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School of Aeronautics Open up great opportunities in the field of aviation whether in the air or on the ground.
Why Choose Liberty University’s School of Aeronautics?
If your dream career revolves around flying, then Liberty University’s online degrees in aviation are here to make your dreams a reality. Whether you want to fly or be the one to keep airplanes flying, we have an online degree program for you. With over 88 FAA part 141 flight training affiliates nationwide, getting your pilot’s license has never been easier!
2024 Loening Trophy Winner
Liberty University’s School of Aeronautics is a 4-time recipient of the Loening Trophy — one of the rarest and oldest collegiate aviation awards — for being the nation’s most outstanding college aviation program.
Whether you are already a pilot or are interested in getting started, our approved affiliates can help you study at home and take your flight training at the nearest flight school.
Browse Programs
Not sure what to choose?
Speak to one of our admissions specialists to help you choose the program that best fits your needs.
Value of a Degree
You can also pursue Liberty University’s aviation degrees for non-flight management and support roles in the aviation industry. Earning your aviation management degree online with Liberty University can help you use your aviation industry experience and training to help aeronautics organizations to thrive.
Liberty University’s professors are industry leaders who can guide and teach you the skills needed to be a leader in the air or on the ground. With Liberty ranking among the top aviation colleges, you can be confident that you will receive a world-class education to prepare you for the aviation industry. You can earn your aviation bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degree online with Liberty University to get started on the path to success in aviation.
Return on Investment
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) provides valuable information on how a degree can impact salary prospects. Learn more!*
Employment Opportunities
Explore job outlook statistics from the Bureau of Labor Statistics for the following careers: airline and commercial pilots** and aircraft mechanics and technicians.***
Professional Connections
Mastering concepts and gaining foundational knowledge shouldn’t be the only benefits of a bachelor’s degree. Our world-class online learning environment is designed to facilitate collaboration and networking.
*Bureau of Labor Statistic, U.S. Department of Labor, at Earnings and unemployment rates by educational attainment (viewed online March 20, 2024). Cited projections may not reflect local and/or short-term economic or job conditions and do not guarantee actual job growth.
**Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, at Airline and Commercial Pilots (viewed online March 20, 2024). Cited projects may not reflect local and/or short-term economic or job conditions and do not guarantee actual job growth.
***Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, at Aircraft and Avionics Equipment Mechanics and Technicians (viewed online March 20, 2024). Cited projects may not reflect local and/or short-term economic or job conditions and do not guarantee actual job growth.
Top Careers
We offer multiple programs through our School of Aeronautics that provide high-quality training that can help you build a career with an online aviation degree.
Aircraft maintenance technician
Use your passion for maintenance to work as an aircraft technician or even work as a maintenance manager.
Airline safety program manager
Study how to help keep aircraft and airports up to federal safety standards.
Commercial pilot
Study to be a commercial pilot and also open opportunities to become a certified flight instructor or corporate pilot.
Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) safety inspector
Help keep the skies safe as an inspector.
Missionary pilot
As a missionary pilot you can help reach areas that are remote and cutoff from easy access through roads.
Professor
Train the next generation of aeronautics experts and aviation officials with a doctoral level degree.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do You Need a College Degree to be a Pilot?
You can pursue all of the flight training and licensure requirements to become a pilot without a formal bachelor’s degree. However, the broader content and additional skills and training in Liberty University’s online aviation degree will better prepare you to take advantage of the opportunities in the field of aeronautics.
As an undergraduate student, you will also have access to sources of funding and support that can help reduce flight training costs and help you meet the requirements for your licenses. Liberty also has hiring agreements with many airlines and aviation organizations, providing you with many potential opportunities for a job right after graduation.
How Can Liberty Offer an Online Aviation Degree Program?
Liberty University is able to offer a Bachelor of Science in Aviation degree online because each aviation student must either come into the program as a licensed pilot or earn a pilot’s license through one of Liberty University’s approved Flight Training Affiliates (FTAs).*
- If you already have your pilot’s license, the bachelor’s level courses are available to you because you have already proven that you have the foundational skills you need to fly.
- If you do not have a pilot’s license, Liberty’s FTAs are conveniently located around the country, giving you the flexibility to complete the necessary flight hours for a pilot’s license while earning your aviation degree online at the same time.
- See the Aviation Scholarships page to see if you could be eligible for aviation training-related benefits!
The flight requirements for earning your aviation degree online can be fulfilled by submitting a copy of your pilot’s license to petition for credit through our Experience Plus program or opting to enroll at one of our Flight Training Affiliate locations.
