Administered by the Department of Apparel, Events, and Hospitality Management.
The program offers study for the degree of Bachelor of Science with a major in event management. The program prepares undergraduate students for careers in leading event and meeting management businesses. To complete the program, a student combines general education, Event core classes, and a structure of focused courses to form an option in: (a) corporate/business events, (b) virtual events, (c) social events: weddings and nonprofit events, (d) sport events, or (e) innovative event experiences in retail.
Through the major, students gain background and experiences in planning, budgeting, and implementing conferences, meetings, and other special events in the public or private sectors. Course work provides students with a general education plus professional preparation focusing on the concepts and principles involved in meeting and event planning strategy; special event management; stakeholder development; budgets and finance; site selection; contracts, vendors, and negotiations; marketing and promotions; food and beverage management; meeting technology; event evaluation; and hospitality law. Event electives include courses in event sustainability, event digital promotion, incentive meetings, and international conference planning. Supporting courses include foodservice, catering, promotion, brand management, trend analysis, fashion, and resource management.
The program also houses "The Meeting Room: Where Experiences and Technology Innovate," a lab designed to allow Event Management students to have hands-on access to a number of cutting-edge technology tools designed to let students focus on new and event disruptive ideas in events and meeting management. The lab is equipped with virtual reality headsets, event sound and lighting equipment, wireless connectivity to displays for BYOD, and group/collaboration furniture.
Graduates from this program are prepared for careers in event planning (corporate events, celebrations, education, promotions, commemorations, trade shows, weddings, conferences, association events, exhibitions, festivals, philanthropies, entertainment, fundraising, conventions, and sport events) and small business development (entrepreneurship). Graduates demonstrate leadership characteristics and make decisions based on integrating knowledge of financial, human resources, promotion, and event management principles. Students are required to complete an internship in event management prior to graduation. The student experience is enhanced through networking and development events with our Event Management Executive Advisory Council, meeting/event industry conferences and association meetings, and international experiences designed specifically for event management students.
Leading to the degree Bachelor of Science
Total credits required: 123, including a minimum of 18 credits from the AESHM Department at Iowa State University for the degree.
The curriculum in event management prepares students for careers in leading event and meeting management businesses. Courses are required in general education, and the professional area. Students majoring in Event Management are required to earn C- or better in all AESHM and EVENT courses, and all courses in the EVENT Core.
Communication Proficiency Requirement: Grade of C or better in ENGL 1500 Critical Thinking and Communication, and ENGL 2500 Written, Oral, Visual, and Electronic Composition.
Student Learning Outcomes
Upon graduation, students should be able to:
- Communication. Use clear and effective written, oral, verbal and electronic (WOVE) communication techniques to foster inquiry, collaboration, and engagement in apparel and related industries.
- Self-assessment/self-reflection. Analyze and evaluate one’s own knowledge, abilities, and actions relative to professional standards, seek opportunities to grow professionally, and utilize self-assessment and assessment of others to foster psychological, cognitive, social and emotional well-being.
- Critical thinking. Understand fundamental concepts of event management and apply critical thinking to solve problems from personal, scholarly, and professional perspectives.
- Ethics, Diversity, and Social Responsibility. Demonstrate leadership and social justice to improve quality of life for global citizens and encourage socially responsible decision-making for consumers and businesses.
Curriculum in Event Management
Administered by the Apparel, Events, and Hospitality Management Department.
Leading to the degree Bachelor of Science.
Total credits required: 123 including a minimum of 18 credits from the AESHM Department at Iowa State University for the degree. The curriculum in event management prepares students for careers in leading event and meeting management businesses. Courses are required in general education, and the professional area. Students majoring in Event Management are required to earn C- or better in all AESHM and EVENT courses, and all courses in the EVENT Core. Communication Proficiency Requirement: Grade of C or better in ENGL 1500 Critical Thinking and Communication, and ENGL 2500 Written, Oral, Visual, and Electronic Composition.
A minor in event management is available; see requirements under Apparel, Events, and Hospitality Courses and Programs.
Cr. Degree Requirements
13 Cr. Communication Skills
| ENGL 1500 | Critical Thinking and Communication * | 3 |
| ENGL 2500 | Written, Oral, Visual, and Electronic Composition * | 3 |
| ENGL 3020 | Business Communication | 3 |
| LIB 1600 | Introduction to College Level Research | 1 |
| 3 |
| Interpersonal Communication | |
| Professional Communication | |
| Fundamentals of Public Speaking | |
| Total Credits | 13 |
9-10 Cr. Natural Sciences and Mathematical Disciplines
| 3 |
| Introduction to Probability | |
| Introduction to Mathematical Ideas | |
| College Algebra | |
| Preparation for Calculus | |
| Discrete Mathematics for Business and Social Sciences | |
| Survey of Calculus | |
| 3-4 |
| Principles of Statistics | |
| Introduction to Statistics | |
| 3 |
| |
| Total Credits | 9-10 |
9 Cr. Social Sciences
| ECON 1010 | Principles of Microeconomics | 3 |
| 6 |
| Dress, Appearance, and Diversity in U.S. Society | |
| Principles of Macroeconomics | |
| Human Development | |
| Introduction to American Government | |
| Introduction to Psychology | |
| Developmental Psychology | |
| Social Psychology | |
| Introduction to Sociology | |
| Total Credits | 9 |
6 Cr. Humanities
| AESHM 3420 | Aesthetics of Consumer Experience | 3 |
| 3 |
| Total Credits | 6 |
8-9 Cr. General Electives
33 Cr. EVENT Core Courses
15 Cr. AESHM Professional Development
| AESHM 1110 | Professional Development for AESHM | 1 |
| AESHM 1110L | AESHM Program Orientation and Learning Community | 1 |
| AESHM 2110 | Leadership Experiences and Development (LEAD) | 3 |
| AESHM 2380 | Human Resource Management | 3 |
| AESHM 2870 | Principles of Management in Human Sciences | 3 |
| AESHM 3110E | Seminar on Careers and Internships: Event Management and Hospitality Management | 1 |
| AESHM 3400 | Hospitality and Apparel Marketing Strategies | 3 |
| Total Credits | 15 |
11-14 Cr. Event Management Elective Courses
Primary Options:
Select one professional primary option from the following five choices:
CORPORATE/BUSINESS EVENTS (15 cr.)
