Bachelor of Science in Aviation Technology

The Bachelor of Science in Aviation Technology (BSAT) prepares individuals for professional positions within the aviation industry. Related career opportunities are found with airlines, airports, general aviation, government organizations, education and the aerospace industry.

Within the degree there are three emphasis areas: aviation management, professional piloting, and aeronautical studies. Each emphasis has discrete program description and outcomes. The specific interests and career goals of each student determine the emphasis area to pursue. The degree includes university General Education Requirements (GERs), a common set of core courses and courses relative to each individual emphasis.

Aviation Management Emphasis

The BSAT with the aviation management emphasis is designed to prepare graduates for management positions in all aspects of the aviation industry. The BSAT provides students not only with the organizational, human relations, and managerial skills required in aviation management, but also with the appropriate technical background.

Professional Piloting Emphasis

Professional pilots need knowledge of aerodynamics, aircraft engine and system operation, aircraft operating limitations and performance, weather and atmospheric processes, as well as navigation and communication methods. This degree program prepares graduates for careers in professional flying and management. The special considerations and academic requirements contained in the Associate of Applied Science in Professional Piloting also apply to this emphasis area. The FAA has authorized UAA to certify its professional piloting graduates as eligible for an Airline Transport Pilot Certificate with reduced aeronautical experience.

Aeronautical Studies

The BSAT with the aeronautical studies emphasis is designed to help students with some college education complete a bachelor degree and transition into the aviation industry. This degree is designed to have maximum flexibility in course electives. 

Admission Requirements

• Complete the Admission Requirements for Baccalaureate Degrees.
• Complete any additional admission requirements for the emphasis areas of aviation management and professional piloting described below.
• Complete any certification requirements established by applicable government agencies of applicable emphasis.

Advising

It is strongly recommended that all students meet with an Aviation Technology Division (ATD) academic advisor each semester to review their academic progress and plan future courses. This is especially true with piloting students, as a number of their courses have Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) requirements as well. 

Special Considerations

Once enrolled in any flight training course (courses where the student is receiving flight training) at UAA, students are required to complete the course requirements within 12 months from the date of registration. Failure to do so will be considered unsatisfactory progress and will result in a failing (F) grade within that registered flight course. If a student receives a failing grade in a flight training course, the course may be repeated. 

Graduation Requirements

• Complete the General University Requirements for Baccalaureate Degrees.
• Complete the General Education Requirements for Baccalaureate Degrees.
• Complete requirements from one of the following emphases.
• Complete the following major requirements with a minimum grade of C in all aviation technology courses:

Select one of the following emphasis areas and complete the listed required courses.

Aviation Management Emphasis

The following applies to those students desiring to pursue an aviation management emphasis:

1. Completion of prerequisite for or test placement into MATH A105 or higher and WRTG A111 or higher. For testing schedule, contact the Testing Center at (907) 786-4500.

Professional Piloting Emphasis

The following applies to those students desiring to pursue a professional piloting emphasis:

1. Flight training costs are not included in university tuition and fees. Students must meet with the aviation academic advisor to obtain department approval to register for all flight courses. Flight training costs are based on hourly rates established for each aircraft type flown. Students will be provided with current hourly flight costs and program cost estimates when they meet with the department’s academic advisor.
2. Students must pass an Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Class II medical examination before beginning any flight training.
3. U.S. citizens must present verification of U.S. citizenship before beginning any flight or airplane simulator training. The following three methods are acceptable: an unexpired U.S. passport, an original or raised seal official copy of birth certificate, or an original or raised seal official copy of Certificate of Naturalization. Non-U.S. citizens must register and receive approval from the Transportation Security Agency before beginning any flight or simulator training. Please contact the ATD Office for information.
4. Once formally admitted to the Bachelor of Science in Aviation Technology or registered for aviation classes at UAA, all subsequent required flight training must be completed in residence at UAA. Enrolled students who receive flight training outside UAA under specific curricula will not receive credit for the corresponding UAA courses.
5. All students are required to complete a minimum of the FAA Instrument Airplane Pilot rating, the FAA Commercial Airplane Single-engine Land Pilot certificate, and the FAA Multi-engine Land Rating while in residence at UAA.
6. Military pilots may petition to have appropriate curriculum requirements awarded based on FAA pilot certificates held on a case-by-case basis.
7. Students in the professional piloting emphasis are expected to have an additional focus of study outside of aviation. This focus will include at least three courses in the outside emphasis beyond the General Education Requirements (GERs). A minor is encouraged but not required.
8. Completion of prerequisite for or test placement into MATH A105 or higher and WRTG A111 or higher. For testing schedule, contact Testing Center at (907) 786-4500.

