Cornell Ph.D. in Hotel Administration
Advance your career, industry knowledge and join an academic community built on hospitality.
- Schedule
- Full-time
- Format
- In person
- Location
- Ithaca, NY
- Degree Awarded
- Ph.D.
- This program is part of
- Nolan School of Hotel Administration
Share your passion for hospitality with the next generation of hotel leaders. Pursuing a Ph.D. in Hotel Administration gives you the research experience and academic credentials you need to teach at the university level. A doctoral degree is also a natural next step for hospitality-minded executives looking to boost their analytical skills for consulting careers in the hotel, technology and real estate fields.
Wherever you aspire to take your career, the Cornell Peter and Stephanie Nolan School of Hotel Administration will give you plenty of room to explore and innovate.
Why pursue your Ph.D. at Cornell?
The first school of its kind in the nation — and the only one in the Ivy League — the Nolan School has set the standard for hospitality education and innovation.
Fully funded
Receive full tuition assistance, plus health insurance and a stipend for living expenses.
Flexible and focused
Choose a specialization area such as marketing, operations or financial management.
World-class learning lab
Benefit from access to The Statler Hotel, a full-service luxury hotel right on campus.
Experience-rich
Get involved with the Center of Hospitality Research, the Pillsbury Institute for Hospitality Leadership or Cornell Hospitality Quarterly.
Well-connected
Join a world-wide network of Hotelies, more than 16,000 strong.
Coursework and dissertation
Begin with foundational coursework and then branch off into classes related to your area of specialization. Once you choose a dissertation topic, you’ll receive individual faculty mentorship and support from an advising committee.
Research with renown hospitality experts
Hospitality is our business. As a doctoral student at the Nolan School, you’ll study with some of the world’s foremost scholars and practitioners. They have expertise in all aspects of hotel administration, from operations to services marketing to supply chain management.
Student research and outcomes
With specialized hospitality knowledge and keen research skills, our doctoral alumni pursue meaningful work in academia and industry.
Your dissertation: Putting ideas into action
Through faculty-mentored research, our hotel administration Ph.D. students explore a variety of hospitality and service themes and contemporary industry issues.
After the Ph.D.: Careers in academia and industry
Hotelies teach and research at top-tier institutions and hold high-level positions at some of the biggest names in the hospitality industry such as Hilton, Marriott, Four Seasons and JLL.
The Ph.D. student experience
As part of the broader SC Johnson College community, you’ll learn alongside ambitious peers pursuing master’s and doctoral degrees across disciplines.
Learning on campus
Historic buildings and high-tech learning spaces come together to make for an ideal learning environment – including our own award-winning hotel.
Living in Ithaca
Our vibrant downtown is home to eclectic eateries, unique shops and plenty of activities. Nestled in the Finger Lakes region, Ithaca is also close to stunning scenery and outdoor adventure.
How to apply
Our Ph.D. in Hotel Administration is highly competitive and rigorous. Applicants should have an exceptional academic record, relevant industry experience, and clear professional goals. Learn more about the application process.
Your path forward
If earning a doctoral degree in hospitality management sounds like the right fit for you, we welcome your application. Get started today at the Cornell Graduate Admissions website.