Restaurant Management Degree: Career Options for Graduates with a Degree in Restaurant Management

Published Sep 28, 2009

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Maitre d's, wine stewards, managers of restaurants and bakeries, food service directors and professors may all utilize degrees in restaurant management. An associate's degree program in restaurant management trains food service professionals to find entry-level employment. A bachelor's or master's degree program in restaurant management prepares graduates to secure higher-level management positions or professorships.

Restaurant Management Associate's Degree Career Summary

An associate's degree program in restaurant management prepares food service professionals for entry-level positions in hospitality and the food service industry. Although many assistant restaurant managers, bartenders, hosts and wine stewards may not have a formal degree in restaurant management, individuals with an associate's degree will have better opportunities for advancement. Many of these graduates open and manage their own restaurant or catering business. Others find related employment at hotels, spas, cruise ships or casinos.

Restaurant Management Bachelor's Degree Career Summary

Graduates of a bachelor's degree program in restaurant management are prepared to seek higher-level positions, including those as restaurant managers or food service directors. These food service professionals are responsible for all aspects of restaurant management at medium- to large-scale food service departments, such as hospitals or schools. Menu-planning, hiring and firing staff, customer service, inventory control and budget management are all tasks that a graduate of a bachelor's degree program in restaurant management may handle daily.

Restaurant Management Master's Degree Career Summary

Current restaurant managers or food service directors looking to advance their career into the corporate or educational venues will need a master's degree in restaurant management. This graduate degree program studies restaurant management's theoretical and practical strategies and prepares professionals to handle large-scale food service operations, such as sports complexes, large universities and hospitals and vacation resorts. It also prepares food service professionals to teach restaurant management in academia. Graduates of a master's degree program in restaurant management not only manage their food service departments and staff, but they may also be required to work with other departments to create and host special corporate events.

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