Kentucky Colleges & Universities Directory

Eastern Kentucky University
(Richmond, KY)
Program Contact
Jeff Durham

Website
https://www.eku.edu/ceahs/applied-human-sciences/bs-global-hospitality-and-tourism/

Program Description 
One of the largest industries in the world, hospitality and tourism is continually growing 
and evolving. EKU’s curriculum prepares students to pursue a variety of rewarding career 
possibilities across this diverse industry. Global hospitality and tourism courses include 
hospitality and tourism essentials; sociocultural impacts of hospitality; hospitality and 
tourism analysis; and management of recreation services.

Additional Information
  • Students are available for internships.
  • Utilizes industry professionals for presentations and as part time instructors.

 

Kentucky Community & Technical College System (KCTCS)

The KCTCS listing covers their Culinary Arts and Business Administration-Hospitality programs and provides information about each college that has those programs. Also, although there may be some variance among the individual colleges, generally: 

  • Employee recruitment and other support services are available to the tourism industry
  • Internships are available
  • Presentations by industry professionals are welcomed 

CULINARY ARTS

Culinary Arts uses the teaching philosophy of the American Culinary Federation, the Academy of Chefs, and the National Restaurant Association Education Foundation. Students work in a commercial kitchen/laboratory and dining room as they learn from a broad spectrum of courses: the preparation of basic and specialized foods, catering and special event planning, international cuisine, baking and pastry arts, nutrition, sanitation, management techniques and functions, cost control, purchasing and culinary fundamentals.

This program has many options for those seeking entry-level jobs in the Culinary and food service field and for those wishing to enhance their skills to prepare for advancement. Students find career opportunities in Restaurant Management, Health Care Facilities, Catering, State Park Resorts, School Cafeterias, just to name a few.

Ashland CTC
Contact:
Peggy Bradley
Culinary Arts Program Coordinator
(606) 326-2466
[email protected]

Degree and Diploma Options:

  • Culinary Arts – AAS
  • Catering and Personal Chef – Diploma
  • Culinary Arts – Diploma
  • Food and Beverage Management – Diploma

Certificate Options:

  • Advanced Catering
  • Advanced Culinary Arts
  • Advanced Food and Beverage Management
  • Baking
  • Catering
  • Culinary Arts
  • Food and Beverage Management
  • Fundamentals of Culinary Arts
Elizabethtown CTC
Contact: 
Robey Smith
Culinary Arts Program Coordinator
(270) 706-8483
[email protected]

Degree and Diploma Options:

  • Culinary Arts – AAS – Catering and Personal Chef Track
  • Culinary Arts – AAS – Culinary Arts Track
  • Culinary Arts – AAS – Food and Beverage Management Track
  • Catering and Personal Chef – Diploma
  • Culinary Arts – Diploma
  • Food and Beverage Management – Diploma

Certificate Options:

  • Advanced Catering
  • Advanced Culinary Arts
  • Advanced Food and Beverage Management
  • Baking
  • Catering
  • Culinary Arts
  • Culinary Arts Professional Development
  • Farm to Table
  • Food and Beverage Management
  • Fundamentals of Culinary Arts

Jefferson CTC

Contact: 
Chef Cathy Crowder-Johnson
Program Coordinator
(502) 213-2259
[email protected]

Degree and Diploma Options: 

  • Culinary Arts – AAS – Catering and Personal Chef Track
  • Culinary Arts – AAS - Culinary Arts Track
  • Culinary Arts – AAS – Food and Beverage Management Track

Certificate Options:

  • Advanced Catering
  • Advanced Culinary Arts
  • Advanced Food and Beverage Management
  • Baking
  • Catering
  • Culinary Arts Professional Development
  • Farm to Table
  • Food and Beverage Management
  • Fundamentals of Culinary Arts

Somerset CTC

Contact: 
Michael Wells
Instructor
(606) 451-6757
[email protected]

Degree and Diploma Options: 

  • Culinary Arts – AAS
  • Food and Beverage Management – AAS
  • Catering and Personal Chef – AAS
  • Culinary Arts Diploma
  • Food and Beverage Management Diploma
  • Catering and Personal Chef – Diploma 

