COURSE CURRICULUM

The Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) in Hospitality at Wichita State University requires a minimum of 120 credit hours and combines a strong business education with specialized hospitality management training. In addition to completing the university’s General Education requirements, students must satisfy the requirements of the AACSB-accredited W. Frank Barton School of Business, including 27 credit hours of BBA core courses and 20 credit hours of advanced standing business requirements. The hospitality major consists of 18 credit hours focused on key areas of the hospitality industry. Students begin with Introduction to Hospitality and Advanced Concepts in Hospitality, which provide an understanding of hospitality operations, industry trends, and management practices. Applied Learning in Hospitality offers practical experience and real-world exposure, while Human Resource Management in Hospitality focuses on employee recruitment, training, leadership, and workforce development within service organizations. Customer Experience in Hospitality teaches strategies for creating exceptional guest experiences and maintaining high service standards, while Entrepreneurial Finance develops financial planning and decision-making skills essential for hospitality businesses and entrepreneurial ventures. Students further customize their education by selecting two upper-level elective courses from areas such as leadership, organizational design, team development, change management, talent acquisition, international management, marketing research, retail innovation, brand planning, professional selling, and real estate management and investment. These electives allow students to tailor the degree to specific career interests within hospitality, tourism, events, lodging, food service, or related industries. Additional open electives are completed to reach the 120-credit-hour graduation requirement. The curriculum combines business fundamentals, hospitality expertise, leadership development, customer service excellence, and applied learning experiences that prepare graduates for careers in hotels, resorts, restaurants, event management companies, tourism organizations, convention centers, entertainment venues, and other service-oriented businesses. Graduates are equipped for roles such as hotel manager, hospitality operations manager, event coordinator, guest services manager, tourism specialist, food service manager, and hospitality entrepreneur. The program's emphasis on applied learning, professional networking, and industry experience ensures students graduate with both academic knowledge and practical skills needed for success in the global hospitality industry.