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Certificates

Hospitality, Recreation, and Tourism


Gain the foundational knowledge and skills you need to excel in the dynamic hospitality and tourism industry with courses designed for working professionals.

 
 

Lead the Way in Hospitality

Cal State East Bay’s Hospitality, Recreation, and Tourism (HRT) Certificates are designed to prepare you for a successful career and advancement in the dynamic and growing hospitality industry. You can look forward to building skills related to leadership, communication, technology, research, creativity, and problem solving in various industry sectors, including restaurants/food services, hotels/resorts, and special events/meeting planning.

Choose a Certificate That’s Right for You

With Cal State East Bay’s HRT Certificate options, you can choose to earn your certificate in Food and Beverage Management, Lodging ManagementEvent Planning and Management, or Hospitality Management. All certificates focus on recency and relevancy along with experiential learning activities that are a direct reflection of the hospitality sector of your choice.

Accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC)

Taught by hospitality industry experts

Advance at Your Own Speed

Cal State East Bay’s HRT Certificates offer a flexible and online format that is perfect for busy working professionals like you, because it allows you to participate on your own time. In fact, all courses are offered asynchronously which means you’ll never have to log in to your class at any specific time.

And just because you’re an online student, doesn’t mean you won’t have the opportunity to expand your professional network. Throughout the program, you’ll engage in interactive asynchronous discussions, assignments, readings, and projects with other business-driven professionals.

Meet the Growing Demand Within the Hospitality Industry

As the demand for hospitality professionals continues to grow, the need for qualified hospitality professionals is ever increasing. The training and skills acquired in one of the four HRT Certificates can transfer into a variety of areas, including hospitality director, supervisor, planner or specialist.

Furthermore, equipped with your certificate from an accredited university, you’ll show potential employers that you have the specific skills and expertise in the growing field of hospitality to increase your marketability in today’s economy.

Occupational Trends

Seven of the top 20 fastest growing industries are in leisure and hospitality.
—Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor

For hospitality professionals, the 2021 median wage in the San Francisco Bay Area was $73,554, while the national median wage was $60,590.
—Labor Market Analytics - Lightcast

Employment of hospitality professionals in the United States is expected to grow 4.2 percent from 2023 to 2033.
—Labor Market Analytics - Lightcast


How can a HRT Certificate impact your career? »

Lead the Way in Hospitality

Upon successfully completing your certificate, you’ll be prepared for employment in the hospitality, recreation, and tourism industry that includes a range of opportunities and responsibilities.

Furthermore, you’ll be able to:

  • Explain effective and sustainable solutions based on evidence to address challenges faced in the provision of lodging, food services, travel and event management.
  • Identify effective leadership and teamwork strategies, management skills, methods to evaluate service quality and meet consumer needs in hospitality and tourism.
  • Articulate clearly in both written and oral formats the ethical, philosophical, historical, and administrative foundations of the hospitality and tourism industries.
  • Identify techniques that contribute to a culture of dignity and respect in the hospitality and tourism profession.

Become a Dynamic Hospitality Professional

The Hospitality, Recreation, and Tourism Certificates are structured around a set of courses enabling you to develop general perspectives and skills, with a unique opportunity to specialize in a distinct area.

The HRT program currently offers certificates in Food and Beverage Management, Lodging Management, Event Planning and Management, and Hospitality Management.

Certificate Requirements

To earn one of the HRT Certificates, you must meet the following requirements:

Certificate in Food and Beverage Management

The Certificate in Food and Beverage Management is a comprehensive and specialized program designed to equip individuals with the knowledge and skills necessary to excel in the dynamic field of food and beverage management. This program provides a solid foundation in key areas such as culinary arts, hospitality management, and business administration, enabling students to effectively manage operations within the food and beverage industry. Upon successful completion of the program, graduates will be well-prepared to pursue roles such as food and beverage manager, restaurant manager, banquet manager, catering supervisor, or even venture into entrepreneurship by establishing their own food and beverage business.

