All classes are taught at the UVU Wasatch Campus. Located just 18-28 minutes away from our WARM hotel & resort partners, this incredible facility sits on 50 acres of Heber Valley’s northeastern slope and features panoramic views of Timpanogos. Check out the Wasatch Campus.
The WARM program combines classroom study with on-the-job learning. Students gain significant and valuable luxury hotel experience prior to graduation, preparing them to pursue careers in the hotel and resort industry.
The WARM program has structured relationships with hotel partners that ensure students receive quality work experience and competitive compensation.
Students of WARM will earn a Bachelor of Science in Hospitality Management through an AACSB accredited business school; this highly valued accreditation assures students that, in addition to learning the fundamentals of hotel and resort management, they are receiving a quality business school education.
Additionally, students receive value-added instruction in the classroom through various immersive educational experiences.
While many hospitality programs require internships, the WARM program offers students valuable work experience throughout the entire duration of the program.
WARM’S innovative approach and unmatched industry partnerships prepare students to enter the workforce in meaningful roles upon graduating.
Classroom instruction will help students be more effective in their internships, while their internships will enrich the classroom experience as students will be able to share valuable insights they’ve gained while on the job.
Because WARM classes are taught using a cohort approach, the classroom experience can embrace experiential instruction modalities.
Immersive educational examples include: group projects, case studies, guest lectures, networking events, property tours, property demonstrations, on-the-job training, consulting projects, workshops, certifications, competitions, small group mentoring, etc.
WARM hotel partners play a crucial role in providing students with immersive educational experiences. Students gain valuable industry skills not only by leaving the classroom to engage with industry through work experience, but by industry engaging students in the classroom through a reciprocal partnership.
The WARM program is a time-intensive, immersive program. Students work at world-class resorts to rigorously prepare themselves for careers in hotel or resort management.
If you want to earn a competitive wage and gain unsurpassed world-class hotel work experience, all while earning an AACSB accredited business degree in Hospitality Management, this is the program for you.
Students should have completed and received a passing grade in a majority of the general elective courses required by UVU. These courses are outlined on the admissions page.
Students should also have completed the Woodbury School of Business (WSB) prerequisites with a C- or better prior to admissions. Students missing required program prerequisites may qualify for a waiver. For more information about the admissions process, review the information found on the application page.
For further inquiries, contact the WARM program coordinator at [email protected].
No. There are no explicitly required GPA or work experience requirements for admissions into the program. Various factors such as previous coursework, grades, prior experience, and passion for the industry, will be jointly considered to determine eligibility.
Students who have satisfactorily completed all the required prerequisites will be prepared to enter the program.
If you are missing prerequisites, you should try and complete missing prerequisites prior to the start to the program.
Although not required, prospective students would benefit from acquiring some hotel industry experience prior to starting the program.
Yes, international students can qualify to study in the WARM program and can work off-campus for a WARM hotel partner during their enrollment in the program.
Note: Qualifying as an international student requires some additional steps. Over the course of the program, students will complete 41 weeks of full-time curricular practical training (CPT). Students will begin their first period of full-time CPT work over the holiday break. To qualify for full-time CPT, students must be enrolled at a university full-time in the two semesters immediately preceding the holiday break. This means that international students enrolling in the fall cohort must take in-person, full-time courses over the summer prior to starting the WARM program. The only exception to this is for students who completed an academic degree the summer prior to starting the program; these students qualify even if they only studied part-time over the summer.
To ensure international students qualify for one year of full-time optional practical training (OPT) after graduation, students cannot exceed 52 weeks of full-time CPT prior to graduation. Students should not have completed any OPT under a BA or BS degree.
To ensure they do not exceed the 52 week limit, international students should complete an associates degree prior to entry into the WARM program. Students who have not previously completed any full-time curricular practical training (CPT), while pursuing a Bachelor's Degree, may not need to complete an associates degree prior to admissions into the program.
International student immigration regulations are complicated and specific to individual circumstances. Thus, any information provided here is informational. Applicants are subject to final review by UVU International Admissions and International Student Services. If you have questions regarding international student requirements, contact the WARM program coordinator at [email protected].
If a cohort is enrolled below capacity, there may be a possibility of joining a cohort part way through the program. All WARM prerequisite courses and most courses taken earlier in the program will need to have already been completed. This will only be approved based on enrollment capacities and transfer qualifications.
It is unlikely that many will qualify to transfer into the program. Students will only be permitted to transfer into the program during the second or third semesters. To inquire regarding transferring into the WARM program, contact the WARM program coordinator at [email protected].
No, this program is intended for Juniors and Seniors who have completed their general education requirement.
Not for most students. International students who completed full-time curricular practical training (CPT) prior to entry into the program will need to earn an associates degree to ensure they qualify for one year of full-time optional practical training (OPT) after graduation.
Students will have to have completed 49 semester hours and have completed the program prerequisites. Some students may qualify for a waiver that will allow them to take some prerequisites during the program. For more information about the admissions process review the information found on the application page.
If you still have questions, contact the WARM program coordinator at [email protected].
No, work experience is not expressly required for admission into the program. Various factors such as previous coursework, grades, previous experience, and passion for the industry, will be jointly considered to determine eligibility.
Up to six prerequisite courses may be completed during the program. You should discuss the specifics of your situation with the WARM program coordinator who will determine how many prerequisite courses may be completed during the program. Upon approval, the WARM program coordinator will work with you to create a plan to complete the required missing prerequisite courses. Generally, only a small quantity of prerequisite courses may be waived. This amount may be higher (up to six) if an applicant has completed some courses that are offered in the program. In this scenario, the applicant will complete the program prerequisites in the place of program courses already completed through comparable courses.
Students who have completed up to six courses that are equivalent to courses offered in the program may still be eligible to enter the program. Students who have completed seven or more equivalent program courses would likely be served better by completing their degree on the main campus or online. To discuss your specific situation, contact the WARM program coordinator at [email protected].
The WARM program has partnered with WARM hotel partners to ensure students receive: quality work experience, competitive compensation, and helpful tuition reimbursement. WARM hotel partners help graduates to obtain work experience that will better qualify them for competitive industry positions after graduation.
Arrangements have been made with hotel partners to ensure that students receive a minimum wage of $16 per hour after tips and gratuities. Offers for employment may vary by employers, some partners may compensate some individuals above the required $16 per hour wage.
Relations with WARM hotel partners have been formed for the benefit of students and our partners. Accepting employment from an organization that is not an official WARM hotel partner may preclude you from earning the minimum $16 per hour required wage and from receiving any tuition reimbursement. Students are required to work for a hotel that meets the program requirements. If you are interested in working for an organization that is not a WARM hotel partner, you must receive a prior approval. This may be advantageous to industry professionals who are already gainfully employed, seeking to complete the WARM program without leaving their current employer. To discuss your specific situation, contact the WARM program coordinator at [email protected].
Students hired by hotel partners can expect: to make at least $16 per hour after tips and gratuities and to receive a tuition reimbursement benefit of $1000 per semester. Tuition reimbursement qualifications do apply, see the tuition reimbursement section below for more details. Additionally, students often qualify for other employer specific benefits such as: season ski passes, insurance, discounted hotel stays, discounted food and beverage, complimentary meals during shifts, etc. Benefits vary by employer. Because many positions are tipped, average wages may substantially exceed partner requirements.
Most hotel partners have expressed a desire to hire WARM students for a variety of positions. These positions may include: housekeeping supervisor (room inspector), desk agent (front desk, spa), uniformed services (valet, bellmen, concierge), server (restaurant, room service, banquets), cook (restaurant, room service, banquets), retail (ski shop, gift shop, counter service cafe), restaurant host, bartender, reservations agent, activities attendant, etc. This is just a sampling, WARM hotel partners will be hiring students for these and many other positions. Employers will each determine eligibility of students considered for various positions. Some positions may require students to be a minimum age (21 for servers).
It is not required, but it can be helpful. Hotel partners will make all offers to students. Offers are contingent upon available positions and students qualifications among other factors. Students with previous industry experience will qualify for more positions and are likely to receive more offers. Because WARM hotel partners hire for a wide variety of positions, nearly all past work experience is valuable.
