How to Get a Master's Degree in Aviation
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Aviation is a cornerstone of the global economy, linking people and goods worldwide. In the quest for safe and reliable air transportation, the industry relies on professionals with a deep understanding of aviation science and business management.
A master's degree in aviation prepares you to take on the challenges facing the aviation industry today. The program focuses on the fundamental issues of air transportation: Aeronautics, aviation policy, safety, aircraft maintenance, airline management, and airport operations. Most programs are designed for returning students, with options to earn a master's degree online.
WorldWideLearn.com's guide offers an introduction to graduate education in aviation. Use this resource to focus your professional goals and position yourself for success in the aviation master's degree program. |
Guide to Master's Degrees in Aviation
The aviation industry faces unique business and technical challenges, from pricing to airport security to air traffic control. As a master's degree student, you learn the management practices and technical skills that keep air travel safe, reliable, and profitable. Graduates go on to leadership roles at airline companies, airports, and public aviation agencies.
Aviation in the Academy
Aviation as an academic discipline exists at the intersection of aeronautics and air transportation--part science and part business. Courses engage a broad array of fields as they apply to aviation: business, engineering and IT, education, and even psychology. To learn more about the discipline, see WorldWideLearn.com's Guide to College Majors in Aviation Science.
Academic and Professional Master's Degrees
Master's degrees in aviation reflect the field's dual identity as a science and a business discipline--most programs emphasize one or the other competency. You are likely to encounter an array of academic and professional master's degree options, each with different curricula, requirements, and resources:
- Master of Science in Aviation or Aeronautics: The academic Master of Science is modeled after traditional academic master's degrees, with a joint emphasis on classroom education and independent research. Some programs require a master's thesis on a specific aviation topic.
- Master of Aviation or Master of Commercial Aviation (MCA): The professional Master of Aviation focuses on the application of aviation research to specific business, policy, and technical problems.
- MBA in Aviation Management: For a more focused business curriculum, aim for an MBA in Aviation Management. This master's degree focuses primarily on business fundamentals, adding elective courses in aviation management. Most MBA programs incorporate an internship to help you build applied aviation experience.
For a general overview of your master's degree options, see WorldWideLearn.com's The Master's Degree Explained and Master's Degrees Online.
Specializations
All aviation master's degrees offer the opportunity to specialize, either through research, elective courses, or an internship in a particular area. Key areas of specialization include aviation business administration, aviation policy, education, and safety.
Choose among these specialization areas:
- Aviation Management Theory
- Aviation Operations and Logistics
- Airline Labor Relations and Law
- Aviation Information Technology and Flight Simulation Technology
- Pilot Training
- Aviation Public Policy and Regulations
- Air Traffic Management
- Environmental Impact
- Security and Safety Management
- Human Factors in Aviation
Alternatively, you may find your niche in an applied specialty such as agricultural, law enforcement, or natural resources aviation.
Aviation Careers
A master's degree in aviation can lead to a range of careers in aviation policy, airport management, or the commercial and personal air transport industry. Graduates of aviation programs go on to the following careers:
- Airline Pilot
- Flight Procedures Specialist
- Airport Operations Manager
- Airport Planner
- Flight Dispatcher
- Aircraft Maintenance Manager
- Airline Operations Manager
- Flight Instructor
An academic aviation degree can also lead you toward a career in academic teaching and research. To pursue an academic career track, continue on to a PhD in aviation or aerospace engineering.
Plan for a Master's Degree in Aviation
A clear understanding of available academic resources and your own professional goals help you build a solid foundation for your graduate education. The following steps take you through the planning process step by step, from finding the right aviation program to gaining admission.
Find the Right Graduate Aviation Program
Given the diversity among graduate aviation programs, it's important to examine your options and identify the programs best suited to your goals. Aviation master's degrees differ in degree type (professional or academic), program format (earn a master's degree online or on campus), academic resources, and quality.
1. List Accredited Programs
Begin by locating accredited academic or professional master's degrees. Accreditation is an important factor at this initial stage. A baseline measurement of quality, accreditation impacts not only your educational experience but also the value of your degree and your eligibility for financial aid. The U.S. Department of Education Web site posts a searchable database of approved accreditation agencies.
Resources
WorldWideLearn.com represents accredited graduate programs in aviation and aeronautical science. Search Degrees by Subject to find an online or campus graduate program in aviation.
The Aviation Accreditation Board lists accredited bachelor's degrees in aviation. Many of these universities also feature master's degree programs.
The University Aviation Association maintains a database of about 100 accredited college and universities offering programs in aviation at all levels, from associate to graduate degrees.
2. Choose Program Format: Campus or Online Master's Degree?
Advances in digital multimedia technology have expanded the frontiers of college education, making it possible to earn a master's degree online or on campus. Online master's degree programs offer several advantages, particularly for returning students:
- A flexible schedule allows you to advance your education without putting your career on hold.
- Virtual campuses are accessible from anywhere. Since aviation programs are relatively scarce and diverse, the ability to remove geography as a limiting factor frees you to choose the school that suits you best.
- A diverse student body is typical of online programs. Learn from your peers and make connections with experienced aviation professionals worldwide.
Resources
WorldWideLearn.com points you to aviation master's degrees in your chosen program format--Online Degree Programs or Campus Education. To find campus programs in a specific area, search Degrees by Location.
3. Explore Academic Programs
This critical stage in your research takes you into the details of each program on your list. Aviation programs vary widely based on the school's approach to the discipline and available resources. Examine these features to determine the best fit with your interests:
- Curriculum. Core and elective courses reveal the program's academic emphasis.
