

The Hotel Administration Master of Science program at Cornell University provides a comprehensive and analytically driven education for students who want to deepen their understanding of hospitality management, service innovation, and organizational leadership within the global hospitality sector. The curriculum blends managerial theory with operational practice, enabling learners to explore how hotels, resorts, and service oriented businesses function through strategic decision making, financial modeling, and customer experience analysis. With a strong emphasis on hospitality management, students build the skills needed to examine market trends, evaluate service systems, and apply data informed strategies that support sustainable growth and operational efficiency.
Across this two year program, students benefit from Cornell’s long standing expertise in hospitality education, working with faculty who specialize in hotel operations, real estate, service analytics, and global travel industries. Learners engage in case based study, research activity, and hands on project work that strengthens their competence in service systems, leadership, and performance evaluation. By integrating theoretical knowledge with practical application, the program prepares students to design effective service experiences, improve organizational processes, and understand the economic, cultural, and operational factors that shape the modern hospitality landscape.
Semester 1
• Foundations of Hospitality Management
• Service Operations and Performance Analysis
• Financial Management for Hospitality Organizations
• Elective in Consumer Behavior or Service Strategy
Semester 2
• Hospitality Marketing and Brand Strategy
• Data Analytics for Service Industries
• Organizational Leadership in Hospitality
• Elective in Revenue Management or Service Innovation
Semester 3
• Global Hospitality Systems
• Hotel Development and Real Estate Analysis
• Research Seminar in Hospitality Studies
• Elective in Strategic Management or Experience Design
Semester 4
• Master’s Thesis Research
• Advanced Topics in Hospitality Management
• Professional Development for Hospitality Leaders
• Elective in Policy, Analytics, or International Hospitality
Graduates of this program pursue dynamic roles across global hospitality and service sectors, frequently working in hotel management teams, hospitality consulting firms, hospitality analytics groups, and travel and tourism organizations. With strong managerial, analytical, and operational training, they contribute to strategic planning, service optimization, financial evaluation, and market development across hotels, resorts, real estate ventures, and large scale hospitality enterprises. Their interdisciplinary preparation enables them to lead service teams, refine operational systems, support customer experience initiatives, and collaborate on organizational projects that drive performance, competitiveness, and long term business value within the hospitality industry.
This program is an excellent fit for students seeking a rigorous blend of hospitality expertise and analytical management training, offering opportunities to develop advanced leadership skills and strong hospitality insight supported by Cornell’s renowned School of Hotel Administration. Through applied case studies, research engagement, and hands on industry focused learning, students gain a comprehensive understanding of how hospitality organizations operate and evolve. The program’s structure encourages strategic thinking, problem solving, and innovation, making it an ideal pathway for individuals aiming to influence modern hospitality practices and build long term careers in global service industries.
For further information, please contact the admissions office at:
Phone: +1 607 255 2000
Email: admissions@cornell.edu
Address: Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14850, United States