FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

The Hospitality Professional Development Program is a multi-day in-person program at the Cornell Nolan School of Hotel Administration in Ithaca, NY, consisting of two learning paths. Participants choose one learning path to earn a Cornell certificate.

• Participants must have been employed full-time in the hospitality industry, or a related field, for a minimum of five years prior to enrolling in the program.
• While many cultures enrich the Cornell experience, English is the language of instruction for this program. We do not require a TOEFL score; however, participants must have well-developed English-language communication and reading comprehension skills to participate in and benefit from the program. If a participant’s English-language skills preclude active and full involvement in the classroom sessions, they may be removed from the program.

There is no deadline to enroll.

Program materials are not for sale. They are available only to those who attend the specific classes.

By enrolling, you agree to pay the program fee. You have several payment options, including payment in full at time of registration via credit card. You may also request an invoice for payment via check or wire transfer. If you require the option of payment by check or wire transfer, please contact your Enrollment Counselor for details. Payment in full is required prior to the start of the program.

• You may cancel your participation at least 45 days before the first day of the program and receive full reimbursement. You will forfeit US$750 if your notification of cancellation takes place less than 45 days prior to the start date.
• You will receive no reimbursement if notification of cancellation takes place within seven days of the start of the program. Alternatively, the balance less a transfer fee of US$500 can be applied to another eligible participant or to the next offering of the program.

Pre-program assignments for your program will be posted online via Canvas, our learning management system. You will receive a username and password to access your Canvas account no later than ten days prior to the start date of the program.

• Course materials will be available digitally and you will need to bring a laptop to access the course materials.
• For the AI in Hospitality Path, you will be using AI tools during class. You will need to bring a laptop with the ability to download free versions of software (like ChatGPT, bigML, Zapier, etc.) to fully participate in the course.

No. Each learning path consists of five and a half days of interactive classroom learning. We encourage you to return to Cornell to take additional learning paths in subsequent years.

• 8.30 to 12.30: Class
• 12.30 to 13.30: Buffet networking lunch
• 13.30 to 17.00: Class
• 17.00 to 18.30: Networking reception (only on the first and fifth days of the program)
• Evening: Individual or group assignment
• You are expected to attend each day of your five-and-a-half-day program. Cornell certificates are presented only after successfully completing your learning path, and you must be present to receive your certificate. We reserve the right to withhold certificates from participants who miss any portion of class.

• Prior to your arrival at Cornell, we will provide you with information regarding your stay and getting the most out of your experience.
• Registration and continental breakfast will be held at 7.30 on the first day of class in the atrium at Statler Hall. There you will receive your welcome bag containing information. Classes will begin promptly at 8.30.

Classes begin at 8.30 and end at 17.00. You should also plan to be available in the evenings for homework or group work. Because of the intensive nature of the program, those who arrive late or leave early will not earn a certificate.

• Participants are responsible for making their own lodging arrangements and paying for them at their own expense. Ithaca is home to many local hotels. Complimentary shuttle service to and from the Cornell campus are available upon request at these hotels:
  • The Statler Hotel at Cornell University
    • The preferred lodging option for PDP participants, Cornell’s Statler Hotel is located in the center of the campus adjacent to the Nolan School of Hotel Administration.
    • Phone: 607.254.2500 or 800.541.2501
    • Fax: 607.257.6432
    • Room Block and Discounted Rate: Please contact PDP Program Manager, Cheryl Cox at cac363@cornell.edu, for details.  
  • Canopy by Hilton Ithaca Downtown
    • Canopy by Hilton Ithaca Downtown is Ithaca’s newest luxury lifestyle hotel, located just steps away from the Ithaca Commons and Restaurant Row.
    • Phone: 607.277.0230 or 1.855.271.3617
    • Fax: 607.277.0231
  • Ithaca Marriott Downtown on the Commons
    • The Ithaca Marriott is ideally located in the heart of downtown Ithaca at the crossroads of Restaurant Row and the Commons pedestrian mall.
    • Phone: 607.272.2222 or 1.877.688.1914
    • Fax: 607.379.6641
  • Hilton Garden Inn Ithaca
    • Located in downtown Ithaca across from the Ithaca Commons, Hilton Garden Inn Ithaca is approximately one mile from the Cornell campus.
    • Phone: 607.277.8900 or 877.782.9444
    • Fax: 607.277.8910
  • Homewood Suites by Hilton
    • The Ithaca Homewood Suites by Hilton® is a Three-Diamond all-suites hotel located two miles from the Tompkins County Regional Airport and just five minutes from Cornell University.
    • Phone: 607.266.0000