Aeronautical Studies Emphasis

The following applies to those students desiring to pursue an aeronautical studies emphasis:

This curriculum is designed as a flexible option for those with previous college experience and looking to move into the aviation industry. 

A minimum of 120 credits is required for the degree, 39 of which must be upper-division. All elective courses must be approved by the academic advisor.

Program Student Learning Outcomes

Aviation Management Emphasis

At the completion of this program, students will be able to:

• Demonstrate technical knowledge of aircraft operating limitations and performance.
• Demonstrate knowledge of aviation law and regulations, and of the legal issues affecting the aviation industry.
• Demonstrate knowledge of the issues affecting aviation safety and safety management.
• Demonstrate knowledge of basic business management skills and supervisory techniques.
• Demonstrate a broad knowledge of the aviation industry.
• Demonstrate a broad knowledge of aviation management functions and techniques.

Professional Piloting Emphasis

At the completion of this program, students will be able to:

• Demonstrate proficiency in instrument pilot, commercial pilot knowledge, and flight skills.
• Demonstrate knowledge of aviation law and regulations, and the legal issues affecting the aviation industry.
• Demonstrate knowledge of the issues affecting aviation safety and safety management.
• Demonstrate knowledge of aviation weather and of aviation weather services.
• Demonstrate a broad knowledge of the aviation industry.

Aeronautical Studies Emphasis

At the completion of this program, students will be able to:

• Demonstrate technical knowledge of aircraft operating limitations and performance.
• Demonstrate knowledge of aviation law and regulations, and the legal issues affecting the aviation industry.
• Demonstrate knowledge of the issues affecting aviation safety and safety management.
• Demonstrate a broad knowledge of the aviation industry.

Sample Plan

The academic plan below is one pathway through the degree/certificate. It includes all requirements, taking into account recommendations from program faculty. Each student’s plan may vary according to their initial course placement, intended course load, additional majors and/or minors, and their placement into required prerequisite courses. Any change in the plan below can have an unforeseen impact on the rest of the plan. Therefore, it is very important to meet with your academic advisor to verify your personal academic plan.

Please review the following terms, definitions, and resources associated with the sample academic plan below.

• Each course in the far left column links to a pop-up bubble with a course description, prerequisite requirements, and associations with university requirements. For example, if a course fulfills a general education requirement, you will see that in the pop-up bubble.
• GER: indicates a General Education Requirement. GERs that also count toward degree/certificate requirements appear as a specific course in the plan. For these courses, "GER" is not indicated explicitly in the table, but if you click on the course, you will see the course's GER status in the pop-up bubble.
• Program Elective: indicates a specific course selection determined by program faculty to fulfill a degree/certificate requirement. Students should seek assistance from their academic advisor.
• Elective: indicates an open selection of 100-400 level university courses to fulfill elective credits needed to meet the minimum total credits toward the degree/certificate.
• Upper Division Program Elective: indicates a specific 300-400 level course selection determined by the program faculty to fulfill a degree/certificate requirement. Students should seek assistance from their academic advisor.
• Upper Division Elective: indicates an open selection of 300-400 level courses to fulfill elective credits needed to meet the minimum total credits toward the degree/certificate. These courses must be upper division in order to meet General University Requirements for the particular degree/certificate type.

Sample Plan - Aeronautical Studies Emphasis

Sample Plan - Aviation Management Emphasis

Sample Plan - Professional Piloting Emphasis