Top Restaurant Management Schools and Degrees

Restaurant management is a hot degree path, and for good reason: The restaurant industry is growing across all states, and those facilities need someone to handle everything from overseeing staff to bookkeeping to setting up layout and design. Restaurant management schools and degrees are there to meet the demand, offering education that culminates in every degree level, from basic certificates to the PhD. Expert Contributor

As the number of eateries in need of experienced and capable leaders has increased in recent years, so too has the popularity of restaurant management degree programs has increased to meet these needs. Whether a student is studying in person or online, there are countless schools throughout the country ready to prepare them for a successful career in restaurant management. It can be frustrating trying to find the best programs, which is why we’ve done the work for you. Below, you’ll find a list of the best restaurant management programs based on the school’s cost, graduation rate, and even their class size. Check out these top-ranking schools for 2017 and get started on your restaurant management program.

Find a program that meets your affordability, flexibility, and education needs through an accredited, online school.

Restaurant managers are responsible for the day-to-day running of eating and drinking establishments. This might include everything from staff training to daily accounting to overseeing food preparation. Ultimately, their job is to ensure that customers are happy with their experience and that the restaurant operates at a profit.

Restaurant management schools and degrees help them achieve this goal by offering targeted courses, such as those in business, accounting, management and the like, that give managers the skills and knowledge necessary to run anything from a small, family-owned restaurant to a large chain with locations across the nation. These programs can be found in vocational schools, community colleges, four-year schools, and even specialty schools, where students are trained in all aspects of hospitality.

Choosing the best restaurant management schools and degrees can be a daunting task. How can students narrow down the many options to the ‘short list’ of those that are most suitable for their needs? It starts with looking at the must-have elements every restaurant management program should have. Here’s what students can look for when it’s time to make that tough decision between schools.

Though restaurant managers can begin in the field with only a high school diploma, many employers are now looking for those who have formal training in restaurant or hospitality management. Students can choose from a variety of paths, from the basic diploma or certificate in restaurant management to a doctoral degree with an emphasis on one of dozens of concentrations. Well-established restaurants can afford to be picky about who they hire, and might look for those who have serious education under their belt – a bachelor’s degree at the minimum.

Most of these programs can be found either on campus or online; those who take the online programs should keep in mind that the internships are still required, and must be completed in a restaurant or other suitable facility approved by the school.

Restaurant management programs at this level often include hospitality and hotel management as well. The certificate provides a strong overview of the business and prepares students with courses in accounting, cost controls, legal aspects of the restaurant industry, marketing, menu planning, food preparation, sanitation procedures, purchasing, logistics and the like. The certificate program typically takes one year to complete. Programs that include an internship requirement might take a bit longer.

Here is a sample of the courses students might expect to encounter in the certificate program:

In choosing a restaurant management degree, students have two basic options: The associate of arts, which prepares a student to go into the industry while serving as a stepping stone to the bachelor’s degree, and the associate of applied science, which readies students to move directly into the workforce upon graduation. Either way, the program typically takes two years to complete, and touches on points that are important in restaurant management, including financial accounting, marketing, food safety, government regulations and business law.

Just as with the certificate program, students will have to complete an internship. This internship is often completed during the summer between the first and second year of study. Some courses that are included in the associate program are:

The bachelor’s program in restaurant management is considered the minimum for those who want to work in top-notch restaurants or culinary establishments. The program typically requires four years of full-time study and culminates in the Bachelor of Science degree. Hands-on experience is required, usually in the form of an internship, but some schools will accept work experience as meeting that requirement. Though the student will take several general education courses, the final few years are typically filled with targeted courses that allow for specialization in areas such as conventions and meetings, dining room management, banquet management and the like.

The following courses illustrate what students might encounter during the bachelor’s program:

Those who have already earned their bachelor’s degree in restaurant or hospitality management can move into the master’s degree program. The program typically takes two to three years to complete, and is often tailored to working professionals – therefore, these courses can often be taken entirely online. Some programs require that certain courses already be completed before entry, such as managerial accounting or introduction to advanced restaurant management.

Unlike the bachelor’s program, the master’s degree does not require general education courses; rather, the degree path is very specific to the chosen concentration. Students will be required to complete a master’s thesis, professional paper or capstone project, each consisting of original research, in order to graduate the program. They might also be required to complete an advanced internship or show work experience in the restaurant business.

Some examples of classes students can expect in the master’s program are listed below:

Those who want to reach the pinnacle of the restaurant management profession can pursue the PhD in restaurant or hospitality management. Some schools offer a dedicated degree in restaurant management, while others offer the PhD in business with a concentration in hospitality management. Either way, the degree will prepare students to move into not only higher-paying positions in the restaurant industry, but will also give them the opportunity to teach or conduct research.

Those who have earned a master’s degree are eligible to apply for the PhD program. At this point it is assumed that applicants have a great deal of hands-on experience, and so the courses are more theoretical. Here are a few examples:

Restaurant management schools and degrees can carry a student only so far down the road to success; some of that success is made through the proper skills, the right tools, work experience and more. Here are some points that can help students ensure they have what it takes to succeed.

Restaurant managers can often be found “working the floor,” or mingling with customers, ensuring that the staff is doing their job, offering wonderful customer service and being a very active presence at the restaurant. When the shifts are over, those same managers might be huddled in the back room planning out a new menu with staff, or working quietly alone on the accounting.

Some choose to specialize their career path and thus wind up with a variety of other responsibilities that keep them busy. Here are some of the most common concentrations and what they might lead to:

Students who are considering anything from a full-fledged degree to a certificate program can find out more about accreditation here.

This site offers information on education, certifications, jobs, and other resources of interest to those in the culinary world, including chefs, hostesses and managers.

This non-profit organization offers information about events, scholarships, local events, various chapters, and numerous benefits to members.

This site includes an education center, career information, news and resources, advocacy, community resources and more.

Since 1976 this journal has offered up original research and pertinent articles for those in all facets of the hospitality industry. Published quarterly, it is a great resource for anyone in restaurant management.

Graduates can look here for bar recipes, promotions, information on operations, and even information on the television series ‘Bar Rescue.

This organization offers the Foodservice Management Professional designation, as well as information on scholarships and job opportunities.

This site for industry professionals offers information on events, member tools, education, certifications and a resource library, among other points.

Those who graduate with restaurant management degrees are qualified to work in schools, ensuring the proper nutrition for children. The site includes information on education, professional development, research and more.

This site offers membership perks, including an annual convention, research, a crisis toolkit, information on sponsorship and more.