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Conrad N. Hilton College of Global Hospitality Leadership
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Degrees & Programs

Dual MS/MBA

Overview of the Program: 

 This three-year degree is offered through a partnership between Hilton College and the University of Houston’s C.T. Bauer College of Business. Through this program, students earn both an MS and MBA in less time than it would take to earn each degree independently. This degree requires a minimum of 63 semester hours. Students must apply separately to each program and meet admissions requirements for both. Once admitted into one of the programs, students must gain admission to the second within one calendar year. Students receive two diplomas and must file for graduation with both degrees in the same semester. For more information, please visit Bauer’s MBA program.

If you are interested in our joint MS/MBA program, you’ll need to apply to the Bauer College of Business as well as Hilton College. Once you have been admitted to the first graduate program, you must gain admission to the second program within one calendar year.

Master of Science in Strategic Hospitality Leadership

Whether you want to acquire more in-depth industry knowledge or to reinvent yourself in your career, the Master of Science (MS) in Strategic Hospitality Leadership degree will prepare you to excel, lead, and increase your earning potential in our dynamic industry. As a graduate student at the Hilton College, you can customize your degree plan and focus on an area of specialization such as finance, revenue management, human resources, food & beverage, hotels, and more.

The MS program is 30-36 hours in length depending on which track you choose and is designed for completion at the University of Houston (main campus) over the course of two academic years. The degree can also be completed as part of an accelerated plan (BS/MS (4+1)) or on a part-time basis. The degree plan also allows students to choose between a Professional Track and a Research Track. 

Professional Track

The Professional Track is designed for students who aspire to work in the industry (or are already working) and seek to advance and grow in the industry in their careers. 

  • GHL 6360 – Graduate Directed Practicum is a professional development course offered to students in this track that is designed for students to take on an operations issue at their current place of employment and conduct research to propose a solution.

Research Track

The Research Track is designed for students who wish to conduct research and contribute new knowledge to a specific field and are interested in pursuing a Ph.D. after completing their MS degree.

  • GHL 6190 – Research Proposal is a research development course offered to students in this track designed to further development of the student’s detailed research proposal and corresponding data collection instrumentation.
  • GHL 6382 – Methods of Research in Hospitality is a research development course offered to students in this track designed to further analysis and evaluation of existing research in hospitality management with an emphasis on the study of various research models.

NOTE: Students are encouraged to declare a track at the end of their first year (second semester) of the program.

Steps to Apply:

Click here to see the Steps to Apply:

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In addition to these requirements, please see below:

Additional Required Admissions Document for International Applicants

  1. Submit Official TOEFL, IELTS, or Duolingo Scores (English Language Proficiency - ELP)
    Please refer to  English Language Proficiency (ELP) requirements for more information on English Language Proficiency (ELP) requirements and exemptions based on the country where the degree was earned.
  2. Submit a Letter of Financial Backing Form
    a.     The Letter of Financial Backing form must be supported by a current bank and the amounts listed must be converted to USD.
    b.     Please refer to I-20 & Financial Documents for more information on the I-20 and Financial Backing Form documentation.
  3. Submit a copy of the biometric page of your Passport

NOTE: International applicants must possess a US bachelor’s degree or the equivalent to a US bachelor’s degree. For more information specific to your country, please visit Transcripts Guidelines  or email your questions to gradschool@uh.edu.

Deadlines: 

Applications open every Fall and Spring.

Current deadline for Fall 2026 is May 31, 2026.

Spring 2026 is October 1 for International applicants and November 1 for Domestic applicants.