Bachelor of Science in Tourism and Events Management

• Written Communication (6)
• Oral Communication (3)
• Information Technology and Computing (3)
• Quantitative Reasoning (3)
  • STAT 250: Introductory Statistics I (3 credits) (Mason Core) OR EDRS 220: Introduction to Applied Quantitative Analysis (3 credits) (Mason Core)
• Literature (3)
• Arts (3)
• Global History (3)
• Social and Behavioral Sciences (3)
  • TOUR 311: Women and Tourism (3 credits) (Mason Core) (recommended course)*
• Global Contexts (3)
  • TOUR 210: Global Understanding through Travel and Tourism (3 credits) (Mason Core) (recommended course)*
• Natural Science (7)
• Synthesis/Capstone**

*May not be used to satisfy both degree and Mason Core requirements.
**Fulfilled by TOUR 490: Hospitality, Tourism, and Events Management Internship (12 credits) (Mason Core), listed in professional sequence requirements.

• TOUR 110: Professionalism and Civility (1 credit)
• TOUR 200: Introduction to Tourism Management (3 credits)
• TOUR 214: Hospitality Tourism and Events Management Accounting (3 credits)
• TOUR 220: Introduction to Event Management (3 credits)
• TOUR 230: Introduction to Hospitality Management (3 credits)
• TOUR 241: Hospitality, Tourism, and Events Management Practicum (3 credits)
• TOUR 320: Hospitality, Tourism, and Events Management Information Systems (3 credits)
• TOUR 330: Resort Management (3 credits)
• TOUR 340: Sustainable Tourism (3 credits)
• TOUR 412: Hospitality, Tourism, and Events Management Marketing and Sales (3 credits) OR SRTM 412: Sport, Recreation and Tourism Marketing (3 credits)
• TOUR 414: Hospitality, Tourism, and Events Management Finance (3 credits)
• TOUR 420: Tourism Planning/Policy (3 credits)
• TOUR 470: Career Preparation (1 credit)
• TOUR 490: Hospitality, Tourism, and Events Management Internship (12 credits) (Mason Core) 
• SRST 450: Research Methods (3 credits) (Mason Core) (Satisfies the university Writing Intensive requirement)

Select 7 courses from:

• TOUR 210: Global Understanding through Travel and Tourism (3 credits) (Mason Core) * 
• TOUR 221: Event Implementation and Evaluation (3 credits)
• TOUR 290: Global Perspectives in Wedding Planning (3 credits)
• TOUR 301: Hotel Management (3 credits)
• TOUR 310: Food and Beverage Management (3 credits)
• TOUR 311: Women and Tourism (3 credits) (Mason Core) *
• TOUR 313: Event Technical Production (3 credits)
• TOUR 343: Wine and Food Tourism (3 credits)
• TOUR 352: Heritage and Cultural Tourism (3 credits)
• TOUR 355: Event Logistics (3 credits)
• TOUR 430: Destination Marketing and Management (3 credits)
• TOUR 440: Meetings and Conventions (3 credits)
• TOUR 445: Restaurant Management (3 credits)
• TOUR 450: Hospitality Human Resources Management (3 credits)
• TOUR 460: Hospitality Facilities Operations (3 credits)
• TOUR 480: Special Topics (1 - 3 credits)

*Can count as Mason Core or TEM Elective, but cannot be double counted. 

Select an additional 12 credits.

Courses of the Tourism and Events Management Major are offered either fact-to-face at the Fairfax campus or online. Students must complete 120 credits.

Freshman

• Non-Binding Early Action Deadline: November 1
• Regular Decision Deadline: January 15

Transfer

• Fall Priority Deadline: March 1
• Spring Priority Deadline: October 1

For more information and to apply, visit the admissions website.

Prospective George Mason students can visit the How to Apply page for more information about submitting an application.

Learn about submission deadlines and admissions requirements using the links below:

• Information for freshmen students
• Information for transfer students
• General admissions website

Please Note: Refer to the Students Accounts Office website for more information on tuition and fees. Various course and lab fees may be assessed depending on the course(s) in which the student is enrolled.

*Mandatory Student Fee (MSF): $163.50

For information on loans and scholarships, visit the Office of Student Financial Aid. For information regarding grants, tuition waivers, and other merit aid, please inquire with your graduate department. Also, many school districts offer tuition reimbursement options. Speak to your employer for more information.

Academic Advisor

Dr. Michelle Séki
Email: mgnoleba@gmu.edu
Phone: 703-993-5200
Schedule an appointment

Tourism and Events Management students are encouraged to seek volunteer or paid experiences in the broad field of tourism, events, and hospitality management during their academic years.

In addition, the Tourism and Events Management curriculum includes two faculty-supervised practical experiences – practicum (TOUR 241) and internship (TOUR 490).

