Hospitality and Event Experience Management (B.S.)

As a hospitality and event experience management (HEEM) major, you’ll learn to deliver superior experiences and services to your clients. Whether you manage a hotel, food and beverage operation or country club; own a restaurant; or plan weddings and conferences, your degree will equip you with the skills you need for a rewarding career in hospitality.

Our program is consistently ranked as one of the best hospitality management majors and is in the top 10 hospitality programs. We are large enough to lead, but small enough to care personally for each student.

The curriculum is based in business management, with specialized hospitality industry courses. You’ll learn by experience in our two on-campus learning labs: Vita Nova fine-dining restaurant and the award-winning Courtyard Newark at the University of Delaware.

Program Highlights

Global Experiences

Over half of our students study abroad during the program. There are a variety of Winter and Summer session programs around the globe. You could also study for a semester at the Swiss School of Tourism and Hospitality in Switzerland.

Practical Experience

Nothing complements classroom-based learning like practical, on-the-job learning. The HEEM program requires 450 hours of paid hospitality-related work experience.

All classes are taught by faculty with real industry experience and academic credentials. And through the Blue Hen Alumni Network and events like the Hospitality Career Fair and the Paul Wise Executive in Residence Speaker Series, industry alumni, leaders and managers frequently visit campus to meet, mentor and hire our students. A variety of student clubs take our students to national industry conferences, providing networking opportunities with leaders and managers in the hospitality field.

Honors in Hospitality and Event Experience Management

The honors program at UD offers a scholarly and enriching community that extends well beyond graduation. You’ll enjoy smaller, more challenging classes and the opportunity to engage in research and assume leadership roles. The Hospitality and Sport Business Management department offers a special HSBM “Lerner to Leader” program where each semester honors students interact with industry leaders and visit corporate headquarters.

The honors degree requires:

1. All requirements for the B.S. in hospitality and event experience management
2. All of the UD requirements for the honors baccalaureate degree

Program Requirements

Suggested Course Sequence

All courses are 3 credits unless stated otherwise.

As a hospitality and event experience management major, you choose one of two concentrations: hospitality business management or event management.

Career Opportunities

Within 6 months of graduating, for the class of 2023, 96% of Lerner’s hospitality business management graduates are employed (earning a mean starting salary of $57,212) or pursuing further education. The Department of Hospitality and Sports Management is excited to introduce the new event management concentration, which promises to open career opportunities for its inaugural graduating class. For more information on career resources please visit the Lerner Career Services Center.

Top Employers

Some of the top employers of Lerner’s hospitality business management graduates include:

• Amazon
• Marriott International
• ARAMARK
• Hyatt Hotels and Resorts
• Hilton Hotels and Resorts

Top Jobs

Job titles of recent graduates with a hospitality business management degree include:

• Management Development Trainee
• Sales & Service Manager
• Restaurant Supervisor/Manager
• Event Manager
• Food & Beverage Service Manager
• Special Events Assistant

Visit the Career Outcomes of Lerner Hospitality Students to see more top employers, job titles, salaries and locations.

Learn More

Contact our hospitality administrative team
hospitality-dept@udel.edu
302-831-6077

News

• Lerner Students Host Newark Live 2024 Hospitality Event in Trabant - Five students ran the highly successful hospitality event which was held in the Trabant Student Center multipurpose rooms on December 3.
• Lerner Welcomes New Faculty: Iuliana Theis - Theis is an assistant professor of hospitality business management; she spoke with Lerner about her research focus and what made her want to teach at UD.
• Lerner Grad Dana Herbert Featured on Two Currently Airing Hulu Shows - Herbert appears on the Retro episode of “Cookie, Cupcake, Cake” and the Car episode of "Cake Toppers."
• My Summer Internship: Dayana Garzon-Lagos - Dayana Garzon-Lagos, class of 2025 hospitality business management major with an international business minor, spent her summer as an food and beverage intern with Hyatt Regency Hill Country Resort & Spa. 
• Lerner Professor Zvi Schwartz Starts Global Competition Forecaster Cup - There’s a lot of money on the line when it comes to predicting hotel occupancy. A new competition started by Schwartz gives students a chance to try their skills.

Admissions Information

Learn more about undergraduate admissions requirements, deadlines, tuition and financial aid available to you.