Master of Science in
Aviation
Gain new insights and a deeper understanding of aviation and aerospace with a Master of Science in Aviation. This multi-disciplinary, graduate-level program will enhance your knowledge in areas including behavioral sciences, data analysis, modeling and simulation and project management. You will also explore a specialization such
as air traffic management, aviation/aerospace management, aviation/aerospace safety systems, space studies and unmanned systems. Students graduate from the program with a competitive advantage, thanks to the broad research background and technical knowledge the curriculum offers.
DETAILS
About Aviation at the Daytona Beach, FL Campus
The Master of Science in Aviation (MSAV) is a multidisciplinary program that enhances your knowledge of behavioral sciences, data analysis, modeling and simulation, project management, systems integration, applied research, statistics, technology, and, most importantly, your specialization subject matter.
You have the option to select from one of the following eight specializations:
- Air Traffic Management (AT-CTI)
- Aviation/ Aerospace Education Technology
- Aviation/Aerospace Management
- Aviation/Aerospace Operations
- Aviation/Aerospace Safety Systems
- Space Studies
- Unmanned Aerospace Systems
- Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems
With the Aviation master's degree, you can explore opportunities in airline and airport operations and management, air traffic systems planning, aviation safety, education, industrial safety, NextGen, research, and systems integration. Employers around the world need graduates who are aviation and aerospace subject matter experts and have in-demand skill sets such as project management, systems integration, and applied research experience. You will leave Embry-Riddle ready to meet the needs of government and industry.
Being part of the Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University community is a major advantage as you continue your education. Your faculty are experts in their fields and have both government and industry experience to back up their instruction. The labs and facilities in which you learn are built to give you one-of-a-kind experiences in real-world scenarios. In the classroom, you are with peers who share common interests but bring unique, global perspectives and experiences to the learning environment. And the alumni network is outstanding.
Note: As of May 1, 2021, this degree name will change in the catalog to Master of Science in Aviation.Introduction
The Master of Science in Aeronautics (MSA) degree program is a broad-based, flexible degree program designed to provide both the aviation/aerospace professional and students who are interested in a career in aviation with a rigorous academic approach to an aviation/aerospace oriented multidisciplinary degree. It provides an unequaled opportunity for pilot flight crew members, air traffic control personnel, flight operations specialists, meteorologists, Industry technical representatives, unmanned aircraft systems operators, and aviation educators to enhance their knowledge and pursue additional career opportunities. The MSA degree is designed to provide the student with a broad research background and technical knowledge In the core curriculum and the opportunity to select from eleven different specializations to pursue their chosen career path in the aviation field.
The MSA program consists of 33 credits. Students must complete the MSA core requirements consisting of 12 credits, and then complete the 9 credits that make up the selected specialization In one of the following: Air Traffic Management, Aviation/ Aerospace Education Technology, Aviation/Aerospace Management, Aviation/Aerospace Operations, Aviation/Aerospace Safety Systems, Space Studies, Unmanned Aerospace Systems, or small Unmanned Aircraft Systems.
The four (4) core courses should be taken as the first four courses in the degree program.
Students must also complete 12 credits of coursework that Includes either a Thesis (6 credits), or a Graduate Capstone Project (GCP) (3 credits). Remaining credits are made up of graduate level aeronautical science electives. MSA students can also complete courses leading to a multiple specializations. Additional specializations must be declared prior to the completion of the degree program.
Students wishing to complete a dual specialization must have 9 unduplicated credits In each of the specialization and will complete a total of 33 (GCP) or 36 (Thesis) credit hours In order to graduate. Additional specializations may also be taken.