Certificate Options: 

  • Baking
  • Culinary Arts Professional Development
  • Catering
  • Farm to Table
  • Fundamentals of Culinary Arts
  • Food and Beverage Management
  • Culinary Arts
  • Advanced Catering
  • Advanced Culinary Arts
  • Advanced Food and Beverage Management
  • Professional Baking and Pastry Arts
Southcentral Kentucky CTC
 
Contact
Tammy Inscoe
Instructor
(270) 901-4352
[email protected]
 

Degree and Diploma Options

  • Culinary Arts – AAS – Food and Beverage Track
  • Food and Beverage Diploma

Certificate Options

  • Advanced Food and Beverage Management
  • Culinary Arts Certificate
  • Culinary Arts Certificate
  • Culinary Arts Professional Development 
  • Food and Beverage Management
  • Fundamentals of Culinary Arts

West Kentucky CTC

Contact
Laura Farrell
Program Coordinator
(270) 534-3429
[email protected]

Degree and Diploma Options

  • Culinary Arts – AAS – Catering and Personal Chef Track
  • Culinary Arts – AAS – Culinary Arts Track
  • Culinary Arts – AAS – Food and Beverage Management
  • Catering and Personal Chef Diploma
  • Culinary Arts Diploma
  • Food and Beverage Management Diploma 

Certificate Options

  • Advanced Catering
  • Advanced Culinary Arts
  • Advanced Food and Beverage Management
  • Baking
  • Catering
  • Culinary Arts
  • Culinary Arts Professional Development
  • Food and Beverage Management
  • Fundamentals of Culinary Arts

BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION – HOSPITALITY

Businesses want to hire individuals who enhance productivity, work well in teams, and possess excellent interpersonal and presentation skills. The Business Administration program is designed for those seeking entry-level jobs as well as current employees wanting to improve their skills. This program will prepare you for a variety of business careers, including Hospitality. 

Big Sandy CTC 
Contact
Diana Pack
Program Coordinator
606-788-2856
[email protected]

Degree and Diploma Options
  • Business Administration – AAS – Hospitality Management Track

Certificate Options

  • Hospitality Management
Bluegrass CTC
Contact
Lauren Campbell
Program Coordinator
(859) 246-6264

[email protected]

Degree Options

  • Business Administration – AAS – Hospitality Management Track

Certificate Options

  • Hospitality Management
Elizabethtown CTC
  
Contact
JoNell Henderson 
Business Administration Business Studies Coordinator
(270) 259-1548
[email protected]

Degree Options

  • Business Administration – AAS – Hospitality Management Track

Certificate Options

  • Hospitality Management

Hazard CTC

Contact
Becky Thorpe
Program Coordinator
(606) 487-3509
[email protected]

Certificate Options

  • Hospitality Management 

Hopkinsville CTC

Contact
Norman Godwin
Program Coordinator
(270) 707-3898
[email protected]

Degree Options

  • Business Administration – AAS – Hospitality Management Track

Certificate Options

  • Hospitality Management

Owensboro CTC

Contact
Haley Minton
Program Coordinator
(270) 686-4416
[email protected]

Certificate Options

  • Hospitality Management 

Southcentral Kentucky CTC

Contact
Kim Otto 
Professor
(270) 901-1130
[email protected]

Degree and Diploma Options

  • Business Administration – AAS – Hospitality Management Track

Certificate Options

  • Hospitality Management
Southeast Kentucky CTC

Contact
Anne Lindsey 
Program Coordinator
606-589-3218
[email protected]

Certificate Options

  • Hospitality Management

West Kentucky CTC

Contact
Jason Willoughby
Program Coordinator 
(270) 534-3078
[email protected]

Degree Options

  • Business Administration – AAS – Hospitality Management Track 

Certificate Options

  • Hospitality Management
Lindsey Wilson University
(Columbia, KY)

Contact
Dr. Ginni Dilworth 
[email protected]

Website
https://www.lindsey.edu/academics/majors-and-programs/Rec-Tourism-Sport-Manage/index.cfm 

Program Description
The Recreation, Tourism & Sport Management (RTSM) program focuses on preparing students to 
enter professional careers that involve developing, planning, and managing leisure, recreation, sport, 
and tourism programs and facilities. As RTSM professionals, graduates will be involved in improving 
the quality of people’s lives and the livability of their communities by developing, communicating, and 
applying knowledge and educating professionals committed to providing recreation, tourism, and sport 
resources that are environmentally, socially, and economically beneficial.

