Expert: David A. NewMyer - 10/31/2011

Question
QUESTION: Repected sir,
I am doing my BE aeronautical engg(4 yrs)right now i will be completing my course by the end of March 2012,i was thinking about joining MBA in aviation,could u tell me about career aspects after Aeronautical engg....will it be good if i join MBA in aviation or Aerospace management is much better?... am likely to join the course in Canada.

ANSWER: Hi,

It is nice to hear from you, I will try to assist!

The future of aviation is looking very bright, especially when looking at the Asia Pacific Region and areas around it.  The growth in that area for aviation will be large and will be continuous for the next 20 years.

The question for you will be:

Do you want to work more in an aerospace/aircraft DESIGN field?  

If you do, you need to stay in the Aerospace Engineering track and get your masters in that area.  That will allow you to go on to work for either a major aviation manufacturer like Boeing, Airbus, Rockwell Collins, Embraer and others that will make large airline aircraft or airline aircraft components.

OR:

Do you want to work more in an aviation management field (where you are working more with people than with the design of aircraft)?

If you want to work in aviation management, then, yes, you will need to go on for an MBA in Aviation Management or some similar degree program.  A "similar degree program" might be:

A masters in aviation safety

A master of public administration in aviation administration

A maasters degree in aviation focusing on aviation technology

A masters degree in aviation focusing on airport management and planning

It appears that you have an idea of a college or university to attend in Canada.  If you need any other ideas, you may go to the University Aviation Association website at www.uaa.aero  They have THE COLLEGIATE AVIATION GUIDE available for sale if you want their listing of collegiate aviation programs.

I wish you the best in your search for a program that suits your personal interests.

Best wishes,

David A. NewMyer







---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thanks for your last response Sir.
Could you tell me what does each master degrees are based on ,like what kinda subjects and what kinda work?...

A masters in aviation safety

A master of public administration in aviation administration

A maasters degree in aviation focusing on aviation technology

A masters degree in aviation focusing on airport management and planning

Answer
Hi,

Thank you for your follow-up question, I will try to assist:

A.  Masters in Aviation Safety

This degree focuses on such things as aircraft acccident investigation, how to prevent accidents, aviation safety programs in corporations, and such subjects as SMS (Safety Management Systems)

B.  Masters of Public Administration in Aviation Administration

These degrees have two key parts:  (1)  Public Administration courses such as public financial management, public personnel management and public policy development; and, (2) aviation coursework such as aviation planning, aviation regulation and policy, international aviation and advanced airport administration.

C.  Master's degree in aviation technology

The one that I am aware of is at Purdue University and has a focus on aviation management subjects such as airline management and so forth.

D.  Masters degree in aviation focusinng on airport management and planning

These degrees are offered at Florida Institute of Technology and at Middle Tennessee State University and have course work in airport development and finance, airport environmental planning, airport sustainability planning and airport management and operations.

All of the above degrees take either three or four semesters of full time college work to complete....or, from 30 to 42 semester hr. of credit for a masters degree.  Some of them require a research paper or thesis and some do not.

I hope that this helps!

Best wishes,

David A. NewMyer, Ph.D., Professor and Chair
Aviation Management and Flight
Southern Illinois University Carbondale