Core Courses

RTM 600: Research Methodology in Human Environmental Sciences (3)

Students will study scientific techniques and accepted research methodologies in human environmental science research. Emphasis is placed on understanding the research process and developing the skills necessary to evaluate and implement research methods and design procedures. Prereq: Graduate standing.

RTM 650: Survey of Current Theories & Literature (3)

An intensive survey of the theoretical and empirical literature related to areas of merchandising, apparel and textiles and to hospitality management and tourism. Emphasis will be placed on research literature and theory building. Prereq: Graduate standing.

RTM 772: Seminar in Retailing & Tourism Management: Data Analytics (3)

This course investigates consumer behavior theories and applies advanced data analytics tools to predict and influence consumer decision-making relevant to both retailing and tourism management.

STA 570: Basic Statistical Analysis (3) OR EPE 557: Gathering, Analyzing, and Using Educational Data (3)

• STA 570: Basic Statistical Analysis (3)

Introduction to methods of analyzing data from experiments and surveys; the role of statistics in research, statistical concepts and models; probability and distribution functions; estimation; hypothesis testing; regression and correlation; analysis of single and multiple classification models; analysis of categorical data.

• EPE 557: Gathering, Analyzing, and Using Educational Data (3)

This course is rooted in the conceptual understanding of statistics and covers applications of statistical and graphical methods for educational and evaluation data. Basic descriptive statistics, correlation, normal distributions and hypothesis testing will be covered. An emphasis is placed on exploratory data analysis and interpretation of results within the broad contexts of education and evaluation. Statistical literacy exercises will be used for comprehension and application of materials. In addition, applications of statistical software will be demonstrated.

RTM 748: Master’s Thesis Research (6) (for Thesis Track)

Half-time to full-time work on thesis. May be repeated to a maximum of six semesters.

RTM 690: Industry Experience in Retailing & Tourism Management (3)(for NON-Thesis Track)

Supervised industry experience with a cooperative establishment in the students formal option of study. Students will complete a 400-hour, 10 week learning experience under the joint supervision of a faculty member supervisor and a qualified industry professional.

Support Selections

MAT 514: Startup & Innovation in Retail Entrepreneurship (3)

Guides students through launching and scaling retail startups, with insights into digital commerce, direct-to-consumer (DTC) models, and innovation in retail.

MAT 570: Electronic Retailing (E-Tailing) (3)

An educational foundation in e-tail development as a medium for food, apparel, and textile distribution and sales.

MAT 572: International Merchandising (3)

A study of the internationalization of retailing and factors that influence the process in foreign countries such as countries’ level of development and how countries’ governments are supporting the growth of their retail industries. Social, economic, and environmental perspectives will also be considered as they relate to countries’ retail markets and retail trade at the global level. In-depth exploration of key international retailing concepts provides students with the theoretical foundation to explore the international retail landscape in more detail through the study of retail industries in four world regions.

MAT 575: Omnichannel Retailing in the Digital World (3)

Explore how AI, social commerce, and seamless digital-physical integration are transforming retail landscape. Students learn omnichannel strategies for enhancing customer experience, optimizing supply chains, and executing promotions, with hands-on projects. This course also covers cutting-edge retail trends, including contactless commerce technologies, next-gen experiential retail (Pop-up 2.0), social media shopping ecosystems (live shopping, influencer commerce), etc.

HMT 560: Advanced Seminar in Hospitality & Services Leadership (3)

This advanced seminar explores cutting-edge strategies and leadership approaches shaping the future of in hospitality and guest services. Designed for students seeking to stand out in a competitive global market, the course integrates advanced industry trends such as sustainable practices, smart technology, data-driven decision-making, and personalized guest experiences. Through real-world case studies, industry collaborations, and hands-on projects, students will gain critical thinking and leadership skills —enhancing their competitiveness for high-growth roles in the hospitality and service industry and beyond.

HMT 570: Experiential Event Planning & Coordination (3)

This course provides students with a comprehensive foundation in modern event planning and coordination, with a focus on designing impactful, tech-enhanced, sustainable and immersive attendee experiences. Through hands-on learning, students will master the end-to-end process of producing corporate, nonprofit, social, and destination events—from concept development to vendor relations, budgeting, and post-event analytics. Students will gain practical experience in executing live or simulated events and be prepared for high-demand roles in today’s event agencies, sports/tourism, nonprofits, and beyond.

HMT 580: Trends & Analysis for the Hospitality Industry (3)

The course is designed to acquaint the student with the major trends occurring in the hospitality industry and to develop analytical skills required to interpret them. Throughout the course, the student should be able to identify trends; their timing; the causal effects they have on organizations; the actual probability of their occurrence; and impact they will have on the organization.

HMT 588: Strategic Management in the Hospitality & Food Service Industry (3)

A course requiring students to use integrative skills to evaluate theories and applications regarding decision making, strategic planning and management concepts specific to hospitality and food service organizations.

Upcoming course: Customer Experience Management with AI Analytics (3)

In today’s marketplace, creating customer value requires more than delivering a quality product or service. It requires designing personalized and memorable experiences reflecting diverse contexts. This course introduces the strategic principles of customer experience management, emphasizing its role in affecting customer perceptions, behaviors, and loyalty. Students will explore how different brands create distinctive experiences by setting service benchmarks, defining quality and satisfaction standards, and aligning experience design with organizational strategy.  A key focus of the course is the use of AI tools to enhance unique customer experiences. Students will apply AI to analyze customer feedback, map customer experience journeys, and identify opportunities for innovation in experience delivery. Core topics include servicescape design, touchpoint evaluation, and strategies for service failure and recovery. Through global case studies and applied learning projects, students will examine how various factors influence customer experience.