Fast track to the airlines while getting your college bachelor degree. Below you will access 4 year universities we recommend that have a professional pilot programs that leads to an airline pilot job after graduation. Many of these programs have direct partnership with airlines that will hire you as an airline pilot after successful completion of the their program. Perfect for college bound students or recent high school graduates. Also great for someone contemplating a 4 year degree but also wants to be an airline pilot or other professional pilot.
The Bachelor of Science in Aeronautical Science – Fixed Wing from ERAU prepares graduates to fill these upcoming positions by combining a four-year technical degree with pilot training. With a 94.5% placement rate, Embry‑Riddle graduates are set to enter the industry; finding careers as flight instructors, first officers and airline pilots.
More than a flight school, Purdue offers a bachelor’s degree in professional flight that provides you with a larger perspective of the aviation industry. Your classes range from how an airplane is built to decision-making in the airline industry. You will learn by flying in our state-of-the-art fleet and matching simulators, and from aviation professionals with significant industry experience.
The professional pilot degree option prepares students with the flight skills and classroom knowledge necessary to be successful in the aviation industry. Authorized by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) as a Part 141 institution, our graduates are ready to fly in the private sector, work as certified flight instructors or succeed in non-commercial flight jobs as they build the 1000 hours needed to fly commercially. Admission into the professional pilot option is for fall only, requires a supplemental application and is limited to 85 new students per academic year.
Website: Oklahoma State University (OSU) - Professional Pilot Program
K-State Salina's professional pilot degree option is FAA regulation part 141 approved, allowing students to complete commercial pilot training in as little as 190 hours instead of 250 hours, for a bachelor's degree. The training also allows students to qualify for a Restricted Airline Transport Pilot Certificate (R-ATP) in as few as 1,000 hours instead of 1,500 for a bachelor's degree. (Students are required to meet the minimum credits for R-ATP approved courses.
Earning a degree does not equate to an automatic R-ATP.) The R-ATP can be beneficial to students by providing them the ability to fly for the airlines earlier. Training and education is provided by our elite staff, comprised of experts with years of both industry and education experience.
Website: Kansas State at Salinas - Professional Pilot Program
Looking for state-of-the-art training in the skies and world-class facilities as well as resume-worthy internship experiences that will lead to a lifetime of career opportunities? An aviation flight science degree at Western is right for you.
Move from zero flight experience to degree completion and career-readiness. Fly out of the Battle Creek Executive Airport at Kellogg Field at one of the nation’s top flight schools. Begin your training in the private pilot course on the second-longest runway in the state and the third-busiest airport in Michigan. Test your skills as a student at one of our partner airlines.
MTSU has a rich history of teaching students to fly, dating back to WWII when flight training took place right on campus. Today, graduates from the Professional Pilot program fly for every major U.S. airline, at dozens of regional airlines, and for corporations and government agencies. To prepare for these opportunities, Professional Pilot students must complete flight operations coursework and achieve pilot certification up to and including the Commercial Multi-engine Certificate with an Instrument Rating. Students receive extensive experience in all aspects of the flight environment, culminating in a turbine aircraft transition course.
Graduates must demonstrate proficiency in aircraft systems operation, determination of aircraft performance parameters, navigation, communication, and airport operations. MTSU trains in state-of-the-art aircraft with "glass" (computerized) flight decks and an innovative, scenario-based curriculum. This MTSU curriculum is FAA approved under 14 CFR Part 141, and allows students to be trained to proficiency instead of requiring minimum flight times. MTSU's Professional Pilot curriculum is recognized by the FAA so that graduates may receive credit up to 500 flight hours toward the Restricted Airline Transport Pilot certificate.
Website: Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU) - Professional Pilot Program
The Professional Flight degree provides a solid foundation of aeronautical knowledge and piloting skills expected by professional aviation organizations and necessary for success in the aviation industry.
Auburn University is an FAA-approved Part 141 pilot school. Flight operations are conducted at the Auburn University Regional Airport (KAUO), which is less than three miles from campus and easily accessible via the university’s Tiger Transit shuttle service.
This degree qualifies for the FAA Restricted Airline Transport (R-ATP) certification with as little as 1,000 hours of flying experience.
Degree certifications and ratings include Private Pilot Certification, Instrument Rating, Commercial Pilot Certification, and Multi-Engine Rating. Certified Flight Instructor (CFI), CFI with Instrument Rating (CFII), and Multi-Engine Instructor (MEI) courses are also available.
Initial Commercial Pilot certification (AVMF 2261, 2271, and 4271) MUST be completed at Auburn. Ground and flight training for Private Pilot and Instrument Rating-Airplane completed at another FAA-approved Institution of Higher Learning (IHL) may apply to FAA R-ATP reduced hours eligibility. Students enrolled in flight training coursework at Auburn must register for and complete all current and subsequent AVMF courses at Auburn.
Website: Auburn University - Bachelor of Science in Professional Flight
Take to the skies with a hands-on, highly respected Aviation degree from the University of Central Missouri. Our Professional Pilot degree program enables you to earn your Flight Instructor certificate and a quality college education at the same time.
Enjoy flight time at our own Max B. Swisher Skyhaven Airport just three miles from campus, the only university-owned airport in Missouri. Our variety of aircraft and state-of-the-art flight simulators will prepare you to work at professional airfields and begin earning the hours required to become a commercial pilot.
With low flight fees, affordable tuition and strong job prospects, a UCM Professional Pilot bachelor’s degree is the perfect launch pad for a successful career as a pilot or flight instructor.
