The MMH: Where Business Meets Hospitality

Become an innovative, influential leader in an exciting, evolving industry.

If you’ve been searching for a master’s in hospitality administration or a master’s in hotel management program, you’ve found it in the Master of Management in Hospitality degree at the Cornell Peter and Stephanie Nolan School of Hotel Administration.

Whether you want to take your career in a new direction, advance in your current organization, grow your family business, or launch an entrepreneurial endeavor in the hospitality industry, a graduate degree from the Nolan School can help you reach your goals.


Why the Nolan School for Your MMH? Hospitality is Our Business.

We’re one of a kind. As the first hospitality school in the United States, the Nolan School has set the standard for preparing leaders for success in this fast-paced industry.

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Unmatched Expertise

Since 1922, we’ve been pioneers in the business of hospitality. The innovation continues with expanded programs in all aspects of the service industry, from food and beverage management to entrepreneurship and real estate.

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Unparalleled Experiences

Graduate with a competitive skill set and unmatched professional experience, thanks to a rigorous curriculum rooted in leadership and immersive learning. Participate in consulting projects, trade shows, lectures, and more.

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Unrivaled Network

The Nolan School’s industry connections are second to none. Between strong partnerships with global brands and a worldwide alumni network, our students have access to potential career mentors, internship supervisors, and future employers.

Program Overview: Hospitality Graduate Program at a Glance

Our flexible master’s in hospitality management allows you to customize your curriculum based on your interests and career goals.

Degree Awarded

Master of Management in Hospitality (MMH)

Location

Ithaca, NY

Program Format

Full-time residential

Program Schedule

Three semesters with a summer internship


Hospitality Management Curriculum: What You’ll Learn

Your three semesters in the MMH program will be action-packed, from core business classes to enriching real-world learning experiences.

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Core Curriculum

Build a solid foundation. Your core classes will cover topics such as leadership ethics, operations management, corporate finance, communication, and competitive strategies for the hospitality industry. To round out your requirements, you’ll choose from a broad range of electives, from Facilities Design to Data-Driven Analytics to Culture & Cuisine and Corporate Renewal.

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Industry Experiences

Gain hands-on experience. As a Hotelie, you’ll not only complete a high-quality summer internship, but also participate in immersive experiences throughout the program. These include a consulting-based master class, a lecture series, externships, and Hotel Ezra Cornell, the world-renowned student-run conference.

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Specialization Areas

Grow your personal brand. Develop subject matter expertise in an area of hospitality management that interests you, such as service marketing, restaurant entrepreneurship, or operations and analytics. You’ll work with a faculty advisor to choose electives and immersive experiences to help you deepen your knowledge in your chosen specialization.

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Two Degrees, Two Years: Earn Your MMH—and an MBA from Kyoto University

Expand your knowledge—and your horizons. Through a partnership with the Kyoto University Graduate School of Management in Japan, Nolan School students have an opportunity to earn both their MMH and their MBA from two top-tier business schools in two amazing locations. You’ll also have the robust resources of both universities and will become part of two international alumni networks. An application to each program is required.

Learn About the Dual Degree

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The Student Experience: Welcoming Is Our Way of Life

Hospitality isn’t just what we teach. It’s what we do. Our students find an incredible sense of belonging at the Nolan School.

One of our students, Mary Bunatal MMH ’19, said it best: “You don’t learn everything in the classroom; you learn from one another.” Culturally and professionally diverse, each MMH cohort comprises about 50 students—big enough to meet peers with a range of life experiences, and small enough to forge meaningful connections. As a Hotelie, you’ll participate in a host of student activities and organizations; through these experiences and more, you’ll gain friends for life. You’ll also learn and engage with graduate students from across the Cornell SC Johnson College of Business, which broadens your knowledge and network.

Discover the MMH Experience

Hear from Hotelies: What Our Students Have to Say

Engaging with industry leaders. Experiencing new cultures and cuisine. Exploring career possibilities. These are just a few things our MMH students love about the program.

Lockett Reed MMH ’23

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Biography for Lockett Reed MMH ’23

“The most impactful part of the MMH program has been the opportunity to engage with industry leaders. The Nolan School has incredible resources and provides firsthand access to inspiring individuals and organizations. These engagements have challenged me to think differently about not only the future of the hospitality industry but also my own career path and potential as a leader.”

Milad Rohani MMH ’23

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Biography for Milad Rohani MMH ’23

“I was initially drawn to the Cornell Master of Management in Hospitality program by the scale of its global impact. Cornell’s reach in the hospitality space is one of the most prominent in the world, and as someone who has a deep passion for exploring new cultures, cuisines, and communities, this program was the perfect fit to facilitate my future endeavors.

