An Associate in Hospitality Management degree program prepares students for a wide array of entry-level management positions in sectors including travel and tourism; food and beverage; event planning, convention centers, theme parks, recreation, hotels, resorts, casinos, cruise ships and more.
Accreditation Commission for Programs in Hospitality Administration (ACPHA)
This articles focuses on community colleges offering hospitality programs accredited by the respected Accreditation Commission for Programs in Hospitality Administration (ACPHA). Established in 1989, the ACPHA assures the quality of hospitality programs and assists in the improvement of institutions and programs.
ACPHA operates under the guidance of the International Council on Hotel, Restaurant and Institutional Education (CHRIE). Founded in 1946, CHRIE, a nonprofit professional association and global advocate, provides programs, education and services to improve the quality in the hospitality and tourism industry.
The managing editor of Create a Career contacted Dorothy Fenwick P.h.D, Executive Director at ACPHA, she kindly agreed to an interview. Fenwick stated she typically steers people interested in enrolling in a hospitality program to a two-year program, a two-year program allows them to discover if the hospitality sector is right for them before they enroll in a much more expensive four-year program. The time they spend in a two-year hospitality management program, including the experience gained from an internship, along with an entry-level job in the hospitality industry better prepares them to make a decision about acquiring a four-year degree.
Academics and hospitality industry professionals created the ACPHA standards and make changes to meet the changing needs of the hospitality industry.
The ACPHA accreditation provides important third party approval. Fenwick stated the organization monitors standards and make sure the hospitality programs meet the requirements. She also stated peer review is one of the most important aspects of ACPHA accreditation; the accredited schools also help each other. The ACPHA inspects the hospitality programs every seven years. The schools submit an annual report.
An ACPHA accredited Associate’s in Hospitality Management degree may help graduates obtain an entry-level management position. According to Fenwick the accreditation shows graduates have met specific standards. During a job interview, graduates can take the opportunity to inform a prospective employer, unfamiliar with ACPHA accreditation, the benefits of hiring a graduate from an ACPHA accredited hospitality program.
Many employers complain people taking entry-level management positions in the hospitality industry lack management and business skills. Fenwick stated management and business are very important to the ACPHA, it’s more than a trend it’s a reality. She went on to say ACPHA accredited programs place an importance on management and business training. She also mentioned ACPHA accredited programs provide a common core of required knowledge. The ACPHA also places an emphasis on internships, vital to the learning process.
Fenwick stated community colleges are the colleges of the future, they offer opportunities for everybody to go to school.
The following community colleges (in alphabetical order) offer excellent hospitality programs and have earned industry-trusted accreditation.
Anne Arundel Community College
Established in 1961, Anne Arundel Community College (AACC), located in Maryland has received national and state recognition for its educational programs. The community college offers associate degrees, credit and continuing education certificates, career enhancement and lifelong learning.
AACC is the first higher education institution in Maryland to earn a rating from the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education.
The AACC Hotel, Culinary Arts and Tourism Institute (HCAT) program provides credit and noncredit courses and programs to meet the needs of the growing hospitality industry. The school provides three options: Hotel/Restaurant Management, Hospitality Business Management and Culinary Arts. The school also provides seven certificate programs.
The Associate of Applied Science degree received accreditation from the Accrediting Commission for Programs in Hospitality Administration (ACPHA) and the American Culinary Federation Foundation’s Accrediting Commission. The Hotel/Restaurant Management (HRM) Hospitality Business Management degree program received a full seven-year initial accreditation in 2009 from the ACPHA.
Programs offered through HCAT include an Associate of Applied Science Degree (AAS) as well as certificates in areas such as baking and culinary artist.
Additional highlights include:
- A.A.S program provides Hotel/Restaurant Management, Culinary Arts and Hospitality Business Arts Management options
- Program offers an Italian Culinary Internship
- Students take part in professional and student culinary competitions on a local, regional and national level under the guidance of HCAT faculty
- Potential job placements range from Hotel/Restaurant Manager and Event Manager to Food Service Manager and Chef, Baker or Head Cook
- The A.A.S. program offers varied courses and disciplines ranging from Ice Carving and Hospitality Sales/Marketing to Food Science and Nutritional Cooking
Atlantic Cape Community College
Founded in 1964, Atlantic Cape Community College (ACCC) located in New Jersey, a public, accredited two-year college, offers career degree programs as well as continuing education development and training services. ACCC operates nationally recognized casino career and culinary arts programs.
