Changing by degrees: the role of tertiary education in the Australian registered clubs industry

A recent development in Australian hospitality education has been increasing numbers of industry specific tertiary courses developed in conjunction with, and often at the request of, a particular industry through its industry association. The desire for more professional standards and management expertise has been the common impetus for developing courses tailored to meet specific needs of particular industries. This paper focuses on the Bachelor of Business in Club Management, developed by Southern Cross University (SCU) in Lismore Australia in conjunction with the Club Managers' Association of Australia (CMAA). The course has been offered since 1993, and currently has about 120 students enrolled in 24 subject units. The course is offered by distance education only, with employment in the registered clubs industry a prerequisite for entry.