An online master’s degree in restaurant management may provide the skills and knowledge required to effectively manage all facets of restaurants and food services facilities. In this one to two-year program, students may gain effective skills in consumer quality management, employee relations management, and operations management. Program coursework may consist of business-related electives alongside core coursework including hospitality law, financial management, and consumer conflict resolution.

Upon graduation, students may either seek employment or pursue a doctoral degree in restaurant management. Master’s-level graduates may gain employment opportunities in restaurants, casinos, hotels, catering facilities, and convention centers.

Program Overview

• Prerequisite: Bachelor’s Degree
• Program Length: One to two years to complete
• Post-Grad Options: Employment or Doctoral Program
• Projected Employment Growth: -3% (2010-2020)*

Program Coursework

The curriculum for master’s-level restaurant management degree programs may consist of major-specific courses alongside business-related electives. These courses may teach students how to manage and resolve consumer conflict, manage lower-level management and staff, and manage inventory controls. Core restaurant management courses may include the following:

• Strategic Management in Nutrition Services
• International Hospitality Management
• Financial Management
• Advanced Topics in Food Systems Management
• Management of Human Resources
• Consumer Conflict Resolution
• Hospitality Law

Career Options

Master’s-level graduates may seek employment opportunities in hotels, restaurants, catering firms, schools, and food manufacturing. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment opportunities in food service management are projected to decline by 3% from 2010-2020.*

Possible careers include:

• Director of Catering
• Restaurant General Manager
• Purchasing Manager
• Food Service Manager
• Director of Food Services

Continuing Education

Students who successfully complete a master’s-level program in restaurant management may wish to continue their education by enrolling in a doctoral degree program. A doctoral degree in restaurant management may prepare students for careers in academia and consulting while generating significant industry-specific research.

*U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook