Sustainable Tourism Management, BS Degree

Can the tourism industry contribute to flourishing communities and circular economies while regenerating environments and cultures? Join us to learn how!

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Sustainable Tourism Management – Bachelor of Science

Sustainable Tourism Bachelor Degree SOU School of Business Southern Oregon University Program Description

Sustainable Tourism Management, BS

Offered as a Bachelor of Science Major

The multidisciplinary Sustainable Tourism Management program is designed to prepare individuals for leadership roles in destinations and tourism organizations looking to commit to sustainable practices. The program will provide learners with strategies and tools for developing and managing a sustainable tourism destination and/or business while minimizing the potential negative effects of the tourism sector, fostering community empowerment, and addressing global issues such as inequality, climate change, globalization/localization, and environmental degradation.

Key Program Strengths

So, what makes us different than all the other universities out there? We pride ourselves on five basic strengths:

Small class sizes. The average class size in the program is 25. This means that professors get to know each student, providing mentorship and career guidance, and advice during the program and beyond graduation. Additionally, the small class size facilitates lifelong friendships between classmates, fostering collaboration, entrepreneurship, and creativity.
Community involvement. Senior students in the program participate in various community learning activities through an internship and a sustainable tourism research project course. The internship and the research project allow learners to work with a real organization on a real problem. Both opportunities get students out into the community, networking with other business professionals and organizations in the city, state, and internationally.
Experienced faculty. Most of the professors in the program have extensive business experience. That means they are not just teaching from a textbook. They can provide real-world examples to demonstrate course concepts while helping learners connect those examples with communities and destinations around the world.
International exchange. Students have opportunities to study abroad for periods ranging from three weeks to a full academic year, even obtaining a dual degree with a focus on tourism and sustainability. International exchange helps learners expand their worldviews and perspectives. By studying with people from other cultures, new ways of solving problems and communicating are explored.
Degree supplementation. SOU offers a variety of micro-credentials, minors, and certificates. Students in the Sustainable Tourism Management program are encouraged to earn a micro-credential, certificate, or minor, allowing knowledge and skills development in areas outside of the major, opening even more doors of opportunity.

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Degree Fit

Program Preparation

The perfect candidates are students with passion to lead in a sustainable manner. The Sustainable Tourism Management program is designed to guide individuals towards leadership roles in destination and tourism business management regardless of their level of experience. Learners interested in advancing critical thinking, analytical, and research skills will find the program fitting, as well as those with curiosity and desire to learn new ways of management through a regeneration and circularity lens.

Degree Roadmap

Every Sustainable Tourism Management student takes foundational courses in sustainability and tourism, business management, ecological economics, land use, and tourism planning, as well as elective courses with pathways towards business, communication and community engagement, or environmental management. Learners participate in community projects and real-world experiences and study in an interactive class environment, with one-on-one comprehensive professional instruction and supple guidance.

Capstone

Through a capstone project (two applied research courses), students have the opportunity to apply skill and knowledge while developing mastery in an area of tourism management that is of interest to them. The project is designed collaboratively by the student, instructor, and often a tourism organization or destination. With this work, learners can further expand their portfolios and be better positioned to launch a career after graduation.