Studying Event Planning: Degrees at a Glance
Event planning degree programs are often offered under other names, such as meeting and special event management, hospitality management, or facility and event management. Event planning is a specialization of the meeting, convention and event planning profession, which is itself often considered part of the hospitality industry.
Certification in the event planning industry is voluntary. Those who want to pursue certification can do so through the Convention Industry Council or, for those who want to work with the local, state or federal governments, the Society of Government Meeting Professionals.
| Bachelor's | Master's | |
|---|---|---|
| Who is this degree for? | Individuals who want to work in entry-level, non-management, or lower-level management jobs in event planning | People who intend to work in top-level management in the hospitality industry, or who intend to pursue an academic career in the study of the hospitality industry |
| Common Career Paths (with approximate mean annual salary) | - Meeting, convention and event planner ($50,000)* - Lodging manager ($55,000)* - Administrative services manager ($78,000)* | Same as for bachelor's degree holders, plus: Public relations manager ($108,000)* |
| Time to Completion | Four years full-time | 1-2 years full-time |
| Common Graduation Requirements | - Approximately 120 credits of coursework - Grade point average of at least 3.0 - Internship | - Approximately 36-48 credits of coursework - Grade point average of at least 3.0 |
| Prerequisites | High school diploma | Bachelor's degree |
| Online Availability | Online hospitality management bachelor's degree programs are available | Online hospitality management master's degree programs are available |
Sources: *U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2012 figures).
Bachelor's Degree Programs
Schools that offer bachelor's degree programs in fields of study similar to event planning, such as facility and event management or meeting and special event management, may offer students the choice of earning a Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science. In most cases, the required curriculum is the same for each degree option.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Prepares students for careers in a variety of hospitality-related specialties (business, entertainment, fund raising, sporting events, etc.)
- Some schools have networking relationships with local businesses in the hospitality field
- The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) expected jobs for meeting, convention and event planners to increase by 44% from 2010-2020.*
- Some employers will accept a bachelor's degree as a substitute for 1-2 years of work experience
Cons
- On-campus programs that offer hands-on experience opportunities tend to be concentrated in areas of the U.S. with large tourism industries, such as Florida
- Online programs from accredited schools may be difficult to find, since many programs require hands-on experience
- Stronger-than-average job growth means jobs in this industry will be competitive
Source: *BLS, May 2012.
Courses and Requirements
In addition to core courses, a bachelor's degree program in fields similar to event planning might also require seminars, internships, practicums and a thesis or capstone project. Core and elective courses might include:
- Banquet and catering operations
- Event management
- Facility management
- Hospitality law
- Leadership and supervision for the hospitality industry
- Marketing
- Professional speaking
- Public relations
Online Degree Options
As of August 2013, online bachelor's degree programs with 'event planning' as the field of study from accredited colleges and universities were rare to nonexistent. However, accredited schools offered online bachelor's degree programs in the closely related field of hospitality management.
How to Stand Out
Some schools offer you the chance to join student organizations related to hospitality management. These organizations may offer travel opportunities that will allow you to gain additional hands-on experience and networking opportunities in your field.
Event Planning Master's Degree Programs
Master's degree programs in a field of study closely related to event planning are often offered as hospitality management programs. These programs typically award a Master of Science degree, but you can also find Master of Business Administration (MBA) programs with a hospitality management specialization. Programs may offer thesis and non-thesis options; the thesis option is recommended for anyone who intends to pursue a Ph.D. in this field, and the non-thesis option may require a research paper or capstone course.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- The additional business skills you'll study in a master's degree program may be helpful if you plan to run your own business
- The additional training and experience you gain in a master's program may be an advantage in a competitive job market
- Part-time programs are available for those who want to study around a work schedule
Cons
- Many management positions in the hospitality industry do not require an advanced degree
- If your undergraduate degree isn't in a related field, you may need to take additional business courses as part of your degree program
- Online programs are available, but relatively rare
Courses and Requirements
Requirements vary from program to program. They might include one or more internships, residencies and a capstone course. Courses might include:
- Exhibition management
- Financial management
- Global hospitality and tourism issues
- Healthy menu development
- Hospitality information/technology management
- Human resources management
- Marketing management
Online Degree Options
Fully online master's degree programs are available in hospitality management. Just as with degree programs in this field of study at the bachelor's degree level, these programs are relatively hard to find, since an internship, seminar or other hands-on work experience is typically required as part of the program.
How to Stand Out
You can stand out in a master's degree program in hospitality management or a related field by taking part in independent study, if your program allows for it. This allows you to customize the program to your specific interests; for example, if your primary interest is in wedding planning, you could plan a course of study specific to the wedding industry.
