AAS in Hospitality Management
Bethlehem, USA
Associate of Applied Science
DURATION
4 semesters
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
EARLIEST START DATE
Jan 2026
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
Key Summary
About: Northampton Community College’s AAS in Hospitality Management offers three tracks, hotel, restaurant, meeting/event planning, plus one-year diplomas. You’ll learn hospitality operations, event planning, customer service, cultural awareness, money management and business fundamentals via classroom, online classes, live labs and internships at Bethlehem and Monroe campuses. The program emphasizes ethical decision-making, leadership; prepares students for entry-level roles or transfer to four-year hospitality degrees.
Career Outcomes: Graduates work in local and global roles in hotels, resorts, restaurants, events, tourism, airlines, and cruises. You’ll build interpersonal, organizational, and HR skills. Common roles include hotel operations manager, event planner, meeting planner, restaurant manager/owner.
We offer three different associate degrees in hospitality management, including hotel management, restaurant management, and meeting and event planning—the only AAS degree of its kind in Pennsylvania. In addition to the three associate degree options, we also offer several one-year specialized diploma programs to set you on the fast track to your career.
Why go on vacation when your work could feel like one? If working in five-star resorts, chic city eateries, or tourism destinations sounds like your dream job—the hospitality management programs at NCC can help launch your career.
Your success is at the heart of each and every hospitality program we offer. Our career services department helps students prepare for job interviews and support alumni as they enter the professional world. These programs can also serve as jumping-off points for transferring into four-year bachelor's degree programs in hospitality management.
Find support, guidance, and encouragement as you pursue the career of your dreams through Northampton Community College. These programs are offered at both our Bethlehem and Monroe campuses, with certain classes even provided online. Whichever path you choose, you'll have the opportunity to explore different facets of the industry through internships, expand your knowledge with talks from industry leaders and guest speakers, and discover the perfect career for you.
Mission Statement
Offer professional hospitality with a diverse outlook on the local and global communities via student engagement through innovative live labs and technologies. By providing an accessible and comprehensive learning experience students gain a global leadership perspective on accountability and integrity in hospitality and related businesses.
Vision Statement
As one of the leading Hospitality Management Programs in the nation, we will:
- Instill problem-solving techniques through formulating innovative critical thinking skills
- Continuously seek commitment to the sustainability of the industry, the economy, and the environment.
- Create a positive and ethical decision-making environment that leads to effective communication and networking skills.
- Promote innovative program offerings through industry-recognized certifications and radical team-building approaches.
For students interested in a career in hotel management, Northampton offers students the opportunity to earn an associate degree in applied science in Hospitality Management. Some of the core classes in this program include room division management, enhancing guest services, hospitality law, financial reporting, sales and marketing, human resources management, and strategic leadership. Students can supplement their core courses with classes focused on meeting and event planning, casino operations, club management, spa management, and resort management.
The Hospitality Management program fosters teamwork, professionalism, and learning through experience. Students will be prepared for a career in the hospitality industry by classroom learning supplemented with field trips, guest speakers, and industry certifications. All students will complete a 225-hour management practicum, where they will complete an internship in their area of interest.
Course credit or advanced placement options may exist for students coming from local high schools and vocational schools. Northampton also has agreements with several colleges and universities for students interested in transferring to a four-year school upon completion of the program. Program instructors and college advisors can help determine the education and career path that will lead students to a successful future.
First Semester
- COLS101College Success
- CMTH102Introduction to Communication
- ENGL101English I
- HOSP101Introduction to the Hospitality Industry
- HOSP105Enhancing Guest Service
- General Education Elective (SIT or SSHB)
Second Semester
- ENGL151REnglish II
- HOSP111Food and Beverage Management
- HOSP130Convention Services & Catering
- HOTL110Hospitality Law
- Mathematics (QL) or Science (SCI) Elective +
Third Semester
- HOSP210Human Resources Management for the Hospitality Industry
- HOSP215Hospitality Sales & Marketing
- HOTL207Rooms Division Management
- PSYC103Introduction to Psychology
- Required Program Elective +
- Elective
Fourth Semester
- HOSP201Strategic Leadership in Hospitality
- HOSP212Hospitality Financial Reporting
- HOSP221GHospitality Management Practicum
- Required Program Elective +
- General Education Elective (AH)
+ Students are required to take a minimum of six (6) credits from the list of Program Electives: FOOD123, FOOD140, HOTL140, HOTL150, HOTL160, HOTL170, MEPL125.
- One course should be designated as Diversity and Global Awareness (D).
- Computer competencies are included in various courses in this program. Thus, completion of the program automatically satisfies the computing requirement for the program.
- For the General Education Electives, students must select one course from the list of approved Arts & Humanities (AH) courses and one course from the lists of approved courses in Social Science: Societies and Institutions over Time (SIT) or Social Science: Scientific Study of Human Behavior (SSHB).
Graduates of the program will:
- Acquire and correctly use general industry information, technical skills, and certifications for employment in the hospitality industry.
- Listen and effectively communicate in a positive, professional, and ethical manner with customers and colleagues of diverse backgrounds.
- Display a professional image, positive attitude, strong work ethic, and recognize your role in the success of the organization where you are employed.
- Read and accurately interpret standard indicators of the organization's financial health.
- Use appropriate technology for written communication, information gathering, and data analysis to facilitate smooth operation of a hospitality organization.
- Demonstrate leadership and supervisory skills, and an appreciation of diversity to support the organization and its goals.
- Use organization and flexibility, as a team, to complete tasks, make decisions, and problem solve in a timely manner.
- Utilize research and problem-solving techniques to employ "out of the box" critical thinking skills in a variety of hospitality situations.
Hospitality management graduates are in high demand at many companies that cater to meeting customer needs. Our graduates find work globally and locally and in many different fields, including resort and hotel management, event planning, tourism destinations and attractions, airlines and cruises, guest services, human resources, and sales and marketing.
No matter where your degree takes you, common skills are required for success. As a part of Northampton Community College's hospitality management training program, you'll learn the basic process of running a business and planning events. A large part of our programs also involves the development of interpersonal skills to serve guests and manage staff effectively. Our programs cover the crucial skills required to make it in this industry, including Cultural Awareness and Acceptance, Stress Management, Organization & Planning, Money Management, and Customer Service.
Future Career Paths
- Hotel Operations Supervisor/ Manager
- Junior Event Planner
- Meeting Planner
- Human Resources Entry-level Manager
- Restaurant operations Supervisor/Manager/Owner
- Guest Services Supervisor/Manager
- Food Broker/Distributor
- Resort Manager
- Wedding/Social Event Planner
