Graduate Studies inTourism Administration

…because life is a journey

The George Washington University

School of Business and Public Management

“Ourprimary

mission iseducation.

We arededicated to

giving ourstudents the

richesteducationalexperiencepossible.”

DepartmentChair’s Message

Some people say that tourism is thelargest industry in the world. Others sayit is the fastest-growing business. Onething we all agree on is that it is one of the most dynamic and challenginghuman activities throughout the worldtoday. And that goes for the businesses,government agencies, universities, andother not-for-profit institutions that havegrown up to service it, as well.

Over the last 25 years or so, we havedeveloped a graduate degree program to prepare U.S. and international adultsfrom all walks of life for leadership positions in these institutions, and tohelp them enjoy the career and lifestylebenefits that tourism has to offer.

We teach the contemporary skills and best practices required to thrive in management in tourism, hospitality,sport, events and meetings, and relatedindustries. Both in and out of the classroom, our students receive criticaltraining in analysis, strategic planning,impact assessment, technology applications, team projects and decision-making.

We believe that tourism should helpimprove the quality of life globally. Inevery way possible, the Department ofTourism and Hospitality Management is committed to the realization of thisvision as we strive to be recognized bystudents and professionals as one of theworld’s outstanding centers of tourismand hospitality management educationand research.

But we believe it is important as well toequip our students with an appreciationfor the benefits that tourism can offer.These include contact with and appreciation for different cultures, contributions tourism can make to sustainable development, the educationaladvantages of seeing more of the worldfirst-hand, and the use of technology toimprove the individual travel experience.

D. C. Frechtling, Ph.D.ChairDepartment of Tourism and Hospitality Management

For more than two decades The GeorgeWashington University has been aleader in tourism management educationand research. At GW you will benefitfrom a program that sets the worldwidestandard for graduate studies in tourism.

Our status as one of the premier institutions in tourism administrationbegan in 1974, when GW became thefirst university in the world to offer a master’s degree in tourism administration. In 1988 the Universityand the World Tourism Organization(WTO) created the InternationalInstitute for Tourism Studies (IITS) atGW. This was the first university-basedWTO Center for Tourism Education.

The Department of Tourism andHospitality Administration at TheGeorge Washington University hasestablished a long tradition of “firsts”:

• Endowed chair in tourism policy

• Named professorship in EventManagement

• Master’s degree concentrations inTravel Marketing plus Event, Sportand Destination Management

• Internationally broadcast radioprogram, The Travel Minute

• Developed curricula on tourismforecasting and ecotourism studies

• Study tours to the Olympic Gamesand other mega-events

• Professional career educationcertificate program in EventManagement

• Ecotourism and Event Managementarchives at the Gelman Library

• Sport Tourism conference

• University to host the White HouseConference on Aviation Safety andSecurity

• Distance Education delivery of theMaster of Tourism Administrationdegree

• Ranked in 2001 and 2002 by US Newsand World Report: Best OnlineGraduate Degrees: Business—The onlyTourism degree ranked on that list

Master of TourismAdministration

Student Views

“Although I completed mymaster’s degree from George

Washington in 1993, even todayI continue to benefit from it.I realize more and more, as I

travel and work in the tourismindustry, how extremely wellorganized and respected this

program is – and not justdomestically, but around theglobe! The program provides

many out-of-the-classroomopportunities such as seminars,

industry events, and excellentinternship/practicum

assignments. I attended acolloquium at GW on Space

Tourism in 1999 and it was thenthat I was exposed to thisexciting and cutting edge

segment of the tourismindustry… So, thanks, GW.

Sarah Dalton Vassiliou, MTA ’93President

Dalton Global Executive Search

“In the AMTA Distance Learning Program I have

learned a tremendous amountabout tourism and the eventmanagement fields.Although

being far away has been aneducational challenge, the

rewards have been endless.George Washington is an

urban progressive university that is equipped to handle hightech education.The professors

have been extremelycommunicative and supportivewhich is crucial in this kind oflearning. I strongly encourage

anyone who wants to advancein the field of tourism and event

management to participate inthis program; it will raise your

level of professionalism andvalue in the field.