Degree Requirements
Air Traffic Management Specialization
| MSA Core Requirements | ||
| Required Courses | 12 | |
| MSA 540 | The Air Transportation System | 3 |
| MSA 545 | Human Factors in the Aviation/Aerospace Industry | 3 |
| or MSA 554 | Project Management in Aviation Aerospace | |
| MSA 662 | Statistical Analysis for Aviation/Aerospace | 3 |
| MSA 670 | Research Methods in Aviation/Aerospace | 3 |
| Specialization Requirements | ||
| Required Courses | 9 | |
| MSA 520 | Introduction to Air Traffic Control Tower | 3 |
| MSA 617 | En route Radar Operations | 3 |
| MSA 618 | En route Non-Radar Operations | 3 |
| Electives | ||
| MSA 508 | Advanced Airport Modeling | 3 |
| MSA 515 | Aviation/Aerospace Simulation Systems | 3 |
| MSA 547 | Leadership and Critical Decision Making in the Aviation Industry | 3 |
| MSA 608 | Aviation/Aerospace Accident Investigation and Analysis | 3 |
| MSA 636 | Advanced Aviation/Aerospace Planning Systems | 3 |
| Select one of the following options: | 12 | |
| Option I: Capstone | ||
| MSA 691 | Graduate Capstone Research Project | 3 |
| MSA Electives from the above list of electives or any MSA electives (500-600)* | 9 | |
| Option II: Thesis | ||
| MSA Electives from the above list of electives or any MSA Electives (500-600 Level).* | 6 | |
| MSA 700 | Thesis | 6 |
| Total Credits | 33 | |
| • For students with no ATC experience or education and for AT-CTI students, the following undergraduate foundation prerequisite courses are required: | ||
| Required Undergraduate Foundation | ||
| AT 202 | Introduction to Air Traffic Management | 3 |
| AT 305 | Introduction to Terminal Radar Operations | 3 |
| AT 401 | Advanced Terminal Radar Operations | 3 |
Aviation/Aerospace Education Technology Specialization
| MSA Core Requirements | ||
| Required Courses | 12 | |
| MSA 540 | The Air Transportation System | 3 |
| MSA 545 | Human Factors in the Aviation/Aerospace Industry | 3 |
| or MSA 554 | Project Management in Aviation Aerospace | |
| MSA 662 | Statistical Analysis for Aviation/Aerospace | 3 |
| MSA 670 | Research Methods in Aviation/Aerospace | 3 |
| Specialization Requirements | ||
| Select three of the following: | 9 | |
| MSA 514 | Computer Based Instruction | 3 |
| MSA 518 | Online Learning Environment | 3 |
| MSA 550 | Aviation Education Foundations | 3 |
| MSA 614 | Advanced Aviation/Aerospace Curriculum Development | 3 |
| MSA 654 | Adult Teaching and Learning Techniques | 3 |
| Select one of the following options: | 12 | |
| Option I: Capstone | ||
| MSA 691 | Graduate Capstone Research Project | 3 |
| MSA Electives (500-600 Level)* | 9 | |
| Option II: Thesis | ||
| MSA Electives (500-600 Level)* | 6 | |
| MSA 700 | Thesis | 6 |
| Total Credits | 33 | |
Aviation/Aerospace Management Specialization
| MSA Core Requirements | ||
| Required Courses | 12 | |
| MSA 540 | The Air Transportation System | 3 |
| MSA 545 | Human Factors in the Aviation/Aerospace Industry | 3 |
| or MSA 554 | Project Management in Aviation Aerospace | |
| MSA 662 | Statistical Analysis for Aviation/Aerospace | 3 |
| MSA 670 | Research Methods in Aviation/Aerospace | 3 |
| Specialization Requirements | ||
| Select three of the following: | 9 | |
| MSA 508 | Advanced Airport Modeling | 3 |
| MSA 547 | Leadership and Critical Decision Making in the Aviation Industry | 3 |
| MSA 609 | Aircraft Maintenance Management | 3 |
