Kemmons Wilson School of Hospitality and Resort Management

Created and named for the founder of Holiday Inns, the Kemmons Wilson School of Hospitality and Resort Management (KWS) at the University of Memphis, offers a balance of academics and hands-on experience in the hospitality, resort, and tourism business stressing global awareness, diversity and sustainability.

Our program provides an education where the business of hospitality began, and is designed to prepare students for a 21st century career in the field that is one of the largest employers in the world.  Field experience will give students opportunities to learn while working in a variety of settings, such as the Holiday Inn-University of Memphis and other InterContinental Hotel Group properties, Marriott Hotels and Resorts, Hilton Hotels, the Peabody Hotel Group, Harrah's Entertainment, plus other casino operations in Tunica, Mississippi, as well as a myriad of other hotels, restaurant, resort and tourism businesses.  Career opportunities abound in this fastest growing of all fields, and the KWS graduates will be prepared to assume their roles in the business of hospitality and resorts.

Program Profile

Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) in Hospitality and Resort Management (AACSB International)

Career Opportunities

• Hotels, Resorts, Food Service
• Convention and Meeting Planners
• Tourist Attractions 
• Clubs, Conference Centers, Event Management
• Theme Parks

Specialized Courses

HPRM 1050: The Business of Hospitality (3 credits)

Introduces students to the world of hospitality while focusing on developing an understanding of key terms, companies and areas of career focus available to graduates. 

HPRM 2050: Food and Beverage Operations (3 credits)

Provides students with an introductory review of key components of operating successful food & beverage outlets, basic culinary skills and the importance of this growing area of hospitality. 

HPRM 2111:  Intro to Hospitality Internships (1 credit)

Explains and outlines the 1,000 hour internship requirement, guides students in resume writing and interviewing skills while focusing on key components of professionalism. 

HPRM 2330: Managing Hotel and Resort Operations (3 credits)

Details the fundamental attributes of operating a successful hotel or resort, exposes students to key lodging concepts and terminology along with the primary areas of lodging operations.

HPRM 3050: Food & Beverage Cost Controls (3 credits)

Builds upon HPRM 2050 by applying advanced operational concepts, understanding financial statements and controlling for operational cost. 

HPRM 3315: Hospitality Human Resources Management (3 credits)

Discusses the intricacies of human resource issues as they directly relate to the hospitality industry including job analysis components, recruiting and selection to training of employees.

HPRM 3320: Hospitality Industry Revenue Management (3 credits)

Provides the foundation for understanding how to drive and maximize revenue creation through pricing strategies, cost analysis and demand management. 

HPRM 4111: Internship in Hospitality and Resort Management (1 credit)

Builds upon HPRM 2111 to encompass the completion of internship requirements, preparing students for after college and the finer details of professionalism and personal success.

HPRM 4320: Hospitality Services Marketing (3 credits)

Introduces students to the fundamentals of marketing and hospitality sales by focusing on understanding consumer needs, discussing key sales strategies, and the role of service quality assessments.

HPRM 4331: Advanced Resort and Lodging Operations (3 credits)

Builds upon HPRM 2330 to encompass the full scope of lodging operations by focusing on large property issues, expanded operational responsibilities and building quality customer experiences. 

HPRM 4350: Properties Development & Planning (3 credits)

Details problems and opportunities inherent to developing and planning lodging and resort properties along with the sequence of events, construction management and integrating operations in development.

HPRM 4620: Hospitality Operational Analysis (3 credits)

Financial management tools are presented in analyzing operational efficiency of lodging operations along with the various methods in understanding operational effectiveness.

HPRM 4700: Integrative Leadership Challenge for the Hospitality Industry (3 credits)

Capstone course building leadership skills by integrating coursework through experiential service learning.