Additional Information

  • Students Available for Internships
  • Utilizes Industry Professionals for Presentations  
Midway University
(Midway, KY)
Contact
Mark Gill
[email protected] 

MBA IN TOURISM & EVENT MANAGEMENT

Website
https://www.midway.edu/academics/majors-and-programs/mba-tourism.html 

Program Description
Midway University’s online MBA in Tourism and Event Management program combines business 
classes with special courses in bourbon tourism, hospitality, destination branding, and event 
management to provide a well-rounded foundation for career advancement. This concentration 
prepares students to work in the Bourbon Tourism industry, an opportunity only available in Kentucky.

BOURBON STUDIES

Website
https://www.midway.edu/academics/majors-and-programs/bourbon-studies.html

Program Description
At the undergraduate level, Midway University offers a unique minor in Bourbon Studies. Like the 
MBA, this program takes a business focused approach to tourism in the bourbon industry. Students 
are exposed to expertise in hospitality, destination branding, customer experiences and event 
management. Students complete a tourism focused internship as a part of this program. 

Additional Information

  • Employers receive assistance and information through our office of Career Services. Contact–Alexandra Harper-Sharapov ([email protected])
  • Internships in tourism as well as marketing, business administration, accounting and human resource management are available.
  • We welcome industry professionals to be in-person class presentations as well as online class meetings. 

SPECIAL NOTE: Midway and KTIA have a partnership through which Midway offers discounted tuition for night and online courses. The discount applies to KTIA members and their families. For more information contact Tim Culver at [email protected].

 
Murray State University
(Murray, KY) 
Contact
Dr. Sarah Lefebvre
[email protected] 

Website
https://www.murraystate.edu/programs/cob/mgt-hospitality.aspx

Program Description
In response to the rapid growth of the hospitality industry, the hospitality and tourism track allows 
students to learn and develop the pertinent fundamentals to pursue professional and management 
careers in hospitality related industries. Building on foundational business courses, the track is i
ntended to advance in-depth knowledge of the multiple facets of the fast-paced hospitality industry 
including foodservice, lodging, and tourism. This includes evaluating business situations while taking 
into account the strategic management of cross-functional aspects such as customer service, food 
and beverage management, lodging operations, and marketing. 

Additional Information

  • Provides Employers with Assistance/Information
  • Students available for internships
  • Utilizes industry professionals for presentations  
 
Sullivan University
(Louisville, KY)
Contact
Thomas J Smith, PhD 
[email protected] 

Website
https://www.sullivan.edu/hospitality-management 

Program Description
Be at the center of the action with a hospitality career. The Sullivan University Hospitality Management 
program is designed to equip you with a broad base of knowledge and skills, ensuring you’re 
well-prepared to excel in this ever-evolving industry. You’ll be immersed in the diverse world of 
hospitality, gaining a thorough understanding of industry standards and the multifaceted role of a 
manager. And with hands-on industry experience through practicums that place you at the heart 
of the industry, you’ll build invaluable connections while developing your knowledge and honing your 
practical skills. 

Additional Information

  • Faculty and students are available for research projects and employment recruitment assistance is available.
  • Students are available for internships
  • May utilize industry professionals for online presentations. 
 
Transylvania University
(Lexington, KY) 
Contact
Kaelyn Query
[email protected]

Website
https://www.transy.edu/academics/center-for-entrepreneurship/  

Program Description
An entrepreneurship degree from Transylvania University will prepare you for successful careers 
and graduate work. Lexington, Kentucky, is a thriving business center that boasts operations such 
as Lexmark International, J. M. Smucker Company, Tempur-Pedic International, Fazoli’s Restaurants, 
Clark Material Handling, Valvoline and Procter & Gamble in addition to a thriving start-up and small 
business community. This strong economy combined with Transylvania’s convenient location in the 
heart of the city translates into a wide variety of job and internship opportunities for students of all 
degrees. 