Heather Lynn Hawes, MTA ’01Production Coordinator

Turner Sports Atlanta, GA

”

”

The Master of TourismAdministration ProgramThe Master of Tourism Administration is

an internationally oriented degree that prepares students for management

positions in tourism, hospitality, sport,event and meeting management andaviation careers. As part of The GeorgeWashington University’s School ofBusiness and Public Management, theDepartment of Tourism and Hospitality

Management attracts students from allregions of the United States and more

than 50 countries. This internationaldiversity offers endless opportunities for sharing

information while building a world-widenetwork of colleagues and contacts. Thetourism, hospitality, sport, event and meetingindustries require professionals who have themanagement knowledge and communicationsskills to operate successfully in the public andprivate sectors, the capacity to work with othercultures, and the desire to excel. These are thequalities that characterize GW’s Master ofTourism Administration Program.

The Distance LearningAccelerated Master ofTourism Administration(AMTA) Degree ProgramWhat is the AMTA distance-learning program?

The Master of Tourism Administration degreeprogram is now available through GW’s Off-Campus Programs Office in an accelerated,distance-learning format. The AMTA(Accelerated Master of Tourism Administration) program is designed to meet the changing educational and careerdevelopment requirements of mid-careerprofessionals. The AMTA program now offers concentrations in Event & Meeting and Sustainable Destination Managementleading to career opportunities in thosedisciplines as well as Sport/Event Management.As with the MTA, the AMTA is taught byGW’s internationally recognized faculty.

Apart from two required brief residencyexperiences, the courses are delivered viaInternet and multimedia formats. The first ofthe two residencies, at the very beginning of

the 18-month program is a workshop designedto teach students how to use the softwareutilized in our courses. The second residency isa capstone experience at the end the programthat culminates in the graduation ceremony.The AMTA program features affordable off-campus tuition rates; individualizedguidance based upon personal and career goals; networking opportunities with tourismmanagement professionals, and links withinternational and domestic tourismorganizations locally and worldwide.

Where do AMTA graduates work?

Graduates from the GW Event and MeetingManagement concentration currently work in convention centers, hotels, governmentagencies, amusement parks, trade associations,festivals, museums and other leading organizations worldwide. Graduates from the Sustainable Destination Managementconcentration currently work in Chambers of Commerce, economic development offices,national tourism organizations, and otherdestination management and marketingorganizations worldwide. Graduates of the SportManagement concentration work for sportsorganizations such as league offices, professionalteams and sports marketers.

The Bachelor of BusinessAdministration/Master ofTourism AdministrationFive-Year programStudents working toward a Bachelor ofBusiness Administration at the University may be admitted to the Master of TourismAdministration program during their third year of studies, earning both degrees in fiveyears. After completion of 75 credit hours, the student may apply for admission to thegraduate program. A student who hasmaintained a grade point average of at least3.25 may be admitted to the dual degreeprogram without taking either the GRE orGMAT tests. (See the GW UndergraduateProgram Bulletin for details).

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Programs for WorkingProfessionalsGW also offers career developmentopportunities for working professionals throughdistance learning accelerated programs, shortcourses, and certificate programs in EventManagement, Sustainable DestinationManagement and Aviation Management.

Student ResourcesThe Tourism Administration StudentAssociation provides students with a forum forprofessional development, networking and socialinteraction within the tourism, hospitality, sport,events and meetings industries.

The School of Business and PublicManagement’s Graduate Career Center assistsstudents in job search and career placementactivities. Continuous announcements ofinternships and jobs through the MTA studentlistserv keep students informed of opportunitiesin the industry.

Applied LearningThrough class projects, GW tourism studentstackle real-world problems for organizationssuch as the World Bank, the Walt DisneyCompany, ARAMARK, the Coca ColaCompany, World Wildlife Fund, U.S. Agencyfor International Development (USAID), localtourism offices, embassies, professional sportsteams and agencies, event management firms,hotel corporations, airlines, and destinationmanagement organizations.

Most students choose to participate in field-based internships and practicumexperiences as part of their MTA program.Students have worked with many tourism,hospitality, sport, events and meetingsmanagement organizations.