• Cornell University is located in Ithaca, a small city in central New York State. It is approximately 250 miles northwest of New York City and 60 miles south of Syracuse, New York. Click for maps, directions, and local information.
• By Air
  • The Ithaca Tompkins International Airport could be the most expedient way to arrive in Ithaca depending on your location. The Cornell campus is ten minutes from the Ithaca Airport.
• By Bus, Car, and Train
  • Note: The information below is mostly specific to travel between New York City and Ithaca, but these options should also apply to other cities. If you need to get from a New York City-area airport to one of the New York City stops listed below, you can take a taxi/Uber/Lyft, bus, or shuttle. One shuttle option is New York Airport Service.
  • By Bus
    • If you’re arriving at a New York City-area airport and need to get to one of the New York City stops listed below, you can take a taxi/Uber/Lyft, public bus, subway, or train. With luggage, taking a taxi/Uber/Lyft is more convenient, and likely quicker, but a higher cost than public transportation. See options in the ground transportation section on the applicable airport page. The following companies provide bus service between New York City and Ithaca (a 4.5-to-6-hour ride):
      • Cornell’s Campus-to-Campus Express (Phone: 1.607.254.8747) 
        • We recommend Cornell’s executive bus, which offers direct express service (4.5 hours) with a convenient stop location on campus, comfortable seating, wireless Internet, power outlets, reading lights, and complimentary beverages. Advance reservations are needed, so we suggest you book early.
      • Greyhound (Phone: 1.607.272.7930 or 1.800.231.2222) 
        • Ithaca stop: 131 East Green St.
        • New York City stop: Port Authority Bus Terminal
      • ShortLine (Phone: 1.607.277.8800 or 1.800.631.8405)
        • Ithaca stops: 131 East Green St. and Cornell Theater Arts Center
        • New York City stop: Port Authority Bus Terminal
  • By Car
    • For directions, review driving directions to The Statler Hotel; the GPS address is 130 Statler Drive, Ithaca, New York. 
    • If you wish to rent a car, some of the companies that have local service outlets are:
      • Avis (Phone: 1.607.257.0441 or 1.800.831.2847)
      • Enterprise (Phone: 1.607.275.9000 or 1.800.736.8222)
      • Hertz (Phone: 1.607.257.8677 or 1.800.654.3131)
      • National (Phone: 1.607.272.2575 or 1.888.868.6207)
  • By Train
    • Amtrak train service is also an option, although the nearest station to Ithaca is in Syracuse, New York, which is an hour by car from Ithaca. 

• There are several ways for you to get to your hotel once you arrive in Ithaca. Please remember that you are responsible for making your own transportation arrangements at your own expense.
• From the Ithaca Tompkins Regional Airport.
• By taxi: Ithaca Dispatch (+1-607-277-7777).
• By courtesy car: Some local hotels provide complimentary transportation to and from the airport. Use the courtesy phones located at the airport in the baggage claim area to call your hotel and have them send a car to pick you up.
• If you are arriving by bus: Call a taxi from the bus station using the number above.
• Ithaca is also serviced by Lyft and Uber.

• You will need to determine the appropriate method of admission into the United States. Here are some general information websites for your reference:
  • U.S. Department of State: Visas
  • U.S. Department of State: Visa Waiver Program
  • U.S. Customs and Border Protection Travel 
• The Visa Waiver Program enables nationals of certain countries to travel to the United States for tourism or business for stays of 90 days or fewer without obtaining a visa.
• If a visa is required, we can send you a B1 (Business Visitor) Visa Certification Letter that you can submit with an application to the U.S. Embassy/Consulate; it is used to support that you will be coming to the U.S. for a business purpose. You should confirm that the letter is sufficient with the embassy/consulate. It is important to state that you will be a professional attending a business conference held at Cornell. You will neither be an admitted student nor earn academic credit; therefore, it should not be appropriate to apply for a student visa. We cannot provide you with an I-20 form, as that document is issued only to students admitted for full-time university study.
• Keep in mind that if you plan to take a trip into Canada during your stay, it is your responsibility to determine whether you need a visa from the Canadian government and/or a re-entry visa to return to the U.S.

Attire for classes is business casual. Please note that all Hospitality PDP classroom facilities are on a central air-conditioning/heating system. If you come from a warm climate, you may want a light jacket or sweater to wear in the classroom. If you are more comfortable in attire that is customary or traditional in your country, by all means dress accordingly.

• Yes — both an in-person degree and an online degree:
• In person, full time: The Master of Management in Hospitality (MMH) program is targeted at individuals early in their hospitality careers. Interactive, hands-on learning takes place over three semesters at the Nolan School of Hotel Administration at Cornell University. A summer internship is a critical component of the program.
• Online, part time: The Executive Master of Management in Hospitality (EMMH) program is targeted at working hospitality professionals with significant experience. Interactive online courses with synchronous live weekly sessions connect you to Cornell faculty and industry peers in this 20-month degree program.

Once you have completed a certificate in the Hospitality Professional Development Program, you may add it to your LinkedIn profile under “Education.” Select “Cornell University” as the school, then under “Degree,” list “Hospitality Professional Development Program , Nolan School of Hotel Administration.” You may list “Certificate in [insert certificate name]” under “Field of Study.” Select the year of completion under “To Year (or expected).”

Once you have completed your program, you may add it to your résumé or CV by including the following information:

• • Cornell University Nolan School of Hotel Administration
  • Professional Development Program
  • Certificate name
  • Completion month and year