Additional Information

  • Provides assistance with employee recruitment. Other tourism industry assistance may be available depending on the request.
  • Students available for internships.
  • Utilizes industry professionals for presentations 
 
University of Kentucky
(Lexington, KY)
 

GRADUATE

Contact
Dr. Jason Swanson  
[email protected]

Website
https://academics.uky.edu/programs/masters/retailing-and-tourism-management 

Program Description (Graduate)
A combination of coursework, independent study and research experience compile the Hospitality 
Management and Tourism graduate curriculum to provide students with a program of study designed 
around future career goals. Students have the option to complete a professional internship or to 
conduct an industry research project. Applicants are expected to have an undergraduate degree in 
hospitality management and tourism or a closely related field.

Additional Information

  • Faculty in the department can assist the tourism community with:
    • Hospitality and tourism employee training
    • Industry-based research
    • Assistance recruiting new employees
    • Advice on strategic planning
    • Evaluation of tourism products and marketing plans
  • Students are available for internships
  • Industry professionals are utilized for presentations

UNDERGRADUATE

Contact
Dr. Jason Swanson  
[email protected]

Website
https://academics.uky.edu/programs/bachelors/hospitality-management-and-tourism 

Program Description
The Hospitality Management and Tourism (HMT) program will prepare you for the specialized 
knowledge needed within the hospitality industry. The degree will help you become a professional 
focused on technology and consumer needs within the service industry. The Hospitality Management 
and Tourism (HMT) bachelor of science program integrates service management principles, marketing 
techniques, and financial management into a curriculum focused on managing a variety of facilities. 
Our coursework challenges students to think creatively across marketing, communication, management, 
and facility operations. Courses provide students with the knowledge and experience they need to 
understand current trends and applications in the hospitality and tourism industries. HMT students 
complete hands-on projects focusing on several aspects of hospitality and tourism: destination marketing 
& management, food & beverage, lodging, attractions, convention and meeting planning, non-profit 
management and special event coordinating.

Additional Information

  • Faculty in the department can assist the tourism community with:
    • Hospitality and tourism employee training
    • Industry-based research
    • Assistance recruiting new employees
    • Advice on strategic planning
    • Evaluation of tourism products and marketing plans
  • Students are available for internships
  • Industry professionals are utilized for presentations
University of Louisville
(Louisville, KY)
Contact
AJ Templeton
[email protected]

Website
https://catalog.louisville.edu/undergraduate/courses/hosp/

Program Description
The Hospitality Management minor will offer students from all majors a comprehensive curriculum, 
focusing on essential skills such as operations, service quality, and financial analysis in the hospitality 
sector. This program will also provide invaluable experiential learning opportunities, including 
internships and co-ops, facilitated by our industry partners.

Additional Information

  • Ulmer Career Center is available to assist employers with a variety of ways to engage with students in regard to recruitment as is the program contact. https://business.louisville.edu/career-support/
  • Students available for internships
  • Utilizes industry professionals for presentations 
 
Western Kentucky University 
(Bowling Green, KY) 
Contact
Dr. Soyeon Kim
[email protected]

Website
https://www.wku.edu/ahs/hospitality/index.php

Program Description

WKU's Hotel, Restaurant and Tourism Management (HRTM) Program offers a broad array of progressive courses positioning students to meet the challenges of the hospitality industry into the 21st century. Our program is designed to prepare students for leadership positions in hotels, resorts, clubs, restaurants, airline food service, hospitals, business and industry food service, convention centers, sports facilities, retirement facilities, arenas, vacation ownership, cruise lines, theme parks as well as meeting, convention, exposition, event, and wedding planning. 

In addition to both management and industry-specific courses, our program also stresses core 
concepts such as leadership, ethics, diversity and communication. Graduates are prepared to 
design and lead customer-driven service systems that address the needs of consumers throughout 
the hospitality industry. 

Additional Information

  • Students are available for internships
  • Utilizes industry professionals for presentations
  • Sometimes organizes student tours of event spaces