Graduate Diploma in Hospitality Management

The Graduate Diploma in Hospitality Management will produce graduates who are innovative hospitality management decision-makers equipped with demonstrable analytical skills, functional area knowledge, strong communication skills and abilities, combined with an applied human capital knowledge and skill set, who influence an organization’s performance through their future orientated leadership.

This is a full-time, cohort-based program that incorporates face-to-face delivery with experiential learning, both in internship work experience and laboratory modules.  Curriculum delivery will be enhanced through the use of hospitality industry specific simulations, case studies, and a robust semester-long visiting scholar or professors of practice (hospitality industry experts) interactive lecture series on meaningful issues and trends facing the hospitality executive today and in the future. Further, GDHM students will contribute and mobilize knowledge to the industry through the completion of an integrated business project completed in conjunction with their graduate internship. 

Admission Requirements

• An undergraduate degree from a recognized university, with a "C+" grade point average from the last 60 credits completed and a minimum of 1 year work experience in a supervisory or managerial capacity, preferably in a service organization; or,

• An undergraduate degree from a recognized university, with a "C+" grade point average from the last 60 credits completed and a minimum of 3 year work experience in the hospitality industry demonstrating increased responsibility; or,

• An undergraduate degree in hospitality management, or a related discipline, from a recognized university, with a "C+" grade point average from the last 60 credits completed; or,

• A minimum of 10 years of directly related work experience in a hospitality organization at a supervisory or managerial position, may be considered on a case-by-case basis. Such applicants must show a minimum of "C+" grade in Mathematics 11 or equivalent.

• Applicants whose previous degree was obtained in a country where English is not the primary/official language and from a university where English was not the language of instruction must meet one of VIU’s English Language requirements for Graduate Programs.

Notes on Admission

• This is a competitive admission process with limited seats in the program.  Applicants who meet or exceed the minimum admission requirements may not necessarily be admitted to the program.

• Hospitality industry competency in business mathematics is an expectation of all applicants.

• Students must maintain an overall grade point average (GPA) of C+ while in the GDHM program.

• To be considered, all applications must include a completed Statement of Interest.

• Students are responsible for the costs of acquiring the following required certifications; they are outside the fees charged by VIU: Food Safe level 1 or equivalent, and Serving-it-Right.

Program regulations

Students must maintain an overall grade point average (GPA) of "C+" while in the GDHM program.

Career Opportunities

While GDHM graduates have many career path opportunities from which to choose, the following careers are identified from recent labour market analysis: 

• Accommodation service managers 

• Restaurant and food service managers 

• Retail and wholesale trade mangers 

• Hotel chain regional vice-president 

• Hotel general manager 

• Manager, regional, sales