MA in Tourism Management and Destination Leadership

Key Points

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The MA / PgDip in Tourism Management and Destination Leadership is a one- or two-year part-time study program designed to align education, research and engagement agendas with key global development issues in tourism. Students can exit after one year with a PgDip or complete two years for the MA grade.

Many academics, legislators, and professionals have called for leadership in tourism and destination management to rethink how tourism can better serve our communities after the pandemic. Industry needs to reduce exposure to shocks, needs to build resilience and foster adaptability.

Calendar

This is a part-time online course. The following schedule will run for period 1. The course is taught completely online and runs with the following model in period 1 (January-April), period 2 (hours to be confirmed).

Module 1: Tourism environment, society and development

Every Friday from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. M. From January 15 for 12 weeks

Module 2: Destination Management and Marketing

Every Friday from 2 to 4 p.m. from January 15 for 12 weeks

Module 3 Laboratory of professional careers in tourism and internships

Thursday, March 25 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Thursday, April 15 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The calendar for modules 4 and 5, which runs from September to December 2021, will be similar to the previous model with dates to be confirmed. We will hold an induction on Saturday, January 9, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

What will I experience?

• The PgDip program fee is € 495 for eligible job participants (90% subsidized from € 4,950 through the government’s recent July stimulus package.
• Those who receive DEASP payments, including PUPs, are eligible to take this course at no charge.
• Returnees are also free
• Eligible applicants must be ordinarily resident in Ireland and must comply with the EU nationality and residency rules which conform to Springboard as detailed here https://springboardcourses.ie/faq
• There is an additional fee for the master’s degree for all students who wish to advance to the second year (to be confirmed and optional to progress)
• Students who complete 60 credits will earn a Graduate Diploma in Tourism Management and Destination Leadership.

Students who complete the 30-credit dissertation add-on module will earn a master’s degree in tourism management and destination leadership. This is an optional add-on.

This study program is located within the Faculty of Business and Hospitality, in the Department of Hospitality, Tourism and Leisure and therefore focuses on developing the competencies of graduates relevant to the tourism industry throughout of the program.

The program is delivered in mixed mode, and most of the material is delivered online. Complementary modes of delivery used include self-directed learning, campus induction and occasional seminars, and the use of an assessed field-based learning visit to study tourism planning, development and management in practice.

Two additional teaching and learning strategies employed include 1) the use of a Tourism Careers Laboratory and 2) a thesis project based on primary research. In both, the emphasis will be on encouraging learners to engage in content and begin a journey toward independent learning and the application of critical thinking.

Career opportunities

The program aims to prepare graduates from a variety of academic backgrounds for rewarding careers (both nationally and internationally) in tourism and related sectors. Career opportunities such as Destination Management and Marketing Organizations; Governments, NGOs and tourism industry associations Transport and accommodation companies; Event and conference management; Corporate travel management; Research and consulting in tourism.

This program fosters experience and interaction between academics and professionals from the national and international tourism industry. By the end of the program, students are expected to have knowledge and critical awareness of:

• International tourism and development
• Relevant theories that inform international tourism management decisions
• Ethical, corporate social responsibility and sustainability dilemmas that arise in the professional practice of tourism
• The interrelationships between the different stakeholders and sectors of the visitor’s economy with a particular focus on digital.
• Professional and organizational practices acquired from a tourism and destination internship
• Methodologies for effective practical research in national / international tourism
• Graduates who complete Level 9, 90 credits of Master of Arts in Tourism Management and Destination Leadership. They may be eligible to undertake postgraduate research at the doctoral level or undertake postgraduate study in complementary areas of study.

Evaluation information

You will take a series of assessments in this program, including presentations, written reports and essays, group work, a dissertation, and an internship. The Institute offers excellent support to all students.

Program structure

Admission requirements

Students applying to enter undergraduate or graduate programs must provide the following information directly to the International Office, Athlone Institute of Technology on or before May 1 for programs beginning in September:

• Complete AIT application form
• Detailed CV
• Certified transcripts of test results and English translations of grades not issued in English
• Evidence of ability to follow classes in the English language (which must satisfy the entrance requirements to the Institute for the following programs)
  • • Basic level program: Certificate in English for studies

  Academic

  • : Minimum IELTS 4.5 or equivalent
  • Pre-session summer program in English from June to August: minimum IELTS 5.0 or equivalent
  • Undergraduate programs: Minimum IELTS 5.5 without Band less than 5.0
  • Postgraduate programs: Minimum IELTS 6.0 without Band less than 5.5 *

* Please note that some graduate programs require a minimum of IELTS 6.5

• Letter of recommendation from the corresponding department head of the institution itself
• Any other relevant information about qualifications or previous work experience.

For this program:

This is a conversion program aimed at a wide range of disciplines covering tourism modules at the undergraduate level;

Graduates are likely to come from the following programs:

Tourism as a broad discipline welcomes candidates with experience in various fields. Candidates will have a minimum of a level 8 honors degree and will be required to complete an interview for admission.

• Bachelor’s degrees in humanities / subject areas related to the social sciences, for example, sociology, geography, history, anthropology
• Bachelor of Business / Commerce / Arts in the subject area of ​​business, eg business management, marketing
• Bachelor’s / business degrees in the hospitality, tourism, leisure, sports, food sectors

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