| MSA 636 | Advanced Aviation/Aerospace Planning Systems | 3 |
| MSA 641 | Production and Procurement Management in the Aviation/Aerospace Industry | 3 |
| MSA 642 | International Aviation Policy | 3 |
| MSA 644 | Integrated Logistics Support in Aviation/Aerospace | 3 |
| Note: Only one BA/MGMT courses may be selected with permission of the Program Coordinator. | ||
| Select one of the following options: | 12 | |
| Option I: Capstone | ||
| MSA 691 | Graduate Capstone Research Project | 3 |
| MSA Electives (500-600 Level)* | 9 | |
| Option II: Thesis | ||
| MSA Electives (500-600 Level)* | 6 | |
| MSA 700 | Thesis | 6 |
| Total Credits | 33 | |
Aviation/Aerospace Operations Specialization
| MSA Core Requirements | ||
| Required Courses | 12 | |
| MSA 540 | The Air Transportation System | 3 |
| MSA 545 | Human Factors in the Aviation/Aerospace Industry | 3 |
| or MSA 554 | Project Management in Aviation Aerospace | |
| MSA 662 | Statistical Analysis for Aviation/Aerospace | 3 |
| MSA 670 | Research Methods in Aviation/Aerospace | 3 |
| Specialization Requirements | ||
| Select three of the following: | 9 | |
| MSA 508 | Advanced Airport Modeling | 3 |
| MSA 515 | Aviation/Aerospace Simulation Systems | 3 |
| MSA 516 | Applications in Crew Resource Management | 3 |
| MSA 547 | Leadership and Critical Decision Making in the Aviation Industry | 3 |
| MSA 562 | Situation Awareness and Performance in Aviation/Aerospace | 3 |
| MSA 619 | Airport Certification and Operations Safety | 3 |
| MSA 620 | Air Carrier Operations | 3 |
| MSA 622 | Corporate Aviation Operations | 3 |
| Note: One BA/MGMT Courses may be selected with permission of the Program Coordinator. | ||
| Select one of the following options: | 12 | |
| Option I: Capstone | ||
| MSA 691 | Graduate Capstone Research Project | 3 |
| MSA Electives (500-600 Level)* | 9 | |
| Option II: Thesis | ||
| MSA Electives (500-600 Level)* | 6 | |
| MSA 700 | Thesis | 6 |
| Total Credits | 33 | |
Aviation/Aerospace Safety Systems Specialization
| MSA Core Requirements | ||
| Required Courses | 12 | |
| MSA 540 | The Air Transportation System | 3 |
| MSA 545 | Human Factors in the Aviation/Aerospace Industry | 3 |
| or MSA 554 | Project Management in Aviation Aerospace | |
| MSA 662 | Statistical Analysis for Aviation/Aerospace | 3 |
| MSA 670 | Research Methods in Aviation/Aerospace | 3 |
| Specialization Requirements | ||
| Select three of the following: | 9 | |
| MSA 516 | Applications in Crew Resource Management | 3 |
| MSA 562 | Situation Awareness and Performance in Aviation/Aerospace | 3 |
| MSA 608 | Aviation/Aerospace Accident Investigation and Analysis | 3 |
| MSA 611 | Aviation/Aerospace System Safety | 3 |
| MSA 619 | Airport Certification and Operations Safety | 3 |
| MSA 621 | Aviation/Aerospace Safety Program Management | 3 |
| Select one of the following options: | 12 | |
| Option I: Capstone | ||
| MSA 691 | Graduate Capstone Research Project | 3 |
| MSA Electives (500-600 Level)* | 9 | |
| Option II: Thesis | ||
| MSA Electives (500-600 Level)* | 6 | |
| MSA 700 | Thesis | 6 |
| Total Credit | 33 | |
Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems (sUAS) Operation Specialization
| MSA Core Requirements | ||
| Required Courses | 12 | |
| ASCI/MSA 602 The Air Transportation System | 3 | |
| ASCI/MSA 662 Statistical Analysis for Aviation/Aerospace | 3 | |
