Frequently Asked
Questions about
the Bachelor of Applied Business Degree
in Hospitality
Operations Management Program
When does the program start?
September
Why is George Brown College offering a Bachelor of Applied Business
degree in Hospitality Operations Management?
The $2.75 trillion global hospitality industry is the world's
largest industry, representing 25 per cent of global trade and 10
per cent of employment. In Canada, the hospitality industry employs
1.4 million workers, representing 10 percent of all employment and
it is estimated that a further 306,000 new jobs will be created
by 2005. With the industry's dynamic growth, there is ongoing
demand for qualified staff to manage growing and increasingly sophisticated
hospitality operations. In addition, more large companies are requiring
entry-level management staff to have degrees as well as practical
experience and training.
The Hospitality Operations Management degree program at George
Brown College has been developed specifically to meet this need
by producing graduates who can plan and manage multi-faceted hospitality
enterprises.
What is the focus of the Hospitality Operations Management program?
The program focuses on preparing graduates to manage complex hospitality
properties, combining a number of different elements (such as accommodations,
food, attractions, conventions, sports, entertainment and gaming)
into a multi-faceted operation - both in Canada and internationally.
This four-year program has two co-op work placements and has been
developed in partnership with Niagara College. Students enrol at
George Brown College and will have opportunities to take advantage
of joint program initiatives with Niagara College.
The partnership with Niagara College in this degree program provides
students with the opportunity to:
- experience two major economic
centres - Toronto and
Niagara -- each with a wide range of hospitality industry contacts
and employment opportunities;
- share co-op opportunities, both
national and international; and
- participate in joint activities
with students from both colleges.
Is the program recognized within the hospitality and tourism industry?
Yes. In fact, the program was developed in consultation with major
employers in the industry and designed to specifically meet their
needs for employees who can begin making an immediate contribution
upon graduation. Here is what some of those industry leaders have
said about the program:
J. David Butler, President,
Ontario Tourism Education Corporation:
"In this industry, there is a chronic shortage of skilled,
trained professionals and with few universities in Ontario providing
recognized degree programs for the industry, a large gap exists
for an applied approach to fulfilling the management needs of hospitality
operations.
"Given that it is predicted that 26,000 job openings are
created in this industry on an annual basis, with post-secondary
education in Canada providing only about 3,500 of those individuals,
we are very supportive of additional applied programming to address
this need."
David Blachut, General Manager,
Crowne Plaza Toronto Centre:
"The hospitality and tourism industry will, with no doubt,
continue to emerge as one of the dominant industries impacting Ontario's
economy. Critical to this growth will be the industry's ability
to attract, promote and progress competent and enlightened human
resources. [This program] will provide the industry access to a
widely skilled employee pool . . . and access to graduates with
management potential."
William J. Pallett,
Senior Vice President, People and Quality,
Delta Hotels:
"This approach [is] an excellent solution for our human resources
development needs in the industry. On my college recruitment travels
with Delta Hotels I have always questioned why Ontario did not allow
colleges to marry both the practical and academic skills sets required
by our industry professionals. This approach has long been in place
in the United States and has worked well. Delta Hotels . . . would
be very interested in your graduates."
Joe Halstead, Commissioner
Economic Development, Culture and Tourism,
City of Toronto:
"Toronto is Canada's leading tourist destination and
continues to grow. The hospitality sector generates $3 billion to
the city's economy and employs over 87,000 people. This program
will greatly enhance the standards of service excellence in Toronto's
hospitality industry."
What kind of job will I get with my Hospitality degree?
Coming out of the Hospitality Operations Management program, you’ll be ready to manage a unit of a multi-faceted hospitality operation
that combines several different elements, such as the CN Tower, Casino Niagara, Metro Convention Centre and Niagara Parks Commission. You’ll
be fully qualified for a management, supervisory or administrative career in a range of hospitality enterprises, including:
- accommodations
- meetings and conventions
- sports
- entertainment and gaming
- culinary
- specialized and themed attractions and special events
Will I be eligible for graduate level studies after graduating
from George Brown College?
Yes, the degree is a full four academic years in length, with
recognized degree level rigour. The college has transfer agreements
in place
with several Ontario and international universities and will be
negotiating additional specific agreements related to the bachelor
degree. Niagara University, a leading hospitality school in New
York State, will grant George Brown College applied degree graduates
direct entry to a masters program.
As with all applications to graduate school, final decisions rest
with the receiving institution.
What facilities are available for students in the Hospitality Operations
Management degree program at George Brown College?
George Brown has rich history of hospitality training success,
and has many partnerships within the hospitality and tourism sector.
It recently launched three new Centres of Excellence, including
the George Brown Chef School, The Canadian Institute for Advanced
Culinary ArtsTM, and the School of Hospitality & Tourism Management, with an investment of over $2.5 million. Facilities
include a full service restaurant, state-of-the-art wine tasting
and food production management labs, as well as labs with the
latest
software for the hospitality industry.
How big will classes be?
Class sizes are smaller than University classes, and allow for
greater interaction between faculty and student.
What are the admission requirements for the Hospitality degree
program?
Please refer to the Amission Requirements and Fees file for detailed information.
How will students be selected for the program?
Final student selection will be based on grade ranking, testing
or supplemental evaluation as determined by the college.
Can I get advanced standing in the Hospitality degree program?
Advanced standing will not be possible in the 2003-2004 school
year since only the first year of the program will be offered. However,
advanced standing will be considered for subsequent years.
If you have successfully completed post-secondary programming at
a college (year two or greater) or university in a related field,
you may be eligible for transfer credits, providing advanced standing
in the degree program. Requests for transfer of credits will be
considered on an individual basis by the director of the program.
Additional courses, or "bridge programming" may be required
for advanced standing.
Is there any financial assistance available?
George Brown College bachelor degree programs are eligible for
Ontario Student Award Program (OSAP) assistance.
How do I apply to the Hospitality degree program at George Brown
College?
All applications are submitted to ontariocolleges.ca. For specific information, please
check the web site at ontariocolleges.ca. Please apply to the following program:
Bachelor of Applied Business (Hospitality Operations Management)
- Code H301.
Check the availability and status of this program 
FOR MORE INFORMATION
Contact Joanne Gellatly, Degree Program Co-ordinator, Centre for Hospitality and Culinary Arts, at 416-415-5000, ext. 2201 between 9 a.m.
and 4 p.m.
E-mail
.
If you are an international applicant, please contact the International Centre at
416-415-5000, ext. 2115.
E-mail
.
Info sessions will be ongoing - please visit the website or call us for dates and times. 
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