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Professional Pilot - B.S.

Take flight with Kent State's Professional Pilot program. Our Bachelor of Science in Professional Pilot program prepares you for a successful career in the aviation industry. With a comprehensive curriculum, hands-on training and experienced faculty, you'll gain the skills and knowledge needed to become a skilled pilot.

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Bachelor’s Degree in Professional Pilot

Kent State University’s Bachelor of Science degree in Professional Pilot prepares students to be professional pilots and enable them to obtain Federal Aviation Administration certificates and ratings required for giving flight and ground instruction and commercial and instrument operations in federally regulated commercial aviation operations.

Program Information for Professional Pilot - B.S.

Program Description

Full Description

The Bachelor of Science degree in Professional Pilot is designed for students who aspire to become professional pilots. This program stresses subjects associated with flight systems, propulsion, structures and electronics. Students entering this program should have a strong desire for excellence in aviation, as well as the flying skills required of a professional pilot.

The mission of the Bachelor of Science degree in Professional Pilot is to prepare students to be professional pilots and enable them to obtain Federal Aviation Administration certificates and ratings required for giving flight and ground instruction and commercial and instrument operations in federally regulated commercial aviation operations.

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 Professional Pilot - 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.

Admission to the Professional Pilot major is selective.

All students must complete a pre-admission evaluation to be considered for admission. Students applying to the Professional Pilot major and receiving admission to Kent State University will be placed into the Aeronautical Studies major, allowing students to begin any scholarship or financial aid applications while waiting for the final decision regarding the Professional Pilot major. Please see the College of Aeronautics and Engineering for additional information.

Transfer students must have a minimum 2.250 overall GPA in all college-level coursework to be considered for admission to the Professional Pilot major (effective for the fall 2025 admission term, a minimum 2.500 overall GPA will be required).

International Students: All international students must provide proof of English language proficiency (unless they meet specific exceptions to waive) by earning a minimum 71 TOEFL iBT score, minimum 6.0 IELTS score, minimum 47 PTE score or minimum 100 DET score, or by completing the ELS level 112 Intensive English Program. For more information on international admission visit the admissions website for international students.

Flight Training Courses: Transfer students and students admitted to the Professional Pilot major with credits completed through College Credit Plus or other means may be allowed to enroll in flight training courses only with special permission.

Learning Outcomes

Program Learning Outcomes

Graduates of this program will be able to:

  1. Demonstrate the knowledge, skills and techniques required to safely operate in single-pilot or multi-crew aircraft operations under FAR Parts 121, 135, 91K and other commercial aviation operations.
  2. Analyze available information and problem solve as part of an aircrew, with respect to aircraft operation, airline operations, physiology, safety and emergency or challenging situations.
  3. Demonstrate the skills of an aviation professional, make ethical decisions and correlate aviation business principles to operations.
  4. Demonstrate instructional level knowledge and skills in application to single-engine and multi-engine, VFR or IFR flight.