Mentor ProgramThe Mentor Program encourages a dynamicrelationship between students and professionalswithin the tourism, hospitality, sport, eventsand meetings industries. Students who elect to participate in this program gain a real-worldperspective to their learning experiences andopportunities to identify career directions.

The Distance Mode of Course DeliveryWhen a Tourism and Hospitality Managementcourse is offered as part of the AcceleratedMaster of Tourism Administration program,students register on the web at gweb.gwu.edu.In distance learning courses, classroomattendance and lectures are replaced bymultimedia presentations delivered via theInternet. The traditional fixed schedule ofclasses is also replaced by your ability toparticipate in each course’s weekly activities on your own schedule.

What are on-line courses like?New information technologies make it possiblefor you to learn on-line. You will hear and seeanimated graphic lectures, engage in weeklyon-line asynchronous discussions with theprofessor and other students, be given articlesto read on-line, test your own knowledge for each learning unit module through an interactive quiz, do projects and papers on-line, and take your final exam on-line.

Much of the work you will do will utilize a web site that was developed at The GeorgeWashington University expressly for thepurpose of supporting distance learning. This system, called Prometheus(prometheus.gwu.edu), is an on-linecourseware product that provides a frameworkfor course delivery and organization.Prometheus facilitates course interaction and instruction, and allows your professor topublish course information and content in a way that is convenient for you to work with.Prometheus also provides virtual classrooms, e-mail, chat rooms, and discussion groups.

The MTA program hasprovided me with thetools necessary torecognize and capitalizeon opportunity indisastrous circumstances.The MTA programassisted me in facing thechallenge of effectivelymarketing an activevolcano as a tourismproduct for the island of Montserrat. Havingbeen trained in the MTA program, I was able to use the publicitygenerated by the activevolcano to attractadventure travelers to the island.This markethas ultimately becomeour niche.”

Ernestine Cassell, MTA ’97Director of TourismMontserrat Tourist Board

“

The MTA and AMTACurriculumThe MTA and AMTA curriculum requires 14courses for a total of 36 credit hours. To fulfillyour goals and the requirements of the MTA(and AMTA) degree, you will take four corecourses (TSTD 249, Economic, Cultural, andEnvironmental Aspects of Tourism; TSTD 251Statistical Applications in Tourism &Hospitality Management; TSTD 270, TourismResearch; and TSTD 296, Tourism InformationManagement Systems for a total of 9 credithours) that provide a solid foundation inmanagement and a practical understanding ofhow these principles apply to the tourism,hospitality, sport, events and meetingsindustries. After you have completed your corecourses, you will take 21 credit hours from oneof our fields of concentration. In the on-campusMTA, you also have the option of designing afield of concentration to fit your own careerobjectives with the guidance of your advisor.This alternative has been used to create aspecialization in areas such as hospitalitymanagement, eco-tourism, heritage tourism,and the airline industry. For the final 6 creditsof your capstone courses, you may chooseeither to complete a practicum experience(TSTD 283) and the advanced topical studies (TSTD 297) course in your area ofconcentration, or write a thesis (TSTD 299 & 300). The Accelerated MTA (AMTA), hasbeen designed to provide the same world-classeducation as the on-campus MTA but in theinterest of making it possible for students tocomplete their degrees in this acceleratedprogram, virtually all course options have been predetermined according to theconcentration chosen by the student upon enrollment.

MTA Fields of ConcentrationSustainable Destination ManagementThe Sustainable Destination Managementconcentration focuses on the comparativeadvantage and competitive positioning oftourist destinations. Emphasis is placed onminimizing the negative impacts of tourismand preserving cultural and natural resources,while optimizing tourism’s overall contributionto economic development in host communities.

Event and Meeting ManagementThe Event and Meeting Managementconcentration enables students to gain a practical and theoretical understanding of special events, expositions, festivals,conferences, meetings, and celebrations.Experiential learning through internships, field trips, and guest speakers is provided.