The Atlantic Cape Community College Hospitality Management program offers classes, internships and programs created to advance the skills and education of individuals practicing in the field. The program received accreditation from the Accreditation Commission for Programs in Hospitality Administration (ACPHA).
The Associate’s in Hospitality Management degree program prepares students for entry-level positions in hospitality management areas such as hotels, restaurants, casinos, private clubs and travel agencies. The community college also offers a Hospitality Marketing Specialist Professional Series.
Additional highlights include:
- Students are required to complete a mandatory 135-hour internship in a hospitality organization; the internship helps students discover their expertise in a particular area and often, employers offer students full-time employment with their sponsoring company
- The school provides on-campus and online classes
- The community college requires 64 credits to complete the hospitality degree
- Program includes courses such as catering and event planning, human resource management, hotel operations as well as sales and marketing
Columbus State Community College
Established in 1963, Columbus State Community College (CSCC) located in Columbus, Ohio, offers over 50 career programs spread out over two campuses, nine regional learning centers and online.
CSCC offers varied and unique courses in areas such as Nuclear Medicine Technology and Architecture. The community college also offers unique transfer degree programs which represent the first two years of a bachelor’s degree. The transfer degree programs allow students to start at CSCC and then finish up at another college.
The Columbus State Community College Hospitality Management program offers numerous quality majors leading to an Applied Science degree (A.S.) or Associate of Applied Science degree (A.A.S.). Majors are available in Culinary Apprenticeship, Dietetic Technician; Hotel Tourism, and Event Management; and Restaurant and Foodservice Management. The Restaurant and Foodservice Management major includes a Baking and Pastry Arts track.
Columbia State Community College also provides certificate programs in baking, dietary manager, casino management, meeting and event management and school foodservice manager.
All programs have received accreditation from ACPHA. Certificates are also available in areas such as Baking and Casino Management.
Additional highlights include:
- Study abroad opportunities
- The Culinary Apprenticeship major offers both classroom instruction and on-the-job training required for the National Apprenticeship Training Program of the American Culinary Federation (ACF)
- Students gain experience at a student-run restaurant open to the public; students are required to participate in this weekly running of a foodservice establishment
- Students have found jobs in areas such as food sales, kitchen management and general management
Cuyahoga Community College
Founded in 1962, Cuyahoga Community College (Tri-C), the oldest, and largest accredited community college in Ohio, offers over 140 career, liberal arts and technical programs. Tri-C offers over 1000 associate degree courses both on-campus and online and ranks 1st in Ohio and 45th in the nation in conferring associate degrees.
Cuyahoga Community College Hospitality Management program offers Associates in Applied Business degrees (A.A.B) in three concentrations: Lodging-Tourism Management, Culinary Arts, and Restaurant/Food Service Management. The community college also offers an Event Planning certificate.
All degrees received accreditation from the Accreditation Commission for Programs in Hospitality Administration (ACPHA). The American Culinary Association Education Foundation also provides accreditation.
Representatives from the lodging, food service and tourism industries work with faculty members, staff members and students of the program to review and update the curriculum to keep it current and related to the needs of the hospitality industry.
Additional highlights include:
- Upon graduation, students may find employment ranging from prep cooks, sous chefs and caterers to restaurant operators, food sales and dining room managers
- Programs range between 60-69 total credit hours
- Tri-C’s Hospitality Management Program offers students experience at a student-staffed café where they gain valuable skills from all aspects of the hospitality business
- The culinary cooking classes provide students with hands-on learning skills in food preparation including baking, contemporary and classical cuisine
- Some of the employers recruiting students include Aramark, healthcare facilities, Sysco food service and Hyatt Hotels
Delgado Community College
Delgado Community College (DCC), an accredited public community college with eight locations throughout the New Orleans area, has a range of program options such as training, certifications, associate degrees as well as continuing education.
The community college provides programs in fields such as healthcare, technology, business and liberal arts. Delgado Community College also offers industry technical training, including maritime, fire and radar.
