Rosen College of Hospitality Management

Undergraduate Certificate Program in Hospitality & Tourism Management

with Academic Internship at Walt Disney World Resort

OVERVIEW

The University of Central Florida’s (UCF) Rosen College of Hospitality Management, working with Walt Disney World Resort, offers an intensive six-month Undergraduate Certificate Program in Hospitality & Tourism Management for international students who are currently enrolled in hospitality, tourism or business related programs in UCF’s international partnership universities (IPU). Students will take academic courses at the Rosen College and participate in an academic internship through the Disney International College Program at the Walt Disney World Resort near Orlando, Florida, U.S.A. The program offers you the thrill of working with a globally recognized hospitality brand – the Walt Disney World Resort, while earning a certificate from one of the top hospitality institutions in the world – the Rosen College of Hospitality Management.

Global Education at the Cutting-Edge

The Rosen College of Hospitality Management features leading educators in the fields of hospitality and tourism management.  Students will earn 12 credit hours toward graduation at their home institution: 9 from course work and 3 from successfully completing the academic internship at the Walt Disney World Resort.

World-Class Academic Internship

The academic internship through the Disney International Programs provides hospitality focused, real-world experience for participants to apply classroom knowledge while working with a world-renowned company and building their C.V. There are a variety of roles offered to Disney International Programs Cast Members, and each provides a unique and diverse learning experience. All program participants will have the opportunity to develop their communication and problem-solving skills, and also work on their confidence and self-reliance. Program participants are placed in entry-level positions at one of four theme parks, two water parks, hotels or other locations that are part of the Walt Disney World Resort. Students work 30-37.5 hours per week when classes are in session and are paid a competitive hourly wage (around USD$8 per hour). Scheduled hours may increase when classes are not in session.

For potential roles for your academic internships at Disney, please refer to the Disney International College Program Role Checklist.

CURRICULUM

The Undergraduate Program in Hospitality & Tourism Management consists of 4 courses totaling 12 credit hours. Three courses, or 9 credit hours, will be offered at the Rosen College campus taught by Rosen College professors, one being an academic internship course (3 credit hours) placed at Walt Disney World Resort. The following is a sample of potential courses:

• Guest Services Management
• Destination Marketing
• Event Management
• Hospitality Information Systems
• Hospitality Brand Management
• Hospitality Industry Finance
• Leadership and Strategic Management
• Academic internship

The Undergraduate Certificate Program in Hospitality & Tourism Management requires students to successfully complete 12 credit hours of coursework. These credits will not count toward a degree at UCF but will be applied toward the students’ graduation requirements at their home institutions. A student will be awarded the Certificate of Completion in Hospitality & Tourism Management from UCF Rosen College after successful completion of all the requirements for the Program.

UCF will provide each student participating in this Program with a computer account that allows electronic mail and access to the Internet, WebCT, and UCF’s Library’s online facilities. Internet access and a notebook computer are required for class work outside of the class meeting times. Notebook computers will be available for purchase from the Rosen College at orientation if needed.

ADMISSION

Admission Requirements

To be eligible for the Undergraduate Certificate Program in Hospitality & Tourism Management at UCF with academic internship at the Walt Disney World Resort, selected students must meet the admission requirement set forth by both the University of Central Florida and the Walt Disney World Resort. Courses are taught entirely in English. For students who are from a country where English is not the official language, the students must receive a TOEFL score of 80 (internet), 220 (computer), 550 (paper), or IELTS score of 6.5 to be considered for the program. Students should also have a minimum GPA of 3.0 or above with their home institution in order to be recommended to participate in the program. A sample TOEFL score submission requirement can be found here.

Recommendation by Home Institutions and Interviews with Rosen College and Disney

Students must be recommended by their home institutions (UCF international partnership university – IPU) to apply. Specifically, IPU faculty members or administrators will nominate candidates for participation in the Undergraduate Certificate Program in Hospitality & Tourism Management. The UCF Rosen College of Hospitality Management (RCHM) will admit students from the group of candidates nominated by IPU, using admissions requirements set above. Then both Rosen College and Walt Disney World Resort will conduct interviews with recommended students either face to face or via Skype to ensure that inbound students have acquired the appropriate level of English fluency for the academic coursework and work requirements, among other considerations.

