Kansas State University Polytechnic Campus is launching an online bachelor’s degree geared for students who have previously earned aviation-related certificates, ratings, licenses or college credit.
The online Bachelor of Science in aeronautical technology with a professional aviation option combines a business and leadership emphasis with an aviation area of concentration in which the student already has experience. It is designed to provide a path for students to build on their training, advance their skills, and complete a bachelor’s degree, university officials explain.
“We wanted to offer a degree that would give students the opportunity to accomplish their professional goals by maximizing the value of the college credit or certifications they have already achieved,” said Troy Brockway, aviation professor at Kansas State Polytechnic.
“The professional aviation degree is convenient with its online option and is comprehensive by welcoming a variety of transferrable aviation specialties,” he said. “It also will enhance students’ employability and will assist with their upward mobility in the industry.”
Students can transfer in up to 60 credit hours with up to 35 of those hours being in an aviation focus, such as professional pilot, aviation maintenance, air traffic control, airport management, unmanned aircraft systems, avionics and aviation safety.
The degree connects the students’ aviation focus with classes in management, leadership, and business, including Aviation Law, Practices of Industrial and Labor Relations, Managerial and Project Economics, and Supervisory Management.
Prospective students include those who have obtained flight ratings at a different university or at an airport FBO, an A&P aircraft maintenance technician, an air traffic controller, members of the military, and an aviation-focused associate degree holder.
Once students have graduated with this bachelor’s degree, they can seek careers in every facet of aviation, including sales, management, operations, maintenance, and safety.