Website: University of Central Missouri - Professional Pilot Bachelor's Degree
he Aviation Program provides students with quality education and experience in preparation for careers in the aviation industry. Curricula in the program lead to a Bachelor of Science degree with concentrations in Aviation Management, Professional Pilot or Professional Helicopter Pilot. With competitive overall flight lab fees, its own fleet of 26 aircraft and an experienced and dedicated instructor staff, Delaware State University (DSU) is simply the best Flight Education opportunity on the East Coast of the United States.
Website: Delaware State University - Professional Pilot Program
The Aviation Technology – Professional Pilot major prepares students to become professional pilots in the fixed wing industries. Upon graduation from this program, students will have acquired approximately 250-300 hours of flight time. The degree requirements include completion of the following FAA licenses: private, instrument, commercial single-engine with multi-engine add-on, and CFI.
Website: Utah State University - Aviation Technology / Professional Pilot Program B.S.
Pilot Programs at Christian Universities
Prepare for a career in the airlines or corporate aviation. Through our Bachelor of Science in Aeronautics: Commercial/Corporate, you will gain the expertise, leadership skills, and strong Christian character you need to help you succeed in your career.
As students continue to pursue the Commercial/Corporate and Global Studies degrees, we will consistently strive to create graduates with technical competence and prepare men and women of character.
- Create graduates with technical competence: Through a combination of both classroom and flight training, you will acquire the following certificates and ratings during your degree program: FAA Airplane Pilot ratings for Private, Instrument, and Commercial Single and Multi-Engine Land. Through elective course options, you may also achieve your Certified Flight Instructor certificate and Certified Flight Instructor – Instrument and Multi-Engine Instructor certificates.
- Prepare men and women of character: The purpose of the Commercial/Corporate degree program is to prepare you to become an exceptional aviator, who possesses outstanding knowledge, excellent technical skills, sound judgment, professionalism, leadership, and strong Christian character.
In addition, once you complete the commercial/corporate concentration, you can apply for the few certified flight instructor opportunities available. If selected, you can serve as an instructor with Liberty University’s program to build the flying hours required to qualify for an airline or corporate pilot job.
Website: Liberty University - B.S. in Aeronautics:Commercial/Corporate
Fly hundreds of hours
Generally, students can expect to graduate from CBU’s aviation flight program as a professional pilot with around 250–300 total hours of flight time. Flight training costs are in addition to CBU tuition and fees, but scholarships are sometimes available. In fall 2017, we gave $50,000 in aviation scholarships.
Study at an airport
We currently have a brand-new fleet of Piper aircraft, a 9,000 square-foot Flight Operations Center with classrooms, flight planning room, flight simulators, full kitchen and student lounge. Riverside Municipal Airport, California offers a safe flight training environment, with two paved runways, and is less than three miles from the CBU campus.
Become a pilot
Partnerships with regional airlines have allowed us to form the airline bridge program, which provides students with guaranteed interviews and potential conditional job offers prior to graduation. Graduates of the aviation flight major will have the knowledge and skills to obtain the certifications and licenses they need to fly single-engine and multi-engine aircraft for hire. Some of our alumni have gone on to jobs at the Long Beach Airport, the FAA, and as flight instructors in CBU’s own Flight School. Often, graduates teach flight for several years while they build hours to earn their ATP.
This aviation degree will prepare you to work in the multi-crew flight deck of complex transport category aircraft, with specialized courses specifically designed for the aviation professional.
Certifications you will earn:
- Private Pilot Certificate:
- Instrument Rating
- Commercial Pilot Certificate
- Instrument Ratings
- Single Engine
- Multi Engine
Optional certifications:
- Aircraft Dispatcher Certificate
- Flight Instructor Certificate
- Instrument Ratings
- Single Engine Airplane
- Multi Engine Airplane
When you've completed your degree you'll have approximately 180 flight hours in our Cessna C172 Skyhawks, American Champion Citabrias, and Piper PA44 Seminoles.
Concentration Options:
Get into the Cockpit Faster
Graduates of this program are eligible to apply for a restricted-privileges Airline Transport Pilot certificate. This credential allows a pilot with fewer than 1,500 hours of flight time to serve as an airline co-pilot while completing the required hours for an unrestricted ATP certificate. Learn more...
Airline Partnership Programs
LeTourneau University has partnerships with many regional airlines, allowing Pro Flight students to begin their careers while still in school. Pay for pilot graduates employed with Envoy and PSA Airlines starts at $58,000, and benefits are excellent.
Qualifying students may be accepted into these programs as early as their freshman year. Professionals from each airline and LeTourneau will monitor the performance of students in partnership programs.
The Aviation Sciences - Professional Pilot Concentration is specifically designed for students wanting a career as a pilot. Flight training is conducted in Baylor's Flight School (operated by Universal Flight Concepts) at Waco Regional Airport.
Students choosing fixed-wing (airplane) flight training will earn their Private Pilot's License, Instrument Rating, Commercial License, Certified Flight Instructor (CFI-A), and will have the option of earning either Certified Flight Instructor - Instrument (CFI-I) or Multi-Engine certificate. Additional flight fees are charged on flight courses.
Students choosing rotary-wing (helicopter) flight training will earn their Private Pilot's License, Instrument Rating, Commercial License, Certified Flight Instructor (CFI) and Certified Flight Instructor - Instrument (CFII) certificates, and Night Vision Goggle training. Additional flight fees are charged on flight courses.
The FAA has granted our program the ability to certify our fixed-wing graduates for a 500-hour reduction towards the Restricted Air Transport Pilot (ATP) license. In order to qualify, all listed requirements must be met.
Please be aware that we have a limited number of flight slots for pilot students, therefore admission to the Professional Pilot concentration is limited and very competitive.
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