School of Aeronautics Open up Great Opportunities in the Field of Aviation, Whether in the Air or on the Ground

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 can help 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. Additionally, Liberty has hiring agreements with many airlines and aviation organizations, providing you with many potential opportunities for a job right after graduation.

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 (VA) for flight courses are only accepted at the following locations at this time. VA benefits may vary per rating at each location.

• All American – Fayetteville, NC
• All American – Wilmington, NC
• 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
• Channel Islands – Camarillo, CA
• Chennault Flying Service DBA Elite Aviation VGT – North Las Vegas, NV

Yes, some parts of aviation flight training for the BS in Aviation can be completed online, such as ground school and online aviation courses. However, you will still need in-person flight hours through approved aviation flight schools.

Our PhD in Aviation online can 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 can develop in this program can help you in your career journey in the field, whether you’re working directly in the industry or teaching at the college level!

• 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.
• Liberty University’s School of Aeronautics’ National Intercollegiate Flying Association (NIFA) flight team captured its 19th consecutive SAFECON Region X championship.
• Through our flight credential tracks, you may have the opportunity to participate in the Restricted Airline Transport Pilot Program (R-ATP).

Our online degree programs offer students great benefits, including:

• Our online programs are backed by our brick-and-mortar campus – ranked as Niche.com’s #2 Best College Campus in America for 2026 – and that commitment to excellence extends to our online students as well. Earning your degree from a nonprofit university with this kind of recognition can help set you apart from others in your field.
• Online undergraduate tuition rates have been frozen for the last 10 years. Additionally, most of our online tuition rates rank in the top 35% for affordability for 2025 when compared to our leading online competitors. As a nonprofit university, Liberty continues to strive to keep costs low for our students!

The best way to start is to choose a program that matches your goals, such as becoming a pilot or working in aviation operations. You can begin with online aviation training and then connect with local training providers if needed.

The steps to becoming a pilot usually include:

• Completing ground training
• Earning certification
• Logging flight hours

You typically begin with a student pilot certificate, then move to a private pilot license, followed by more advanced certifications based on your goals.

An aviation degree online can help you study each part of this process while building a strong understanding of aviation systems, safety, and regulations. As you move forward, your training may also include instrument ratings and commercial-level preparation, depending on your chosen pilot certification path.

Jobs in the aviation industry can include:

• Airline operations
• Airport management
• Aviation support services
• Operations management
• Pilot roles
• Safety coordination
• Training positions

An aviation degree online can help you study how these areas connect, giving you a broader understanding of how the industry functions. Your path may depend on your degree, certifications, and experience, as well as the type of aviation environment you choose to pursue.

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