Hospitality and Retail Management | Hospitality and Retail Management | Human Sciences (2025)

• Degree Plan - In Person
• Degree Plan - Online

The Master of Science degree in Hospitality and Retail Management is designed for students with either a bachelor's degree in hospitality or retail management. Persons with work experience in either area, with a bachelor's degree outside of hospitality or retail management, will also be considered. Special programs, providing additional coursework, are available for students who do not meet these criteria.

While the Master of Science in Hospitality and Retail Management degree is generalist in nature, students may choose one of the following options:

Professional Option:

The professional option is designed to prepare students for mid-level management positions in the hospitality and retail management industries. This is also appropriate for individuals who wish to change careers. The curriculum requires a total of 33 hours consisting of 15 hours of core courses and 18 hours of guided electives. Students completing the professional option will complete an exit project before graduating.

Research Option:

The research option is designed for students who plan to seek faculty positions in post-secondary community colleges, to pursue a doctoral degree, or to participate in applied industry research. The curriculum requires 33 graduate hours consisting of 15 hours of core courses, 3 hours of introduction the statistics, 6 hours of research and thesis, and 9 hours of electives.

Admission to the Graduate Program

The Texas Tech Graduate School admission deadlines for students:

• Fall Admission (Priority deadline for funding): January 15
• Spring Admission: June 15

Admission is available throughout the year up to the start of classes each semester.

How to Apply

The Graduate School online application system is designed to help you easily navigate through the application process and ensure you complete your application in a timely manner.

ALL documents must be submitted through the online portal and directly to the department.

How to Apply

The Graduate faculty will review all candidates' files and conduct an interview prior to admitting students.

• Name:Dr. Deborah Fowler
• Email: deborah.fowler@ttu.edu

Mailing Address:
Texas Tech University
HRM Dept. Box 41240 Lubbock, TX 79409-1240, USA

• Master of Science Candidates should have a baccalaureate degree. A successful candidate will have an undergraduate GPA of 3.25 or higher.
• GRE is NOT required for the on campus M.S. program.
• For international students, the minimum scores of the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or the International English Language Testing Service (IELTS) are: TOEFL Paper-Based 550, TOEFL Computer-Based 213, TOEFL Internet-Based 79, IELTS Academic Overall 6.5.
• Prerequisite knowledge in food service management, retailing, hotel operations, travel and tourism, financial and managerial accounting, management concepts, marketing, or computer software applications is expected. Conditional admission, which requires the completion of leveling coursework, may be granted to applicants who do not satisfy this requirement.

Specific information regarding admission to the M.S. degree with a major in Hospitality & Retail Management can be found in the Texas Tech University Graduate Catalog. The following discussion summarizes the admission process.

Newly Admitted Students

After you are admitted please refer to this page:
Admitted Students, Now what?

General Information

• Graduate Courses
• TTU Graduate School

Financial Resources

• TTU Financial Aid
• Graduate Scholarship Information
• TTU Graduate School
• Graduate Student Travel Funding Requests - Graduate School
• TTU Financial Aid Office

Job Opportunities

For Hospitality job opportunities contact: Dr. Charlie Adams (charlie.adams@ttu.edu)

For Retail job opportunities contact: Dr. Deborah Fowler (deborah.fowler@ttu.edu)

Related Links

• TTU Graduate School
• Graduate Studies Responsibilities
• TTU Office of International Affairs

For Your Exploration

• Texas Tech University's YouTube Channel
• Lubbock Convention and Visitors Bureau
• The Official Site of Texas Tourism

Are your graduate programs available online?

• Our M.S. degree in Hospitality and Retail Management is available in-person and online.

Where do I apply for the Hospitality and Retail Management Graduate program?

Click here to apply.

What materials do I need to apply for the HRM graduate program?

• You will need to submit:
  • Resume or CV
  • Personal Statement
  • Official Transcripts
  • TOEFL (International students)

These supplemental materials are reviewed by the department admission committee only, not the Office of Graduate Admission. The materials are also listed on our online application's "Program Materials" quadrant to verify which supplemental materials are needed.

Do I have to have GRE or GMAT score to apply?

• The GRE or GMAT is NOT required for the on campus M.S. program.

Do I need to mail anything to the HRM department?

• No, ALL documents must be submitted through the online application portal.

I'm an international student. What's your requirement for TOEFL?

• For international students, the minimum scores of the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or the International English Language Testing Service (IELTS) are: TOEFL Paper-Based 550, TOEFL Computer-Based 213, TOEFL Internet-Based 79, IELTS Academic Overall 6.5.

I don't have a hospitality or retail management undergraduate degree, can I apply?

• While we expect applicants to have the prerequisite knowledge in food service management, retailing, hotel operations, travel and tourism, financial and managerial accounting, management concepts, marketing, or computer software applications, we do occasionally grant conditional admission, which requires the completion of leveling coursework to applicants who do not satisfy this requirement.

Where can I check the status of my application?

• Please log in to your application portal to review your status.

I've been admitted now - what?

After you have been admitted please follow this link for any additional information.

Funding

How do I apply for an Assistantship? I would like to know about assistantship opportunities.

• You can contact the graduate program directorto inquire about possible teaching assistantships in Hospitality and Retail Management.

Do I need a separate Fellowship application?

• No, you do not need a separate application for Fellowships. When you applied, you are automatically considered for possible fellowship opportunities.

How long will it take me to finish my graduate degree?

• It's possible to finish an HRM master's degree in three long semesters + summer. The non-thesis degree (professional option) is designed to prepare students for mid-level management positions in the hospitality and retail management industries. Students completing the professional option will complete an exit project before graduating.
• Master's thesis degrees (research option) may take longer depending on the progress of the research. Graduate internships are allowed. A Ph.D. degree may be finished within four years after completing a master's degree.

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