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Business - Hospitality

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Degree Description

The three semester, 11-month Hospitality diploma program provides students with technical understanding and skills development in the hospitality field by integrating theory with practical experience. Through the program, students will develop skills in hospitality management principles, finance, and more. Students will learn about varying duties of someone working in the hospitality field and will complete a minimum of 240 internship hours. Working with local industry representatives, this program is designed to provide students with the necessary education and training consistent with current industry practices while also incorporating foundational courses in Western Dakota Technical College’s Business and Accounting programs.

This diploma is available through classes on campus, online, or a combination of both.

All of the Hospitality program classes seamlessly transfer into Western Dakota Technical College’s Associate of Applied Science degree program in Business & Technology. These two programs give you options so you can prepare for the exact career you want.

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Application Process

1. Complete Western Dakota Technical College Admissions Application
2. Complete the ACCUPLACER test ($15 fee)
3. Schedule your Admissions Advising Session
4. Provide an official copy of a High School transcript or GED scores. If you graduated from an international high school, you must submit your transcript to Educational Credential Evaluators to determine U.S. equivalence. Additionally, an official transcript must be submitted if you have attended other post-secondary institutions or universities.
5. Submit Immunization Records verifying two doses of MMR vaccinations
6. Once you receive your acceptance letter, schedule a time to register for classes

The ACCUPLACER test will be waived if you have an ACT sub-score of 18 or better in English, Math, and Reading. To waive the ACCUPLACER with SAT scores a student will need a 500 on the MATH subsection of ACT and a composite of 970 to waive Writing and Reading. To place into MATH 114 a student will need a 520 on the MATH subsection.

Please call 605-718-2565 to make an appointment.

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Career Description

Students can complete this program online, on campus, or both!

There is a high need for hospitality workers and managers and this diploma will help increase job opportunities for well-trained graduates to help fill industry positions. Hospitality jobs can be far ranging, from working with customers face-to-face to working behind-the-scenes. Hospitality work includes jobs in national and state parks, hotels/lodging operations, food and beverage operations, casinos, theme parks, and etc. Positions can vary from hotel management to event planning, sales, marketing, accounting, food operations, and front-of-the house work.

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Program Documents

Program Requirements

Program Learning Outcomes

Master Syllabi

Program Flyer

General Education EMT

After Earning Your Degree

The Bureau of Labor Statistics indicates many hospitality jobs, including, but not limited to Sales Managers; Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners; Lodging Managers, Advertising, Promotions, and Marketing Managers; and Food Service Managers are all expected to see national growth into 2026.

More information here

South Dakota labor market information indicates the demand for workers in the hospitality field is strong now and into the future. According to the South Dakota Labor Market Information Center, the number of hospitality positions is expected to grow by 11 percent through 2026.

Meet Your Faculty

Western Dakota Technical College has a low student-to-faculty ratio, meaning more one-on-one learning. Individual attention from your professor can make your college experience more fulfilling.

Rob Reagan

Financial Aid

Continuing your education is crucial and Western Dakota Technical College wants to make sure that any student who wants to attend school, has the opportunity to do so. For this reason, WDTC is dedicated to administering the U.S. Department of Education’s Title IV Financial Assistance Program fair and consistently to anyone who needs it.

Build Dakota Scholarships

The Build Dakota Scholarship at Western Dakota Technical College will pay all your tuition and fees and prepare you for a career that is in-demand and growing in South Dakota. Build Dakota Scholarships will be awarded to students entering high-need workforce programs at South Dakota’s technical institutes to fill the state’s technical careers with skilled professionals.

Student Housing

Finding affordable housing during school can be a challenge for students. Western Dakota Technical College currently does not have on-campus housing, but partners with a Rapid City VRBO to offer a limited number of apartments for full-time students in the fall and spring semesters.

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Child Care

Finding child care during school is a challenge for many students. Western Dakota Technical College currently does not offer on-campus child care, but here are some resources that may help you in your search.

Youth & Family Services is an organization dedicated to helping children in Western South Dakota. They offer a variety of services, including child care at multiple locations.

The Y of Rapid City offers child care and other services.

Disclaimer: Western Dakota Technical College provides these links to you only as a convenience, and the inclusion of any link does not imply affiliation, endorsement or adoption by Western Dakota Technical College of any site or any information contained therein. When you leave wdt.edu, you should be aware that our terms and policies no longer govern. Western Dakota Technical College makes no claim or representation regarding, and accepts no responsibility for, the quality, content, nature or reliability of third-party websites or vendors.

Business - Hospitality

Are you interested in our Business - Hospitality Degree Program?

Degree Description

Application Process

Career Description

Program Documents

After Earning Your Degree

Meet Your Faculty

Financial Aid

Build Dakota Scholarships

Student Housing

Child Care

Join the Conversation

Connect with Western Dakota Technical College

Business - Hospitality

Are you interested in our Business - Hospitality Degree Program?

Degree Description

Application Process

Career Description

Program Documents

After Earning Your Degree

Meet Your Faculty

Student Housing

Child Care

WESTERN DAKOTA TECHNICAL COLLEGE MISSIONWestern Dakota Technical College prepares students to be highly-skilled professionals through accessible, career-focused programs to improve their lives, while adapting to community workforce needs and positively impacting our economy.

Join the Conversation

Connect with Western Dakota Technical College

WESTERN DAKOTA TECHNICAL COLLEGE MISSION
Western Dakota Technical College prepares students to be highly-skilled professionals through accessible, career-focused programs to improve their lives, while adapting to community workforce needs and positively impacting our economy.