FAQs

Virginia State University (VSU) can help turn your dreams into reality. Founded on March 6, 1882, VSU offers a variety of majors, beautiful campus grounds, and great facilities for academics, recreation and residential life. VSUs faculty members are experts within their respective fields who exemplify teaching excellences by challenging students through an integration of instruction, research, and public service.  Students who attend VSU also enjoy personal attention by the faculty and staff not typically found at larger institutions. Through a challenging academic program, diverse student organizations and exciting extracurricular activities, Virginia State University encourages students to dream, explore and succeed.

The Department of Hospitality Management is housed within the College of Agriculture.  Our curriculum is accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Programs in Hospitality Administration (ACPHA), which proves that our program exceeds standards in educational quality.  We invest in your future by developing group interaction and networking skills, leadership abilities and interpersonal dexterity that are essential for effective leaders. Our goal is that every Virginia State University Hospitality Management student graduates with a degree, but also the business skills, knowledge and experience required for long-term success in the world's number one industry; the hospitality industry. See below for the top 10 reasons you should consider a degree from the Department of Hospitality Management at Virginia State University.

1. Excellent and involved staff and faculty always willing to help.
2. Balanced curriculum, including a wide variety of classes.
3. Alumni and industry relationships and support.
4. Internship opportunities locally and worldwide.
5. Exciting career opportunities in hotels, restaurants, casinos, clubs and resorts.
6. Competitive beginning salaries.
7. Mentoring opportunities with other students.
8. Opportunities to travel to global destinations.
9. Networking opportunities through professional memberships.
10. Having the chance to learn the business in a fun environment, equipped to stimulate the growth and development of the next generation of hospitality leaders…..You!!

The hospitality industry consists of all business operations which provide for their customers any combination of these core services: Lodging Operations, Food service operations and other related services to consumers. Some representative categories directly related to hospitality management include:

• Lodging: all-suite hotels, casino hotels, conference centers, resorts, and retirement communities
• Food Service: commercial cafeterias, education food service, restaurants, health care, and caterers
• Other related services: airlines, campgrounds, city clubs, country clubs, cruise ships, national parks, hospitality corporate offices (i.e. marketing, accounting, public relations, technology) 

The baccalaureate degree program in Hospitality Management will be pursued in two phases.  At the pre-HM Phase, the freshman and sophomore level students are expected to complete some of the University general education requirements, and some additional program requirements. Admission requirements for the Pre-HM Phase are the same as the general admission requirements for the University.

After the successful completion of four semesters of study, the Pre-HM student is eligible to apply, through the Director of the program, for admission to the HM Phase.  At the HM Phase, junior and senior level students will complete the upper-level requirements, including common body of knowledge (CBK) core course requirements and major requirements.  Admission to the Hospitality Management Department phase requires the successful completion of the following requirements:

1. Completion of a minimum of (960) hours of industry experience in HMGT 299,349 & 399.
2. Completion of any developmental work as determined by the University.
3. Completion of all freshman and sophomore courses as printed on the curriculum sheet.
4. A minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0 in all courses taken at Virginia State University, and a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0 in all HM/Business required courses.