Yes, employment is at will. Students must be employed by a hotel partner, but they can switch between hotel partners. Keep in mind though that switching employers may not be ideal or necessary. If you are unhappy in a position, consider contacting a HR representative to explore alternatives. You may be able to be reassigned to a different role or department. Before quitting an employer, consider reaching out to the WARM program coordinator or a trusted faculty member for advice. Keep in mind that quitting an employer may make you ineligible to receive tuition reimbursement for a season.
A cohort is a group of students who are working through a curriculum together to achieve the same academic degree together. Students studying in a cohort take the same classes, at the same rate, together. The WARM program is offering courses using cohorts to streamline the program. By offering courses in a cohort program, course schedules and workloads are optimized. Students take courses back-to-back reducing the amount of time they are required to be on campus. Because all students take the same classes, hotel partners are aware of when students have class, and students have more availability for their employers.
Students are able to make better use of their time. Classes are offered back-to-back to reduce the amount of time students need to be on campus. Students also have less scheduling conflicts with employers since cohort class times are optimized for industry employment schedules. By studying with the same group of students throughout the program, students form stronger bonds with their classmates. These bonds can lead to lasting friendships and can prove useful in future careers.
Students must be employed throughout the entire program. Students are required to work 10 hours or more over Summer and Fall semesters and 30 hours or more over Spring semester. Most students will want to work more than this to qualify for tuition reimbursement. The program is designed for serious students who intend to work throughout the program. If you are looking for a more flexible program that does not require continuous work, consider enrolling in UVU's online hospitality program.
Students must work 10 hours or more over Summer and Fall semesters and 30 hours or more over Spring semester at a qualifying property. Students must earn a C- or better in all courses. Students must attend 90% of all classes.
Semester schedules have been created to accommodate the needs of the Park City hotel industry. Students will study full-time over the Summer and Fall semesters. During this time, it is expected that students will work part-time. Most students working part-time will work 2-3 shifts that are 6-8 hours in length per week. Students will study part-time over the Spring semester. During this time, students are expected to work full-time. Most students working full-time will work 4-5 shifts that are 8 hours in length. Part of the credit that students will earn is internship credit which requires little effort outside of the work performed on the job. In total, it is anticipated that most students will devote 50 to 60 hours per week to work and school (homework included). This program is not for everyone, applicants should assess the amount of time they are willing to commit to the program to ensure they are up to the task.
To graduate, students must pass all WARM courses with a C- or better. Students who earn below a C- in any course may not be eligible to graduate. Students who earn below a C- for a course in the program may be placed on program probation. The program coordinator may be able to work with students to retake the course through an alternative means. Not passing multiple courses may be grounds for expulsion from the program.
Tuition varies by semester based on the number of credits taken. The cost of tuition is $425 per credit. The cost of tuition over the entire 5-semester program is $25,075. Utah residents qualify for a scholarship benefit of $7375 over the entire program. Thus the effective total cost of tuition for Utah residents is $17,700 or $300 per credit. To qualify as a Utah resident tuition, you must meet the residency requirements prior to the start of the semester.
Yes, students in the WARM program still qualify for financial aid available to all undergraduate UVU students. This includes grants and student loans. No scholarships are currently available for WARM students other than the Utah resident scholarship. For information on financial aid eligibility or to apply visit UVU’s financial aid page.
Yes, non-resident students and international students both pay the same tuition rate. The cost of tuition is $425 per credit. The cost of tuition over the entire 5-semester program is $25,075. Utah residents qualify for a scholarship benefit of $7375 over the entire program. Thus the effective total cost of tuition for Utah residents is $17,700 or $300 per credit. To qualify as a Utah resident tuition, you must meet the residency requirements prior to the start of the semester. Students completing the event planning minor or completing optional hospitality electives offered as part of the WARM program will need to pay an additional $425 per credit ($300 per credit for residents).
Students must first make sure they are working for a qualifying hotel partner. Make sure your employer is among those who have an agreement in place with the university to offer tuition reimbursement. UVU has certain requirements for students to qualify including maintaining a GPA of a 2.5 or greater and attending 90% of class for the semester to be reimbursed. The hotel partners also have certain requirements including: working 18+ hours over the summer and fall semesters or 35+ hours over the fall semester and holiday break, having contiguous employment from October 1st through the end of Deer Valley’s ski season (aprox. April 17th), and from June 1st through August 20th, and receive approval from the WARM hotel partner contact for any time taken off.
