School of Hospitality Business Management
A bachelor of arts in Hospitality Business Management provides you with specialized instruction in the operation of hospitality-industry businesses.
Learning from faculty members with vast industry experience, you’ll master the fundamentals of operating hotels, restaurants, managed services venues, and tourist destinations—whether they’re located in the US or around the world. Top industry leaders speak in your classes. Hands-on instruction and real-world experiences build the skills you need to launch a successful career.
The program will prepare you to succeed in the management of:
- operations
- revenues
- sales
- service
- event planning
- consulting
The School of Hospitality Business Management consistently ranks among the top 5 percent of the 170 similar programs in the nation. Alumni live and work in nations around the world.
View Current Opportunities
Real-world learning
By the time you graduate, you will have achieved the following:
- Worked 1,000 hours in the hospitality industry, earning employer evaluation scores of 80% or higher.
- Applied hospitality business leadership skills to solve problems.
- Identified service issues and proposed solutions, considering the interests of stakeholders.
- Worked with a team to evaluate a hospitality operation, present findings, and propose solutions to perceived problems, considering implications for stakeholders.
- Deepened your understanding of different cultures and their associated business operations, preferably through studying abroad.
International learning opportunities
Since 1984, nearly 1,000 WSU students have studied at or received their WSU degree through César Ritz Colleges in Switzerland—a traditional Swiss hospitality school. The Brig campus of César Ritz is the site of the Carson College Switzerland International Center.
Work experience/internship requirement
You will apply the theories you learn in the classroom by working in hospitality businesses. As a major in hospitality business management or wine business management, you must complete an industry internship or work experience requirement: 1,000 hours for a major and 400 hours for a minor. Searching for jobs is made easy by the fact that industry partners regularly visit campus to recruit interns and graduates.
Scholarships
Apply for the SHBM Scholarship in early Spring. More info to come.
The School of Hospitality Business Management awards over $125,000 in scholarships each year. Watch your student email for application information and deadlines.
Be sure to also explore availability of scholarships at the college and university levels.
Careers
The School hosts two events specifically designed to connect hospitality business management students with employers in the hospitality industry.
- The Burtenshaw Hospitality Career Night is a hospitality-company-only career fair.
- Hospitality Career Previews let you learn about career opportunities in various companies.
Facilities
In the Marriott Hospitality Culinary Innovation Center, you’ll learn in a state-of-the-art teaching/production kitchen, an elegant dining room, and a wine-tasting area. This extraordinary learning environment was made possible through a generous donation from the J. Willard and Alice S. Marriott Foundation.
Locations
In addition to the Pullman campus, the School offers degree programs at these locations:
WSU Everett
For transfer students. You must complete a set of prerequisite courses to apply.
Vancouver
The only hospitality bachelor’s degree program in the Southwest Washington and Portland metropolitan area
Tri-Cities
Wine Beverage Business Management
Global Campus
Switzerland
Study at César Ritz Colleges in Switzerland—a traditional Swiss hospitality school.
Programs of study
Undergraduate
Hospitality business management major
Hospitality business management minor
Aging business management major
Wine and beverage business management major
Graduate
PhD in business administration with a concentration in hospitality and tourism
Online MBA with a concentration in Hospitality Business Management
Give to SHBM
2025 Hospitality Week Schedule
Monday, February 10, 2025
-
Industry Expert Panel
2 – 3 p.m.
CUB Jr Ballroom -
Career Networking Night – Presented by the Burtenshaw Family
4 – 6 p.m.
CUB Senior Ballroom
Tuesday, February 11, 2025
-
SHBM Open House
1 – 2 p.m.
Todd 339 -
Burtenshaw Lecture
4:30 – 5:30 p.m.
CUB Auditorium -
Etiquette Dinner
6 – 8 p.m.
Todd 268
Wednesday, February 12, 2025
- Granger Cobb Lecture
10 – 11 a.m.
CUB Jr Ballroom
Research
Washington Sports Betting Poised for Rapid Growth
Granger Cobb Institute for Senior Living Earns Mather Institute Promising Practices Award
Food Safety Crises at Smaller Restaurant Chains Can Hurt Giants
Layoffs Pushed Hospitality Workers to Leave Industry
Restaurant Customers Frown on Automatic Gratuities
Students Craft Plans to Increase Tri‑Cities Millennial Tourism
New ‘Experience Audit’ Guides Wineries in Boosting Sales for Re‑opening Amid COVID‑19
Americans Expect Safety Precautions in Hospitality Industry
WSU Survey Shows Americans Unsure About travel, Staying at Hotels
Business Professor Develops Guidelines for Wineries Returning to Business
Hospitality Professor Recognized for Chinese Tourism Research
Message from the Director
Welcome to the School of Hospitality Business Management!
The School of Hospitality Business Management (SHBM) has long been a launchpad for countless industry leaders, shaping the future of hospitality one graduate at a time. We are driven by a shared mission to inspire innovation, deliver impactful research, and provide students with an unparalleled educational experience.
It’s an incredible honor to step into the role of director for one of the most renowned hospitality programs in the world. As a proud graduate of WSU’s Hotel and Restaurant Administration (HRA) program and an MBA holder from Gonzaga University, it’s deeply meaningful for me to give back to the school and community that shaped my career.
At SHBM, we aim to be the “go-to” institution for hospitality business education—a vibrant hub where students, faculty, and industry professionals come together to create the future of this incredible field. SHBM faculty are trailblazers in exploring the big questions facing hospitality, wine business, and senior living. Guided by the mission and vision of the Carson College of Business, we are committed to pushing boundaries and exceeding expectations.
Our focus is clear and impactful:
- Deliver transformative, premier educational experiences.
- Grow our research reputation and forge strategic partnerships.
- Adapt our programs to meet the evolving needs of students and industry.
We bring this vision to life through dynamic, hands-on learning opportunities. From on-campus, student-run operations to immersive industry programs, project-based internships, and a cutting-edge sensory evaluation classroom, SHBM prepares students to thrive. Expanded study abroad options take this even further. We empower students to align their education with their passions, equipping them with the skills and insights needed to lead in this dynamic global landscape.
But what truly sets SHBM apart? The WSU students. Their energy, kindness, and unstoppable work ethic are more than qualities—they are the foundation of our success. Hospitality is in their DNA, and their passion inspires everything we do.
As we continue to grow, we are determined to attract and retain the very best students, faculty, and staff. Whether you are a student, alum, or industry partner, there are countless ways to be part of SHBM’s journey. Together, we are building a globally connected, innovative, and impactful future for hospitality education.
Let’s make it happen—Go Cougs!
Director: Jim Harbour
jharbour@wsu.edu
509-335-5730
Contact
The School of Hospitality Business Management
Todd Hall 342
PO Box 644736
Washington State University
Pullman, WA USA 99164-4736
shbm@wsu.edu
509-335-5766
Internships and recruiting: Amy Alonzo
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