Expert: D. Norkus - 1/30/2003

Question
Hey Dottie.  I am a sophomore at the University of North Dakota.  I want to be an accident investigator.  I was just wondering if you knew what kind of degree I should pursue.  A professional pilot degree, aviation safety, or aeronautical engineering degree?  I was thinking about transferring to Embry Riddle Aeronautical University and majoring in aerospace engineering and then maybe going for my master's there in Aviation Safety.  Thank you so much for your time!


Answer
Jared

It seems to me that any of those degrees would help you if you wanted to be a field investigator for the NTSB. Being at UND, you must have already declared a major (?) but may be wondering if it was the best choice.

All investigators are required to have pilot certificates, so getting a degree in Pro Aero could help fill that part. Of course you could also do that on your own and major in something else too. I got my minor in Aviation Safety via the ERAU Extended Campus, transferring with a 2 year in Aerospace Science from a community college while I flew on my own. (I did not do flight at ERAU as the $60K tuition was far too expensive.) Their Aviation Safety degree requires some NTSB core studies, but it also involves a lot of classes that are 'safety program management' style curriculum. It wasn't enough NTSB core for me, but just enough to wet your appetite. The engineering degree would surely require you to be a strong math student, but the structures background would be a benefit to an investigator as well. Here is a link to all the NTSB job descriptions. You can read them over and see the career requirements to help you decide:

http://www.ntsb.gov/Vacancies/descriptions/default.htm

If you really want to transfer, read over each degrees specified courses to see the meat of what is being taught at Riddle (or anyplace else). Perhaps this will help you find which program you like the best, as you will do the best in one that really holds your interest. They are visible online at their site, www.erau.edu.

One program I specifically have heard about is the Accident Investigation course at University of Southern California. The USC program is supposed to be one of the foremost programs in the world for training investigators. Many different countries and airlines send their safety board members through this program. You should look into it. If I had the time and money, I'd take it myself! Visit:

http://www.usc.edu/dept/engineering/AV.html

You also might like to pick up a boxed VHS set called "Survival in the Sky" at Amazon.com. It's a fascinating look at the four major types of accident causes, following an investigator through each accident The USC program actually made it into one of the tapes. An excellent buy if you are really considering going into it.   

Hope this info will help you to make your choice,

Dottie