in the dynamic and global hospitality industry. This program emphasizes practical experience, theoretical knowledge, and leadership development to equip graduates with the skills necessary to excel in various sectors including hotels, resorts, restaurants, event planning, and tourism agencies. Students benefit from a curriculum that includes courses in hospitality operations, management principles, marketing, finance, and customer service, enabling them to understand and navigate the complexities of the hospitality sector.

The program also provides opportunities for internships and industry partnerships, allowing students to gain real-world experience and build professional networks before graduation. Faculty members are experienced professionals and researchers who bring current industry practices and innovative trends into the classroom, fostering a learning environment that encourages critical thinking and problem-solving. Students can participate in student organizations, competitions, and events that enhance leadership, teamwork, and communication skills.

Graduates from this program are well-prepared to take on managerial roles in hospitality and tourism organizations, or to pursue advanced degrees in related fields. The University of Nebraska–Lincoln’s location and connections with regional and national industry leaders provide students with numerous opportunities for employment and career growth. The program aims to develop not only technical expertise but also ethical understanding and cultural sensitivity, which are crucial in today’s globalized marketplace. With a strong alumni network and a focus on practical education, the Hospitality, Restaurant, and Tourism Management program at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln offers a robust foundation for a rewarding career in hospitality and tourism industries.