- Degree Format and Requirements. Aviation programs may require a research project or an industry internship.
- Faculty. Faculty may hail from the aviation industry or related academic fields such as aerospace engineering. Look for professors with experience or publications in your field.
- Industry Relationships. Most aviation departments maintain strong ties with key industry players: Airports, airlines, and local aviation businesses.
- Career Support Services. Internships and corporate recruiting are important elements of a professional master's degree program. Career support may also include resume and interviewing assistance and career counseling.
- Learning Environment. Programs may offer academic support services or sponsor networking events to create a supportive environment for learning.
Resources
WorldWideLearn.com features a matching tool to help you identify the aviation master's programs aligned with your requirements. Simply fill out an online form indicating your preferences, and the system suggests education partners that fit the bill. You can also arrange to be contacted by school representatives, who can answer specific questions about the program.
School Web sites offer most of the information you need for your research. Discover detailed information about degree requirements, course descriptions, industry-sponsored programs, and campus facilities. You can find links to faculty bios and publications, as well.
Informational interviews and campus visits give you an inside look into the academic milieu. Meet with current graduate students and alumni to get a sense of the learning environment and value of the degree on the job market.
4. Evaluate Program Quality
Narrow down your list to five or six schools ranked by quality and value. Factors to take into account include:
- Reputation
- Selectivity
- Job placement and salary statistics
- Student background, including years of industry experience
The top schools are the most selective, accepting only the top students. Plan to apply to a couple of schools just outside your reach, a few within your range, and a couple sure shots. You can gauge your competitiveness as an applicant by comparing your GPA, work experience, and test scores with the average stats of admitted applicants.
Resources
Admissions Departments supply important data for evaluating program quality. Ask to see the following statistics:
- Selectivity (percentage of applicants admitted)
- Average admitted students' GPA and test scores
- Job placement information
- Student demographics (work experience, percentage of international students)
Rankings give you a general sense of the school's reputation, though none focus specifically on aviation programs. U.S. News & World Report features an aerospace engineering ranking: Best Engineering Schools Specialty Rankings: Aerospace/Aeronautical/Astronautical. Another approach is to ask faculty and employers in your field to recommend top aviation programs.
Apply to Graduate Aviation Programs
Applying to aviation programs takes planning and organization. Follow these steps to gain admission to your top master's degree programs:
1. Complete Prerequisites
Aviation programs set basic eligibility requirements for graduate study. Examples of these prerequisites include:
- A bachelor's degree from an accredited institution
- Minimum GPA
- Basic prerequisite courses, if your undergraduate degree did not cover basic aviation topics such as business administration
- Standardized tests such as the TOEFL (for non-native speakers of English)
- Federal Aviation Administration Private Pilot Certificate or its foreign equivalent
- Work experience
WorldWideLearn.com's Education Resources Guide helps you complete your prerequisites by connecting you with test preparation resources, prerequisite courses, and online learning tools.
2. Prepare Application Materials
Most schools provide a link to the application online, where you can submit the basic information form and personal statement, if required. In addition, you may need the following supporting materials:
- Academic transcripts
- Letters of recommendation
- Test scores
- Copy of pilot certificate
- Resume
Start gathering these materials as soon as possible, to ensure all documents arrive in advance of the application deadline.
3. Finance Your Master's Degree in Aviation
A graduate education could be the most important financial investment you ever make. But the financial returns are unlikely to accrue until you graduate. In the meantime, you can rely on the following sources to offset the cost of your aviation master's degree:
- University fellowships and grants
- Teaching assistantships
- Private scholarships and grants
- Employer tuition assistance and other education incentives
- Federal support, including Pell grants and Stafford loans
- Private loans
Most schools have financial aid advisors to guide you through the process of financing your education. Start by filling out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), a comprehensive application covering all federal financial aid programs. Keep in mind that you can also reduce the cost of your education by choosing a digital degree format, which enables you to earn a master's degree online and keep your main source of income.
Become Part of a Network of Aviation Professionals
With the application logistics behind you, you're free to focus on the essence of graduate education: Becoming part of the academic community. Connect with others who share your interest in aviation by:
- Joining professional associations. Major aviation associations include the National Business Aviation Association, the University Aviation Association, and the National Coalition for Aviation Education.
- Reading journals. Some of the major titles include Journal of Aviation/Aerospace Education & Research and Collegiate Aviation Review. In addition, you can find journals in your area of interest--The International Journal of Aviation Psychology and the online Aviation Fire Journal, for example, feature specialized research.
- Attending networking events and conferences. Meet leaders in your field and develop relationships with your peers by attending conferences. Universities, research institutes, professional associations, and aviation employers sponsor these networking events.
Your graduate experience is shaped as much by the people you meet as the knowledge you acquire. The relationships you build now can sustain you in graduate school and throughout your aviation career.
Conclusion
Graduate education in aviation opens doors to a world of opportunities in aviation research and industry management. Take the first step in your future today by researching master's degrees in aviation. With planning and focus, you can gain an inside perspective into the aviation industry and establish yourself as a leader in the field.
Sources
- "Aircraft Pilots and Flight Engineers," Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2010-2011 Edition. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
- Aviation Accreditation Board International (AABI).
- Aviation Masters of Science, University of North Dakota.
- Best Engineering Schools Specialty Rankings: Aerospace/Aeronautical/Astronautical, U.S. News & World Report (2009).
- Database of Accredited Postsecondary Institutions and Programs, U.S. Department of Education.
- Master of Aeronautical Science, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University.
- National Business Aviation Association.
- National Coalition for Aviation Education.
- National Institute for Aviation Research.
- University Aviation Association.
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