Casino Gaming Degree Program Summaries
A degree in casino gaming prepares graduates for positions working as managers or professional gaming operators at casinos across the country. Two degrees specific to the field include an Associate of Science in Gaming and Casino Management and a Bachelor of Science in Gaming Management.
Associate of Science in Gaming and Casino Management
Gaming and casino management is a branch of the hospitality industry that features its own regulations and standards of conduct. Although students enrolled in an associate's degree program in the field learn the basic customer service, organizational management and human resources skills that they might pick up in a general hospitality degree program, they also learn about casino gaming rules, casino security and gaming licensing. Students enrolled in such a 2-year program should also learn how to operate and manage a variety of different games, such as poker and craps tables.
Education Prerequisites
A high school diploma, or equivalent, are the most common prerequisites in the gaming and casino management field. Some schools also take high school grade point average into account when they are considering enrolling students into such a program. Employment in a casino will often require a background check and drug screening.
Program Coursework
Courses commonly found within an associate's degree program in casino gaming cover both hospitality skills and industry-specific information. Some examples include:
- Introduction to gaming industry
- Casino security
- Hospitality sales
- Marketing
- Hospitality leadership
- Casino operations
- Gaming technology and operations
- Surveillance technology
Popular Career Options
An associate's degree in casino gaming and management can prepare graduates for entry-level positions in the following branches:
- Casino management
- Casino floor management
- Casino security
- Food and beverage services
- Gaming regulations
- Casino human resources management
- Casino development
Bachelor of Science in Gaming Management
A bachelor's degree program in gaming management includes several of the entry-level courses found within an associate's degree program, but also provides students with a well-rounded general education background. In addition to studying hospitality, human resources and gaming regulations, students enrolled in such a program also study mathematics, humanities and social sciences. Many casino gaming degree programs offered at the bachelor's level also include an internship or work study component.
Education Prerequisites
As with associate's degree programs, students looking to enroll in a bachelor's degree program in casino gaming management should first have a high school diploma. Some schools in the field also accept transfer students from similar hospitality fields.
Program Coursework
Bachelor's degree programs in gaming management often include courses related to various aspects of casino management, including front office, security and floor management. Some examples include:
- Introduction to gaming management
- Hospitality accounting
- Front office operations
- Organizational management
- Casino accounting
- Gaming regulations
- Gaming internship
Employment Outlook and Salary Info
Graduates of a bachelor's degree program in casino gaming most often go into management positions in the gaming industry. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), these professionals held nearly 3,400 jobs in 2009 (www.bls.gov). Most jobs were available in Nevada, although the highest-paying state in the field is actually Missouri. The median annual wage for a gaming manager in 2009 was $67,380.
Certification Options and Continuing Education
Each state has its own regulations for casino gaming workers, but most require that those in the industry become licensed. Casino and gaming managers who are interested in advancing in their careers or opening up their own operations might consider master's degree programs in business administration or a similar financial field.
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