Bachelor of Science in
Aeronautics

The Aeronautics degree is designed specifically for students who work, have worked, or desire to work in aviation-related careers. For students with existing aviation-related knowledge and skills, this degree acknowledges a student’s valuable acquired experience through the award of advanced standing prior-learning credit. The curriculum then builds on those skills and knowledge. The program also provides an opportunity for those students new to aviation to acquire aviation-specific knowledge through aviation-related coursework. This combination of a student’s aviation learning, aviation courses, business, computer science, economics, humanities, communications, social sciences, mathematics, and physical sciences, along with professional development elective courses and a minor course of study, will prepare graduates for a career in an aviation-related field.

Aviation Area of Concentration

The Aviation Area of Concentration is the degree component that lets students select courses from various aviation-related fields. In addition, the AOC portion of the degree is where credit for prior aviation learning is applied. Thirty hours of credit are needed to satisfy the requirements of this portion of the Aeronautics degree. All or part of the credit needed for this degree requirement may be awarded based on prior aviation training or experience. To complete the AOC, in addition to any prior learning credit, students may select from courses in Aeronautical Science, Air Traffic Management, Applied Meteorology (aviation-related), Aviation Maintenance Science, Commercial Space Operations, Cooperative Education, Flight, Homeland Security, Safety (aviation-related), Simulation, Space Studies or Unmanned Aircraft Systems Science.

Evidence of Prior Aviation Learning

Applicants who qualify for admission to and matriculate in the degree program may be eligible for credit for prior learning. Applicants must be able to prove competence in an aviation occupation with authentic documentary evidence. Training and experience in closely related occupations can be combined.

Just as official transcripts are required to transfer credit from one university to another, original or authenticated documentation of prior learning from professional training and experience must be presented to qualify for award of Aviation Area of Concentration credit. Documentary evidence must be from objective third-party sources and must clearly describe the applicant’s professional training, duties, and achievements in detail. Advanced standing credit will be awarded in accordance with the applicable Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University Curriculum Manual.

Duplicate Credit

Many Embry-Riddle courses are designed to teach the same skills and knowledge that Aeronautics students have acquired through experience and training. Students who complete courses in the same aviation specialty for which they were granted Aviation Area of Concentration credit would be duplicating coverage of the same subject matter. Credit for completion of such courses will not be applied to degree requirements. Credit for prior learning granted in the Aeronautics degree program may not be transferable to any other Embry-Riddle degree program.

Minor

Students must select and complete one minor field of study. Total credits in the minor will vary depending on which minor is chosen. Students typically select a minor that will enhance their aviation career. Courses required for the minor field of study may be used to fill Area of Concentration, Professional Development, or Open Elective degree requirements. See Minor Courses of Study in this catalog.

Aeronautics Curriculum

The curriculum to be followed by each student will vary depending on any AOC prior learning or transfer credits granted. 

General Education Requirements

For a full description of Embry-Riddle General Education guidelines, please see the General Education section of this catalog. These minimum requirements are applicable to all degree programs.

 Curriculum

The Aeronautics degree is designed specifically for students who work, have worked, or desire to work in aviation-related careers. For students with existing aviation-related knowledge and skills, this degree acknowledges a student’s valuable acquired experience through the award of advanced standing prior-learning credit. The curriculum then builds on those skills and knowledge. The program also provides an opportunity for students new to aviation to acquire aviation-specific knowledge through aviation-related coursework. This combination of a student’s aviation learning, aviation courses, courses in business, computer science, economics, humanities, communications, social sciences, mathematics, and physical sciences, along with professional development elective courses and a minor course of study, will prepare graduates for a career in an aviation-related field.

Take your future to new heights!

Whether you want to launch into an aviation career, break away from the competition, or advance your current position and earnings potential, the Bachelor of Science in Aeronautics opens the door to new opportunities in the dynamic aviation/aerospace industry.

Aeronautics curriculum is closely mapped to the needs and demands of the aviation/aerospace industry and to general education guidelines. The BSA is a multidisciplinary program with courses of study in human factors, security, aviation safety, occupational safety and health, air traffic control, aircraft maintenance, and aeronautical science. Within that broad base, electives and minors allow you to tailor your degree to your particular interests and career goals.

It doesn’t have to take long, either. You can receive transfer credit, advance standing, and FAA or military ratings and certifications, which may lead to receiving your degree in a shorter time.

Students are also eligible to engage in cooperative study/internships and may elect to seek out those enriching opportunities.

The Bachelor of Science in Aeronautics is accredited by the Aviation Accreditation Board International (AABI)

Minor Courses of Study

One key and essential element of this degree is the ability to enhance and strengthen your academic program by adding any Minor Course of Study. Students may use courses from a minor and place them into Aviation Area of Concentration, Professional Development Electives and/or Open Electives (all as appropriate). Students are strongly encouraged to add a Minor to their degree. 

Available Minors

Aviation Area of Concentration

The Aviation Area of Concentration is the degree area where credit for prior aviation learning is housed or where students can take aeronautical science courses. Many students bring in all or part of this credit based on prior aviation training or experience or add a Minor Course of Study. However, shortages in the minimum credit required can be made up by taking courses in the following aviation-related disciplines: Aeronautical Science, Aviation Maintenance, Aviation History, and aviation/aerospace related coursework in Safety, Security, Transportation, Engineering, and Unmanned Systems.

Sources of prior learning credit include the following:

1. Transfer credit earned at accredited degree-granting colleges and universities.
2. The recommendations published by the American Council on Education for U.S. Military training and experience, as well as training conducted by other government agencies and private organizations.
3. Prior-learning credit established by the University for certain aviation licenses and ratings as they relate to this degree.

Duplicate Credit

Many Embry-Riddle courses are designed to teach the same skills and knowledge that Aeronautics students have acquired through experience and training. Students who complete courses in the same aviation specialty for which they were granted Aviation Area of Concentration credit would be duplicating coverage of the same subject matter. Credit for completion of such courses will not be applied to degree requirements.

B.S. in Aeronautics students who wish to continue on to a master's degree may enroll in the BSA-MSA 4+1 program as outlined in this program.

Electives

BSA-MSA 4+1 Program: A Unique Opportunity

This program is for exceptional students who are committed to continuing their education through the Master’s degree. This fast-paced program allows qualifying students the opportunity to complete both the Bachelor of Science in Aeronautics (BSA) and the Master of Science in Aeronautics (MSA) in five academic years.

Students who are accepted in the BSA-MSA 4+1 program, will spend three academic years in undergraduate-level study and then, during their senior year, will be allowed to take up to three graduate-level courses from their selected MSA specialization to replace an equal number of elective courses in the BSA degree.  MSA core courses cannot be selected as one of the three (3) MSA courses selected. Before selecting the 3 courses to be taken, students must confer with an advisor to ensure that the courses selected are suitable and align with their selected MSA specialization (a grade of B or better must be achieved). Upon completion of the BSA requirements, students will be enrolled in the MSA and can complete their degree in one year. In any graduate course taken by an undergraduate student, a grade of B or better must be earned. If a grade of C or F is earned in any of the courses taken in lieu of the elective courses in the BSA degree, the student will be removed from the program and may continue to complete the BSA degree only.

This special program will challenge students and develop their knowledge and understanding of concepts in aeronautical science while integrating their skills in aviation and aerospace applications. As a minimum, the applicant must have at least a 3.00 GPA and have demonstrated superior academic capability.

Students will use the virtual forms application site to work through the application, recommendation, and approval process.

Footnotes*

Minnesota student residents refer to State of Minnesota Course Requirement statement for Humanities requirements.