UNLV Hospitality College Unveils One-of-a-Kind Gaming-Focused Graduate Degree

In January 2018, the William F. Harrah College of Hospitality at UNLV launched the world's first master's degree program centered on gaming.

The Master of Hospitality Administration (MHA) Gaming Management Track was designed to boost professionals who are trying to widen the scope of their expertise to include gaming, which is becoming more pervasive across destination markets and online platforms throughout the world.

Students eligible for the program, which is offered totally online, include mid-level professionals with more than three years of experience in a management capacity in the hotel-gaming industry. Graduates of the MHA program hold a master's degree from a fully-accredited university.

The decision to add the MHA Gaming Management Track as an option alongside the college's already-established Hospitality Management Track was largely based on an industry study, for which current Harrah Hospitality College associate professor, and former gaming executive, Toni Repetti surveyed 200 professionals working in the gaming industry.

"There is a clear demand for this kind of degree," said Repetti, whose study revealed that nearly 63% of those surveyed were in favor of a master's degree in gaming and felt that it was important to a successful career in today's gaming market. Current trends in gaming, she noted, show that more non-gaming professionals are taking on management roles in hotel/casino environments.

The study, published in the UNLV Gaming and Research Journal, also found that that an online degree format was preferred due to the wide geographic dispersion and often unpredictable work schedules in the gaming industry.

"Unlike other schools that offer single course and/or certificate programs, MHA students will received a master's degree for which 50%-60% of their 30-credit degree program will be specific to gaming," said Repetti.

Available courses include: Casino Marketing; Gaming Operations; Gaming Regulations, Law, and Compliance, Internet and Mobile Gaming.

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