classestoedu

Guide to Majors

Guide to College Majors in Aviation Science


What is Aviation Science?

If all you need to fly a plane is a pilot's license, why pursue a degree in aviation science? Though the Commercial Pilot License (CPL) is all that the Federal Aviation Administration requires for the operation of any aircraft, a specialized degree in this field will provide you with a broader and more thorough understanding of aeronautics than you will learn in flight school. As a result, you can qualify for a range of rewarding and exciting positions in this dynamic industry.

Apart from piloting aircraft, the study of aviation science encompasses air traffic control, maintenance of aircrafts and related facilities, flight operations, dispatch operations and communications. Professionally trained pilots often enroll in aviation science degree programs to refresh or deepen their understanding of aeronautics. During a degree program in aviation, you can develop a set of diverse interests that will support your quest for a fulfilling career.

For instance, you may discover that you are interested in the professional development aspects of the field, working with crews on the ground as well as in the air. You may enjoy a mechanically focused career that enables you to develop new aeronautical technology or improved aircraft designs. You may choose a niche field, such as aerial photography for cartographers or aerial firefighting. You could even find yourself piloting a spacecraft for NASA.

If you have a budding interest in the field, an associate degree in aviation science will provide you with a foundational education on the subject. If you are certain that this is the path for you, then a bachelor's degree will set you on the right track.

From an employer's point of view, a degree from a certified aviation science program shows a high level of commitment to the field. Most commercial airlines prefer applicants with college degrees. If you are already a licensed pilot, flight time and certificates can be counted towards your degree, saving both time and money.

What are the benefits of a career in Aviation Science?

A degree in aviation science can be molded to fit your own vision of your professional future. You may envision yourself working on the ground with a team of qualified professionals to maintain order and efficiency within the elaborate workings of the international air travel industry. You may see yourself in a high-powered well-paying managerial or corporate position in the service of a major airline or government agency.

Or, you may see yourself flying low over sub-Saharan Africa in a propeller plane, tracking the movements of wildebeests, or bringing aide to remote areas of the world. The benefit of a degree in aviation science, apart from the wealth of technical knowledge that it promises, is that it can be anything you want it to be.

What does an aviation professional do?

Flying a plane requires memorizing and following procedures meticulously. Trained pilots must manage and evaluate:

Managing People, Not Just Planes

Aviation science is about flying aircraft. However, these vehicles can only fly if there is a solid infrastructure in place to send them off, maintain them, and land them safely. This massive support network requires teams of specialists. Careers in aviation almost always involve working as a member of a team.

The more advanced your degree is, the more management and organizational skills may be required of you. A cohesive and positive team ensures effectiveness, efficiency, and safety. Managing groups of people is a skill that requires a special sensitivity to the intricacies of human interaction. Good management practices involve:

Do you have what it takes?

All professions require certain strengths and natural abilities and interests. Before embarking on a career path as specialized as aviation science, consider the following natural qualities of a successful aviation scientist or technician:

If you are interested in working as a pilot, you must meet certain basic physical criteria. These requirements include good hearing, good eyesight (with or without glasses), keen reflexes, and overall good health. Using these traits as a foundation, professional aviation specialists develop many of the following skills during their degree programs:

Career Education in Aviation Science

On-Campus and Online Degree Programs
There are many different aviation science degrees available, depending on your career goals.

Associate Degree Programs in Aviation Science
These two-year programs generally require applicants to hold a high school diploma or GED certificate. Often used to prepare students for bachelor's degrees, associate degrees provide graduates with a general education and foundational knowledge of flight, maintenance, operations and air traffic control.

Recipients of this degree may choose to seek an entry-level job upon graduation, or apply their associate degree to a bachelor's degree program for greater job opportunities. A wide variety of jobs are available for professionals holding only an associate degree, but graduates holding more advanced degrees will be more competitive in the field.

Bachelor's Degree Programs in Aviation Science
Coursework in a four-year Bachelor of Science program will be more in-depth and rigorous than that of an associate degree. The bachelor's degree in aviation science combines flight training with academic coursework. Graduates will be qualified to work as commercial pilots, flight instructors, or corporate pilots. Alternatively, careers may be available in governmental agencies or the military.

During a bachelor's degree program, students earn two professional qualifications. The first is a degree in science. The other is a commercial pilot license. Enough science and engineering is covered in this degree track that you may decide to pursue a career in a non-aviation discipline. A handful of graduates apply their skills in research laboratories or in other engineering settings.

Master's Degree Programs in Aviation Science
Advanced topics in aviation science are covered at the master's level, including the development and manufacturing of aviation- or aerospace-related equipment. Some aviation science graduate students examine the economic and public systems that supports the aeronautics industry.

The typical graduate of an aviation science bachelor's degree program works in the professional realm and chooses a specialty before going on to continued study. The master's degree is available for the air traffic controller, pilot, aviation instructor, flight crew member, or flight operations manager who wishes to deepen the knowledge of her specializations.

Generally, applicants must already possess a bachelor's degree with a cumulative grade point average of 2.5 or higher.

Coursework covers such topics as:

Doctorate Degree Programs in Aviation Science
At the PhD level, education is research- rather than field-based. The doctoral student investigates the theoretical and experimental aspects of aeronautical technology. Study is extremely specialized, with topics such as:

Such research is essential to the technological advancement of aviation. PhD programs prepare scholars for research or teaching positions.

Online Degree Programs in Aviation Science

With recent advancements in technology and communication, many accredited colleges are now able to offer online degrees in aviation science or management. Online programs serve the needs of students who cannot enroll in an on-campus program because of geographic or time constraints. Most of the coursework will be done online under the instruction of a properly qualified educator. Fieldwork will be necessary for the completion of some online degrees; this can often be arranged locally.

What Can You Do With a College Degree in Aviation Science?

Career options for aspiring pilots and aviation science professionals
Pilots, air traffic controllers, aircraft mechanics, managers, flight operators, flight instructors, dispatch operations managers... These are just a few of the applications of a degree in aviation science. This section lists a variety of jobs available in this field with a brief description of responsibilities.

Career Opportunities for Pilots

Career Opportunities for Managerial and Business Positions

Non-flying positions in aviation are available in airlines, airports, aerospace companies, and governmental aviation agencies.

The annual salary for an experienced aviation maintenance technician is approximately $60,000.


Collapse

Pursue your Aviation Science major today.

 

Featured School

Saint Joseph's University
Learn More

Search School by Subject

 
Degree / Diploma by Subject:
Program:
 

Corporate

Online Degree Resources

Education Resources

Career Resources