*Military benefits from the Veterans Administration for flight courses are only accepted at the following locations at this time. VA benefits can be used for non-flight courses regardless of FTA location.
- American Winds Aviation – Akron, OH
- AMS Flight School – Milton, FL
- AV8 – Eden Prairie, MN
- Aviation Adventures (Leesburg) – Leesburg, VA
- Aviation Adventures (Manassas) – Manassas, VA
- Aviation Adventures (Stafford) – Fredericksburg, VA
- Aviation Adventures (Warrenton) – Midland, VA
- Aviation Adventures (Winchester) – Winchester, VA
- Central Flying Service – Little Rock, AR
- Chennault Flying Service DBA Elite Aviation VGT – North Las Vegas, NV
- Cirrus Aviation – Sarasota, FL
- Cornerstone Aviation – Ogden, UT
- Cornerstone Aviation – Salt Lake City, UT
- Eagle Aircraft – Valparaiso, IN
- Florida Flyers Flight Academy – St. Augustine, FL
- Flying Corps Aviation – Savannah, GA
- Heart of Virginia Aviation – Ashland, VA
- Horizon Flight Center – Chesapeake, VA
- Kingsky Flight Academy — Lakeland, FL
- Ocala Aviation Services— Ocala, FL
- Palm Beach Flight Training Corp. – Lantana, FL
- PAVCO – Gig Harbor, WA
- Phoenix East Aviation – Daytona, FL
- Pilots Choice Aviation – Georgetown, TX
- Rick Aviation – Newport News, VA
- Sanders Aviation – Jasper, AL
- Sky Safety – San Antonio, TX
- Snohomish Flying Service – Snohomish, WA
- Sterling Flight Training – Jacksonville, FL
- Sun State Aviation – Kissimmee, FL
- Superior Flight School – Kennesaw, GA
- Tampa Bay Aviation – Clearwater, FL
- University Air Center – Gainesville, FL
- US Aviation Academy – Denton, TX
How Can Liberty Offer an Online Aviation Maintenance Degree Program?
Our aviation program offers the unique opportunity to earn a maintenance management degree that’s flexible, affordable, and online. To enroll in this program, you must meet one of the following requirements:
- Already possess a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)-approved mechanic certificate with Airframe and Powerplant (A&P) ratings
- Earn a mechanic certification with A&P ratings at an FAA-approved maintenance school in your area while completing Liberty’s online aviation management courses
Why Should I Get a Doctorate in Aviation?
Our PhD in Aviation online can also help prepare you to pursue exciting new career options. You could go on to become an aviation researcher, regulations consultant, airport manager, FAA safety inspector, or even a professor!
Additionally, you’ll explore important methods of research and have the opportunity to develop your own scholarly findings through a dissertation – so you can contribute to the current body of knowledge in the field. Overall, the skills you develop in this program can help you stand out as a top-level leader in the field – whether you’re working directly in the industry or teaching at the college level!
What is Special about Liberty’s School of Aeronautics?
- Liberty University’s School of Aeronautics is a 4-time recipient of the Loening Trophy — one of the rarest and oldest collegiate aviation awards — for being the nation’s most outstanding college aviation program.
- Through our flight credential tracks, you may have the opportunity to participate in the Restricted Airline Transport Pilot Program (R-ATP).
What are the Benefits of an Online Degree from Liberty University?
Our online degree programs offer students great benefits, including:
- We are recognized by multiple institutions for our academic quality, affordability, and accessibility. Our commitment to excellence also helped us rank in the top 10% of Niche.com’s best online schools in America. Earning your online degree from a nonprofit university with this kind of recognition can help set you apart from others in your field.
- The majority of tuition for undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral programs has not increased in 9 years. While many other online colleges have raised tuition, Liberty has been able to keep costs low as a nonprofit university.
- Our aeronautics programs are offered in 8-week course formats, with 8 different start dates each year, and no set login times!
Military
Liberty University is dedicated to providing world-class educational experiences to military students across the globe.
Who May Qualify?
- Active Duty
- Reserve/National Guard
- Veterans/Retirees
- Spouses of Service Members and Veterans/Retirees
- Current Department of Defense Employees
Available Benefits:
- Tuition discounts – $250 per credit hour for undergraduate, $275 per credit hour for graduate, and $300 per credit hour for doctoral courses*
- Additional discount for veterans who service in a civilian capacity as a First Responder**
- 8-week courses, 8 different start dates each year, and no set login times (may exclude certain courses such as practicums, internships, or field experiences)
*For eligible current and former service members and their spouses. Learn more!
**Not applicable to certificates. Cannot be combined with the $300/credit hour doctoral military rate.
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