Academic Outreach

AIF Programs

Faculty Resources
Keep current on industry issues and expand your knowledge base.

Student Resources
Broaden your knowledge of the industry and add to your networking opportunities.

For more information on any of these programs, please contact Anna Chongpinitchai.

School Profiles

As the vacation ownership industry enters its fifth decade, educational institutions continue to offer courses preparing the employees of tomorrow.  The variety of programs at colleges and universities has grown along with the size of the industry.  Ranging from timeshare modules included in resort management classes to vacation ownership specializations, school offerings run the gamut.

Johnson & Wales University, Providence, RI and Miami, FL
Johnson & Wales University (JWU) offers one timeshare course as part of its 12-course Resort Management concentration. The course is offered at the Providence (RI) and the North Miami (FL) campuses and focuses on the operations and marketing of timeshare resorts. A major operator of timeshare resorts was instrumental in helping to establish the course.

Robert Kok, Chair of the International Hotel School at JWU, and creator of the course states, "The timeshare segment of our industry has remained fairly strong during the economic downturn. We're glad to be able to introduce students to another opportunity for their career advancement."

As one of the top-rated programs in the United States, JWU offers degrees in Hotel & Lodging Management and International Hotel & Tourism Management. The latter degree includes an entire term in Europe and the study of a foreign language. The Resort Management concentration may be taken as part of either degree. For more information visit www.jwu.edu/hospitality .

Lynn University, Boca Raton, FL
Led by Dean Mike Hampton, Ed.D., Lynn University's College of Hospitality Management launched a specialization in vacation ownership in fall 2005. Students selecting this program of study complete four courses including: Principles of Vacation Ownership, Resort Management and Operations, Marketing Strategies for Vacation Ownership, and Inventory Management for Vacation Ownership. In addition, students participate in two fundamental and one advanced internships that provide field and/or corporate level exposure to the various aspects of the business, which may be taken on-site in a timeshare facility, residence club, fractional or other shared ownership operation.

Lynn University is an independent, nonprofit university located in Boca Raton, FL. The university is home to five academic colleges (business, arts and sciences, international communication, hospitality and education), a Conservatory of Music, School of Aeronautics and the Institute for Achievement and Learning, and is dedicated to individualized learning, innovative approaches and an international focus. For more information visit www.lynn.edu.

University of Memphis, Memphis, TN
The Kemmons Wilson School of Hospitality and Resort Management at the University of Memphis is housed in a full-service Holiday Inn hotel and conference center, allowing students to see business challenges and real-time operations. Students learn through a mix of class work, applied industry experiences and a required 1000 hours of internships in lodging and hospitality operations. Course work focuses on asset management, facility development, human resources, resort management, food and beverage cost controls and revenue management.

Graduates receive the B.B.A. degree from the Fogelman College of Business & Economics which provides a traditional business education with emphasis on communication, critical thinking, and creativity. Through a strong partnership with Orange Lake Resorts and the new IHG Holiday Inn Vacation Club students compete for a 10 week resort operations internship which includes timeshare sales, revenue management, food and beverage development and back of the house departments. For more information visit www.memphis.edu/wilson.

University of Wisconsin-Stout, Menomonie, WI
The University of Wisconsin-Stout, Department of Hospitality and Tourism in the College of Management offers two undergraduate degree programs that have a timeshare component. The Hotel, Restaurant and Tourism Management degree program includes Principles of Timeshare Management along with Resort Planning and Development as required courses in two Concentrations:  Lodging and Resort Operations and Property Management.  In addition, in the fall of 2009 a new undergraduate degree in Property Management was initiated which will also focus on timeshare curriculum.

Student interest in this field has been growing rapidly.  UW-Stout hopes to have over 15 students attend the ARDA convention in March 2010 working as Student Ambassadors and learning more about career opportunities in this growing and exciting field.  Dr. Randall Upchurch just joined the faculty at the University of Wisconson-Stout as the new Department Chair. For more information visit www.uwstout.edu.

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