Bachelor of Science in Event + Convention Management
Columbia, USA
BSc
DURATION
4 years
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
EARLIEST START DATE
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
* rolling admission; for optimum scholarship consideration: priority admission I: apply by November 1; priority admission II: apply by February 1
Key Summary
About: Study Event + Convention Management at Stephens College. You'll learn business, marketing, and communication fundamentals alongside semester practicum, site visits, credited internships, and a capstone leadership event. Faculty are active industry professionals. Use Columbia's arts, fundraising, venues and nonprofits for hands-on experience. Join Meeting Professionals International for networking. Keywords: event planning, convention management, meetings, hospitality, project management, experiential learning.
Career Outcomes: Roles include corporate meeting and incentive planner; festival or large-event coordinator; destination event manager; wedding planner; venue owner/manager; nonprofit sponsorship coordinator. Internships include Saint Louis Zoo, Starlight Theatre, Columbia Home Magazine, United Way, Washington Nationals, Sporting Kansas City.
Become an expert in the high-growth, high-energy convention and event planning industry.
Combine a strong foundation in business, marketing, and communication principles with on-the-ground experience planning real events. Our faculty are experienced professionals who are active in the industry, and this rewarding field is ranked a top 25 business job by U.S. News and World Report.
Program Features
In Event + Convention Management, classroom learning is complemented by practicum experiences each semester. Students make site visits to meet with industry professionals and clients, and every course includes challenging hands-on individual and team-based projects.
- Take advantage of Columbia’s many arts organizations, fundraising events, music venues and community nonprofits to get hands-on experience planning off-campus events.
- Complete internships for credit as part of your curriculum requirements.
- Take a leadership role in planning an event during your capstone experience.
- Join Meeting Professionals International.
Program Structure
Our students have the option of taking an accelerated three-year (six-semester) program. Traditional four-year students add to their marketable skills with a minor (or two) in a complementary field like graphic design or small business ownership.
What You’ll Learn
- How to read and write contracts;
- How to manage budgets;
- How to handle details such as exhibit spaces, lodging, transportation, telecommunications, food, and beverage;
- How to develop promotions and marketing from traditional print to social media;
- Time management;
- Outstanding social and communication skills;
- How to build your brand.
Curriculum
Major Requirements
- Based on the 2020-2021 Curriculum Catalog
- Degree: BS
- Curriculum: Event & Convention Management (ECM)
- Elective Courses: 34 credits
- General Education Courses: 31 credits
- Center for Career and Professional Development (CCPD): 8 Non-Credit Classes
- Major courses: 55 credits
Required: 55 credits
- BUS 225 Principles of Management, 3 credits
- BUS 230 Accounting I, 3 credits
- BUS 250 Principles of Marketing, 3 credits
- BUS 321 Sales and Negotiation, 3 credits
- COMD 105 Strategic Communication Technology, 3 credits
- ECM 100 Professional Seminar, 3 credits
- ECM 112 Practicum: Social Events, 1 credit
- ECM 201 Creative Process, 3 credits
- ECM 212 Practicum: Fundraising Events, 3 credits
- ECM 240 The Nuts and Bolts of Event Planning, 3 credits
- ECM 245 Event Operations and Production, 3 credits
- ECM 312 Practicum: Sports & Entertainment Productions, 3 credits
- ECM 330 Advanced Events Planning and Management, 3 credits
- ECM 335 Financial and Risk Management, 3 credits
- ECM 401 Marketing and Promoting Your Event, 3 credits
- ECM 412 Practicum: Corporate Events, 3 credits
- ECM 455 Hotel and Destination Management, 3 credits
- ECM 493 Professional Practicum, 3 credits
- ECM 495 Professional Practicum/Capstone, 3 credits
Career Outlook
U.S. News and World Report reports that the median salary for event and convention management is $49,370 and growing. It’s listed as a top 25 business career with above average upward mobility.
The career options for a student majoring in Event and Convention management go far beyond just planning parties. Some careers include corporate meeting and incentive planning, large festival coordinators (think Comic-Con), destination event managers, wedding planners, venue owners/managers, and not-for-profit sponsorship coordinators, etc., just to name a few.
Recent Student Internships
- Saint Louis Zoo
- Starlight Theatre
- Columbia Home Magazine
- United Way
- Ronald McDonald House Charities
- Kansas City T-Bones Baseball
- Washington Nationals Baseball
- Sporting Kansas City (Soccer)
- University of Missouri Athletics
