Expert: David A. NewMyer - 5/2/2008

Question
Hi my name is Ken and thank you for taking time to hear my question.

I'm currently going to Spartan College in OK to get an A&P and then I plan on becoming a professional pilot. i know SCAT has a bachelor's degree program but i just found out its not regionally accredited, only ACCSCT accredited. i know the best way to get where i want to be is to get a bachelor's in aviation and do flight at the same time, but for months now everytime i think i find the best place to do i find more smoke and mirrors. i was wondering if someone more experienced, like yourself, could give me their own honest opinion as to what specific schools i should be looking at?

Answer
Hi, Ken:

Nice to hear from you, I will try to assist.

Yes, the bottom line is that you would want to attend a regionally accredited university or college that offers a baccalaureate degree in aviation.  There is an excellent list of such schools available from the UNIVERSITY AVIATION ASSOCIATION.....it is entitled the COLLEGIATE AVIATION GUIDE and is available via their website at www.uaa.aero or by calling them at 334-844-2434.  The cost is around $20.

Some of the schools out that way to check out are SE Oklahoma State University and Kansas State University-Salina.  Also, the school I work for, which is Southern Illinois University Carbondale, has an excellent aviation flight and aviation management degree combination that might work for you.  But, there are a number of schools to check out and, what I would do is create a personal check list that lists those things that YOU are looking for in a school, such as:

Cost of the program and cost of living of the surrounding area

Financial aid and scholarships offered to you to attend

Types of degrees offered

Faculty qualifications and how you get along with them

Location

types of aircraft flown

OR WHATEVER YOU CAN THINK OF THAT YOU WOULD USE AS A CRITERIA TO SELECT A PROGRAM.

Then, use that same check list in evaluating each program you want to look at, particularly the two or three that you might visit before you make your final decision.  That way you will have a common tool to use to compare each of the programs.

I hope that this helps.

Best wishes to you,

David A. NewMyer, Ph.D., Professor and Chair
Aviation Management and Flight
Southern Illinois University Carbondale
http://www.aviation.siu.edu