A Brief History of Hospitality Administration Program

On July 18, 1980, the Arkansas Department of Higher Education approved the degree Bachelor of Science in Hotel and Restaurant Management (HRM) at Arkansas Tech University. Hotel and Restaurant Management was part of the School of Business until 1994 when it was merged with the Department of Recreation and Park Administration.

The Hospitality Administration Program has been recognized by the ATU Administration as one of the top 10 academic programs on the ATU campus.  It was the first baccalaureate program in Hospitality in Arkansas and is still the most comprehensive with courses in all aspects of hospitality administration.

The Hospitality Administration Program is first accredited by the International Council on Hotel, Restaurant and Institutional Education (ICHRIE) on the Accreditation Commission for Programs in Hospitality Administration (ACPHA) in 2007. It is only one accredited hospitality program in Arkansas.

The Hospitality Administration Program offers students in the coursework necessary to get ahead in the fastest-growing hospitality and tourism industry. The Hospitality Administration degree program is designed to prepare students for management positions within the hospitality industry such as lodging, resorts, conference and convention centers, restaurants, contract services, theme parks and travel & tourism-related operations. Specific areas of emphasis for students are as follows:

   1.    Food and Beverage Management

   2.    Lodging and Club Management

   3.    Tourism and Event Management