Tourism & Hospitality Studies

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History:

In 1982 Central Connecticut State University established the first public baccalaureate degree in tourism through the Department of Geography. In 1999, in response to demands of the tourism industry, the University added an interdisciplinary degree in Hospitality and Tourism thereby combining the expertise and competencies of the hospitality programs at Connecticut’s Community Colleges, with CCSU’s hospitality and tourism programs in the Schools of Business and Arts and Sciences. Today CCSU graduates are working in all fields of the tourism industry. In addition, in 2001 as a result of numerous calls for the University to assist with its research expertise and to provide the kind of outreach activities necessary for student learning, the Institute for Tourism and Hospitality was formed. Additional information concerning our various programs and the research institute can be found by following the respective links or you may request information by filling out a Request for Information Form. Thank you for your interest in Central Connecticut State University.

Mission:

Recognizing tourism as both an industry and a social process, CCSU's THS Program seeks to prepare students for successful careers in cultural tourism including the emerging fields of ecotourism, heritage tourism, and educational travel. Coursework prepares students for the managerial aspects of the tourism industry with classes in business and marketing. Classes in tourism planning address socio-economic aspects of the industry. In addition, THS draws on the diverse offerings of an IDP program to cultivate an understanding and appreciation for the methods and goals of specific tourist destinations such as historic sites, art museums, and natural parks. Using the flexibility that an IDP program provides, students may customize their studies, taking classes in history, art history, science, or other disciplines as their career ambitions demand.