TOUR 241 – Tourism, Events, and Hospitality Management Practicum

The Tourism and Events Management practicum provides practical experience in an approved, student-selected volunteer or paid setting. This 3-credit course includes 120 hours of supervised practical experience and is conducted according to the terms of a three-way partnership agreement among the participating agency, George Mason University, and the student. This course should be taken early in the academic program. Inquiries about the Tourism and Events Management practicum should be directed to the Fieldwork Coordinator at temfield@gmu.edu. See a list of previous practicum sites as a starting place.

View a full catalog description.

All students must complete the mandatory pre-experience online orientation session by the deadline. The sessions are provided through the Tourism and Events Management Canvas Organization. Save your notice of completion.

This requirement is different from (and in addition to) the requirement to attend the informational meetings scheduled by their Faculty Supervisor (the instructor-of-record for their section), which are also mandatory. See the FAQs below for deadlines and details.

Note: Failure to complete the mandatory orientation session (i.e. the one provided by the Fieldwork Coordinator), and the informational meeting organized by the Faculty Supervisor (if applicable)  will result in you being declared ineligible to complete your practicum during the corresponding semester. The sessions are announced through the Tourism and Events Management listserv. Any student not receiving the listserv emails must contact us at ewhisna@gmu.edu.

Complete Tourism, Events, and Hospitality Management Practicum Manual.

• Appendix 1 - Practicum Instructions
• Appendix 2 - Practicum Eligibility
• Appendix 3 - Paperwork Checklist Cover Sheet
• Appendix 4 - Site Profile
• Appendix 5 - Consent Agreement
• Appendix 6 - Experiential Learning Agreement
• Appendix 7 - Weekly Report
• Appendix 8 - Midpoint Report 
• Appendix 9 - Portfolio Guidelines
• Appendix 10 - Final Performance Evaluation

TOUR 490 – Tourism, Events, and Hospitality Management Internship

The Tourism, Events, and Hospitality Management internship gives students an opportunity to have a full-time applied experience at an approved agency for a minimum of 400 hours during the fall, spring, or summer semester. The internship satisfies the Mason Core capstone requirement and is, therefore, completed late in the academic program (after at least 90 credits have been earned, and the practicum has been successfully completed). This 12-credit course is conducted according to the terms of a three-way partnership agreement among the participating agency, George Mason University, and the student. Interns are supervised directly by professionals (site supervisors), who communicate regularly with the student's internship faculty supervisor. See a list of previous internship sites as a starting place.

View a full catalog description.

All students must complete the mandatory pre-experience orientation session before registering for TOUR 490. See the FAQs below for more details.

The Orientation Sessions can be attended either in person (only if enrolled in TOUR 470 the semester before the student’s eligibility) OR online through the Tourism, Events, and Hospitality Management Canvas Organization. Save your notice of completion. See the FAQs below for deadlines and details.

Note: Failure to complete the mandatory pre-experience orientation session will make students ineligible to complete their internship during the applicable semester. Details for the sessions, are announced through the Tourism, Events, and Hospitality Management listserv. If you do not receive the listserv emails, contact us at ewhisna@gmu.edu.

Details on the internship are in the complete Tourism, Events, and Hospitality Management Internship Manual.

• Appendix 1 - Internship Instructions
• Appendix 2 - Internship Eligibility Form
• Appendix 3 - Paperwork Checklist Cover Sheet
• Appendix 4 - Internship Site Confirmation Form
• Appendix 5 - GMU Consent Agreement
• Appendix 6 - Experiential Learning Agreement
• Appendix 7 - Internship Weekly Progress Report
• Appendix 8 - Special Project Proposal
• Appendix 9 - Performance Evaluations
• Appendix 10 - Final Presentation Guidelines
• Appendix 11 - Student Internship Evaluation Form
• Appendix 12 - Internship Portfolio Guidelines

Inquiries about the internship should be directed to the Fieldwork Coordinator at temfield@gmu.edu.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. When must I complete the mandatory orientation for Practicum (TOUR 241) and what must I do to enroll?

   1. Prerequisites

   Prerequisites for the practicum (TOUR 241) are, TOUR 200, TOUR 220, at least Sophomore standing, and being a TEM major in good academic standing. Students are encouraged to complete their practicum early in the academic program.

   2. Attend a mandatory pre-experience information session

   All students must complete the Mandatory pre-experience online orientation session by the deadline listed below. The sessions are provided through the Tourism and Events Management Blackboard Organization. 

   *This requirement is different from (and in addition to) the requirement to attend the informational meetings scheduled by their Faculty Supervisor (the instructor-of-record for their section), which are also mandatory. 

