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Aeronautical Studies - B.S.

The Bachelor of Science in Aeronautical Studies program prepares students for a successful career in the aviation industry. With a focus on practical training and hands-on experience, you'll gain the skills needed to succeed as a pilot, air traffic controller, aircraft mechanic or any other aviation-related role. Our state-of-the-art facilities and experienced faculty provide the perfect learning environment, while internships and co-op programs offer real-world experience.

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Bachelor’s Degree in Aeronautical Studies

Kent State University's Bachelor of Science in Aeronautical Studies program prepares students for a successful career in the aviation industry.

Program Information for Aeronautical Studies - B.S.

Program Description

Full Description

The Bachelor of Science degree in Aeronautical Studies prepares students for entry-level technological positions in aviation and related areas. Although focused on a broad foundation of aeronautically-related subjects, the program provides a significant number of electives that allow students to explore other areas of interest or earn a minor in a particular area of study.

The mission of the Bachelor of Science degree in Aeronautical Studies is to prepare students for a broad range of professional careers in aviation by equipping graduates with more than foundational knowledge of aviation, as well as specialized knowledge from associated disciplines.

The major is well suited for the following students:

  • Transfer students with military credits;
  • Professional flight experience, certificates and/or ratings; and
  • Students who love the field of aviation but wish to seek a more entrepreneurial pathway into the field.

Students may apply early to the M.S. degree in Aviation Management and Logistics and double count 9 credit hours of graduate courses toward both degree programs. See the Combined Bachelor's/Master's Degree Program policy in the University Catalog for more information.

Admissions for Aeronautical Studies - B.S.

Admission Requirements

The university affirmatively strives to provide educational opportunities and access to students with varied backgrounds, those with special talents and adult students who graduated from high school three or more years ago.

First-Year Students on the Kent Campus: First-year admission policy on the Kent Campus is selective. Admission decisions are based upon cumulative grade point average, strength of high school college preparatory curriculum and grade trends. Students not admissible to the Kent Campus may be administratively referred to one of the seven regional campuses to begin their college coursework. For more information, visit the admissions website for first-year students.

First-Year Students on the Regional Campuses: First-year admission to Kent State’s campuses at Ashtabula, East Liverpool, Geauga, Salem, Stark, Trumbull and Tuscarawas, as well as the Twinsburg Academic Center, is open to anyone with a high school diploma or its equivalent. For more information on admissions, contact the Regional Campuses admissions offices.

International Students: All international students must provide proof of English language proficiency (unless they meet specific exceptions) by earning a minimum 525 TOEFL score (71 on the Internet-based version), minimum 75 MELAB score, minimum 6.0 IELTS score or minimum 48 PTE Academic score, or by completing the ELS level 112 Intensive Program. For more information, visit the admissions website for international students.

Transfer Students: Students who have attended any other educational institution after graduating from high school must apply as undergraduate transfer students. For more information, visit the admissions website for transfer students.

Former Students: Former Kent State students or graduates who have not attended another college or university since Kent State may complete the reenrollment or reinstatement form on the University Registrar’s website.

Admission policies for undergraduate students may be found in the University Catalog's Academic Policies.

Some programs may require that students meet certain requirements before progressing through the program. For programs with progression requirements, the information is shown on the program's Coursework tab.

Transfer students must have a minimum 2.250 overall GPA in all college-level coursework for admission to the Aeronautical Studies major.

Learning Outcomes

Program Learning Outcomes

Graduates of this program will be able to:

  1. Explain the physics of flight, aerodynamics and the effects of the atmosphere.
  2. Describe the operation of aircraft systems and how they integrate.
  3. Demonstrate the process of air traffic control and describe the components of the National Airspace System.
  4. Investigate physiological and human factors as they relate to aviation safety.
  5. Accomplish successful academic work in aviation and associated academic disciplines in preparation for professional work in the aviation industry.

