Interested in hospitality – but not sure which area is most appealing? This program lets you explore every facet.
Two happy students seated at a long table facing a window looking at a tablet.
100%
Student Satisfaction
100% of our recent graduates report they are satisfied with their Madison College education.
92%
Job Placement
92% job placement within six months of graduation.
Flexible Learning Options
Online & In-Person
Live out of state? Attend online classes with no out-of-state tuition.
Hospitality Specialist
Program Number: 311094
Your Degree:
Technical Diploma
Area of Study:
Culinary, Hospitality and Fitness
Delivery Method:
100% Online
Some Online/Some In Person
Estimated Time to Complete:
33 Credits | Finish diploma in 1 year
financial aid icon Financial Aid Available
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What You'll Pay
Use our Net Price Calculator to estimate your tuition costs.

Estimated Program Cost

$5,746.96

Financial Aid

Applying for financial aid and scholarships help you pay for your education.
  • Program Overview

    Hospitality Specialist, the one-year technical diploma at Madison College, is designed to help you obtain skills needed to begin or continue your career in the expansive hospitality industry. Hospitality includes careers in tourism, hotels and resorts, gaming establishments, event services, restaurants, bakeries, catering services, health care facilities, and schools.

    The Hospitality Specialist program incorporates comprehensive hands-on learning experiences that will prepare you for a wide range of career opportunities in hospitality. You will hone your customer service and communication skills and learn about industry trends, marketing, business, accounting fundamentals, social media, meeting management, and law.

    After completing the Hospitality Specialist diploma, you have the opportunity to further your education and expand your career potential by enrolling in our Hospitality Management associate degree program.

    Program Details

    Students in the Hospitality Specialist technical program can attend part-time or full-time, online or in person. Connect with us on Facebook!

    • Madison – Truax
    • Online

    Careers

    After completing the Hospitality Specialist Technical program at Madison Area Technical College, examples of opportunities for your career starting point include but are not limited to the following areas:

    • Bar or Restaurant Supervisor
    • Casino Supervisor
    • Catering Assistant
    • Convention Services Specialist
    • Front Office Manager
    • Guest Services Coordinator
    • Hospitality Coordinator
    • Housekeeping Leader
    • Meeting or Event Coordinator
    • Reservation Specialist
    • Operations Specialist
    • Sales Manager
    • Spa Manager
    • Special Event Coordinator 
    • Tour Guide
  • Curriculum and Experience

    Prospective program students, the information below reflects the basic requirements for students admitted for the 2024-2025 academic year. To learn more about Madison College, visit us.

    Current and newly admitted program students, go directly to your Degree Progress Report to view:

    • Progress toward your specific requirements
    • Alternative (in lieu of) courses to meet specific requirements

    If you have questions after reviewing your degree progress report (advisement report), please see Advising Services.

    First Semester
    10-102-114
    3 credits
    10-106-100
    3 credits
    10-109-101
    3 credits
    10-804-123
    3 credits
    10-801-195
    3 credits
    Second Semester
    10-104-102
    3 credits
    10-104-114
    3 credits
    10-106-112
    3 credits
    10-109-131
    3 credits
    10-109-136
    3 credits
    10-801-196
    3 credits
  • Admission

    To Apply

    Earning a degree is a great way to advance your career development opportunities, so apply today!

    International students who wish to apply for, maintain, or transfer their F-1 student visa status to Madison College are required to complete the International Admission Process.

    Note: It is recommended to only apply for a semester that has already started if you are currently enrolled in classes or you have verified that classes are still available for that semester.

    Application Dates

    Fall 2024

    • Application open
    • Application completion deadline is November 15, 2024

    Spring 2025

    • Application open
    • Application completion deadline is April 15, 2025

    Summer 2025

    • Application open
    • Application completion deadline is July 15, 2025

    Fall 2025

    • Application open
    • Application completion deadline is November 15, 2025

    Admission Requirements

    All materials must be submitted by the application deadline.

    1. Admission Application

    The online application allows you to save your work as you complete it and ensures fast, secure delivery to our office.

    2. Education Completion

    Official transcripts must be sent from the institutions you attended and indicate one of the following:

    • High school (current high school seniors may submit an in-progress transcript)
    • GED/HSED transcript
    • College transcript(s) showing:
      • Completion of an associate degree or higher, or
      • At least 30 credits completed with a minimum GPA of 2.0 on a 4-point scale
        • The credits must be completed at a single college and cannot be combined with other transcripts
        • Any transfer credit listed on a transcript does not count toward the 30-credit minimum

    All high school and/or college transcripts are recommended to be submitted for Credit for Prior Learning evaluation.

