One of the more popular fields of study nowadays is aviation. Many international students have been flocking to this degree path in hopes of a career in the air. While the prospects are exciting, international students should ask themselves if a degree in aviation right for them.
Is a Career in Aviation Right for You?
Many students decide to study aviation in the US. While some hope to start careers as pilots, others want to work in a vibrant industry. There are several different degrees available in aviation, and international students should make sure they know which degree is best for them. Are you looking to fly? Do you want to be in aviation maintenance or aviation management? Are you interested in air traffic control? These are all questions that students should explore. While they all are amazing opportunities, all veterans in the aviation field will tell prospective students one thing: you need to have a passion in order to be successful.
Degree Programs
There are a number of different and exciting degree programs available when studying aviation in the US. Students should try to find a university that has a strong aviation program that has a proven history of putting students directly into aviation careers. One of the more popular degree paths in aviation is aviation management. These programs prepare students for leadership roles in the administrative departments of major airlines and aviation companies. They prepare students for staff and executive roles. Students also have the opportunity to concentrate in a specific subject with the management program. These subjects include:
- Airport Management
- Airline Management
- International Air Transport Management
- Flight Operations
- General Management
Another popular degree is Aviation Maintenance. Aircraft mechanics are very specialized in their discipline, and their expertise is hard to find. Student with Aviation Maintenance degrees have great prospects. Students who earn this degree also are usually awarded the Aircraft and Powerplant Maintenance Certificate, a necessary designation that shows expertise in aviation mechanics. The degree program teaches students the necessary information and complex issues of aircraft maintenance. Students have the opportunity to concentrate in Flight, Electronics and other specialized fields.
One of the most popular aviation degrees is in the field of Air Traffic Control or Air Traffic Management. Air traffic controllers are very highly paid employees, and the need for them is increasing over time. Students will be instructed in the nuances and regulations involved with air traffic control and also work on management and leadership skills within the field.
Curriculum
The curriculum of an aviation concentrated degree can be tough for some international students. This degree is very technical in nature. Like other degree paths, aviation based degree programs require sixty credits of general education requirements. These courses cover courses in communications, humanities, some social sciences, mathematics, and physical sciences. The actual course credits will start with some introductory aeronautics courses. Student will need to take courses in aeronautic science and others in computer based classes. In addition, the aviation program requires deep knowledge of mathematics and physics. Students will re required to take classes in Statistics and Calculus.
Depending on the actual degree, courses may differ. Aviation administration degrees will have a lot of courses in business, such as Management, Accounting, Corporate Finance and International Business. Aviation Maintenance students will instead have a lot of classes in technical areas. Students should expect to take classes in aviation mathematics and physics, fundamentals of electricity, and aircraft regulations. In their concentrations, students will face many others courses such as Private Flights, Commercial Flights, Aviation Technical Operations, and Aerodynamics. Air Traffic Control majors will have many courses in mathematics, as it is one of the most important aspects of the degree. Students will begin to dive into the core courses in air traffic control, that teach the fundamentals of air traffic control. Some courses include Aviation Traffic I and II, Aviation Safety and Aviation Weather.
It is not easy to study Aviation in the US, but the degree will open many doors. So is a career in aviation right for you? Students should do some research to find out.