Convenient Online Programs:

For those looking to move up the career ladder quickly, now is the time to be investigating how hospitality degrees in Idaho can make this a reality. Tourism is the driving force behind this growing industry in a state most commonly known for its agriculture and beautiful scenery. As hundreds of thousands of visitors travel through Idaho each year, hospitality employees are in high demand to keep customers satisfied and eager to make return visits to lodging establishments, restaurants, convention bureaus, resorts and recreational facilities. The tourism and hospitality industries are major contributors to Idaho’s growing economy. With unemployment at an all time low in Idaho and ranking ninth in the country for job growth overall, becoming part of Idaho’s hospitality industry has never been a better choice.

North Idaho College

Professional-Technical Programs

North Idaho College, located in C’oeur d’Alene, was founded in 1933 as a junior college to offer general education, technical and professional programs for undergraduate students. Today, more than 6,000 candidates annually pursue degrees in 91 different subject areas, including the Professional-Technical, Resort/Recreation Management Program. This popular associate’s degree option prepares students entering this specialized hospitality profession for entry-level management positions. NIC also offers transfer programs with cooperating four-year public colleges and universities for those graduates wishing to continue with education leading to a bachelor’s degree. North Idaho College is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities which is overseen by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation and the US Department of Education.

Resort/Recreation Management – AAS Degree

The Associate of Applied Science degree in Resort/Recreation Management provides graduates with employment opportunities in several segments of the hospitality industry, including: Lodging establishments, dining facilities, resorts, recreational settings and tourist venues. Traditional classroom instruction is paired with experiential learning activities that provide students with skills’ practice for management techniques in on-the-job settings.

The curriculum spans a minimum of 60 credit hours in four semesters. Students complete core
components then choose an area(s) of specialization from: Hotel and restaurant hospitality, resort management or outdoor recreation. Coursework will cover:

  • General education requirements in English composition, word processing, speech communications and math.
  • Hospitality and tourism foundations.
  • Leadership and business management principles.
  • Marketing, accounting and database applications.
  • Resort/recreations management principles.
  • Business law, ethics and risk management issues.
  • Approved program electives in specialization area.

This degree is especially well-suited for individuals who enjoy outdoor recreational pursuits and would like to work in an employment setting requiring management of physical activities.

Contacts

North Idaho College
1000 West Garden Avenue
Coeur d’Alene, Idaho 83814
(208) 769-3300 or (877) 404-4536 (Toll free)

Paul Chivvis, Instructor
Hospitality Management and Resort Recreation Management Division
McLain Hall 210A
(208) 676-7169
Paul_Chivvis@nic.edu
Resort/Recreation Management AAS Program:
Website

College of Southern Idaho

Business and Economics Department

In operation since 1952, the College of Southern Idaho has provided its region with advanced, quality educational opportunities in numerous progressive, cutting-edge programs. The college’s mission is to lead its graduates into successful, sustainable, global careers. Noted as one of the fastest growing institutions in Idaho, CSI offers technical and professional majors leading to associate degrees of: Arts, Engineering, Science, and Applied Science. CSI holds accreditation from the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities, a regional accrediting agency recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation and the U.S. Department of Education.

Hospitality Management – AAS Degree

Using certified materials from the Educational Institute of the American Hotel & Lodging Association and the National Restaurant Association’s Manager First program, the Associate of Applied Science degree in Hospitality Management prepares students for 21st century jobs within the hospitality industry. Graduates successfully completing this curriculum earn two nationally recognized certificates from these associations, in addition to earning their AAS degree. Besides partaking of quality education in the classroom, qualified students can also participate in internship opportunities at renowned businesses such as Florida’s Walt Disney World and the famous Cactus Petes, a resort casino located in Nevada.

The scope of the curriculum for the AAS degree in Hospitality Management covers 64 total credit hours that can be finished in about two years of study. Students will take:

  • 16 credit hours of general education classes.
  • 36 credit hours of core classes in hospitality foundations, business management and accounting.
  • 12 credit hours of specialization coursework in either: Lodging or restaurant management. This component also includes internship experiences.

