The Hospitality and Tourism Department is accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Programs in Hospitality Administration (ACPHA), a specialized accrediting body supported through the International Council on Hotel, Restaurant, and Institutional Education (CHRIE). ACPHA was formed in 1989 and began accrediting baccalaureate programs in 1991. A fundamental purpose of the accreditation process is to ensure program quality. Both students and employers look for accredited programs to ensure high academic standards, educational and professional value, and the expectation of continuous improvement and academic currency. Fewer than 20 percent of all four-year hospitality programs are ACPHA accredited.
Hospitality and tourism majors can receive professional certification through the American Culinary Federation, the Educational Institute of the American Hotel and Lodging Association, the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation, and Training for Intervention Procedures (TIPS).
Individuals with extensive work experience in the hospitality industry are encouraged to explore alternative methods of earning college credit through experiential learning or course challenge.
