Associate in Arts Hospitality Management

This degree provides students with the background required in today's increasingly diverse hospitality industry. This program was developed with input from professional industry members, who comprise the MiraCosta College Hospitality Management Advisory Board, as well as the cooperation of local hospitality executives and members. Courses in this program complement the skills learned on the job and are valuable to either the person who is seeking a certificate/degree or the individual who is already in the field and desires to increase their overall effectiveness in a particular area.

This modified A.A degree in Hospitality Management will support students seeking to complete their two-year education for a high-wage,in-demand industry. In recent years, the Hospitality Management program at MiraCosta has 108 current enrollments.

The associate in arts (AA) degree in hospitality management aligned with MiraCosta’s mission as a career and technical education program and as an effort to support the economic and educational well-being of the communities served. This modified degree explicitly builds upon the College’s existing hospitality certificates.The modified AA degree allows students who complete this local associate degree to obtain employment in hotels, resorts, theme parks, restaurants, and other tourism-based businesses.

The modified program will serve the needs of the growing hospitality economic sector in SanDiego County. There will be significant growth in hospitality positions incoming years, and MiraCosta College’s AA degree is well-positioned to serve this need.

The MiraCosta Community College Educational Plan 2016-2020 (addendum to the college’s Comprehensive Master Plan 2011-2020) contains 14 institutional objectives that describe strategies for achieving the College’s five institutional goals. The modified degree program in hospitality management is aligned with Institutional Goal I, as an innovative practice that will broaden access to higher education for students, Institutional Goal II, as an institution that maximizes student success, and Institutional Goal V, as a conscientious community partner in serving to provide students with the needed skills to participate in the growing hospitality/tourism sector.

The modified associate in arts degree program will prepare students for careers as guest services agents, lodging managers, concierges, event coordinators, and theme park supervisors.  The modification removes discontinued course sand adds courses in marketing and human resources.  These modifications were proposed after discussions with the advisory board and representatives of local companies in the hospitality and tourism sector.  Upon completion of this program, students will be able to demonstrate skills and strategies to succeed in hospitality industry organizations.

Upon completion of this program,students will be able to demonstrate skills and strategies to succeed in hospitality industry organizations. The current workforce demand for students with academic experience in hospitality management skills is well documented. Career opportunities exist as a Food Service Managers, Lodging Managers, Entertainment and Recreation Managers, Guest Services Agents,Concierges, Personal Service Managers.

A.A. Hospitality Management                                        

Required Major Total                                                                                  24 units

Completion of GE - Plan A                                                                           24 units

TOTAL UNITS                                                                                                   48 units

(Possible double counting of major and GE units)

Proposed Sequence: 

Year 1, Fall = 12-15 units 

Year 1, Spring = 12-15 units

Year 2, Fall = 12-15 units

Year 2, Spring= 12-15 units

TOTAL UNITS: 50 units

Minutes from the Business/Hospitality Industry Advisory Board are included and reflect the confirmation of the degree requirements (21st century skills and technical skills).