About the Program
The hospitality industry is a major economic driver in the Berks County area, and the Hospitality Management degree program is offered in response to demand for graduates with degrees in the hospitality industry. Penn State Berks is the only campus outside University Park to offer this degree program with the Entrepreneurship option.
The Hospitality Management degree program will help to prepare students for management positions in hotels, restaurants, resorts, and other hospitality organizations. It also provides a sound background for students who plan to pursue graduate studies.
The college had offered the associate degree in Hotel, Restaurant, and Institutional Management for the last 41 years in collaboration with Penn State's School of Hospitality Management. During that time, the college has formed relationships with local hotels and restaurants, providing students with internships and "live" laboratory experiences.
The college's Gaige Technology and Business Innovation Building has a production kitchen to support the required laboratory for the B.S. in Hospitality Management degree, as well as an adjacent dining room to simulate restaurant operations.
Degree Overview
- Courses focusing on operations, facilities management, accounting and finance, and food service and production are offered during the day to accommodate individuals working in the industry in the evening hours.
- Students may have opportunities to get involved in faculty-led projects. The topics of faculty research are various in the hospitality and tourism field, including customer interaction with service employees, the role of technology in the service encounter, consumer behavior in sustainable food consumption, social innovation, and tourism marketing led by destination marketing organizations (DMOs).
- With the distinctive focus on entrepreneurship in the program, students are encouraged to actively seek out opportunities to further implement their business ideas after graduation. Students can also continue their learning by applying for the graduate programs (e.g., MBA and Master’s programs) based on their primary needs.
- Convenient locations available in Reading, PA.
- Results in a Bachelor of Science in Hospitality Management degree from an internationally recognized university.
An Education that Fits Your Life
This daytime program allows you the opportunity to learn with other working professionals as well as traditional age students while continuing to work within the hospitality industry in the evenings and on weekends. General education credits and additional requirements can be taken during the day, evening or online to complete your degree right here in Reading, PA.
After Graduation
The hospitality industry in Reading, PA is strong with many opportunities available. Those with a bachelor’s degree have a competitive advantage with restaurant management, staff management and budgeting skills.
Source: Burning Glass Technologies’ Labor Insight™ Real-time Labor Market Information tool.
Meet the Program Coordinator
Jennifer Wakemen is a lecturer and program chair in Hospitality Management. Before teaching, Ms. Wakemen gained management experience at the Walt Disney World Resort and California Pizza Kitchen, where she was a general manager and regional training manager.
Ms. Wakemen teaches Introduction to Hospitality Management, Hospitality Accounting, Restaurant Management and Hospitality Facilities Management. She provides her students with “real-world” perspective of the hospitality industry.
How to Register
First-Year Admissions
SAT I or ACT scores will be waived for adult applicants who have been out of high school five or more years or veterans who have served in the military four years with an honorable discharge. In addition, we will review each applicant's high school coursework and/or GED individually as we consider you for admission.
Learn more about First-Year Admissions.
Transfer Admissions
An applicant who has not met entrance requirements or achieved a 2.00 grade-point average on a 4.00 scale for graded courses taken at institutions previously attended and who has been absent from the institution(s) for four calendar years may apply to enroll in credit courses as a provisional student.
Learn more about Transfer Admissions.
Re-enrollment
If you attended Penn State previously as a degree candidate and want to return, follow the re-enrollment option.
Learn more about Re-enrollment.
For More Information
For more information or to register, contact Continuing Education at (610) 396-6220 or [email protected].