University of Massachusetts at Amherst. UMass Amherst, located in Amherst, Mass., is a nationally-ranked public research university offering a full range of undergraduate, graduate and professional degrees. And up the road at the University of Massachusetts-Amherst, officials said Thursday that a shift to remote learning is having harsh economic consequences for the campus. Citing the 'incredible financial cost' of not fully reopening, the school has seen $169 million in budget losses. It will put 850 workers on indefinite furlough starting Sept.
If Massachusetts and federal lawmakers approve creation of an Indian-run casino in Middleborough, following local approval of the deal, the new facility may not have to look beyond the state border for trained workers and executives thanks to a program run by the Department of Hospitality and Tourism Management.
Beginning in 2003, the department has offered a series of three courses focused on the gaming industry. The courses were originally developed with the Foxwoods and Mohegan Sun casinos located in Connecticut, and the campus maintains those connections.
Now with the possibility that a home-grown casino might be approved, faculty members are hoping they are well positioned to play a role in the expanding gaming industry here in Massachusetts. 'The growth of casinos in Connecticut has demonstrated a strong interest in gaming throughout the New England region,' says HTM professor Chris Roberts. 'Pulling some of that business back to Massachusetts will help create new jobs here and funnel needed tax revenues into state programs. UMass is ready to help future workers and leaders enter the gaming industry.'
The department has developed five undergraduate study tracks, including one on casino management where students learn about the history and development of gaming, marketing, how to design, run and protect casinos, and a course that examines the social, cultural, legal and psychological aspects of gaming.
Those three courses, 'Casino Management,' 'Casino Products, Protection and Probability,' and 'Gaming and Social Policy,' are offered as online courses through Continuing & Professional Education.
Roberts says a Massachusetts-based casino could see benefits from the HTM program. He notes that UMass would be a useful source of education for potential employees, especially those aspiring into management positions. 'New casinos create a demand for many new management positions,' Roberts says. 'Our casino track prepares students for entry-level careers in leadership positions throughout the casino – including areas beyond the casino floor in the restaurants, hotels, entertainment and convention services or in support services such as human resources, marketing and finance.'
There is also the potential to build relationships between UMass and a state-based casino that could allow for development of internships for students, potential placement into management positions for graduating students, and collaborative work on research projects, he says.
AMHERST, Mass. - The University of Massachusetts Amherst will offer an online course on casino management this fall, the first in a series of three courses on the gaming industry. The three-credit course, titled, 'Casino Management,' was developed by the University's department of hospitality and tourism management (HTM) and the Foxwoods Resort and Casino of Ledyard, Conn. The new online course is offered through the University's Division of Continuing Education.
What Is Casino Management
Chris Roberts, associate department head at HTM, says the new courses were developed because gaming is 'a fast growing, multi-billion dollar industry. Says Roberts: 'We want to be sure we're on the cutting edge of educating the professionals who will manage these large enterprises. We think this program is a sure winner.'
Casino Management Books
Roberts says the casino management course examines the history and development of gaming and explores casino operations including slot machines, table games, and sports and Internet betting. It covers additional topics such as credit and casino accounting, casino hotels and casino foodservice, and the marketing of the gaming products, he says. A central focus will be on current trends as well as the primary management and financial elements unique to operating a casino, according to Roberts.
Casino Management Positions
Planned for later in 2004, a second course is titled 'Casino Products, Protection and Probabilities,' and it will focus on understanding the design and structure of casino games such as blackjack, roulette and craps, as well as how the casino protects the games from abuse by cheaters. The third course in the series, 'Gaming and Social Policy,' will explore the social consequences of gaming on individuals and communities and includes both economic impacts and regulatory oversight.
Frank Lattuca, HTM department head, says the hospitality and tourism department's mission is to develop new and innovative courses and programs that meet the needs of our students and others from the region. 'The study of gaming and casino operations is one among several emphasis areas found in our program and will no doubt draw a great deal of interest,' Lattuca says. The HTM program is ranked fourth in the nation by the Gorman Report, an organization that ranks law, medicine, business, and other college programs, according to Lattuca. 'We will continue to develop courses in casino management that will provide a knowledge base for those wishing to pursue a career in this segment of hospitality management.'
The department has developed five undergraduate study tracks, including one on casino management where students learn about the history and development of gaming, marketing, how to design, run and protect casinos, and a course that examines the social, cultural, legal and psychological aspects of gaming.
Those three courses, 'Casino Management,' 'Casino Products, Protection and Probability,' and 'Gaming and Social Policy,' are offered as online courses through Continuing & Professional Education.
Roberts says a Massachusetts-based casino could see benefits from the HTM program. He notes that UMass would be a useful source of education for potential employees, especially those aspiring into management positions. 'New casinos create a demand for many new management positions,' Roberts says. 'Our casino track prepares students for entry-level careers in leadership positions throughout the casino – including areas beyond the casino floor in the restaurants, hotels, entertainment and convention services or in support services such as human resources, marketing and finance.'
There is also the potential to build relationships between UMass and a state-based casino that could allow for development of internships for students, potential placement into management positions for graduating students, and collaborative work on research projects, he says.
AMHERST, Mass. - The University of Massachusetts Amherst will offer an online course on casino management this fall, the first in a series of three courses on the gaming industry. The three-credit course, titled, 'Casino Management,' was developed by the University's department of hospitality and tourism management (HTM) and the Foxwoods Resort and Casino of Ledyard, Conn. The new online course is offered through the University's Division of Continuing Education.
What Is Casino Management
Chris Roberts, associate department head at HTM, says the new courses were developed because gaming is 'a fast growing, multi-billion dollar industry. Says Roberts: 'We want to be sure we're on the cutting edge of educating the professionals who will manage these large enterprises. We think this program is a sure winner.'
Casino Management Books
Roberts says the casino management course examines the history and development of gaming and explores casino operations including slot machines, table games, and sports and Internet betting. It covers additional topics such as credit and casino accounting, casino hotels and casino foodservice, and the marketing of the gaming products, he says. A central focus will be on current trends as well as the primary management and financial elements unique to operating a casino, according to Roberts.
Casino Management Positions
Planned for later in 2004, a second course is titled 'Casino Products, Protection and Probabilities,' and it will focus on understanding the design and structure of casino games such as blackjack, roulette and craps, as well as how the casino protects the games from abuse by cheaters. The third course in the series, 'Gaming and Social Policy,' will explore the social consequences of gaming on individuals and communities and includes both economic impacts and regulatory oversight.
Frank Lattuca, HTM department head, says the hospitality and tourism department's mission is to develop new and innovative courses and programs that meet the needs of our students and others from the region. 'The study of gaming and casino operations is one among several emphasis areas found in our program and will no doubt draw a great deal of interest,' Lattuca says. The HTM program is ranked fourth in the nation by the Gorman Report, an organization that ranks law, medicine, business, and other college programs, according to Lattuca. 'We will continue to develop courses in casino management that will provide a knowledge base for those wishing to pursue a career in this segment of hospitality management.'
Because the three-course series is being offered online, Roberts says, 'That will allow working professionals to explore the world of gaming without having to come to the UMass Amherst campus. Online access gives students the ability to time-shift their learning activities and to save on transportation expenses commuting to the campus.'
