Beginning with the fall 2021 semester, Kent State University at Ashtabula will offer two 100 percent online certificates in Hospitality Management and Event Management. The certificate programs can be completed in as little as two semesters.
The Hospitality Management certification will cover a wide range of aspects associated with the hospitality industry, including management technology, food production, operations, casino and club management, legal issues, professional practices and more. It will prepare graduates to assume leadership roles within the industry.
Event Management certification covers many of those same topics, but also focuses on business practices, catering and banquet management, weddings and ceremonies and fundraising events. Graduates will be expected to fully participate in planning and executing different types of events.
“The hospitality industry is dynamic and full of employees from diverse backgrounds and educational levels,” said Mandy Ulicney, associate lecturer in the program. “If you have a passion for the industry and would like to advance your career, this certificate program could be perfect for you! It will provide you with general business knowledge as well as specialized skills in hospitality management, which will better position you for a management role within your organization.”
The completely online platform was created to meet the needs of those working in the industry and allows students interested in improving their career prospects within the hospitality industry an affordable option to take classes and complete the program on their own schedule. Each certificate program requires 20 total credit hours and is designed for completion in two semesters. However, each program tract can be modified or extended based on the desires of the student.
Previously, a hospitality management certificate was offered as an in-person only option.
Pairing the convenience of the online delivery with affordability, courses through the Ashtabula Campus are offered at low regional campus tuition rates, often as low as 40 percent the cost of larger in-state public residential campuses.
These certificates are part of a “stackable degrees” option, designed to meet all levels of needs within the burgeoning local and regional tourism and hospitality industries. The courses in the certificate path count for college credit and students can then choose to continue to pursue an associate, bachelor’s or master’s degree at Kent State.
For more information on the Hospitality Management program at Kent State Ashtabula, visit www.kent.edu/ashtabula/hospitality-management.
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