Home >> Career Center >> Restaurant Manager >> Degree Programs for a Career in Restaurant Management
There are many different types of restaurant management degree programs at colleges, universities and technical institutes around the nation. Some people work their way up to management positions at restaurants; a few even start out bussing tables as teens and work every other position until earning a manager’s title. There are easier ways to enter this career field, though. Restaurant management degrees provide practical and theoretical foundations for a career in this field, so you can begin managing a restaurant, bar, club or other establishment with the tools to make sure it succeeds.
Associate’s or Bachelor’s – Choosing the Right Degree for Your Career
There are associate’s degrees and bachelor’s degrees focused on restaurant and hotel management, and there are degree programs that are focused on either one or the other. An associate’s degree can be an excellent way to get your foot in the door as a restaurant manager, and this type of program can be completed in two years or less for a fairly affordable price at a community college or technical institute. There are even options to take courses online. An associate’s degree will qualify you for various restaurant management jobs, but your options will be somewhat limited.
If you want to have a wide variety of upscale and high-end opportunities in your career, you should consider one of the many available four-year restaurant management programs. These programs include general education courses that round out your world knowledge, in addition to two years of courses focused on the fundamentals of managing a restaurant. A bachelor’s degree will open many doors to careers in the finest establishments, so it is often the best choice for an aspiring restaurant manager.
Finding a Degree Program That Works for You
Degree programs in restaurant and hotel management are fairly new compared to other college majors, and many schools still only have associate’s and bachelor’s degrees in lodging, tourism, hospitality or other, more general business management subjects. If you want to keep your options open, this type of general degree might be a good choice for you. Some schools are offering more specific programs, however, such as the Bachelor of Science in Restaurant Management. If you truly know that this is where you want your career to go, this degree will be the most focused and streamlined way to get there.
During a bachelor’s degree program, students learn a series of practical skills after completing a general foundation of basic college education. This includes things like basic food preparation, handling payroll, hiring staff, purchasing products and organizing inventory, managing all levels of personnel, training new hires and adhering to health and safety laws. They learn problem-solving strategies, management skills and financial fundamentals. Students also have the option to complete internships while they’re in college, so once they graduate, they’re ready to hit the ground running with education as well as experience.
