Program Description

The Department of Nutrition and Food Science, a unit in the College of Human Sciences, offers graduate studies leading to a Master's degree with emphasis in Hotel and Restaurant Management, HRMT. This program is designed for busy professionals willing to earn a degree in their free time in their own locale. The combination of a non-thesis emphasis in Hotel and Restaurant Management (HRMT) and the distance learning program allows Auburn University to reach out to industry and personnel by extending classrooms beyond the confines of campus.

The Program of Study for this non-thesis option in HRMT is consistent with the traditional campus-based program. The M.S. degree requires a minimum of 33 semester hours, a written and oral comprehensive examination. In lieu of a thesis, an industry-based research project approved by the student's committee will be required. The student will receive four credits under NUFS 7986 (Non-thesis Research) for work on the project. After completion, the project will be written in a scholarly manner and presented to the committee. Typically, this non-thesis option will require one day on campus where the student will present their project to fellow graduate students and the faculty. All courses included in the Program of Study are regular courses currently being offered on the Auburn University campus.

The program offers an interesting blend of theoretical and applied courses created to keep students abreast of current management thinking and practice. Particular emphasis is placed on the concepts of workplace diversity, informed decision-making and management in a global context.

• Through video-based learning, the program allows individuals to balance educational objectives with work and family commitment.
• The program is flexible and individualized.
• Students receive DVDs and course materials weekly. Courses will be comprised of DVD recordings of actual classes on campus offered in the same semester. DVDs of each class session will be immediately duplicated and mailed within 48 hours to off campus students registered for the courses. Students will be required to view the DVDs shortly after receiving them in order to stay abreast of the course at roughly the same pace as the on campus students. Students will be allowed to retain the course DVDs.
• A full range of student services are available to assist individuals in their course activities.
• The program meets the same guidelines for quality as do all Auburn University programs.