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 15740ELEMENTS OF FLIGHT THEORY (min C grade)5
or AERN 15750
AERN 15752
ELEMENTS OF FLIGHT THEORY I
and ELEMENTS OF FLIGHT THEORY II
AERN 15751PRIVATE PILOT FLIGHT I (min C grade)2
AERN 15753PRIVATE PILOT FLIGHT II (min C grade)3
AERN 25100INTRODUCTION TO AVIATION MANAGEMENT 3
AERN 25250ELEMENTS OF AVIATION WEATHER 3
AERN 25252THUNDERSTORMS AND SEVERE 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 35150AIRCRAFT STRUCTURES 3
or AERN 45730 APPLIED TRANSPORT CATEGORY AIRCRAFT SYSTEMS
or AERN 45740 FLIGHT MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS
AERN 35660INSTRUMENT FLIGHT THEORY (min C grade)3
AERN 35661INSTRUMENT PILOT FLIGHT (min C grade)3
AERN 35665COMMERCIAL PILOT FLIGHT: NAVIGATION (min C grade)3
AERN 35760COMMERCIAL PILOT THEORY (min C grade)2
AERN 35761COMMERCIAL PILOT FLIGHT (min C grade)3
AERN 45030AIRCRAFT SYSTEMS II 3
AERN 45130PHYSIOLOGY AND HUMAN FACTORS OF FLIGHT 3
AERN 45135AVIATION SAFETY THEORY 3
AERN 45150APPLIED FLIGHT DYNAMICS I 3
AERN 45250AVIATION LAW 3
AERN 45550MULTI-ENGINE PILOT - THEORY (min C grade)1
AERN 45551MULTI-ENGINE PILOT - FLIGHT (min C grade)1
AERN 45648THEORY OF FLIGHT INSTRUCTION (ELR) (min C grade)3
AERN 45649FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR - AIRPLANES (min C grade)3
AERN 45660FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR - INSTRUMENTS THEORY (min C grade)1
AERN 45661FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR - INSTRUMENTS FLIGHT (min C grade)1
AERN 45710TURBINE ENGINE THEORY AND OPERATION 2
AERN 45720CREW RESOURCE MANAGEMENT 2
AERN 45791AVIATION SECURITY AND POLICY SEMINAR (WIC) 13
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
PHY 13022GENERAL COLLEGE PHYSICS LABORATORY II (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
Minimum Total Credit Hours:120
1

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

Progression Requirements

Students must pass all required flight training and associated flight theory courses with a minimum C grade. Failure to complete all requirements may result in students being deemed not being permitted to continue in the Professional Pilot major; those students will be advised to change their program to the Aeronautical Studies major with the Professional Pilot minor.

Flight Training Courses: Beyond AERN 15751, all students are required to have and maintain a minimum 2.500 overall GPA to continue in flight courses. Students must complete all flight courses by the end of the semester following that in which they enrolled. In other words, if a student enrolls in a flight course in the fall, they must complete the course no later than the end of the following spring semester. This requirement is subject to waiver by the academic program director. In the absence of an authorized waiver, students who fail to complete any flight course by the end of the subsequent semester after course enrollment will receive a failing grade (F) and a complete forfeiture of the balance of the flight fees. Students who wish a refund of flight fees are required to withdraw from their flight course by the withdrawal deadlines established by the Office of the University Registrar. Flight fees will be refunded in accordance with the University policy regarding student fee refunds, policy number 3342-7-06. Students must complete the commercial certificate and instrument rating at Kent State to be eligible for the FAA's R-ATP certificate.

Students in Flight Training Courses must comply with the University Code of Student Conduct, Federal Aviation Regulations and policies outlined in the Kent State University Flight Operations Manual. Failure to comply may result in punitive actions, issuance of a failing course grade and/or dismissal from the Professional Pilot major.