   Note: Failure to complete the mandatory orientation session (i.e. any one of the sessions organized by the Fieldwork Experience Coordinator), and the informational meeting organized by the Faculty Supervisor (if applicable), will result in you being declared ineligible to complete your practicum during the corresponding semester. The sessions are announced through the TEM listserv. Any student not receiving the listserv emails must contact us at ewhisna@gmu.edu.

   • If your practicum will take place in the Fall, you must attend the information session in the preceding Spring semester,
   • If your practicum will take place in the Spring, you must attend the information session in the preceding Fall semester.
   • If your practicum will take place in the Summer, you must attend the information session in the preceding Spring semester.

   3. Analyze your situation

   Look carefully at your commitments and resources. How will the practicum fit in with your class and work schedule?  What will your transportation or lodging needs be? How prepared are you (intellectually, socially, emotionally, physically) to undertake this applied experience?

   4. Determine your interests 

   What kind of experience do you need? It could be an experience that foreshadows your intended career, or it could be an experience that is designed to give you a chance to explore some part of the field that is totally new to you. Generally, the practicum can be used to introduce you to this new field of interest or develop a new skill area.

   5. Create or Update Resume

   George Mason's Career Services is a great resource for resume help.

   6. Submit Practicum Eligibility Form 

   Submit Appendix 2 to your Academic Advisor. Once you are approved she will submit an override and notify you of your ability to register for TOUR 241.

   7. Register for TOUR 241

   Register for the course on Patriot Web when registration is open.

   8. Talk to prospective site supervisors.

   Identify agencies and organizations that can provide the type of experience you need for a practicum. Contact the appropriate person in that organization to discuss your interests and their needs with respect to student fieldwork experiences. Secure a job description for approval.

   9. Get approval from your faculty supervisor

   Submit all potential official job descriptions for approval by your faculty supervisor (instructor of TOUR 241). Note: Job descriptions must be approved before accepting any offers.

   10. Complete paperwork

   Read the Practicum Manual and complete Appendices 3, 4, 5 and 6. Note: No electronic signatures are allowed. After filling out the forms please print, sign, and date.  

   *Until you have been notified by your faculty supervisor that your Experiential Learning Agreement (Appendix 6) has been approved by the Dean's office you cannot start the practicum. 

   11. Practicum start dates

   The start date for the practicum is the first day of classes of the semester. Rare exceptions are granted on a strictly case-by-case basis. Even when the exception is granted, the earliest time students can start their hours is 2 weeks before the first day of classes, for the Fall and Spring semesters only (this exception does not apply to the Summer semester).

2. When must I complete the mandatory orientation for Internship (TOUR 490) and what must I do to enroll?

   1. Prerequisites

   The prerequisites for internship (TOUR 490) are 90 credits, TOUR 241, TOUR 340, TOUR 470, TOUR 490, PRLS 410, senior status and being a TEM major in good academic standing. The internship is normally completed during the last semester before graduation

   2. Attend a mandatory pre-experience information session.

   Attend mandatory pre-experience orientation session by the deadline below before registering for TOUR 490. The sessions can be attended either in person only if enrolled in TOUR 470 the semester before the student’s eligibility as outlined in the deadlines below, OR online through the Tourism and Events Management Blackboard Organization by the deadlines outlined below. Save your notice of completion.

   Note: Failure to attend any one of the mandatory sessions offered will make students ineligible to complete their internship during the applicable semester (see below). The mandatory information sessions are announced through the TEM listserv. Any student not receiving the listserv emails must contact us at ewhisna@gmu.edu

   Deadlines

   • Spring Internship: You must attend the pre-experience orientation session in the preceding Fall Semester,
   • Summer Internship: You must attend the pre-experience orientation session in the preceding Spring semester.
   • Fall Internship: You must attend the pre-experience orientation session in the preceding Spring semester.

   3. Determine your interest.

   What kind of experience do you need? It could be an experience that foreshadows your intended career or it can be an experience that is designed to give you a chance to explore some part of the field that is totally new to you. Generally, the internship should prepare you for your first job after graduation, and must meet the standards of a tourism, events, and hospitality a management fieldwork experience.

   4. Analyze your situation.

   Look carefully at your commitments and resources. How will the internship fit in with your class and work schedule? How will the internship responsibilities affect your ability to meet your financial obligations? What will your transportation or lodging needs be? How prepared are you (intellectually, socially, emotionally, physically) to undertake this applied experience?

   5. Update Resume

   George Mason's Career Services is a great resource for resume help.

   6. Talk to prospective site supervisors.

   Identify agencies and organizations that can provide the type of experience you need for an internship. Contact the appropriate person in that organization (site supervisor) to discuss your interests and their needs with respect to student fieldwork experiences. Secure a job description for approval.

   7. Confirm eligibility

   Submit Intenrship Eligibility form (Internship Appendix 2), for approval by the Fieldwork Coordinator (temfield@gmu.edu).
   

