Become a leader in wellness, spa and hospitality management
Specialized MBA program focused on the management of spa facilities, wellness centers and hotel spas.
The programme offers three study formats
WHY STUDY THE MBA IN SPA AND WELLNESS HOSPITALITY MANAGEMENT
FOR WHOM THE PROGRAMME IS INTENDED
The program is designed for example for:
- individuals who want to enter the field of spa and wellness management,
- current owners, directors and operations managers of spas and wellness centres,
- employees who need to expand their managerial competences,
- entrepreneurs and business professionals entering the spa and wellness industry,
- doctors, nurses and other health professionals looking for a new career path,
- manufacturers and developers of products for the spa and wellness industry,
- wellness, health, medical and fitness professionals who want to deepen their knowledge,
- representatives from the tourism and hospitality industry who are planning to develop projects related to the spa and wellness sector,
- those who want to start a business in this area and need to gain know-how for a successful start.
STUDY MODULES
CHARACTERISTICS OF THE STUDY PROGRAMME
The program is designed as an interdisciplinary program designed to teach management skills with a focus on wellness. The program is designed for those who aspire to obtain this unique, high quality and practice-oriented management education.
The basic teaching philosophy is a balanced combination of necessary theoretical elements and methodology with concrete application in practice. The lecturing team consists of experienced academics and top external experts from practice. The theoretical basis is followed by practical skills training in small groups, where there is room for discussion with the lecturers. In the practical part, the emphasis is on solving real situations based on current conditions and the challenges of expected trends and innovations.
Teaching is in Czech language. Classes are held in the building of VŠTVS PALESTRA in Prague 9 - Kbely. At least one camp per study takes place in the Karlovy Vary Region.
A pilot test of the programme took place in 2024-2025 and the comments received during the pilot have already been incorporated into the current programme.
VISION OF THE PROGRAMME
To become a recognized, high quality and selective program providing graduates with a level of education in spa, wellness and health management that is internationally competitive. The program combines modern management know-how with a deep understanding of the specifics of wellness and spa operations.
Whether you aspire to own or manage a spa, wellness centre or hotel spa, or are already an experienced professional, you can improve your knowledge and enhance your career opportunities with hands-on training led by leading industry experts. In this comprehensive program, you'll learn all aspects of successful operations as well as business strategies to ensure continued growth and profitability in the dynamic spa and wellness industry.
PROGRAMME OBJECTIVES
The MBA "Spa and Wellness Hospitality Management" program is designed to prepare graduates for successful careers in spa and wellness management as capable and practically oriented managers. Graduates will gain the knowledge and skills necessary for operations management, service design and strategic business development in this dynamic industry.
COMMENCEMENT OF STUDIES
16 October 2026
Organisation and Timetable
Organisation of teaching
You can find the academic calendar for the 2026/2027 academic year HERE
Communication with students is mainly through a classroom created in Google Classroom, where both information about studies and presentations from lectures are placed.
Classes in the building of the PALESTRA VŠTVS
Classes are held in Prague, in the modern building of the PALESTRA School of Technical Education (Prague 9 - Kbely), which offers top facilities for study. There are fully equipped classrooms, specialised gyms and fitness facilities as well as modern audiovisual equipment. Students can thus use practical demonstrations, model situations and connect theoretical knowledge with practice directly during the course. Excellent transport accessibility allows convenient commuting from Prague and other regions.
One camp in the Karlovy Vary Region
Once a year, a three-day camp is held in the Karlovy Vary region - a region with a long tradition of spa and wellness. Students have the opportunity to learn about the functioning of spa and wellness operations in their natural environment, participate in excursions, professional workshops and make contacts with professionals in the field. This direct contact with the spa practice allows to better understand the specifics of the sector and to be inspired for their own professional or entrepreneurial plans.
Online learning
The face-to-face classes are supplemented by online classes (via Google Classroom and Google Meet) in the evening (5-8 pm) on Wednesdays according to the announced dates four times per semester.
Final exam
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The final examination consists only of the defence of the final thesis, there is no theoretical examination. The topic of the final thesis is chosen by each student at the end of the first semester and is continuously worked on. It should be management-oriented, practical and related to current employment or planned direction.
Students who have completed all required courses and earned the required number of credits may take the final examinations. The dates of the final examinations are set out in the academic year schedule. The final examination must be completed no later than two years after the conclusion of the final year of study. The defended Final Thesis is published. Successful graduates will be issued a certificate of completion by the PALESTRA College of Education.
Teacher of the programme
The expert guarantor of the programme is Doc. Dr. Ing. Sujit Chaudhuri, CSc (more information at https://palestra.cz/vyucujici/doc-dr-ing-sujit-chaudhuri-phd/)
The teaching is also involved in
- PhDr. Daniel Bína, PhD.
- David Cihlář, Ph.D.
- Dagmar Frendlovská, Ph.D.
- Jan Herget
- Ing. Petr Janeček, Ph.D.
- Olga Jarabicová, Ph.D.
- Ing. Marek Jemala, Ph.D.
- Richard Neuwirth, Ph.D.
- Petra Řehořková, MBA, LL.M.
- Milan Šmíd
- doc. PaedDr. Klaudia Zusková, Ph.D.
CAMBAS Accreditation
VŠTVS PALESTRA is a member of the Czech Association of MBA Schools (CAMBAS). The study programme "Sport Management" is accredited by this association and VŠTVS PALESTRA expects this second study programme to be accredited as well.
The main mission of the Association is, in accordance with its statutes, "to ensure, maintain and further develop the high level of MBA studies in the Czech Republic", including the accreditation of MBA studies in the Czech Republic. The establishment of the Association was accepted by the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports of the Czech Republic (MEST) and was recognized by the European Foundation of Management Development (EFMD www.efmd.org), based in Brussels, as the official accreditation body in the Czech Republic. The "Sport Management" programme has been accredited by the Czech Association of MBA Schools since 2018. www.cambas.cz
ADMISSION PROCEDURE
Admission is without entrance examination, the condition of admission is a minimum of a Bachelor's degree or secondary education supplemented by at least 3 years of experience in the field or in a managerial position.
CONTACT
Questions about the study: mgr. Mgr. Tomáš Mirovský, Ph.D., MBA, DiS. mirovsky@palestra.cz
Questions about the admission procedure: Eva Kaiserová, DiS. kaiserova@palestra.cz