Required Courses Units Fall Spring
HOS 215 Food and Beverage Management 3 X X
HOS 300 Marketing in HRT 3 X X
HOS 335 Intro to Wine, Beer and Spirits 3 X  
HOS 340 Menu Planning, Cost Control, and Purchasing 3 X X
HOS 450 Data-Driven Decision-Making in HRT 3 X X

Certificate in Lodging Management

The Certificate in Lodging Management program is designed to provide individuals with the knowledge, skills, and practical experience necessary to succeed in the dynamic and ever-growing field of lodging and hospitality management. This program equips students with a solid foundation in hotel operations, guest services, revenue management, and leadership, preparing them for rewarding careers in the lodging industry. Upon successful completion of the program, graduates will be well-prepared to pursue a variety of career opportunities such as front office manager, guest service manager, operations supervisor, revenue manager, or even advance to executive-level positions within the industry.

Required Courses Units Fall Spring
HOS 200 Lodging Management 3 X X
HOS 350 Resort and Club Management 3 X
HOS 355 Advanced Lodging Management 3 X  
HOS 360 Lodging Alternatives 3 X
HOS 410 Revenue Management 3 X X

Certificate in Event Planning and Management

The Certificate in Event Management curriculum is carefully crafted to cover a wide range of topics essential to success in the field. Students will explore event planning and design, focusing on creating engaging experiences and crafting memorable event concepts. They will learn about event logistics, including vendor management, audiovisual production, stage setup, and crowd management. This program provides a solid foundation in event planning, coordination, and execution, preparing students to successfully organize a wide range of events, from corporate conferences and trade shows to weddings and music festivals.

Required Courses Units Fall Spring
HOS 210 Meetings, Conventions and Special Events 3 X X
HOS 310 Design and Management of Special Events 3 X X
HOS 315 Wedding Planning 3 X  
HOS 320 Event Leadership (Prerequisites: HOS 210, HOS 310)** 3 X
HOS 300 Marketing in HRT 3 X X

**The two prerequisite courses for HOS 320 – HOS 210 and HOS 310, must be completed before taking HOS 320.

Certificate in Hospitality Management

The Certificate in Hospitality Management provides an in-depth curriculum with an emphasis on managerial concepts in operating hospitality organizations. Students will examine marketing, leadership, finance, and law, as related to hospitality management, along with a self-selected course in either revenue management or data-driven decision-making. For the remaining requirement, students will select from one of four different areas of interest that apply to their individual career goals. This program provides a well-rounded foundation in the supervision, management, and leadership of hospitality organizations. Students completing this certificate will be prepared to assume supervisory and/or managerial roles in the hospitality industry sectors such as meetings and events, food and beverage, lodging, and travel and tourism.

Required Courses Units Fall Spring
HOS 300 Marketing in HRT 3 X X
REC 325 Leadership, Management, and Ethics in HRT 3 X X
HOS 400 Introduction to Finance in HRT 3 X X
REC 400 Law, Risk, and Regulation in HRT 3 X X
Select 1      
HOS 410 Revenue Management in Hospitality and Tourism 3 X X
HOS 450 Data-Driven Decision-Making in HRT 3 X X
Select 1      
HOS 205 Travel and Tourism 3 X X
HOS 210 Meetings, Conventions and Special Events 3 X X
HOS 215 Food and Beverage Management 3 X X
HOS 355 Advanced Lodging Management 3   X

**The two prerequisite courses for HOS 320 – HOS 210 and HOS 310, must be completed before taking HOS 320.

Accessible Anytime, Anywhere

All courses are asynchronous, which means you never need to log in at a particular time or on a particular day in order to complete your coursework.

With a completely online program, you can look forward to communicating with your instructors and advisors in a variety of ways: e-mail, telephone, and videoconference.


Who will you be learning from? Meet your professors. »

Dr. Thomas C. Padron

PhD, CHE, CWP

What leads me to lead are the leaders that need to be led.