The educational goals of the program are the following:

  1. Exhibit the qualities of excellence, integrity, leadership, management and professionalism within their area of professional specialization in aviation.  
  2. Demonstrate a professional commitment to safety and contribute to the safety culture within their area of professional specialization in aviation.   
  3. Demonstrate the ability to improve aerospace for generations to come through experiential learning, creativity and innovation within their area of professional specialization in aviation. 
  4. Manifest the college’s core values in the areas of collaboration, compassion, inclusiveness, innovation, integrity, respect and perseverance within their area of professional specialization in aviation.  
Coursework

Program Requirements

Major Requirements

Major Requirements (courses count in major GPA)
AERN 15000INTRODUCTION TO AERONAUTICS 3
AERN 25100INTRODUCTION TO AVIATION MANAGEMENT 3
AERN 25250ELEMENTS OF AVIATION WEATHER 3
AERN 25350FUNDAMENTALS OF AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL 2
AERN 25351FUNDAMENTALS OF AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL LABORATORY 1
AERN 30000PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT IN AERONAUTICS 1
AERN 35020AIRCRAFT PROPULSION SYSTEMS 3
AERN 35040AIRCRAFT SYSTEMS I 3
AERN 35341AIR TRANSPORTATION SYSTEMS 3
AERN 45030AIRCRAFT SYSTEMS II 3
AERN 45099AERONAUTICAL STUDIES CAPSTONE (ELR) 13
or CAE 45092 AERONAUTICS AND ENGINEERING INTERNSHIP/COOPERATIVE EDUCATION (ELR) (WIC)
AERN 45130PHYSIOLOGY AND HUMAN FACTORS OF FLIGHT 3
AERN 45135AVIATION SAFETY THEORY 3
AERN 45150APPLIED FLIGHT DYNAMICS I 3
AERN 45250AVIATION LAW 3
AERN 45791AVIATION SECURITY AND POLICY SEMINAR (WIC) 13
Aeronautics (AERN) Electives18
Aeronautics (AERN) or Engineering (ENGR) Upper-Division Electives (30000 or 40000 level)9
Elements of Flight Theory Elective, choose from the following:3-5
AERN 15740
ELEMENTS OF FLIGHT THEORY
AERN 15745
NON-PILOT ELEMENTS OF FLIGHT THEORY
AERN 15750
AERN 15751
ELEMENTS OF FLIGHT THEORY I
and PRIVATE PILOT FLIGHT I
Additional Requirements (courses do not count in major GPA)
COMM 15000INTRODUCTION TO HUMAN COMMUNICATION (KADL) 3
MATH 11010ALGEBRA FOR CALCULUS (KMCR) 3
MATH 11022TRIGONOMETRY (KMCR) 3
PHY 13001GENERAL COLLEGE PHYSICS I (KBS) 4
PHY 13012COLLEGE PHYSICS II (KBS) 2
PHY 13021GENERAL COLLEGE PHYSICS LABORATORY I (KBS) (KLAB) 1
UC 10001FLASHES 101 1
Kent Core Composition6
Kent Core Humanities and Fine Arts (minimum one course from each)9
Kent Core Social Sciences (must be from two disciplines)6
General Electives (total credit hours depends on earning 120 credit hours, including 39 upper-division credit hours)9
Minimum Total Credit Hours:120
1

A minimum C grade must be earned to fulfill the writing-intensive requirement.

Graduation Requirements

Minimum Major GPA Minimum Overall GPA
2.000 2.000
Roadmap

Roadmap

This roadmap is a recommended semester-by-semester plan of study for this major. However, courses designated as critical (!) must be completed in the semester listed to ensure a timely graduation.

