Online Aeronautics/Aviation Bachelor's Degree

What You’ll Learn & What You Can Do After Graduation

In its 2018 Pilot and Technician Outlook, global aviation and aeronautics leader Boeing projected that over the next 20 years, the aviation industry will need to hire hundreds of thousands of qualified civil aviation pilots and maintenance technicians to continue thriving.

Fortunately, you can benefit from this growth by earning your accredited online aviation degree, taking the first steps to beginning your career in the industry. This page offers deeper insight into a bachelor's degree in aviation, helping you understand what to expect from your program, and providing you with information to help you find the right school or program to achieve your goals.

What are Aeronautics and Aviation?

Aeronautics and aviation cover a variety of career fields and industries, including air transportation, space studies, and even meteorology. Earning your bachelor's in aviation science provides you with the fundamental skills you need to enter numerous job fields and prepares you for technical training in the field and eventual graduate-level study.

Many graduates with a bachelor's degree in aviation and aeronautics go on to pursue careers as pilots, air traffic control professionals, aircraft maintenance engineers, and aviation safety technicians. The broad nature of this degree offers students a pathway to many careers and advanced education options, as it provides the skills you need to begin entry-level careers in aviation-related fields, and to pursue a graduate degree in aeronautics.

A degree in aviation and aeronautics often includes the option to study several subdisciplines and concentrations, allowing you to tailor your degree to suit your goals. For example, you may choose to specialize in areas like air traffic management, homeland security, unmanned aircraft systems, and aviation maintenance. Ideal for any learner hoping to enter any aviation-related fields, this versatile degree also provides students with the opportunity to complete internships with major aviation companies, utilize state-of-the-art training and simulation systems, and gain valuable field experience.

An online aviation degree qualifies recipients for many careers and industries, both in and outside of aviation. Keep reading to learn more about what you can do with an aviation bachelor's degree.

What Can I Do with an Online Aeronautics or Aviation Bachelor's Degree?

As you work through your accredited aviation bachelor's degree online, you'll have the opportunity to tailor your coursework and electives toward your career goals by pursuing specializations and concentrations. In this section, you'll find out more about what you can expect to learn in an aviation and aeronautics program, and what kind of careers this degree prepares you for.

Skills and Knowledge Gained

Earning your bachelor's degree is an important step in your career, as it qualifies you for new opportunities and increases your earning potential. The bachelor's degree has become the minimum standard for many careers, with some positions requiring education past a bachelor's. For learners interested in aviation and aeronautics, a bachelor's degree can help kickstart your career, providing you with valuable foundational knowledge and experience you can put into practice in an aviation-related area.

The best online aviation degrees provide students with a base of general education courses, supplemented with core courses and electives in aviation and aeronautics. General education courses cover topics in mathematics, humanities, social and earth science, and composition. Core courses in aviation curriculums cover topics like aviation science, aerodynamics, aviation safety, and operations management.

Students may be able to specialize their degree with concentrations or minors in areas like airport management, homeland security, and helicopter operations. Some schools also allow students to take electives outside of aviation, enabling them to further tailor their degree to their interests and goals. For example, if you wish to work in airport management, you might decide to take an elective in business management to further hone your skills in this area.

Programs in aviation and aeronautics emphasize skills such as professionalism, oral and written communication, critical thinking, decision making, and leadership, as these skills will serve students well in their careers as aviation and aeronautics professionals.

Careers and Salary Potential

An online aviation degree from an accredited university prepares you for a career in a variety of aviation-related fields and industries, including governmental positions, manufacturing, trade school instruction, and air transportation. In this section, you'll learn more about the types of careers available to graduates of these programs, and the different industries that hire professionals in aviation and aeronautics.

  • Scheduled Air Transportation: Graduates of aviation programs can work as schedulers for air transportation, managing flight schedules and maintaining those schedules throughout the day. They also manage weather-related delays.
  • Federal Government: The federal government employs aviation professionals in a variety of capacities, including within the military as pilots, and in the Federal Aviation Administration where they establish and enforce important policies.
  • Technical and Trade Schools: Once you have your degree, you may have the qualifications to work in technical and trade schools as an instructor in aviation-related courses and certificate programs.
  • Support Activities for Air Transportation: An aviation degree provides fundamental skills in air transportation support services, such as ground maintenance, air cargo management, and other airport-based staff positions.
  • Ambulance Services: Some ambulatory services require qualified helicopter pilots and maintenance crews. Specializing your aviation degree with a minor or concentration in helicopter operations can prepare you for these roles.
  • Manufacturing:A degree in aviation also covers topics in aviation manufacturing, including the manufacturing of aircraft parts and engines. With some further training, you may consider pursuing a career in this area.
Airline and Commercial Pilots

Annual Median Salary: $111,930

Airline and commercial pilots work for commercial airlines, piloting domestic and international flights for civilian passengers. They typically work out of specific airport hubs, and often stay on for shifts that span multiple days.

Air Traffic Controllers

Annual Median Salary: $124,540

Air traffic controllers monitor incoming and outgoing flights at airports. They clear flights for takeoff and landing and ensure safety; they also monitor weather conditions and delay or cancel flights as necessary.

Aerospace Engineers

Annual Median Salary: $113,030

Aerospace engineers analyze aircraft designs to ensure they meet specific aeronautical engineering requirements. They also test prototypes of these designs, including those for aircrafts, satellites, and space shuttles.

Airport Manager

Annual Median Salary: $59,664

Airport managers handle the day-to-day operations of an airport, including all services offered inside the airport, as well as exterior services such as cargo management. They ensure the airport continues running efficiently.

Aircraft Maintenance Supervisor

Annual Median Salary: $73,491

Aircraft maintenance supervisors oversee maintenance workers responsible for servicing various types of aircrafts. They often work at airports, ensuring aircrafts receive necessary service between flights.

Flight Operations Manager

Annual Median Salary: $70,638

Flight operations managers work with major airlines or with private corporations to plan and coordinate transportation operations. They also ensure adherence to Federal Aviation Administration regulations.