Dr. Thomas Padron is an associate professor of hospitality and tourism, and the undergraduate and graduate program coordinator at Cal State East Bay. He has been a hospitality educator for more than 20 years teaching courses on-campus, hybrid, and online. Dr. Padron has held many positions in the hospitality industry including chef, sous chef, banquet chef, director of catering, banquet sales director, foodservice director, and foodservice manager, for example.

He has a PhD in Business Organization and Management with a specialization in Leadership from Capella University; a Master of Science Degree in Hospitality and Tourism Management with a specialization in Education, and a Bachelor of Science Degree in Hospitality and Tourism Management with a concentration in Food and Beverage both from the University of Wisconsin-Stout; an Associate’s Degree in Culinary Arts, and a Vocational Diploma in Food Service Production both from Madison College (formerly Madison Area Technical College). Dr. Padron is also a Certified Hospitality Educator (CHE), and a Certified Wedding Planner (CWP) through The Certified Wedding Planner Society.

Dr. Padron is active in the Professional Convention Management Association (PCMA) where he served as the Chair of the Faculty Committee, Meeting Professionals International (MPI), Meeting Professionals International Northern California Chapter (MPINCC) where he served as the Chair of the Emerging Professionals Committee, International Association of Exhibitions and Events (IAEE) where he served as the chair of the faculty committee, as well as the California Restaurant Association (CRA), and the National Restaurant Association (NRA). He is also an active member of the International Council on Hotel, Restaurant, and Institutional Education (ICHRIE), and West Federation CHRIE, having served as the director of conferences, secretary, and treasurer.

 
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Dr. Thomas C. Padron

Dr. Thomas C. PadronPhD, CHE, CWP

Join the Program

There are no admission requirements for this program. If you can satisfactorily complete the program coursework, you are invited to apply.

To apply to the program, simply complete the certificate application form below.



Still have some unanswered questions? Visit the Support section for additional program information. »

Common Questions

What is the refund policy for this program?
This program follows a strict refund policy. Once you obtain course materials and have been given access to the online class, you are ineligible for a refund.
How long does it take to complete the program(s)?
Each certificate consists of five (5) or six (6) courses. You may take between one to four course(s) in each semester, completing a certificate in one to one and a half years.
What software or hardware do I need to take the program, and what are the system requirements?
You must have access to a computer and the internet. You can access the program content from any web-enabled computer. You don't have to use the same computer to log-in to the program every time. A word-processing program (such as Microsoft Word) and the latest version of Internet Explorer are recommended.
Who should take this program?
Prospective students are those who are currently employed in the hospitality industry, career changers seeking to enter the industry, and anyone looking to upskill, reskill, or retool for the industry.

Financing

Is Financial Aid available?
Traditional Financial Aid (such as completing the FAFSA, Pell Grants, etc.) is not applicable for Continuing Education certificate programs. However, there may be other options available to you. Learn more about other financing options.

Accessibility Services

Does the university provide accessibility services?
Yes, our Accessibility Services department provides academic accommodations and support services to address the individual needs of students with differing abilities, permanent disabilities or temporary disabling conditions. For more information, including program details and contact information, visit csueastbay.edu/accessibility.

Search Results

At Cal State East Bay, we pride ourselves on putting students first, from the moment you inquire until you graduate. We hope you've found answers to your questions in this support center, but if not, please get in touch.

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At a Glance

Area of study: Hospitality, Recreation, and Tourism Certificates

Ideal for: Current hospitality industry employees or those seeking to enter the industry who want to either build new skills or enhance current skills for the industry.

Program format: Online

Number of courses: 5 or 6 courses

Program length: 1 - 1.5 years

Tuition fees: $392 per unit/$5,880 per certificate (Tuition fees are subject to change at any time.)

Questions?

Please let us know if we can answer any questions about the Hospitality, Recreation, and Tourism program. Many answers can also be found in our online Support Center.

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