No, tuition reimbursement as offered through the WARM hotel partner program is only available to WARM hotel partners. Other employers may offer their own benefits that may or may not include tuition reimbursement. Students are required to work for a hotel that meets the program requirements. If you are interested in working for an organization that is not a WARM hotel partner, you must receive prior approval from the WARM program coordinator.
New cohorts begin each fall. There are not currently any other cohort start dates offered. If this does not work with your plans, consider delaying your plans to start with the next fall cohort or enrolling in UVU's more flexible online hospitality management program. Some students may qualify to join the existing cohort in the spring. Contact the WARM program coordinator for details.
Junior courses will be taught each Monday and Wednesday days and Tuesday and Thursday evenings. Day courses will start at or after 8:30 am and will conclude by 1:00 pm. Evening courses will start at or after 5:30 pm and will conclude by 9:00 pm.
Some customization will be necessary for students who have received a prerequisite waiver and plan on taking prerequisite courses in the place of program courses that have already been taken. Most students however will take the courses as scheduled. Students wishing to complete the program part-time must take WARM core courses in the standard sequence; other courses may be taken out of sequence including following the 5-semester program in a sixth and seventh semester. Some courses taught in the 4th semester (2nd fall semester) may be taken early for students who have completed many 1st semester courses prior to the start of the program. Students wishing to deviate from the typical course sequence should work with the WARM program coordinator to create a detailed plan that meets their academic and professional goals.
Yes, there is housing located close to the Wasatch Campus. There are several options available. The most convenient is Wasatch Commons, located a half a mile from campus. Another popular apartment complex is Wing Point Apartments. Additionally, many students rent basement apartments or houses together. For assistance with housing, contact the WARM program coordinator.
No, there is no public transportation between Heber and Park City. Most students will drive between the Wasatch Campus and their work location using their own car. Carpooling is possible, but students will need to have a plan in place to ensure they can get to work in Park City. Inside of Park City there is public transit available that provides access to all our hotel partners in Deer Valley and Park City.
All our hotel partners are located in a winter destination market. As such, you should expect to periodically drive through snow. That said, Park City is diligent in plowing the roads to all the resorts. Driving in snow typically means traveling on 1-2 inches of snow or slush. Deeper snow on roads is less common. WARM students typically encounter challenging snow conditions while commuting to work 2-4 times per season. In such circumstances, it is advisable to park in a public lot in Park City and take public transportation to hotel partners located at higher elevation. Anyone driving in winter conditions should keep an emergency bag in the car stocked with winter essentials including extra clothing and blankets. You will likely want a vehicle with four wheel drive or all wheel drive. Snow tires offer greatly improved handling and traction on winter roads; having chains in your vehicle (and knowing how to install them) is recommended if you don’t have snow tires.
Park City is just 20 minutes from the Wasatch Campus and Jordanelle reservoir is just 10 minutes away. Ample outdoor recreation opportunities abound including alpine skiing, snowboarding, cross-country skiing, snow shoeing, mountain biking, cycling, hiking, fishing, golf, and water sports. Many hotel partners offer free or discounted season passes. Used ski equipment can be purchased at a significant discount. Utah is home to 5 National Parks including: Zion, Bryce Canyon, Capitol Reef, Arches, and Canyonlands. These destinations can be easily accessed over a weekend trip with friends.
The Wasatch Campus is a satellite campus. As such, not all resources found at the Orem Campus are available. Students are welcome to participate in Orem events that are just a 40 mile drive away. Some facilities and services are available on the Wasatch Campus. The campus has a gym that is open daily along with a pool table, ping pong table, and a gaming system. Because students are a part of a cohort that includes many students they also live in close proximity to, informal socializing among students is expected. Additionally, the WARM program will host several social events throughout the year.
The WARM program does not offer students a complimentary ski pass. However, some hotel partners offer free or discounted season passes to employees. Employer benefits vary, inquire with the hotels’ human resource department for more details.