Sport ManagementThe Sport Management concentrationprepares students to market and manage sportevents, organizations, products, and athletes aswell as sport tourism destinations and facilities.Students learn how to succeed in a competitivemarketplace through practical assignmentswith leading professionals and organizations in the sport industry.

Individualized StudiesStudents also have the option to design aprogram of study to fit their individual careerobjectives in an area such as eco-tourism,tourism marketing, heritage tourism, aviationmanagement, hotel management, hoteldevelopment and others.

Students are increasingly choosing to pursue individualized studies in internationalhospitality management and hotel development. This field prepares students to become competent managers for domesticand international hospitality operations. The international hotel development focuscombines the functional skills necessary todeliver outstanding service with the conceptualskills required for strategic decision-making in a highly competitive global marketplace.

Required Coursesfor MTA andAMTA

TSTD 249:Economic, Cultural, andEnvironmental Aspectsof Tourism

TSTD 251:Statistical Application inTourism & HospitalityManagement

TSTD 270:Tourism Research

TSTD 296:Tourism InformationManagement Systems

The MTA program provided me with the opportunity to make influential contacts acrossthe United States and throughout the world. MTA professors areleaders in the tourism field andbrought to the classroom realworld knowledge.”

Robert Miller, MTA ’95ManagerStar Travel

“

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Core Courses:TSTD 249Economic, Cultural, and EnvironmentalAspects of TourismRelationship of tourism and sustainabledevelopment; specific emphasis on cultural,environmental, and economic impacts and trends.

TSTD 251Statistical Applications in Tourism &Hospitality Management This course introduces students to theapplications of quantitative methods in tourismand hospitality management research. Studentsstudy the procedures and methodology forcollecting data, summarizing data, interpretingdata and drawing conclusions based on thedata. Methods of analysis and applications areemphasized in this course.

TSTD 270Tourism ResearchAnalysis of specific research methods and toolsand their application to the study of tourism.

TSTD 296 Travel InformationManagement SystemsDatabase utilization, information analysis,reservation systems, computer applicationsincluding the Internet, and related travelmanagement systems.

Elective Courses:TSTD 220 International HotelManagementPresents basic concepts and techniquesbeneficial to international hospitality management. Topics include political,economic, cultural, financial and legal aspects inherent in the international businessenvironment and their impacts on internationalhospitality management and operations.

TSTD 230 Organization andManagement of AirlinesOverview of domestic and internationalpassenger air transportation systems. Analysisof planning, financing, operating, marketing,and evaluating airline transportation systems.Legal and regulatory aspects of airlineoperations. Development of infrastructure and related support services

TSTD 250Administration of Tourism &Hospitality ServicesOrganization and management concepts,theory and issues, stressing applications oftheory through analysis of case examples drawnfrom the tourism and hospitality industry

TSTD 260 Tourism DevelopmentRelationship of economic theory and planningprinciples to tourism development; applicationof pre-feasibility analysis to tourism projects

TSTD 261 Tourism PlanningIntegrated planning for tourism organizations;development of comprehensive tourismprojects; consideration of basic concepts,approaches, and models

TSTD 262 Tourism Policy AnalysisComponents of tourism policy, includingdevelopment of tools for tourism policy analysisand description of tourism organizations in thegovernment and private sector.

TSTD 263 Tourism MarketingConcepts and techniques employed inmarketing travel industry products and services, including its public- and private-sector components. Assessment of the tourismproduct, development of marketing strategy,preparation of marketing plan, and analysis ofpromotional programs.

TSTD 220International HotelManagement

TSTD 230Organization and Managementof Airlines

TSTD 250Administration of Tourism andHospitality Services

TSTD 260Tourism Development

TSTD 261Tourism Planning

TSTD 262Tourism Policy Analysis

TSTD 263Tourism Marketing

TSTD 264Sport Marketing

TSTD 265Sport Law: Contracts andNegotiations

TSTD 266Sport and Event FacilityManagement

TSTD 277Event Management

TSTD 278Conference and ExpositionManagement

TSTD 280Advanced Workshops(Ecotourism, Heritage Tourism,Sport Tourism and Others)

TSTD 282International Experience (CostaRica, China, Cuba, Palestine,Olympic Games and others)

