| Graduate Program
The School of Travel Industry Management offers a
graduate program leading to the Master of Professional Studies (MPS)
degree. The program is designed to develop a general understanding of
the travel industry at both domestic and international levels and
in-depth knowledge of a specialized aspect of the field that is
appropriate to individual interests and goals. The general objectives of
the program are as follow:
1. Provide advanced studies at the graduate level for persons with
managerial/professional experience in the travel industry;
2. Increase the supply of personnel who have the capacity for
decision-making on travel industry policy issues at the highest levels
within the state, national, and international communities;
3. Promote and advance travel industry research in order to increase
existing knowledge and understanding of travel industry trends and their
impacts;
4. Support the quality development of the travel industry in Hawai‘i
and the Asia Pacific region through advanced studies, research, and
training; and
5. Establish Hawai‘i as a center of excellence in the international
field of travel industry education and research beyond the baccalaureate
level, thereby enhancing the reputation of both the University of
Hawai‘i and the state.
Areas of Specialization
Four areas of specialization are offered: tourism and
travel; hotel, restaurant, and institutional management; transportation;
and travel industry education.
Tourism and Travel is an emphasis intended for
individuals who wish to focus on public and private aspects of the
tourism industry, which may lead to careers in public policy, tourism
planning and development, applied and theoretical research, marketing
and promotion, consultancy, and other travel and tourism services.
Hotel, Restaurant, and Institutional Management is
an emphasis intended for individuals who wish to concentrate on
managerial and operational aspects of hospitality with possible careers
as executives, corporate officers, and entrepreneurs.
Transportation is an emphasis intended for
those who wish to develop expertise in transportation management leading
to careers as supervisors and managers in government, airlines, ground
transportation, cruise industry, and transportation research and
planning.
Travel Industry Education is an emphasis
intended for individuals interested in becoming involved in tourism
education and training, which may lead to careers as community college
teachers, recreational directors and coordinators, curriculum
specialists, and administrators for school systems.
Admission Requirements
The MPS in travel industry management is designed for
individuals who hold a baccalaureate degree in a travel-related,
hospitality management or business field. Applicants with degrees in
other fields will be required to complete appropriate prerequisites
prior to admission to candidacy. These generally include microeconomics,
financial and managerial accounting, management, marketing, statistics,
and finance.
Minimum admission standards include a GPA of at least
3.0 in the baccalaureate work or in the last two years of under-graduate
study. Applicants must attain a satisfactory score on the Graduate
Management Admission Test (GMAT) or the Graduate Record Examination
(GRE) and, where applicable, the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL).
The minimum acceptable TOEFL score is 560.
Three letters of reference are required addressing the
ability of the applicant to succeed in graduate study and to make future
contributions to the travel industry. In addition, work experience,
preferably at the supervisory or managerial level, is highly desirable.
Degree Requirements
The MPS is a 36-credit program. Both Plan A (thesis)
and Plan B (non-thesis) options are available. Plan A and Plan B
students must meet the following requirements: (a) TIM 602, 603, 605,
691, 693, and 695, and a quantitative reasoning course at the 400-or
600-level that has been approved by the graduate chair; (b) integrative
studies-- TIM 695 and 696; and (c) a specialization course--either TIM
410, 691, 693, or EDEA 657.
Plan A (Thesis)
The following are additional requirements for Plan A
only: (a) three specialization elective courses (9 credits) approved by
the graduate chair; and (b) TIM 700 (6 credits).
Plan B (Non-thesis)
The following are additional requirements for Plan B
only: (a) Four specialization elective courses (12 credits) approved by
the graduate chair; and (b) TIM 699 (3 credits).
Instructional and Research Facilities and Programs
Continuing Professional Education Programs
The TIM school’s continuing professional education
programs are designed to improve managerial skills, exchange
professional experiences, develop interrelationships among sectors of
the travel industry, and increase awareness of the social, cultural, and
economic implications of policy decisions. Two summer institutes are
held each year:
1. Executive Development Institute for Tourism: a three and one-half
week program for executives and professionals in international tourism;
and
2. Hawai‘i International Hotel Institute: a series of one-week courses
for those with one or more years of experience in the hospitality field.
Center for Tourism Policy Studies
The Center for Tourism Policy Studies was founded in
1985 to conduct basic and applied research and provide technical
assistance in tourism-related areas to strengthen educational programs,
improve research methods for academic and industry use, develop new
economic methodologies, and facilitate decision-making in both the
public and private industry sectors. Projects undertaken by the center
have provided information and analysis on broad economic, environmental,
social, and cultural concerns and addressed tourism development issues
to assist the visitor industry in Hawai‘i, as well as the Asia Pacific
region. |