An AAS degree in this major allows students to begin work immediately upon graduation in the hospitality industry or to pursue further education at cooperating four-year institutions towards obtaining a bachelor’s in the field.

Contacts

College of Southern Idaho
315 Falls Avenue, PO Box 1238
Twin Falls, Idaho 83303-1238
(208) 733-9554 or 800-680-0274 (Toll free for Idaho & Nevada)
Academic information: info@csi.edu

Dianne Jolovich, Associate Professor
Hospitality Management/Culinary Arts
Desert 107-A
djolovich@csi.edu
208-732-6407
Hospitality Management AAS Program:

Lewis-Clark State College

Business Technology and Service

As a public institution of higher learning since 1893, Lewis-Clark College has developed its instructional approaches to foster community learning experiences that support continuing growth in academics and professional-technical programs. LCSC has eight academic divisions offering over 90 degree and certificate options to its area residents. Its highly regarded Hospitality Management program uses coursework certified by the American Hotel and Motel Association, as well as the National Restaurant Association. Graduates may earn an Associate of Applied Science degree or a Bachelor of Applied Science degree, as well as additional certifications from the organizations named above. Lewis-Clark State College is a fully accredited institution by the Northwest Commission on Colleges & Universities through the Council for Higher Education Accreditation and the US Department of Education.

Hospitality Management – BAS Degrees

Focusing on excellence in leadership management skills for employees in lodging and dining establishments, the Bachelor of Applied Science degree in Hospitality Management enhances employment opportunities and career advancement in a variety of hospitality industry settings. Graduates will be trained to manage business operations, oversee food services, supervisor employees and coordinate event programming at hotel and motel facilities, restaurants, resorts and recreational venues. The degree program in Hospitality Management requires completion of 128 credit hours of coursework broken up into the following areas:

  • General education classes in humanities, science, math and social sciences: 37 credit hours.
  • Core hospitality foundations in business management and accounting operations: 50 credit hours.
  • Upper level specialization classes and cooperative internship experiences: 41 credit hours.

Hospitality Management – AAS Degree

For students who may not be able to devote four years of study towards a Bachelor’s degree, LCSC also offers an Associate of Applied Science degree in Hospitality Management that provides opportunities for immediate employment within the hospitality industry upon graduation. The AAS degree follows the following path of 66 credit hours for completion:

  • General education classes in skills and distributive components: 15 credit hours.
  • Core hospitality foundations in business management and accounting operations: 51 credit hours.

Students are also required to complete a technical skills assessment for the degree. Graduates with the AAS degree in Hospitality Management frequently go back at some point to complete the requirements for the Bachelor of Applied Science degree in the field.

Contacts

Lewis-Clark State College
500 8th Avenue
Lewiston, Idaho 83501
(208)792-5272 or (800)933-5272 (Toll free)

Nancy Williams, MA
Professor, Hospitality Management Program
nmwilliams@lcsc.edu

By graduating qualified degree holders to manage and lead Idaho’s hospitality industry, the state’s expanding tourism industry also benefits. Visitors to Idaho will be sure to return after receiving top quality lodging accommodations, outstanding food and beverage services and well managed recreational and convention activities. In addition, long-term industry projections place jobs within Idaho’s hospitality industry as some of the fastest growing ones in the state between 2010 and 2020. Jobs in food and beverage establishments are expected to increase by 22.18% during that time period, amusement and recreational activities by 22.30% and accommodations by 13.87%. As a result, those employed within the state’s hospitality industry can look forward to career stability and financial security. The dynamic world of Idaho’s hospitality services is ready for motivated individuals who want to be on the forefront of this fast paced industry, so don’t delay: Find out what choices hospitality degrees in Idaho have to offer for future careers.

For more information on Hospitality Degrees, please see “Top 10 Best Online Hotel and Hospitality Management Degree Programs 2014“.