Delgado Community College Hospitality Management program offers a Hospitality Management Associate degree, designed to provide students with the skills necessary for entry-level and mid-management positions in the hospitality industry. Areas of concentration include: Hotel and Lodging Management, Tourism, and Food and Beverage Management.
Delgado Community College offers an A.A.S degree in Culinary Arts; students may choose from three different concentrations: Chef Apprenticeship, Catering, or Pastry Arts.
The hospitality program received accreditation from the ACPHA.
Additional highlights include:
- The Hospitality Management has completion credits of 60 hours; the Culinary Arts program has 69 total credits
- The hospitality management program includes a complete overview of hospitality operations and management, travel and tourism, food and beverage management, hospitality revenue management and law and convention management
- Program also provides certificates in culinary arts (line cook) and management
Howard Community College
Howard Community College, located in Columbia, Maryland, opened to students in 1970. The community college provide Associate of Arts and Associate of Allied Science degrees as well as certificates of proficiency and letters of recognition.
Howard Community College offers degrees and certificates from divisions such as Mathematics, English/World Languages, Arts and Humanities; Science, Engineering, and Technology; Business and Computer Systems; Health Sciences, and Social Sciences/Teacher Education.
The Center for Hospitality and Culinary Studies Associate degree in Hospitality Management prepares students for mid-level management positions in the hospitality/tourism field. The program offers tracks in Lodging Management, Food and Beverage Management, Casino Management, and Event Management.
The Center for Hospitality and Culinary Studies also provides an Associate in Culinary Management program and culinary certificates.
The school provides different types of electives and variations in internships to accommodate students with applicable experience and students with no experience.
The hospitality program received accreditation from the ACPHA.
Additional highlights include:
- Industry partnerships with the Restaurant Association of Maryland, the Maryland Hotel and Lodging Association and the Performance Food Group, Carroll County Foods
- The HCC Job Connection, am online job board provides job listings
- Flexible course schedules
- Credit for Work experience
Ivy Tech Community College-Central Indiana
Ivy Tech Community College (Ivy Tech), established in 1963, is Indiana’s largest accredited community college system, comprised of 30 campuses in 14 regions. Ivy Tech offers 200 academic programs for career development and technical career certificates as well as associate degrees.
Ivey Tech Community College, regarded as Indiana’s most affordable community college, is the largest, singly accredited national community college in the nation.
The Ivy Tech Hospitality Administration program offers both associates degrees and certificates in diverse concentrations and courses. The schools offer a Hospitality Administration Associate degree program, an Associate in Hospitality with a Baking and Pastry Arts concentration program and an Associate in Hospitality with a Culinary Arts concentration program.
Certificates are also available in Beverage Management, Culinarian, Pastry Culinarian, Dietary Management, and Hospitality Management. The Hospitality certificate program leads to National Certification in ManageFirst Professional. The school also provides a technical certificate –Baking and Pastry Arts and a Technical Certificate –Culinary Arts.
The hospitality program received accreditation from the ACPHA.
Additional highlights include:
- All Associate degree programs are 60 credit hours
- Employers such as the Ford Center, JW Marriott Hotel, Horseshoe Casino and the University of Notre Dame have recruited graduates
- Graduates enter careers such as event planner, convention center coordinator, lodging manager, baker and chef
Kapi’olani Community College
Kapi’olani Community College (KCC), an accredited public, community college located in Honolulu, Hawaii, is one of ten branches of the University of Hawaii system. The school provides educational programs, certifications and adult learning in business, legal education, occupational, hospitality, and arts and sciences; many of which have received national recognition. KCC is home to the Culinary Institute of the Pacific.
KCC offers an Associate in Hospitality and Tourism degree program with a concentration in Hospitality Operations Management and a concentration in Travel and Tourism Operations Management.
Certificates are also available in Hospitality Operations, Hospitality Operations Management and Travel and Tourism Operations Management.
The hospitality program received accreditation from the ACPHA.