| ASCI/MSA 670 Research Methods in Aviation/Aerospace | 3 | |
| ASCI/MSA 604 Human Factors in the Aviation/Aerospace Industry | 3 | |
| Or | ||
| ASCI/MSA 674 Project Management in Aviation/Aerospace | 3 | |
| Specialization Requirements | ||
| Select three of the following: | 9 | |
| UNSY 515 sUAS Operation Fundamentals (Available at Worldwide Campus Only) | 3 | |
| UNSY 520 sUAS Practical Application and Assessment (Available at Worldwide Campus Only) | 3 | |
| UNSY 620 sUAS Operational Planning and Safety Management (Available at Worldwide Campus Only) | 3 | |
| Electives | ||
| Select one of the following options: | 12 | |
| Option I: Capstone | ||
| ASCI/MSA 691 Graduate Capstone Research Project | 3 | |
| ASCI/MSA Electives (500-600 Level)* | 9 | |
| Option II: Thesis | ||
| ASCI 700A Thesis I (Available at Worldwide Campus Only) | 3 | |
| ASCI 700B Thesis II (Available at Worldwide Campus Only) | 3 | |
| ASCI/MSA Electives (500-600 Level)* | 6 | |
| Or | ||
| MSA 700 | Thesis | 6 |
| ASCI/MSA Electives (500-600 Level)* | 6 | |
| Total Credits | 33 | |
| * | ASCI courses must be approved by Program Coordinator prior to enrollment. |
Space Studies Specialization
| MSA Core Requirements | ||
| Required Courses | 12 | |
| MSA 540 | The Air Transportation System | 3 |
| MSA 545 | Human Factors in the Aviation/Aerospace Industry | 3 |
| or MSA 554 | Project Management in Aviation Aerospace | |
| MSA 662 | Statistical Analysis for Aviation/Aerospace | 3 |
| MSA 670 | Research Methods in Aviation/Aerospace | 3 |
| Specialization Requirements | 9 | |
| Select three of the following: | ||
| MSA 511 | Earth Observation and Remote Sensing | 3 |
| MSA 512 | Space Mission and Launch Operations | 3 |
| MSA 513 | Space Habitation and Life Support Systems | 3 |
| MSA 601 | Applications in Space: Commerce, Defense, and Exploration | 3 |
| Select one of the following options: | 12 | |
| Option I: Capstone | ||
| MSA 691 | Graduate Capstone Research Project | 3 |
| MSA Electives (500-600 Level)* | 9 | |
| Option II: Thesis | ||
| MSA Electives (500-600 Level)* | 6 | |
| MSA 700 | Thesis | 6 |
| Total Credits | 33 | |
Unmanned Aerospace Systems Specialization
| MSA Core Requirements | ||
| Required Courses | 12 | |
| MSA 540 | The Air Transportation System | 3 |
| MSA 545 | Human Factors in the Aviation/Aerospace Industry | 3 |
| or MSA 554 | Project Management in Aviation Aerospace | |
| MSA 662 | Statistical Analysis for Aviation/Aerospace | 3 |
| MSA 670 | Research Methods in Aviation/Aerospace | 3 |
| Specialization Requirements | ||
| Select three of the following: | 9 | |
| MSA 531 | Robotics and Control | 3 |
| MSA 533 | Unmanned Aerospace Systems | 3 |
| MSA 637 | Unmanned Aerospace Systems Operations and Payloads | 3 |
| MSA 638 | Human Factors of Unmanned Aerospace Systems | 3 |
| Select one of the following options: | 12 | |
| Option I: Capstone | ||
| MSA 691 | Graduate Capstone Research Project | 3 |
| MSA Electives (500-600 Level)* | 9 | |
| Option II: Thesis | ||
| MSA Electives (500-600 Level)* | 6 | |
| MSA 700 | Thesis | 6 |
| Total Credits | 33 | |
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 Professional Development elective courses in the BSA degree. 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 Professional Development 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.
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