Friday 11 March 2016 9:26am
A new Masters degree in Tourism combines the latest taught courses with a component of independent research and aims to provide students with the knowledge and skills they'll need to succeed with a career in a tourism-related industry or to prepare for a PhD in the discipline.
“The MTour reflects the fact that tourism is both an area of academic research and a significant global industry,” says programme coordinator Associate Professor Neil Carr. “Individuals working in either context must be aware of both academic and non-academic interests in tourism, and the benefits of interactions between the two. The MTour is a means of developing links and understanding between those working in the tourism industry and those conducting research on tourism.”
The degree offers an interdisciplinary programme examining tourism, leisure, sport, recreation, events and hospitality from social, commercial and environmental perspectives both in New Zealand and globally. The programme deals with core, contemporary and emerging issues and is taught by some of the leading tourism, leisure, and hospitality researchers in the world.
“The department used to have a research-only Masters,” explains Professor Carr, “but the decision was made in 2010 to alter the MTour so that it would become two semesters of taught courses followed by one semester of independent research.”
“The new MTour provides a more holistic grounding for those seeking to go on to study for a PhD and at the same time provides a high quality programme for those wishing to upskill from an undergraduate degree before heading out into or re-joining the workforce. As a multidisciplinary area we also recognise that the new programme better allows students without a tourism background but with appropriate broader disciplinary backgrounds to enter the MTour.”
Professor Carr adds that students wanting to pursue a pure research Masters degree in Tourism still have that option available to them in the MCom.
For more information about Masters options in Tourism at the University of Otago contact:
Associate Professor Neil Carr
Email neil.carr@otago.ac.nz
Website: Department of Tourism
