The University of New Orleans has launched a new fully online executive master's degree program in hospitality and tourism management. Classes begin in the spring 2015 semester and students can enroll now.

The new online program will build upon the established success of the existing on-campus master's program offered by the Kabacoff School of Hotel, Restaurant and Tourism Administration, according to John Williams, director of the Kabacoff School and dean of the College of Business Administration.

"The program was created because of the great demand from hospitality industry workers who do not have the freedom to relocate in order to earn a master's degree while retaining their existing positions in the industry," Williams said. "That's the most significant benefit of this program. It allows students to keep working full-time while obtaining their degree."

The online curriculum, which is the same as the existing on-campus master's program, will be taught by the full-time faculty of the Kabacoff School. Students can complete the 30 credits in one year by taking courses in the spring, summer and fall semesters.

According to Williams, the existing master's degree program has a 100 percent industry-specific job placement rate during its 11-year existence.

The Kabacoff School is named after Lester E. Kabacoff, a pioneer in the hospitality and tourism industry in New Orleans. The school has graduated students at the undergraduate level in hospitality management for more than 30 years, and has a strong, industry experienced, and internationally diverse faculty.