Additional highlights include:
- The degree programs need a minimum of 63 to 65 credit hours
- The school offers both A.S. programs in four-semester programs of study
- Each program prepares students for jobs in the hospitality and tourism industry and to transfer to four-year programs
- Some of the employment fields students may enter upon program completion include: ticketing and reservations, travel agencies, tourism planning and development, hotel and resort front office, concierge, reservations and sales positions
Lane Community College
Lane Community College (LCC), an accredited comprehensive, two-year college, located in Eugene, Oregon, offers a wide variety of instructional programs including career and technical degrees, certificate programs, continuing education and training for businesses.
Degree programs range from hospitality, health and automotive to industrial and flight programs. Lane Community College provides online and on-campus classes.
The community college offers an Associate in Hospitality Management degree.
The Lane Community College Culinary Arts and Hospitality Management (CAHM) program is dually-accredited by the American Culinary Federation Foundation Accrediting Commission (ACFFAC) and the Accreditation Commission of Programs in Hospitality Administration (ACPHA). The Hospitality program offers an Associate’s degree in Hospitality Management and a Certificate of Completion in Meeting, Convention and Special Events Manager.
Additional highlights include:
- Students need at least 95 credits to complete the Hospitality Management Program
- Graduates can seek jobs in several areas such as: hotel, special event and restaurant management as well as travel and tourism-related business
Pulaski Technical College
Pulaski Technical College, located in North Little Rock Arkansas, is the largest two-year college in Arkansas. Pulaski Technical College has seven facilities located throughout central Arkansas and provided online courses. The technical college provides offers associate’s degree programs and certificate programs.
The Pulaski Technical College Culinary and Hospitality Management Institute received accreditation from the Accrediting Commission for Programs in Hospitality Administration and from the American Culinary Federation Education Foundation.
Culinary and Hospitality Management Institute offers a Hospitality Management Associate’s degree, and Hospitality and Restaurant Certificate of Proficiency and a Hospitality and Tourism Certificate of Proficiency as well as other certificate of proficiency programs and certificate programs.
Additional highlights include:
- Associate’s in Hospitality Management degree program concentrates on tourism, lodging, food service and business management
- Provides an in-depth review of the hospitality industry
- Graduates of the Hospitality Management Associate degree program prepared for middle management jobs in the hospitality/tourism industry
Sinclair Community College
Established in 1887, Sinclair Community College (SCC) located in Dayton, Ohio, ranked among the top community colleges in the nation and has one of the lowest tuition rates in the state.
The community college, known for its business and technology curricula, is one of only twelve Vanguard Learning Colleges in the U.S. and Canada, received an award in “outstanding record of achievement in learning-centered education.”
The Sinclair Community College Hospitality program received accreditation from the ACPHA.
The school offers an Associate in Hospitality Management & Tourism degree program with four concentrations in Tourism, Culinary Arts, Hotel Lodging, and Meeting and Event Planning.
Additional highlights include:
- The community college offers two Technical Certificate programs in Food Service Management and Bakery Specialist
- The Tourism concentration includes lab classes which utilize a SABRE system to educate students how to make computer reservations within the travel industry; this training increases internship and employability opportunities
- The credits needed to graduate all degree programs range from 60 to 71 credit hours
- Sinclair faculty has received recognition for excellence in teaching
- Graduates have attained employment in travel agencies, tour operations, hotel management, catering, barista operations, wedding planning, restaurant management and other related fields
Trident Technical College – Culinary Institute of Charleston
Trident Technical College a multi-campus community college provides applied technical associate degrees, diplomas and certificates as well as university transfer associate’s degrees. The curriculum provides programs in computer technology, business, agriculture, arts and sciences, health sciences, public service, engineering technology and industrial technology.
Trident Community College promotes economic development via continuing education courses, a variety of employment training programs as well as customized education and training for business, industry and government.
The Trident Technical College Culinary – Institute of Charleston offers an Associate in Hospitality and Tourism Management degree, certificates in hotel operations and events management as well as other certificate programs and advanced certificate programs.
The Associate in Hospitality and Tourism Management degree has received accreditation from the Accreditation Commission for Programs in Hospitality Administration.
Additional Highlights include:
- The Associate in Hospitality and Tourism Management degree program prepares students for supervisory positions at resorts, restaurants, hotels, motels and other jobs in the travel industry
- Culinary Institute of Charleston provides online instruction
- Culinary Institute of Charleston provides continuing education offerings