Program Guide

Event Management

College: Dedman College of Hospitality
Degree: BS in Hospitality Management
Specialized Admission: No

Contact: Renee Dyehouse
Address: Dedman College of Hospitality, University Center B 2200
Phone: (850) 644-8410
Email: rdyehouse@fsu.edu

Students cannot begin enrolling in this major until Fall 2026. Also, please note: FSU is not yet authorized to enroll F-1 international students in the Bachelor's degree in Event Management. International students who need an F-1 visa, should NOT apply to this major at this time.

*Please Note: Face-to-face/in-person instruction of this program is available ONLY at the main campus in Tallahassee, FL. This program is NOT available via Online/Distance Learning.*

The major in Event Management is designed to equip students with the skills and knowledge necessary in the dynamic and fast-paced event planning industry. The curriculum covers a wide range of topics, including event planning and coordination, marketing and promotion, budgeting and financial management, and the use of technology in event management. Students also have opportunities to gain hands-on experience through internships and real-world projects, working closely with industry professionals. Graduates are prepared to thrive in a dynamic field that encompasses conferences, festivals, weddings, sports events, corporate meetings, and large-scale community gatherings.

Prerequisite Coursework: None 

Note: State-wide common prerequisites are always under review. For the most current information and for acceptable alternative courses, visit the “Common Prerequisites Manual.” This is available from the “Student Services” section of http://www.flvc.org.

Requirements for Progression to the Upper-Division Major

Admission to the event management degree requires the following:
1) Completion of at least 52 semester hours;
2) A cumulative grade point average of at least 2.00 on all college work attempted; and
3) Successful completion of 1st & 2nd GE English and 1st & 2nd GE Math coursework.

Major Program of Studies at FSU: (43 hours)
Community college courses may not be substituted for 3000/4000 level courses.

Students must earn a C minus or better and a minimum GPA of 2.00 in courses used to satisfy the Hospitality and Tourism Management major requirements.

Event Mangement Core Requirements (12 hours)
HFT 3424 (3) Hospitality Financial Analysis
HFT 4502 (3) Integrated Marketing for Hospitality
HFT 4224 (3) Hospitality Leadership and Ethics
HFT 3941 (3) Internship

Event Mangement Major Area Courses: (31 hours)
HFT 1000 (3) Introduction to Hospitality
LEI 2318 (3) Events: Love Them, Then Leave Them. What's My Footprint?
LEI 3312 (3) Introduction to Special Events
LEI 4314 (3) Event operations and Management
LEI 4864 (3) Technology for Events
HFT 3431 (3) Hospitality Managerial Accounting
HFT 3XXXC (4) Food and Beverage Operations Management
HFT 4802 (3) Catering Management
Approved Electives (6) as outlined on department website
HFT 4941 (0) Work Experience**

Event Management majors must complete a minimum of 3 credit hours of HFT3941 (Management Internship).

Majors may complete additional credit hours (up to 12 total) of HFT3941 (Management Internship) and use them as substitutes for Elective Requirements. 

An updated list of approved hospitality electives can be found on the department website:
https://dedman.fsu.edu/current-students/undergraduate-programs/electives

Required Work Experience:
Students enrolled in the Event Management major must complete at least one thousand (1,000) hours of work experience in the hospitality industry. Any internship hours completed by the student will count toward this 1,000 total hour requirement. The work experience must be completed at the post- secondary level. Students must register for HFT 4941 Field Study in Hospitality Administration in the semester in which they will complete the 1,000 hours of work experience in the hospitality industry.

Minor Coursework: (0 hours)
A minor is not required for this major. 

Digital Literacy: (0 hours beyond major requirements)
This requirement is met by successfully completing the required major course LEI 4864.

Oral Communication Competency: (3 hours beyond other requirements)
Students must demonstrate the ability to orally transmit ideas and information clearly. This requirement may be met through with a University approved oral communication competency course.

Minimum Program Requirements - Summary
Total Hours Required 120
General Education 36
Major Coursework 43
Minor Coursework 0
Digital Literacy 0 beyond major course
Oral Competency 3 
Electives to bring total hours to 120
University Requirements 13-30 hours

Mapping is FSU’s academic advising and monitoring system. Academic progress is monitored each Fall and Spring semester to ensure that students are on course to earn their degree in a timely fashion. Transfer students must meet mapping guidelines to be accepted into their majors. You may view the map for this major at academic-guide.fsu.edu/.

1. Courses taken at a Community College may not be substituted for 3000/4000 level courses.
2. A minimum of 45 hours at the 3000 level or above, at least 30 of which must be taken at this University.
3. At least half of the major course semester hours must be completed in residence at this University. After enrolling at this University, all remaining major course requirements must be completed at this University.
4. The final 30 hours must be completed in residence at this University.

Salary Information: For more information go to: National Association of Colleges and Employers (www.naceweb.org) or the Occupational Outlook Handbook (www.bls.gov/ooh/home.htm) provided by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Representative Job Titles: Hotel or Restaurant General Manager, Director of Operations, Director of Food and Beverage, Guest Service Director, Meeting Planner, Cruise Line Director, Events Manager, Casino General Manager, Chief Operating Officer, Vice President of Beverage Sales, Director of Revenue Management

Representative Employers: Hotels, Restaurants, Resorts, Tourism Organizations, Health Care Associations, Higher Education Institutions, Professional Associations, Retail Stores, Casinos, Cruise Ships, Theme Parks, Sports Organizations, Beverage Producers/Distributors

Placement: The Dedman College of Hospitality works to provide employement opportunities for their majors. About 75-80 companies visit campus each year, with a near 100% placement rate.