Plan of Study Grid
Semester OneCredits
AERN 15000 INTRODUCTION TO AERONAUTICS 3
!MATH 11010 ALGEBRA FOR CALCULUS (KMCR) 3
UC 10001 FLASHES 101 1
Elements of Flight Theory Elective 3-5
Kent Core Requirement 3
Kent Core Requirement 3
 Credit Hours16
Semester Two
AERN 25250 ELEMENTS OF AVIATION WEATHER 3
AERN 25350 FUNDAMENTALS OF AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL 2
AERN 25351 FUNDAMENTALS OF AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL LABORATORY 1
COMM 15000 INTRODUCTION TO HUMAN COMMUNICATION (KADL) 3
!MATH 11022 TRIGONOMETRY (KMCR) 3
Aeronautics (AERN) Elective 3
 Credit Hours15
Semester Three
!PHY 13001 GENERAL COLLEGE PHYSICS I (KBS) 4
!PHY 13021 GENERAL COLLEGE PHYSICS LABORATORY I (KBS) (KLAB) 1
Aeronautics (AERN) Elective 3
Kent Core Requirement 3
Kent Core Requirement 3
 Credit Hours14
Semester Four
AERN 25100 INTRODUCTION TO AVIATION MANAGEMENT 3
!PHY 13012 COLLEGE PHYSICS II (KBS) 2
Aeronautics (AERN) Elective 3
Kent Core Requirement 3
Kent Core Requirement 3
 Credit Hours14
Semester Five
AERN 35020 AIRCRAFT PROPULSION SYSTEMS 3
AERN 35040 AIRCRAFT SYSTEMS I 3
Aeronautics (AERN) Elective 3
Aeronautics (AERN) or Engineering (ENGR) Upper-Division Elective (30000 or 40000 level) 3
Kent Core Requirement 3
 Credit Hours15
Semester Six
AERN 30000 PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT IN AERONAUTICS 1
AERN 35341 AIR TRANSPORTATION SYSTEMS 3
AERN 45030 AIRCRAFT SYSTEMS II 3
AERN 45130 PHYSIOLOGY AND HUMAN FACTORS OF FLIGHT 3
Aeronautics (AERN) Elective 3
Aeronautics (AERN) or Engineering (ENGR) Upper-Division Elective (30000 or 40000 level) 3
 Credit Hours16
Semester Seven
AERN 45099
or CAE 45092
AERONAUTICAL STUDIES CAPSTONE (ELR)
or AERONAUTICS AND ENGINEERING INTERNSHIP/COOPERATIVE EDUCATION (ELR) (WIC)
3
AERN 45150 APPLIED FLIGHT DYNAMICS I 3
AERN 45250 AVIATION LAW 3
Aeronautics (AERN) Elective 3
Aeronautics (AERN) or Engineering (ENGR) Upper-Division Elective (30000 or 40000 level) 3
 Credit Hours15
Semester Eight
AERN 45135 AVIATION SAFETY THEORY 3
AERN 45791 AVIATION SECURITY AND POLICY SEMINAR (WIC) 3
General Electives 9
 Credit Hours15
 Minimum Total Credit Hours:120
Program Delivery
  • Delivery:
    • Mostly online
    • In person
  • Location:
    • Kent Campus
Accreditation for Aeronautical Studies - B.S.

The B.S. degree in Aeronautical Studies is accredited by the Aviation Accreditation Board International, Federal Aviation Administration.

Student Achievement Data

Program Educational Goals

With the guidance of both the Aviation Accreditation Board International (AABI) and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Kent State University and the College of Aeronautics and Engineering assesses our program’s educational goals every two years. Our Program Educational Goals are as follows:

  • Graduates will exhibit the qualities of excellence, integrity, leadership, management, and professionalism within their area of professional specialization in aviation.
  • Graduates will demonstrate a professional commitment to safety and contribute to the safety culture within their area of professional specialization in aviation.
  • Graduates will demonstrate the ability to improve aerospace for generations to come through experiential learning, creativity, and innovation within their area of professional specialization in aviation.
  • Graduates will manifest the college’s core values in the areas of collaboration, compassion, inclusiveness, innovation, integrity, respect, and perseverance within their area of professional specialization in aviation.

Several methods to gather both direct and indirect assessment data over the course of each academic year are utilized. Data is gathered to improve student's learning and strengthen our relationships with industry. Some methods used include:

  • Surveys (Graduating Senior, Alumni, and Employer Surveys)
  • Capstone Projects
  • Aeronautics Advisory Committee Feedback
  • Degree Program Review
  • Faculty Assessment and Discussion of Student Learning Outcomes

The assessment of our goals starts with the University’s vision to Promote academic excellence and enhance student learning through a culture of evidence-based decision-making. The valuable data we collect from our assessment activities is analyzed and discussed amongst our Faculty to ensure we are making value added improvements to our programs.

Program Enrollment and Graduation Data

Aeronautical Studies; Enrolled
201820192020202120222023
815755505980
Aeronautical Studies; Graduated
201820192020202120222023
333520211811
Student Retention Rates
TermFreshman CohortRetentionSO-JRJR-SRAfter 4 YrsAfter 5 YrsAfter 6 Yrs
20181182%73%55%55%64% 
2019540%40%40%40%20% 
2020966%56%56%   
20211100%100%    
20221164%     
202330