Program Information

Do you want to increase your earning capacity?  Do you dream of owning a restaurant, hotel or related business?  Do you desire to advance up the career ladder quicker?  Do you want the opportunity to work anywhere in the world?  Start your tomorrow, today in CAC’s Hotel & Restaurant Management Program.

Arizona is one of the top tourism states in the nation.  Many entry-level positions are easily attainable, although career advancement and earnings can greatly be accelerated through the completion of a Hotel and Restaurant Management program certificate or degree.  Employment opportunities include hotels, resorts, restaurants, entertainment, and travel and tourism establishments. World of Possibilities Brochure and Hospitality Career Ladder.  Skills in hospitality education are highly transferable to other service and management positions in every part of the world.

Why CAC versus private or public universities?  College credits are accredited through the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (NCA), meaning, they will transfer to other colleges and universities. After completing your freshman and sophomore years at Central Arizona College at lower costs than the universities, your degree will transfer to Northern Arizona University, W. A. Franke College of Business, School of Hotel & Restaurant Management in the Flagstaff site with junior status.  You may choose to instead attend NAU Flagstaff site or one of the NAU satellite programs available at NAU Partnership at Scottsdale Community College, Pima Community College & online.  Other universities such as UNLV that offer Hotel and Restaurant programs will accept transfer credits upon their approval process. Contact the Area Coordinator, Northern Arizona University, SCC – PVCC – GWCC, 480-423-6407 and examine the following Plan of Study:

What can CAC offer you regarding HRM?  Central Arizona College offers all HRM majors the option of completing and receiving a Hotel & Restaurant Management Certificate of 18 credits, which is then embedded in the Associates of Applied Science or A.A.S. in Hotel & Restaurant Management of 65 credits.  This A.A.S. degree also contains all the Arizona General Education Curriculum or AGEC courses required with an Associate of Arts or A.A. degree.  HRM courses are applicable as elective courses for the Culinary Arts A.A.S., the Business Management Certificate and the Business A.A.S. Degrees.  Consult the current course catalog for final course selection and credit requirements.

Each HRM course at Central Arizona College utilizes the American Hotel & Lodging Association Educational Institute or AHLAEI curriculum national industry standard materials. Students may receive a nationally recognized and industry standardized AHLA Course Certificate with a 70% final exam competency score for each HRM course completed.  This program provides specialized workplace skills enhancing options entry to mid-level job opportunities and for progressive or lateral career options in hotel & restaurant management.  This program includes a foundation of concepts and skills that relate to the hospitality industry, such as, supervision, managing front office operations, facilities & hospitality law.

Scholarships are available directly through CAC, AHLA, National Restaurant Association or NRA and industry opportunities.  Internships are made available through Walt Disney World in Orlando Florida, the American Hospitality Academy or AHA at Myrtle Beach, South Carolina and at international destinations, Yellowstone Park and other private food service and hotel companies for HRM majors to apply.