Obinna Onyenedum MMH ’23

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Biography for Obinna Onyenedum MMH ’23

“The MMH program was the perfect introduction to the fundamentals, a thriving network of professionals, and exposure to opportunities tailored to my previous experiences. The program length (three semesters and a summer internship) provided enough time to dive deeply without being too disruptive to the trajectory of my personal life.”

Justin Finamore MMH ’22

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Biography for Justin Finamore MMH ’22

“I was drawn to the MMH program by the unique spirit of opportunity it presents: the opportunity to learn from renowned professors, to connect with innumerable industry leaders, to earn a spot in a globe-spanning alumni network (unlike any other in the field of hospitality), and to study alongside a motivated, diverse collection of students from all over the world who hold similar interests and passions.”

Melody Madhavan MMH/MBA ’23

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Biography for Melody Madhavan MMH/MBA ’23

“I think the flexibility of the program is also very underrated and a huge plus point as it allowed me to explore disciplines that I would not have had access to otherwise. I had the opportunity of taking classes outside of the hotel school as well, which allowed me to increase the breadth of what I was learning and focus more on my personal interest in sustainability.”


Careers in Hospitality: Pursue Your Passion at the Nolan School

You’ll find Nolan School alumni leading some of the biggest brands in hospitality and service today, including Marriott International, Hilton, IHG Hotels & Resorts, MGM Resorts International, and Royal Caribbean. 

Cutting-edge academics and immersive learning experiences prepare you for career success, but at the Nolan School, the preparation doesn’t stop there. As an MMH student, you’ll have access to professional development resources through the Cornell SC Johnson College of Business’ Career Management Center.

EXPLORE MMH CAREER OPPORTUNITIES

84%

of the Class of 2022 Received Offers Within Six Months of Graduation

After Graduation: Where Hotelies Go

After earning their master’s degree in hospitality management, our graduates pursue a wide range of roles in hospitality, real estate, consulting, and other sectors. They work in resort operations, beverage management, event planning, destination marketing, real estate development, and senior living communities. They own restaurants, hotels, spas, digital marketing agencies, and property management companies. And they work for financial services and consulting firms that cater to hospitality-based clients.

See MMH Employment Data

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Admissions Overview: How to Apply to the MMH Program

If earning a graduate degree in hospitality management from the Nolan School sounds like the right fit for your future, we invite you to start the application process. Our MMH admissions page includes everything you’ll need, including an overview of the process and a checklist of materials to gather and prepare.

View MMH Admissions Requirements

Dates and Deadlines: An Admissions Timeline Overview

Our application period opens in the fall, and you’ll have a few rounds of deadlines to consider.

  • December 1 Round One
  • January 15 Round Two
  • March 1 Round Three
  • April 15 Round Four (Final)
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Request Information: Learn More about Our MMH Degree Program

As you explore and compare hospitality graduate programs, our admissions team is happy to answer any questions you have about the Nolan School. Just complete our brief information request form, and someone will be in touch.

Request Info About the MMH

Life at the Nolan School: A Diverse, Service-Driven Community

As an MMH student at the Nolan School, you’ll be part of a thriving community united by a passion for hospitality. That inviting culture extends throughout the Cornell SC Johnson College of Business, where you’ll make meaningful connections with graduate students in other programs, as well as faculty and staff, through elective courses, college-wide events, and student organizations.

Our School

For more than a century, we’ve been innovators in hospitality education and industry leadership. Our curriculum is rooted in real-world experiences; our faculty are deeply committed to teaching; and our alumni are flourishing around the world.

See what it means to be a Hotelie

Our Campus

You’ll find us at Cornell University’s beautiful, historic campus in Ithaca, NY. The heartbeat of the Nolan School is the Statler Hotel, a full-service luxury hotel offering lodging and entertainment to visitors—and practical experience to our students.

Explore our Campus

Our Expertise

Nolan School’s renowned faculty members are among the world’s foremost scholars and practitioners in hospitality, real estate, financial services, and technology—and our cutting-edge curriculum and immersive industry experiences reflect this expertise.

Discover our Industry Advantages

The Nolan School MMH: Your Questions, Answered

You have a lot to consider as you research and compare graduate programs. In this section, we answer a few of the most common questions we get about the MMH program.

Next Steps: Applying to the Nolan School

Ready to see where the Nolan School can take you and your hospitality career? We invite you to start your application. To get started, simply register or log in to the Cornell Graduate Admissions website.