SOCIAL EVENTS: WEDDINGS AND NONPROFIT EVENTS (18 cr.)
SPORTS EVENTS (15 cr.)
| EVENT 3330 | Entertainment Venue Management | 3 |
| EVENT 3830 | Sports Event Management | 3 |
| HSPM 1010 | Introduction to the Hospitality Industry | 3 |
| HSPM 2890 | Contemporary Club Management | 3 |
| KIN 3450 | Management of Health-Fitness Programs and Facilities | 3 |
| Total Credits | 15 |
INNOVATIVE EVENT EXPERIENCES IN RETAIL (15 cr.)
| AESHM 3450X | Retail/Hospitality Experiences & Events | 1-3 |
| AESHM 4740 | Entrepreneurship in Human Sciences | 3 |
| AESHM 4790X | Data Analytics for Apparel, Events, and Hospitality Management | 3 |
| AMD 2750 | Retail Merchandising | 3 |
| AMD 3770 | Visual Presentation and Promotions | 3 |
| Total Credits | 13-15 |
Event Management Minor
The AESHM Department offers a minor in Event Management. The minor can be earned by successfully completing the following for a total of 15 credits. The minor must include at least six (6) credits in courses numbered 3000 or above taken at ISU. All course prerequisites must be completed prior to taking the course. All minor courses must be taken for a grade. The Event Management Minor requires students to complete EVENT 1710, EVENT 3710, and EVENT 4710. The remaining 6 credits may be selected from any courses listed below. **Only 12 total credits of EVENT classes can apply to the minor.
Event Management Master's Program
Event Management Core (required)
| AESHM 5010 | Introduction to Scholarly Research for Graduate Students | 1 |
| EVENT 5310 | Event Business Research Essentials | 3 |
| EVENT 5610 | Advanced Topics in Event Management | 3 |
| EVENT 5770 | Advanced Social Media Marketing in Event Management | 3 |
| EVENT 5780 | Advanced Event Sustainability Management | 3 |
| EVENT 5990 | Creative Component | 3 |
| EVENT 6340 | Theory and Research Seminar in Event Management | 3 |
| Total Credits | 19 |
AESHM Electives
| |
| AMD 5450 | Consumer Experience and Retail Branding | 3 |
| AESHM 5740 | Entrepreneurship in Human Sciences | 3 |
| AESHM 5790 | Data Analytics for Apparel, Event, and Hospitality Management | 3 |
| AESHM 5800D | U.S. Field Study: Hospitality Management | 1-3 |
| or AESHM 5800F | U.S. Field Study: Event Management |
| or AESHM 5800N | U.S. Field Study: Apparel, Merchandising, and Design |
| AESHM 5810D | International Field Study: Hospitality Management | 1-3 |
| or AESHM 5810F | International Field Study: Event Management |
| or AESHM 5810N | International Field Study: Apparel, Merchandising, and Design |
| AESHM 6700A | Teaching Practicum: Apparel Merchandising and Design | 1-3 |
| or AESHM 6700B | Teaching Practicum: Hospitality Management |
| or AESHM 6700C | Teaching Practicum: Event Management |
| AMD 5450 | Consumer Experience and Retail Branding | 3 |
| AMD 5650 | Sustainability: Theory and Practical Application | 3 |
| AMD 5670 | Consumer Behavior and Apparel | 3 |
| AMD 5770 | E-Commerce for Apparel and Hospitality Companies | 3 |
| EVENT 5900 | Special Topics | 3 |
| HSPM 5330 | Financial Decision Making in Hospitality Organizations | 3 |
| HSPM 5380 | Human Resources Development in Hospitality Organizations | 3 |
| HSPM 5400 | Strategic Marketing | 3 |
| HSPM 5550 | Strategic Management in Hospitality Organizations | 3 |
Research Methods and Statistics
| |
| AESHM 5020 | Research Methods in Apparel, Events, and Hospitality | 3 |
| AESHM 5100 | Quantitative Research Methods in Apparel, Events, and Hospitality | 3 |
| AESHM 5120 | Qualitative Research Methods in Apparel, Events, and Hospitality | 3 |
| RESEV 5500 | Introduction to Educational Research | 3 |
| RESEV 5520 | Basic Educational Statistics | 3 |
| RESEV 5800 | Introduction to Qualitative Research Methodology | 3 |
| STAT 5870 | Statistical Methods for Research Workers | 4 |
