CSU’s Warner College of Natural Resources Launches Nine-Month Master’s Degree Program in Tourism Management

It is predicted to be a record year for the tourism industry with global industry growth forecasted at 2.8 percent – directly producing $2 trillion to the global economy and around 100.3 million jobs, according to research by the World Travel & Tourism Council. Continuing to help meet demand for qualified professionals in this evolving industry, the Department of Human Dimensions of Natural Resources in Colorado State University’s Warner College of Natural Resources has launched a new, nine-month master’s degree in tourism management.

This cohort-based program begins fall 2012 and features innovative course work in sustainable tourism practices, strategic management and quantitative analysis, communications and conflict management, eco-tourism and tourism marketing. Tourism courses are offered through online content delivery and condensed classroom learning experiences that emphasize interactive discussion with fellow cohort members, faculty and industry professionals from around the world.

“Globally, the tourism industry supports more than one billion arrivals annually and contributes as much as 5 percent of the total economic activity worldwide and employing nearly 7 percent of the world’s population,” said Mike Manfredo, head of the Department of Human Dimensions of Natural Resources. “The global tourism industry needs bright, motivated, well-prepared managers to meet the challenges of a fast-changing global environment. Our new master’s in tourism management degree is an excellent opportunity for recent graduates and tourism professionals to train for a strong career in this important and expanding industry.”

The classroom experience is concentrated into weekly on-campus meetings and supported with a sophisticated, online learning platform that provides learning modules, discussion groups and multi-media course content enrichment. Additionally, the master’s in tourism management provides access to up to nine credits in a series of electives provided by the College of Business at CSU.

“The program’s balance of business management curriculum, tourism-specific course work and industry interaction provides students with an excellent foundation and experience to achieve a successful career in tourism management,” Manfredo said.

Applications are now being accepted for the fall 2012 cohort, and Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores are not required. Applicants are encouraged to apply as soon as possible as space is limited. Those who apply prior to July 1, 2012 will be considered for a limited number of $1,000 scholarships for the master’s in tourism management degree.

Those interested in applying or learning more about this degree program can visit http://warnercnr.colostate.edu/masters-in-tourism or contact mastersintourism@colostate.edu, (970) 491-6591.

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