Kansas State University

Ph.D. with Specialization in Foodservice and Hospitality Management

The interdisciplinary doctoral program in Human Ecology offers a specialization in Foodservice and Hospitality Management. The Ph.D. requires a minimum of 90 semester credit hours beyond the baccalaureate degree – including 60 hours of course work and 30 hours of dissertation research. Up to 30 hours from the student’s Master’s degree may be applied toward the 60-hour course work requirement.

Outcomes for the Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) Program

Graduates of the Doctor of Philosophy program in Human Ecology with a specialization in Foodservice and Hospitality Management will demonstrate the following:

  • efficient management of human, material, technological, and financial resources
  • ability to recognize emerging trends and implement strategies to accommodate change
  • analytical decision‐making
  • application of research methods and findings
  • application of skills in leadership and administration in dietetics, and/or foodservice and hospitality operations
  • commitment to ethical business practices
  • assumption of the responsibilities for self-direction, self‐evaluation, and professional development
  • effective oral and written communication skills
  • skills in research proposal preparation
  • leadership in the design and implementation of theoretical or applied research
  • publication and application of research findings
  • appreciation of the importance of the internal and external environments and their impact on educational and operational effectiveness
  • leadership in the administration of dietetic or hospitality and tourism management educational programs
  • effective skills in instruction in higher education settings

Doctor of Philosophy Course Requirements

Major Area (minimum of 60 hours)

Ph.D. level courses (12 hours)

  • HMD 975 Research and Applied Theories in Consumer Behavior in Foodservice and Hospitality Management (3 cr.) OR a 900-level or equivalent course
  • HMD 980 Administration of Dietetics and Hospitality Management Programs (3 cr.)
  • HMD 985 Advances in Foodservice & Hospitality Management (3 cr.)
  • HMD 995 Grantsmanship and Publication (3 cr.)

Dissertation Proposal Seminar (1 hour)

  • HMD 990 Dissertation Proposal Seminar (1 cr.)

Other Coursework in Major Area (17 hours)

  • HMD 805 Food Production or HMD 664 Lodging Management Theory (3 cr.)
  • HMD 885 Seminar in Foodservice & Hospitality Management (1 cr.)
  • HMD 890 Foodservice & Hospitality Administration (3 cr.)
  • HMD 895 Financial Management and Cost Control for Foodservice & Hospitality (3 cr.)
  • Other HMD Graduate courses (7 cr.)

Dissertation Research (30 hours)

  • HMD 999 Research in Foodservice or Hospitality Management (30 cr.)

Supporting Areas (21 hours)

Research Skills

  • STAT 702 Statistics for Social Sciences (3 cr.) OR STAT 703 Statistics for Natural Sciences (3 cr.)
  • STAT 704 Analysis of Variance (2 cr.) AND STAT 705 Regression & Correlation (2 cr.) OR STAT 707 Applied Linear Statistical Methods (3 cr.)
  • STAT 720 Experimental Design (3 cr.) OR EDCEP 917 Experimental Design (3 cr.)

Course in research methods

  • HMD 810 Research Techniques for Foodservice & Hospitality (3 cr.)

Other Supporting Courses (9 credits)

  • ACCTG 810 Accounting Concepts & Analysis (3 cr.)
  • EDCIP 943 Principles of College Teaching (3 cr.)
  • Graduate Course elective (formal course) (3 cr.)

Research, seminar, or other independent study hours will not be transferred from a Master's degree into the Ph.D. program of study. No courses with a grade below a B will be accepted from a Master's degree into the Ph.D. program of study.

Major Professor and Supervisory Committee

  • The department will assign each student a temporary advisor to assist the student in registering for course work until the student selects a major professor and files the program of study.
  • Students are encouraged to select a major professor as soon as possible. The student must select a major professor from the Hospitality Management and Dietetics Graduate Faculty who have been certified to direct doctoral students. If a student wishes to work with a major professor who has not yet been certified to direct doctoral students on his/her own, a co-major professor who is so certified may become part of the committee to assist with direction of the research.
  • By the beginning of the second semester of enrollment, the student (in consultation with the major professor) should select three additional faculty members with Graduate Faculty Status to serve as members of the supervisory committee. At least two of the four members of the supervisory committee (including the major professor) must be faculty in Hospitality Management and Dietetics. At least one member should be from another department.