IX. Graduate Programs
Tourism and Hospitality
Graduate Diploma Program in Tourism Research
The objective of the Graduate Diploma (GDip) is to provide highly focused training in tourism research, including theoretical concept assessment, conceptual model development, methodology selection, research design, data analysis, and presentation of results. The intention is to equip students with the necessary skills to identify optimal solutions and justifiable recommendations for employers, customers or other researchers. The diploma program is designed to meet the needs of students who want to extend their knowledge of tourism research beyond the level they obtained while taking their undergraduate degree. It also offers alternate entry criteria and the opportunity to transfer to the MSc in Tourism and Hospitality, depending on individual academic performance in courses and an application.
Admission Requirements
Applicants for the GDip in Tourism Research are required to have completed a four-year honours degree with a minimum of B+ average or equivalent, from a recognized post-secondary institution.
All applicants should have a GMAT score of 550 or better or a minimum GRE score of 150 (Verbal) and 159 (Quantitative) (On the previous scale: Minimum 1200 with a minimum verbal score of 450 or better).
Applicants also need to have an academic or industry background in tourism, the social sciences, humanities or professional/business related programs in allied areas such as hospitality, travel, human resources, marketing, food management, sports management or consumer studies. For applicants who did not major in these areas in their undergraduate degree or diploma, additional prerequisites may be required.
Any applicant who believes that their experiential learning may compensate for a lack of academic standing and thus not meet the University’s minimum requirements may contact the Graduate Program Coordinator regarding alternative admissions criteria, which normally would require at least 5 years in a research or equivalent position in industry.
Program Requirements
All students must complete three core courses and three restricted electives. The three core courses cover topics dealing with the theories, methods, contemporary issues, and research applications in tourism and hospitality. The three restricted electives include: one quantitative methods course; one qualitative methods course; and one topic course. All are to be chosen in consultation with the School’s Graduate Program Coordinator.
Core Courses
Restricted Electives
One of the following quantitative research methods courses:
| MCS*6050 | [0.50] | Research Methods in Marketing and Consumer Studies |
| SOC*6130 | [0.50] | Quantitative Research Methods |
| PSYC*6060 | [0.50] | Research Design and Statistics |
| TRMH*6290 | [0.50] | Research Methods for Tourism and Hospitality |
| Or with permission | ||
| GEOG*6090 | [0.50] | Geographical Research Methods I |
| plus | ||
| One of the following qualitative research methods courses: | ||
| TRMH*6080 | [0.50] | Qualitative Research Methods |
| MCS*6080 | [0.50] | Qualitative Methods: Consumer Research |
| ANTH*6140 | [0.50] | Qualitative Research Methods |
| SOC*6140 | [0.50] | Qualitative Research Methods |
| Or with permission | ||
| FRAN*6020 | [0.50] | Qualitative Research Methods |
| plus | ||
| One of the following topic courses: | ||
| TRMH*6110 | [0.50] | Foundations of Food Industry Management |
| TRMH*6120 | [0.50] | Foundations of Sport Management |
| TRMH*6250 | [0.50] | Tourism and Sustainable Development |
| TRMH*6270 | [0.50] | Data Mining Practicum |
| Or other courses as appropriate depending on availability | ||
Transfer to MSc in Tourism and Hospitality
Students admitted to the GDip in Tourism Research who wish to transfer to the MSc in Tourism and Hospitality once they have commenced their program of study, must achieve a minimum grade of 75% in the three compulsory courses, and no grade less than 70% across all courses.