Propel Your Hospitality Career at the World’s Leading School of Hotel Administration
Cornell offers the opportunity to earn an Executive Master of Management in Hospitality (EMMH) primarily online so you can master the essential aspects of the hospitality business without putting your career on pause.
The EMMH program consists of engaging asynchronous online courses with weekly live virtual sessions, and two opportunities for week-long on-campus residencies. All courses are taught by Cornell Peter and Stephanie Nolan School of Hotel Administration faculty and feature active engagement and sharing of ideas and best practices. Whether you’re in a leadership role or aspire to one, this degree will help you advance your skills in hospitality leadership, operations, finance, human resources (HR), marketing, and real estate, all while developing your ability to think strategically, lead with an analytical mindset, and drive change.
The Nolan School has long represented the gold standard in hospitality education, where professionals from across the globe come together to strategize, problem-solve, and forge the future.
Why Get an EMMH Degree Now?
The hospitality industry is experiencing a historical transformation and the EMMH program is preparing professionals to thrive in the ever-evolving environment. EMMH graduates rise to meet today’s most urgent corporate hospitality challenges.
The courses in the program are firmly grounded in practice and highly applied to today’s evolving hospitality landscape. Ongoing live virtual events and a residential week in Ithaca, New York provide rich opportunities to interact with professors and build a network of lasting professional relationships with classmates worldwide.
EMMH Program Snapshot
Flexible Schedule
16 Online EMMH Courses
One Residency Week
Part-Time While You Work
Benefits of Earning an Executive Master of Management in Hospitality
The Executive Master of Management in Hospitality from Cornell University will prepare you to:
- Communicate powerfully and manage effectively across a wide set of hospitality stakeholders
- Combine a deep understanding of the business of hospitality and hospitality administration with powerful data and analysis tools to improve your decision making
- Drive change to help your organization respond to developments and disruption in the hospitality industry
- Lead a diverse, inclusive, and equitable organization
- Strategically assess the competitive landscape and prepare your organization for new opportunities
Online EMMH Program Curriculum and Schedule
Students complete 16 online courses. These include core courses in Hospitality Business, Leadership, and Innovation, as well as elective options in Hospitality Data and Analytics, Digital Marketing, Revenue Management, Hospitality Real Estate and Asset Management, and other key topics.
The EMMH degree also includes a week-long residency session held in late August. During this visit, students have the opportunity to meet their professors and classmates in person while completing intensive coursework on campus. Over the course of the program, each student completes a capstone project that addresses a real-world problem using tools from the coursework.
Most courses are seven weeks long, and students should expect to spend an average of 10-20 hours each week on their studies depending on the number of credits in which they are enrolled. The program includes several one-week breaks, typically occurring between courses, and a four-week winter break between the fall and spring terms. The program is ideally completed over 20 months (5 terms) and students earn a total of 30 credits. Students may choose to accelerate or extend their coursework to fit their schedules.
EMMH Program Structure and Pacing
Students complete all core courses and 13.5 credits of electives for a total of 30 credits.
Offered in the Fall
Core Courses (Required)
- Corporate Finance: 3 credits
- Marketing for Services: 3 credits
- Year 2 Capstone: 1.5 credits
Electives
- Ithaca Residency Week: Fulfills two 1.5 credit electives
- Free Elective: 1.5 credits
Offered in the Spring
Core Courses (Required)
- Managerial Accounting: 3 credits
- Hospitality Operations: 3 credits
- Year 2 Capstone: 1.5 credits
Electives
- 4 Electives: 1.5 credits each
Offered in the Summer
Core Courses (Required)
- Leading Organizations: 3 credits
- Human Resources Management: 3 credits
- Year 2 Capstone: 1.5 credits
Electives
- 4 Electives: 1.5 credits each
Most Students Will Earn the EMMH Degree in 4–6 Terms (16–24 Months)
- Most students attend a residency week during their program. By completing one Ithaca residency and its two elective courses, students earn 3 credits.
- Students using federal financial aid or VA funding must enroll in at least 6 credits in a term to receive benefits for that term.
- 3-credit courses entail approximately 20 hours per week of study, while 1.5-credit courses require approximately 10 hours per week.
Courses to Enhance Your Acumen
EMMH Application Deadlines and Key Dates
- May 15, 2024 Next Application Deadline
- September 3, 2024 Program Start Date
- Late August 2025* Residency Week
- Join an Info Session Sign Up and Get Your Questions Answered
*Exact dates to be announced.
Admissions Requirements
- Completed Cornell graduate school application and application fee
- Resume or CV with five plus years of full-time professional experience in the hospitality industry
- Applicants with fewer than five years in the hospitality industry may be considered if their experience is especially relevant and other qualifications are strong.
- Applicants with fewer than five years of hospitality experience seeking a full-time, in-person degree should instead apply to our residential Master of Management in Hospitality (MMH) degree.
- Academic transcripts: Successful applicants will have received a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university. Please submit transcripts from all colleges or universities you have attended. Be sure to redact, cross out, or cover your Social Security Number if it is displayed on your transcript. You may submit unofficial transcripts with your application; however, should you be admitted into the EMMH program, we will request an official copy for verification.
