The University of South Carolina (USC) opens applications to a fully funded PhD in the field of Hospitality Management starting Fall 2026. The program is aimed at future scholars, researchers, and industry innovators who strive to push the boundaries of hospitality and tourism by means of intensive academic training, interdisciplinary cooperation, and active research.
Why Pursue a PhD in Hospitality Management at the University of South Carolina?
Complete Funding: All the chosen PhD students get full funding for four years (paid tuition and fees, 60 credit hours), medical insurance, and four years of research and teaching assistantship positions.
Competitive Stipends and Grants: Students are offered an annual summer research stipend of $7,000, a conference travel fund of $2,000 annually, data collection grants, and a new laptop and monitor to help them be more productive in their research.
More Financial Opportunities: Students with exceptional academic achievement will be able to enjoy university-level scholarships, grants, and Presidential Fellowships.
No Application Fee: The 50 application fee is automatically eliminated on all applications.
International Awareness: The School of Hospitality and Tourism Management at USC has been a top doctoral program in the US for a long time, with a global reputation for research excellence and faculty leadership.
Mentorship: The chosen PhD students will have their own faculty mentor since the very first day of the program. It will be an individual training session, which will offer academic advising, professional coaching, as well as research assistance during the program and beyond.
Program Description – PhD in Hospitality Management
A PhD in the field of Hospitality Management at the University of South Carolina is a full-time, four-year degree course, where 60 credits are required to complete the dissertation, research, cognate, and core parts. The arrangement of the courses provides a balance between academic theory, methodological rigour and practical academic experience.
Program/ Credit Structure:
- HTMT Core, and concentration: 12 credit hours.
- Cognates: 18 credit hours
- Research Core: 15 credit hours
- Dissertation: At least 15 credit hours.
The curriculum will produce not only a researcher but also an efficient teacher. Through co-teaching and leading undergraduate courses under the guidance of senior faculty members, PhD students get a valuable teaching experience, which prepares them to be excellent in academia and beyond.
Research and Expertise Areas
Students who are chosen will be employed in various fields of specialization, such as:
- Analytics
- Consumer behaviour and experience.
- Crisis management
- Destination marketing
- Event management
- Food and beverage management.
- Food hygiene, health and safety.
- Hospitality management and activities.
- Organizational behavior
- Revenue management
- Service marketing and management.
- Strategic management
- sustainability
- Technology innovation
Application Requirements – PhD in Hospitality Management
- GRE or GMAT scores
- Two letters of recommendation.
- A copy of the official university transcripts.
- Curriculum vitae (CV) or Resume.
- Personal statement
- TOEFL/ IELTS results (non-native English speakers)
- Professional experience in the industry.
- Before admission, candidates are required to have an HTMT faculty member who is disposed to act as their major mentor.
Application – PhD in Hospitality Management
Interested candidates can also get in touch with the PhD program Director, Dr Feng Meng
Why This PhD Opportunity is Unique
- Get practical experience in teaching.
- Work together with an eclectic group of faculty and industry affiliates.
- Get extensive mentoring and professional training.
- Publish in internationally influential research and over a broad area of experience.
Deadline and Contact Information
Application Deadline: January 15, 2026 (Starting in Fall 2026)