    Additional Notes

    • Class capacity is limited and is available on a first come, first served basis.
    • Course prerequisites differ from admission requirements; admission into a program does not guarantee eligibility to enroll in courses or success in the program. Refer to program curriculum for details.

    After Acceptance

    Once you are admitted into your program, review the Start of Semester Checklist to prepare for your first day of classes at Madison College. 

    Questions?

    Contact the Enrollment Center at EnrollmentServices@madisoncollege.edu or 608.246.6210.

     

    apply for admission

    Get Started!

    Apply to Madison College and take the first step towards your Hospitality Specialist career.

    It's Free to Apply

  • Career Outcomes

    • Graduate Summary

      Graduate Report Summary Overview

      202120222023
      Number of Program Graduates1358
      Number of Surveys Sent1358
      Number of Surveys Returned1037
      Percent of Surveys Returned
      Available for Employment723
      Percent Available for Employment70.0%66.7%42.9%
      Not in Labor Market
      Percent Not in Labor Market30.0%33.3%57.1%
      Available for Employment

      202120222023
      Graduates Employed722
      Percent of Graduates Employed100.0%100.0%66.7%
      Employed in Related Occupation611
      Percent Employed in Related Occupation85.7%50.0%50.0%
      Employed in Unrelated Occupation111
      Percent Employed in Unrelated Occupation14.3%50.0%50.0%
      Employed - No Response000
      Percent Employed - No Response0.0%0.0%0.0%
      Seeking Employment001
      Percent Seeking Employment0.0%0.0%33.3%
      Reaction To Training at Madison College

      202120222023
      Student satisfaction Mean (Out of 4)3.93.53.5
      Number of Satisfaction Responses924
      Very Satisfied (4)812
      Percent Very Satisfied88.9%50.0%50.0%
      Satisfied (3)112
      Percent Satisfied11.1%50.0%50.0%
      Unsatisfied (2)000
      Percent Unsatisfied0.0%0.0%0.0%
      Very Unsatisfied (1)
      Percent Very Unsatisfied0.0%0.0%0.0%
      Primary Reason for Attending Madison College

      202120222023
      Number of Primary Reason Responses1037
      Preparation for Getting a Job
      Percent Preparation for Getting a Job
      Career Change
      Percent Career Change
      Improvement of Existing Skills
      Percent Improvement of Existing Skills
      Preparation for Further Education
      Percent Preparation for Further Education
      Personal Interest
      Percent Personal Interest
      Other
      Percent Other0.0%0.0%0.0%
      When Employment was Obtained

      202120222023
      Number of When Employment Obtained Responses722
      Before Enrollment002
      Percent Before Enrollment0.0%0.0%100.0%
      While Attending the College420
      Percent While Attending the College57.1%100.0%0.0%
      After Training at the College300
      Percent After Training at the College42.9%0.0%0.0%
      Location of Employment (related and unrelated)

      202120222023
      Number of Employment Location Responses722
      In College District511
      Percent In College District71.4%50.0%50.0%
      In Wisconsin, Not in District101
      Percent of In Wisconsin14.3%0.0%50.0%
      Outside of Wisconsin110
      Percent Outside Wisconsin14.3%50.0%0.0%
      Employer Location Unknown000
      Percent Location Unknown0.0%0.0%0.0%
      Salary Trend
      Salary Trend202120222023
      Full Time Employment (Related Job)Full Time Salary Count411
      Average Monthly Wage$3,317$3,182$344
      Average Hourly Wage$19.28$18.50$2.00
      Average Work Hours per Week40.040.040.0
      Part Time Employment (Related Job)Part Time Salary Count2
      Average Hourly Wage$15.25
      Average Work Hours per Week28.5
    • Graduate Employers

      Graduate Employers for academic year: 2023
      Employer(s)Job TitleCity*State**Positions
      Cheesecake FactoryBartender/Server

      * - Only cities outside of Madison will display.

      ** - Only states outside of Wisconsin will display.

      *** - If you have a position to post, please contact Career and Employment Services at jobpostings@madisoncollege.edu

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