Marriott International, the world's largest travel company, has teamed up with Cornell University's globally recognized School of Hotel Administration to launch the Marriott Global Design certificate, a custom corporate program centered on the Marriott approach to hotel planning and design.

Available online through Cornell's online learning unit, eCornell, this new certificate program provides architects and interior designers, along with those seeking employment with Marriott, the background and skills needed to plan and effectively design viable hotel properties. In addition, this certificate program is also valued by Marriott's approved hotel design vendors and agencies.

"The art of successful hotel design is multi-faceted," said Ron Harrison, Global Design Officer for Marriott International. "The Marriott Global Design certificate program grants learners unparalleled insights and perspective on how to best serve hotel guests, and how to design a hotel that thrives into the future."

Stephani Robson, a faculty member at the School of Hotel Administration, authored five of the six expert-led courses in the certificate program. The sixth course is self-paced and led by veteran Marriott International architect, Michael Wang.

Students will have an opportunity to explore such topics as hotel types, marketing concepts, branding practices, and development roles, followed by a study of initial planning, the application of functional area requirements, and planning metrics. The focus then turns to specific design considerations for guest rooms, public spaces, and back-of-the-house areas.

Courses include:

  • Foundations of Hotel Planning
  • Initial Hotel Planning Decisions
  • Hotel Guestroom Design
  • Hotel Public Space Design
  • Hotel Back-of-House Design
  • The Marriott Approach to Hotel Planning

"We are excited to partner with Marriott to provide a learning solution which, upon completion, uniquely positions participants for success in the hotel planning and design industry," said Kate Walsh, dean of the School of Hotel Administration.

This program serves as one of several collaborations between Cornell University and Marriott. Cornell also provides hospitality leadership development solutions through eCornell to Marriott employees across the world.

Upon successful completion of the Marriott Global Design certificate program, learners will receive a Hotel Design - The Marriott Way certificate from the School of Hotel Administration.

About the Cornell Nolan School of Hotel Administration

The Cornell Peter and Stephanie Nolan School of Hotel Administration is the premier school for hospitality education in the world. As an integral part of the Cornell SC Johnson College of Business, the school is leading the world in teaching and researching the business of hospitality—marketing, finance, real estate, operations, and more, all applied to the world’s largest and most exciting industry. Top faculty, industry leaders, alumni, and students work together to generate new knowledge for the hospitality industry and form the premier network that shapes the industry every day.

Sarah Magnus-Sharpe
Director of PR & Communications
Cornell