Hospitality Leadership Major, B.S.

Lead. Travel. Thrive. Make It a Career.

Love creating experiences people never forget? Want a job that’s fun, fast-paced, and full of growth? With a degree in Hospitality Leadership from MSU Denver, you’ll turn your people skills and creativity into a real career—one where you can travel, lead, and make an impact. This isn’t just classroom theory. You’ll get hands-on with everything from managing teams to running hotels, restaurants, breweries, and events.

🌎 Built for the Real World
Learn what employers actually want

💼 Career-Ready
Internships, mentors, and networking from day one

🛫 Global Energy
Travel, study abroad, work anywhere

🌮 Do What You Love
Food, events, travel, people—it’s all here

🏨 Built-In Experience
Train in a working hotel, conference center, and brewpub

🛎️ Industry-Focused Curriculum
We keep it real—and relevant. Our courses are built with input from hospitality professionals, so you’re learning the skills, tools, and trends employers actually care about.

🛠️ Real Experience, Real Skills
Get hands-on through internships, co-ops, and on-campus hospitality labs. You’ll graduate with practical experience and the confidence to lead.

🚀 Built to Lead
Learn strategic thinking, communication, team management, and leadership ethics so you’re ready to step into leadership roles from day one.

🌍 Go Global
Explore cultural diversity in class and gain real-world insight through study abroad programs focused on global hospitality trends.

🤝 Network Like a Pro
Connect with industry leaders through guest speakers, seminars, and networking events—and start building your career before you graduate.

💼 Career Support That Delivers
Get personalized help with internships, job placement, resumes, interviews, and more—so you’re ready to land that dream role.

Boost your resume and your bank account! The exclusive Rita & Navin Dimond Fellows Program offers:

👨‍💼 Paid internships with execs at Stonebridge Companies hotels

👥 1:1 mentorship from hospitality pros

👩‍💼 Networking events with Denver’s top industry leaders

💸 A chance to win the $5,000 Dimond Elite Fellow of the Year Award

🏨 Opportunity in the role of hotel manager during your senior capstone course. You’ll run a lodging property in a simulated, real-time environment—perfect prep for everything the hospitality world throws your way

A generous gift from hospitality legends Gina and Frank Day—the powerhouse duo behind Rock Bottom Brewery and Old Chicago Pizza & Taproom—is leveling up leadership training at the School of Hospitality.

💡 The Gina & Frank Day Leadership Academy: Built to Elevate
This one-of-a-kind initiative is designed to develop inclusive, future-ready leaders in the hospitality industry. Whether you’re just starting out or ready to climb higher, the Academy opens doors with:

✅ A brand-new Hospitality Industry Leadership major

✅ A structured mentoring program with alumni and industry pros

✅ A formalized internship pipeline for real-world experience

✅ Retreat-style leadership programs for students and professionals

✅ Customized leadership training for companies—from new hires to executives

The degree programs in the School of Hospitality at MSU Denver are accredited through the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).