TSTD 283Practicum

TSTD 290Special Topic (Hotel ProjectManagement, Global AviationMgt, EntertainmentManagement, Tourism &Hospitality ManagementTechniques and others)

TSTD 297Advanced Topical Studies

TSTD 298Directed Reading and Research

TSTD 299Thesis Seminar

TSTD 300 Thesis Research

TSTD 264 Sport MarketingApplication of marketing theories to sportevents and properties. Case examples ofmarketing athletes, facilities, sport products,and events as well as using sports as amarketing tool for products. Writingsponsorship and endorsement proposals and incorporating sport into an integratedmarketing plan.

TSTD 265 Sport Law: Contracts andNegotiationsExamination of legislation and specific case lawas related to professional and amateur athletes,sport events, licensed merchandise, broadcastand sponsorship rights. Topics include laborand anti-trust law; contract negotiation,specifications, and interpretation.

TSTD 266 Sport and Event FacilityManagementExamination of the financing, developmentand operation of sports facilities. Students will receive exposure to revenue generatingactivities including special events booking,foodservice and concessions, ticket sales andcorporate sponsorship.

TSTD 277 Event ManagementAn introduction to the theoretical andpractical foundations of event management.Fundamentals of planning, budgeting, andevaluating events.

TSTD 278 Conference and ExpositionManagementSite selection, program planning andmanagement, exhibits, selection and use offacility, volunteers, and budget management.

TSTD 280 Advanced WorkshopsWorkshops with emphasis on contemporaryissues and opportunities; development ofadvanced professional competencies in areassuch as Eco-Tourism, Heritage Tourism, SportTourism and Others. May be repeated for creditwith permission of advisor.

TSTD 282 International ExperienceTravel to a foreign country for study of specifictopics. Destinations have included: Costa Rica,China, Cuba, Palestine and the OlympicGames. May be repeated for credit withapproval of advisor.

TSTD 283 Practicum For graduate students enrolled in a degree program or field offered through thedepartment. Fieldwork, internship, and/orinstructional practice, including conferenceand/or seminar. May be repeated once forcredit with permission of advisor.

TSTD 290 Special TopicsExperimental offerings, new course topics and teaching methods. Special Topics haveincluded: Hotel Project Management, Global Aviation Management, EntertainmentManagement, Tourism & HospitalityManagement Techniques and others. May be repeated twice for credit.

TSTD 297 Advanced Topical StudiesRequired capstone experience for tourismadministration students who do not select the thesis option. Analysis of case situationsinvolving policy formulation or managementdecision making; emphasis on applied strategicplanning and management approaches.

TSTD 298 Directed Reading andResearchSupervised readings or research. Admission byprior permission of instructor. May be repeatedfor credit.

TSTD 299 Thesis Seminar

TSTD 300 Thesis Research

“When I decided to maketravel part of my life,

I chose GW because itsholistic approach let mefind my niche. I pursued

tourism research because itbuilt on the skills I acquired

as an undergraduate, andthanks to referrals fromprofessors I had two joboffers when I graduated.

John Packer, MTA ’91Senior Consultant

D.K. Shiftlet and Associates Ltd.President

Travel and Tourism ResearchAssociation, 2002-03

“The information andexperiences gained through

the GW graduate program insports marketing has offeredinvaluable opportunities in a

very competitive sportsmarketing industry and put

me ahead of the game byunderstanding the economic,

environmental and socialimpacts that evolve from

tourism and special events.

Melissa Minker, MTA ’97 Marketing ManagerUSA Track & Field

”

”

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Admission RequirementsAn admissions committee reviews thequalifications of applicants and determinesadmission to the master’s degree programs.Important factors include previous academicexperience and performance, managerial workexperience, and professional objectives.

Admission to the MTA Program requires:

• An undergraduate degree from a regionallyaccredited college or university

• A TOEFL score of 600 or better for international students from programs where English is not the formal language of instruction

• A completed application form

• Graduate Record Examination (GRE) or the Graduate Management Admission Test(GMAT) Scores

The GRE/GMAT requirement may be waivedfor AMTA applicants on a case-by-case basisduring the interview process.

