Quick Highlights:
- Choosing between full-time and part-time study depends on your personal and professional responsibilities.
- Full-time study allows for quicker completion and deeper immersion in the subject but requires more time and money upfront.
- Part-time study offers greater flexibility, allowing you to maintain a job and family life while spreading out educational costs.
- Consider your career goals, family needs, and financial situation when deciding how intensely to pursue your education.
Table of contents
Deciding to return to school for your master’s in hospitality is an exciting decision, but it can be challenging. Many students struggle to manage family responsibilities and a full-time job while they are going to school. Because of this, many students choose part-time hospitality master’s degree programs instead of full-time hospitality studies.
When considering a full-time vs part-time master’s degree, it is important to think about the advantages of each studying option. This article will explore the pros and cons of both full and part-time programs. Through careful consideration, you can determine which master’s program and enrollment level is right for you.
Related:
- Top 9 Online Masters Degrees in Hospitality Management
- 30 Best Master’s Degrees in Hospitality Management
Overview of Master’s in Hospitality
A master’s in hospitality typically requires one to two years of schooling. To begin a master’s degree in hospitality, you must already have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution. Additionally, many schools require you to have a certain GPA or test score to get accepted.
Once you are accepted to the program, you can take courses in an online or offline environment. Many schools provide flexible learning options for professionals. A part-time hospitality master’s degree is just one way that you can make your studies more convenient.
While some jobs don’t require an advanced degree, many management positions expect more schooling. At some point, not having a degree could prevent you from reaching the next level in your career.
Considering Full-Time Study
After you have made the decision to go back to school, your next choice is between getting a full-time vs part-time master’s degree. While full-time hospitality studies are more traditional, many modern programs offer part-time and online programs as well.
Benefits
When choosing a master’s program, you should look at your career goals and learning style. Full-time hospitality studies allow you to have a faster completion time because you are able to take more courses each quarter. Because of the faster completion time, you will likely be able to advance in your career sooner.
Another one of the benefits of full-time study is that it provides you with a more immersive experience. Each course helps you gain more knowledge for your other hospitality classes. Taking more classes at the same time allows you to immerse yourself in the subject for a deeper, longer-lasting level of knowledge.
Challenges
Other than thinking about the benefits of full-time study, you should also take time to think about some of the challenges that are involved. When you enroll in full-time hospitality studies, you have to take more classes at the same time. This leads to a higher financial burden.
As a returning student, a full-time program means that you have less time for taking care of your family or working overtime at your job. Because a full-time program limits your work opportunities, you may also earn less money until your master’s degree in hospitality is complete.
Considering Part-Time Study
When choosing a master’s program, you may also want to think about the advantages of getting a part-time hospitality master’s degree. While you will spend less time in school each day, your degree will also take longer if you go to school part-time. Because of this, you should carefully weigh the pros and cons of reducing your course load.
Benefits
By choosing to go to school on a part-time basis, you can enjoy a number of advantages. With a part-time hospitality master’s degree, you can enjoy having more flexibility. You can still work at a job or do homework with your kids at night.
Being able to still have a full-time job is also important because it means you’ll be able to earn more money. Additionally, you will be able to spread out the cost of school over a longer period of time, which makes your education more affordable.
Finally, you’ll be able to learn how your learning should be applied right away. Instead of waiting until you graduate to test your newfound knowledge, you’ll be able to immediately try it out at work the next day.
Challenges
How long does it take to get a master’s degree part-time? Since a full-time program takes over a year to finish, a part-time master’s in hospitality will likely take over two years to complete. If you have to do any prerequisites, you may have to spend three or four years in school.
When considering full-time vs part-time master’s, the slow progression is one of the biggest drawbacks to part-time degrees. Additionally, you are less likely to be engaged with campus resources. Because you aren’t on campus or in your virtual classroom as much, you are less likely to network with people at your school or learn about new opportunities.
Comparing Financial Implications
When you look at the cost of a master’s degree in hospitality, you must remember to consider opportunity costs. For example, going to school on a full-time basis means you can’t earn money or gain job experience at a full-time job. Likewise, you may lose access to some scholarships or grants if you aren’t enrolled in a full-time program.
Beyond the numbers, you have to consider the needs of your family. Even if you might save money or time by going to school full-time, you might not be able to devote that much time to school. Additionally, your family may need the extra earnings or health insurance you get from your job.
Career Trajectories
There are many different career paths and opportunities in the hospitality industry. Whether you go to college full-time or part-time, you can still take part in all of these experiences. To make the most of your education, take advantage of every networking, hands-on experience, or internship you’re offered.
Most people have an easier time doing internships and networking if they aren’t working while in school. Because of this, full-time degrees may let you take advantage of more opportunities. However, going to school part-time allows you to work at a full-time job, which may give you a different set of opportunities. If you are already at the company you want to eventually work for, then it may be best to keep your job and go to school part-time.
Work-Life Balance Considerations
While flexible learning options for professionals make it easier to go to school, college is still a huge time commitment. In a master’s degree program, you can expect to spend three hours of time in and out of class for each college credit. For a 15-credit semester, you should plan on devoting 45 hours a week to school.
If you have a family or a demanding job, it might not be possible to attend school full-time. Because of this, it’s important to consider your personal needs and long-term career goals when you decide how many classes you can take each quarter.
Making the Decision
While there are many benefits of full-time study, a part-time master’s degree may be a better option. You should talk to guidance counselors, current students, and admissions counselors before you make your decision. In addition, you should check with your employer to see if there is a way to work less or get more flexible hours while you are in school.
Learn More About Full-Time and Part-Time Programs
Before you enroll in a master’s in hospitality, you need to determine if you want a full-time vs part-time master’s degree. You should weigh the challenges and benefits of full-time study against your current professional and personal needs. Through careful consideration, you can decide if full-time hospitality studies are right for you.