Apply Today

The certificate program has two intakes annually, Spring and Fall, and each is six months in duration. The Spring cohort/group runs from mid-January to mid-July, and the Fall cohort/group runs from mid-July to mid-January. The application deadline for the Fall semester is April 1 each year. The application deadline for the Spring semester is October 1 each year.

Once you are admitted into the program, you can immediately begin the application process by going to: http://international.ucf.edu/disneyrosen/.  Bookmark the link as you will refer to it many times. Please print out the CHECKLIST so you will see and track all of the things you need to do.  Remember your login!

Minimum Health Insurance Requirements for Students with F and J Non-Immigrant Status

All international students on an F-1 or J-1 visa and their accompanying dependents are required to have health (medical) insurance coverage for their entire duration of studies. Students must carefully select a health insurance plan that meets all the State of Florida Board of Governors regulations. Please note that students are not able to register or continue to be enrolled for classes without proof of valid health insurance. View the Minimum Health Insurance Requirements.

COSTS ESTIMATES

Total Program Fee

The total cost of the Program (Total Program Fee) will be USD$3500 per student. Payments will be made by your home institution to UCF two weeks before the arrival of students. You are highly encouraged to pay the program fee to your home institution once you are admitted into the program so that your home institution can arrange payments to UCF on your behalf on time.  The payment will cover the cost of professors teaching courses, transportation to and from Walt Disney World housing, printing and duplication, access to UCF library system, UCF student ID card, a graduation reception at the end of program, payments to other UCF departments for services provided, and any other miscellaneous expenses that may arise during the Program. Please refer to Payment Instructions for wire transfer provided by UCF Division of Continuing Education. If you prefer to pay the program fee online with credit card, please click here.

Living at the Comforts of Home

Students live in company-sponsored, fully-secured, fully-furnished, one-, two-, three- and four-bedroom apartments near the Walt Disney World® Resort. A bus system provides students with transportation to work, classes, shopping and social activities. Security is provided.

Students housing will be paid for by the student as a direct deduction from their paycheck each week.  This can range from USD$80-105 depending on housing unit and number of roommates the student has. An accommodation charge covers the housing fee, utilities, high-speed internet, local phone service and transportation. To find a complete listing of current housing rates and other fees, visit: https://www.disneyinternationalprograms.com/seasonal/living_intro.html

SCHEDULE OF PROGRAM

Fall 2013 Cohort Schedule (Application Deadline: May 15, 2013)

Spring 2013 Cohort Schedule

Fall 2012 Cohort Schedule

Spring 2012 Cohort Schedule

CONTACT US

Undergraduate Certificate Program in Hospitality & Tourism Management

Program general information:

Dr. Youcheng Wang
Associate Dean of Academic Affairs and Research
Rosen College of Hospitality Management
University of Central Florida
9907 Universal Blvd
Orlando, FL 32819
Phone: +1 407 903 8039
Fax: +1 407 903 8105
Email: Youcheng.wang@ucf.edu

Mr. Canlin Frost
Continuing Education Coordinator
Rosen College of Hospitality Management
University of Central Florida
9907 Universal Blvd
Orlando, FL 32819
Phone: +1 407 903 8168
Fax: +1 407 903 8106
Email: Canlin.Frost@ucf.edu

Program application information:

Office of International Studies

Mr. Jorge Garcia
Award Assistant
Office of International Studies
University of Central Florida MH107
4000 Central Florida Blvd.
Orlando, FL 32816
Phone: +1 407 882-2304
Fax: +407 882 0240
E-mail: jorge.garcia@ucf.edu

Payment information:

Ms. Waheeda F. Illasarie
Assistant Director, Continuing Education
Regional Campuses Administration
12201 Research Parkway, Suite 101
Orlando, FL 32826-3246
Phone: +1 407 823 2609
Fax: +1 407 823 1399
Email: waheeda@ucf.edu