Application ProcessQualified applicants should submit thefollowing items:

• Completed and signed GW GraduateAdmissions application form

• Statement of Career ObjectivesOne or two pages describing how the programfits into your professional life and your career(or career changing) objectives.

• Resume (current & up-to-date)

• Three Letters of Recommendation

• All college and university transcriptsPlease include an official transcript from eachcollege or university attended, even if it did notlead to a degree and even if the credits appear on other transcripts. You may choose to start the application process with unofficial copies of your transcripts, but official or certified copieswill eventually be needed from the issuing institution. If academic records are not inEnglish, a certified English translation must beprovided. Transcripts alone will not be accepted.

• Scores submitted for the Graduate RecordExamination (GRE) or the GraduateManagement Admission Test (GMAT) must be less than five years old

• Application fee

Application Deadlines:

Admissions are made on a rolling basisthroughout the year, admitting students to the next academic semester.

To request an application or any additionalinformation, send an email request to:amta@gwu.edu or mta@gwu.edu or call 202-994-6281.

Visit our web sites:

Master of Tourism Administration:www.gwutourism.org202-994-6281

International Institute of Tourism Studies:www.gwutourism.org202-994-6002

Aviation Institute:www.gwvirginia.gwu.edu/academics/aviation/202-994-6308

Once you complete your degree at The George

Washington University, youwill be among a select group

of professionals holding theMaster of Tourism

Administration degree. The success of our alumni isone of the most telling ways

to evaluate our success as a department. Some

GW graduates are industryleaders with airlines,

hotels, event managementcompanies, attractions,

and sports organizations.Others have entered public

service with nationaltourism administrations

including, Bonaire, China,Egypt, Malaysia,

Montserrat and SouthKorea, to name a few.

Alumni: Where They Work

SportABC SportsChicago BullsESPNNational Basketball AssociationNikeNFL Players AssociationSki Industries of AmericaSnow SportsProServ/SFX SportsUSA TodayUSA Track and FieldWashington WizardsAmerican Online

Travel Academic Travel AbroadAmerican ExpressAdvantage InternationalPhoenix ToursIntours CorporationTravel Learning ConferencesVALU Travel Marketing Inc.

TechnologyAmerica OnlineGlobescope Internet ServicesPrimark Inc.Verizon

TransportationAmtrakDelta AirlinesUnited AirlinesJapan Airlines

ConsultingAccenturePKF ConsultingArthur Consulting Group International

EducationATI InstituteAustralian International Hotel InstituteChong Ju University, KoreaHanyang University, KoreaTeikyo Post University, Japan

HospitalityBeijing Millennium HotelHotel SofitelMarriott InternationalThe Washington HiltonArlington Hilton and TowersSandals Resorts InternationalHospitality Valuation Services

National Tourism Organization/Convention & Visitors Bureau

Arlington Chamber of CommerceCarlsbad Convention & Visitors BureauNational Tourism Administration of

ChinaDepartment of Tourism, Post &

Communication, IndonesiaDepartment of Tourism Development,

CuracaoFairfax County Convention &

Visitors BureauMaryland Office of Tourism DevelopmentMiami-Dade Chamber of CommercePrince George County Convention &

Visitors AssociationPuerto Rico Convention BureauTourism Office of BonaireWashington Convention and

Visitors AssociationMontserrat Tourism OfficeVirginia Beach Convention & Visitors

Bureau

AssociationsCouncil on Hotel, Restaurant and

Institutional EducationConservation InternationalInternational Hotel Sales &

Marketing AssociationAmerican Hotel & Lodging AssociationThe Ecotourism SocietyThe Professional Guide OrganizationTravel Industry Association of America

AttractionsDisney World The Smithsonian Institution Cruises

CruisesFunfest Cruises

Event ManagementThe TCI CompaniesGiltsphur Exhibit Design

Parks & RecreationNational Park Service

Financial InstitutionsWorld Bank Group–Multilateral

Investment Guarantee Agency (MIGA)World Bank Group–International

Financial Corporation (IFC)