   8. Get job description approval from the Fieldwork Coordinator

   Submit all potential official job descriptions for approval by the Fieldwork Coordinator (temfield@gmu.edu). Note: Job descriptions must be approved before accepting an offer from any site.

   9. Complete paperwork.*

   Read the Internship Manual and complete Appendixes 3, 4, 5.and 6. Note No electronic signature are allowed. After filling out the forms please print, sign, and date.

   *Until you have been notified by your Fieldwork Coordinator that your Experiential Learning Agreement (Appendix 6) has been approved by the Dean's office you cannot start the internship. 

   9. Register for TOUR 490

   Once Appendices 3, 4, 5, and 6 have been approved by the fieldwork coordinator, an override will be granted to enable you to register for TOUR 490 on Patriot Web. The fieldwork coordinator will notify you that you are approved and, let you know the section for which you can register.

   10. Internship start date.

   The start date for the internship is the first day of classes of each semester. Rare exceptions are granted on a strictly case-by-case basis. Even when the exception is granted, the earliest time students can start their hours is 2 weeks before the first day of classes, for the Fall and Spring semesters only (this exception does not apply to the Summer semester).

3. What are previous sites of Practicums and Internships?
4. What makes a successful Practicum or Internship experience?

   Remember that you are enrolled in the practicum or internship class for two main reasons - to learn and to build a foundation for your professional future. Your success can be measured by how well you:

    1. Apply what you have learned in class. Look for ways to use the theories studied and skills developed through your classroom work. Be prepared to adjust according to your situation.

   2. Prime the pump. Don’t wait to be taught. Apply all the knowledge you have gained and then seek additional insights from your co-workers and supervisor. The more you put into the experience, the more you will get from it.

   3. Learn from mistakes. Mistakes are inevitable and are part of the learning experience (if you let them be). Don’t be careless, but do acknowledge errors and treat them as valuable learning experiences as you analyze what went wrong and consider ways to avoid repeating the mistake and work to correct it.

   4. Exercise humility. Remember that you are in the practicum or internship setting to learn and to serve. Remain teachable and respect the experience-based insights of others.

   5. Celebrate your successes. Record and share your accomplishments, recognizing that you most likely had somebody else helping you to achieve your success. The best way to celebrate success is to thank all who made it possible.

   6. Adopt standards of professionalism. In every respect, look and act like a professional. Dress appropriately, be punctual, de dependable, be honest, use good language, and respect the lines of authority. Your written work should be well planned, accurate and neatly presented.

   7. Go the Mason Mile. The Mason Mile is twice as long – go the distance! Look for ways to magnify your assignment and to exceed expectations. Remember that ‘good enough’ is never really good enough.

   8. Communicate. Keep your agency supervisor and the faculty practicum or internship supervisor informed of your progress and problems. Use the formal reporting systems, but also take the opportunity to share your successes, insights, and challenges with your two other partners in this experience – your supervisor and your professor.

5. What forms and documents are needed?
   • Practicum Manual
   • Internship Manual
6. What must be included in an official job description?
7. What are important dates to take note of for Practicums and Internships?
8. What must I do if I would like to complete my fieldwork using a site at which I have previously worked?
9. What do I need to know about completing TOUR 490 (Internship) in a 'hotel'?

Agencies looking to work with Mason Tourism, Events, and Hospitality Management students

When you work with Mason students you can expect to have engaged students who have been well trained with the requisite knowledge to be a worthwhile addition in the Tourism, Events, and Hospitality Management Fields. Students would have completed courses in areas such as Events Management, Events Implementation, Tourism, Events, and Hospitality Management, Wedding Planning, Program Planning and Design, and many more.

View the type of internship and practicum programs offered by the Tourism, Events, and Hospitality Management program.

The web links below may be useful for students and professionals needing quick access to information or contacts in the field. Several state, national, and international professional associations are also listed.

The World Tourism Organization (WTO) is a specialized agency of the United Nations that serves as a global forum for tourism policy issues and practical source of tourism know-how.

The Virginia Tourism Commission website includes information for travelers and industry partners.

The Maryland Tourism Office website offers information about destinations and attractions in our neighboring state.

The U.S. Travel Association is a public voice and political liaison for the entire industry and a recognized source of travel research, exclusive statistics and analyses.

The Travel and Tourism Research Association (TTRA) advocates standards and promotes the application of quality travel and tourism research and marketing information.

The Office of Travel and Tourism Industries of the US Department of Commerce provides US inbound/outbound and international statistics, federal government level tourism policies, and tourism news.

The Resort and Commercial Recreation Association (RCRA) serves students and professionals working in commercial recreation enterprises and resort settings.

The Professional Convention Management Association (PCMA) is a nonprofit international association of professionals in the meetings management industry.