Professional Pilot - B.S.

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.

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.

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.

Program Requirements

Major Requirements

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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

• Flight courses may be repeated once with permission.

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.

• Delivery:
  • In person
• Location:
  • Kent Campus

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