Two-year food service management degrees are offered by culinary schools, technical schools, community colleges and business schools; these degrees prepare students for a job as a restaurant manager. These degree programs usually cover topics such as food preparation, sanitation, computer science and business management. Many programs also combine classroom instruction on topics like sanitation and hands-on training and internships in a restaurant environment.
Both two-year and four-year degrees in institutional food service management are available from community colleges and universities. Institutional food service management differs from a restaurant management degree in that the coursework focuses on management of large food service operations, such as cafeterias in institutions like schools or hospitals. Many institutional food service management degrees have coursework in food sanitation and preparation, but they can also focus on supply management and business topics unique to institutional food service.
Students in a food service management degree program can also seek various certifications to further their career opportunities, such as becoming a certified Foodservice Management Professional. Although this certification is voluntary, certification proves that an individual is motivated and dedicated to their career. Food service management certifications are available through schools offering food service degrees as well as online through professional organizations.
Four-year degrees often combine food service and hotel management into one degree program. Universities offer these degrees through various college departments, such as business, hospitality or culinary arts. These intensive degree programs often feature coursework in finance, business processes, computer science, management, hospitality, tourism, culinary history, food preparation, nutrition and public health. Many four-year degree programs also offer specializations.
Two-year associate degrees in hospitality, tourism or hotel management are also available from community colleges, technical schools, business colleges or online universities. There are also colleges dedicated to hospitality management, which offer associate degree programs and certifications for individuals seeking a career as a manager of a hotel, cruise line or resort. As with food service associate degrees, these degree programs often combine classroom instruction with internships.
Much like four-year food service and hotel management degrees, there are bachelor's degrees available from online and traditional universities that prepare students for high level management positions in the hospitality industry. These four-year hospitality management degrees are often offered through a business college and focus on the financial and management aspects of running a hotel or resort.