Graduation Requirements

Minimum Major GPA Minimum Overall GPA
2.500 2.500
  • Flight courses may be repeated once with permission.
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
AERN 15740
or AERN 15750
ELEMENTS OF FLIGHT THEORY
or ELEMENTS OF FLIGHT THEORY I
3-5
AERN 15751 PRIVATE PILOT FLIGHT I 2
!MATH 11010 ALGEBRA FOR CALCULUS (KMCR) 3
UC 10001 FLASHES 101 1
Kent Core Requirement 3
 Credit Hours15
Semester Two
Requirement: Students must have a 2.500 overall GPA prior to taking flight training courses.  
AERN 15752 ELEMENTS OF FLIGHT THEORY II (required for students who took AERN 15750) 2
AERN 15753 PRIVATE PILOT FLIGHT II 3
!AERN 25250 ELEMENTS OF AVIATION WEATHER 3
AERN 25350 FUNDAMENTALS OF AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL 2
AERN 25351 FUNDAMENTALS OF AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL LABORATORY 1
!MATH 11022 TRIGONOMETRY (KMCR) 3
Kent Core Requirement 3
 Credit Hours17
Semester Three
AERN 25100 INTRODUCTION TO AVIATION MANAGEMENT 3
AERN 35660 INSTRUMENT FLIGHT THEORY 3
AERN 35661 INSTRUMENT PILOT FLIGHT 3
!PHY 13001 GENERAL COLLEGE PHYSICS I (KBS) 4
!PHY 13021 GENERAL COLLEGE PHYSICS LABORATORY I (KBS) (KLAB) 1
 Credit Hours14
Semester Four
AERN 25252 THUNDERSTORMS AND SEVERE WEATHER 3
!AERN 35020 AIRCRAFT PROPULSION SYSTEMS 3
AERN 35665 COMMERCIAL PILOT FLIGHT: NAVIGATION 3
COMM 15000 INTRODUCTION TO HUMAN COMMUNICATION (KADL) 3
!PHY 13012 COLLEGE PHYSICS II (KBS) 2
!PHY 13022 GENERAL COLLEGE PHYSICS LABORATORY II (KBS) (KLAB) 1
 Credit Hours15
Semester Five
AERN 30000 PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT IN AERONAUTICS 1
!AERN 35040 AIRCRAFT SYSTEMS I 3
AERN 35760 COMMERCIAL PILOT THEORY 2
AERN 35761 COMMERCIAL PILOT FLIGHT 3
!AERN 45150 APPLIED FLIGHT DYNAMICS I 3
Kent Core Requirement 3
 Credit Hours15
Semester Six
!AERN 45030 AIRCRAFT SYSTEMS II 3
!AERN 45130 PHYSIOLOGY AND HUMAN FACTORS OF FLIGHT 3
!AERN 45648 THEORY OF FLIGHT INSTRUCTION (ELR) 3
!AERN 45649 FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR - AIRPLANES 3
Kent Core Requirement 3
 Credit Hours15
Semester Seven
!AERN 45250 AVIATION LAW 3
AERN 45550 MULTI-ENGINE PILOT - THEORY 1
AERN 45551 MULTI-ENGINE PILOT - FLIGHT 1
AERN 45660 FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR - INSTRUMENTS THEORY 1
AERN 45661 FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR - INSTRUMENTS FLIGHT 1
!AERN 45720 CREW RESOURCE MANAGEMENT 2
Kent Core Requirement 3
Kent Core Requirement 3
 Credit Hours15
Semester Eight
AERN 35150
or AERN 45730
or AERN 45740
AIRCRAFT STRUCTURES
or APPLIED TRANSPORT CATEGORY AIRCRAFT SYSTEMS
or FLIGHT MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS
3
AERN 45135 AVIATION SAFETY THEORY 3
!AERN 45710 TURBINE ENGINE THEORY AND OPERATION 2
!AERN 45791 AVIATION SECURITY AND POLICY SEMINAR (WIC) 3
Kent Core Requirement 3
 Credit Hours14
 Minimum Total Credit Hours:120
Program Delivery
  • Delivery:
    • In person
  • Location:
    • Kent Campus
Accreditation for Professional Pilot - B.S.

The B.S. degree in Professional Pilot 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

Professional Pilot; Enrolled
201820192020202120222023
216264119257310381
Professional Pilot; Graduated
201820192020202120222023
2518143217TBA
Student Retention Rates
TermFreshman CohortRetentionSO-JRJR-SRAfter 4 YrsAfter 5 YrsAfter 6 Yrs
20185887%71%74%64%59% 
20198987%78%73%52%26% 
202010187%81%77%5%5% 
202111073%67%    
20228885%     
2023104      

ProspectiveE B.S. in Professional Pilot Admission Information

Restricted ATP Certificate

Special Course Fees

Graduates of this program have found employment with the following types of companies:

  • Regional Airlines
  • Charter Airlines