- Transcripts should indicate:
- All courses you have taken
- Grades received in each course
- Degree and the date it was conferred
- Transcripts should indicate:
- For students with non-US credentials: A bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution or an equivalent international degree is required. Candidates who have earned or are on track to earn a degree that does not match the information found on the equivalency list in title or duration should strongly consider providing a credential evaluation with their application. World Education Services (WES) a third-party verification agency, can provide this service.
- Submit unofficial transcripts from all colleges attended. If your transcript is not in English, please submit an official and certified English translation in addition to an original copy. World Education Services (WES), can provide this service. Transcripts should indicate all courses you have taken, grades received in each course, degree name, and date the degree was conferred. Candidates who are admitted and enrolled are required to provide the corresponding official transcripts before matriculation.
- Two letters of recommendation
- Two letters of recommendation are required. At least one should be from a current or recent supervisor who can attest to your work-related skills. The second may be from either an academic or professional source. You will be required to enter the email or street address of your recommenders as you complete this portion of your application. Select the “online” option for your recommenders to receive an email invitation to submit their letters. It is your responsibility to ensure that all recommendations are submitted online by the deadline for the round in which you are applying.
- Statement of Purpose
- Write a statement of purpose that describes in 500 words or less:
- your academic interests and professional goals
- your academic background, preparation, and training, including relevant professional experiences
- your reasons for pursuing the EMMH at Cornell
- Write a statement of purpose that describes in 500 words or less:
- Personal statement
- Describe (within 300-500 words) how your background and experiences influenced your decision and ability to pursue a graduate degree. Additionally, provide insights into your potential to contribute to a community of inclusion, belonging, and respect where scholars representing diverse backgrounds, perspectives, abilities, and experiences can learn and work productively and positively together.
- A GMAT or GRE test score is not required
- Additional application details for international applicants. All international applicants must demonstrate proficiency in the English language by submitting official TOEFL, IELTS Academic, or Duolingo English Test scores. Test scores must be sent directly by the testing center. International students may also be required to pass a writing benchmark. All EMMH classes are delivered in English and require participation in class discussions, involvement in group projects, and intensive writing and reading. Successful candidates will have a full command of both spoken and written English. The EMMH program does not accept My Best Score reports for the TOEFL examination and requires applicants to meet the minimum sub-scores in speaking, reading, listening and writing set by the Cornell Graduate School. TOEFL, IELTS, or Duolingo English tests must have been taken within two years of the application deadline. Duolingo English test scores should be sent to Cornell SC Johnson College of Business. In some cases, these testing requirements can be waived. For more information on TOEFL and IELTS test score minimums, how to submit TOEFL or IELTS test scores, and the criteria for waiving the requirement, please visit the Graduate School’s website.
IELTS and TOEFL Arrangements for COVID-19
If a safe in-person option is not available for you, you may submit results from one of the following at-home options.
*When completing the Academic Program Selection portion of the application, select Executive Master of Management in Hospitality under the field of Hotel Administration.
Tuition and Financial Aid
The 2024-2025 tuition is $2,717 per credit; the EMMH degree is earned by successful completion of 30 credits. Additionally, an application fee of $105 is due when you submit your application.
If you receive an offer of admission and want to accept it, you must officially do so through the online application system by the date indicated in your admission letter. When you accept your offer, you must also pay a nonrefundable admission deposit of $1,500, which secures your place in the incoming class and will be credited toward your first-semester tuition bill.
For more information, please visit the Office of the Bursar’s website.
The cost of transportation, accommodations, and most meals during the residency session are not included in the program tuition.
There are no fellowships or grants available for this program, but US students are eligible to apply for federal Stafford loans. The Cornell University Financial Aid Office handles federal loan information. Some merit scholarships are available. All applicants will be considered for merit scholarships at the time of EMMH program admission. There is no separate application required for merit scholarships.
EMMH Program Faculty
Chris Anderson
Professor, EMMH Program DirectorSteve Carvell
Professor and Academic Director of the Center for Real Estate and FinanceElena Belavina
Associate ProfessorRobert Kwortnik, Jr.
Associate ProfessorChekitan S. Dev
Singapore Tourism Distinguished ProfessorMary MacAusland
Senior LecturerKate Walsh
Dean and E.M. Statler ProfessorCathy A. Enz
Lewis G. Schaeneman Jr. Professor of Innovation and Dynamic Management EmeritusBrad Wellstead
LecturerJeanne Varney
Senior LecturerBruce Tracey
Kenneth F. Blanchard Professor of Human Resource ManagementDaniel Lebret
Senior LecturerAdam Klausner
Senior LecturerMaria Wolfe
Senior LecturerAndrew Quagliata
Senior LecturerPeter Liu
Associate ProfessorNeil Tarallo
Senior LecturerLilly Jan
LecturerTony Simons
Lewis G. Schaeneman Jr. Professor of Innovation and Dynamic ManagementFrequently Asked Questions
Contact an EMMH Admissions Counselor
Feel free to reach out to our admissions counselor if you need additional information or have questions about the application process.
Amanda Smith
amanda.smith@cornell.edu
+1 (607) 330-3258
Schedule a call: calendly.com/amandaesmith