About David A. NewMyer Expertise Can advise people thinking about beginning and aviation career and espcially those thinking about an aviation university program. Can also help with aviation scholarship questions. I am particularly strong in questions related to starting a flight career, choosing a university flight or aviation management program, aviation internships and aviation scholarships. Also, I can assist with questions about airport management and planning careers and oveall aviation industry employment questions.
Experience
Past/Present Clients Prepared In addition to aviation education, I work at a major university, I have worked as an airport planner preparing airport system plans, airport master plan and environmental assessment reports for the Chicago area in general and for several
individual Illinois airports.
Question First off, thanks for taking the time to answer my question.
I am trying to figure out which degree would best be in my best interest. I am looking Embry Riddle because they will take all of the credits from my Associates in Science in Aviation Operations degree from the Community College of the Air Force. I done research on the Professional Aeronautics and it seems that most agree that it is not very useful unless you are a pilot or on the way to becoming a pilot. I have flying experience as a loadmaster on cargo aircraft in the US Air Force, but do not have a desire to become a pilot. I have had little luck finding information on the Technical Management BS. I want a degree that is marketable for this first BS. (I plan to continue with my education after this one is complete. Most likely something in History or Education.) So what it comes down to is one better than the other as far as job availability and marketability?
Once again, thanks for your time and I look forward to hearing back.
Caleb
Answer Hi, Caleb:
Thanks for your question; I will try to assist!
First of all, I am sure that there are a number of universities that will accept your AAS from the Community College of the Air Force. ERAU is a fine institution, but, all I am saying is that there are quite a few universities and colleges out there that offer aviation-oriented degrees (60 or so which offer the BS in Aviation Management or Aeronautical Administration, etc). For example, I know that the university that I work for, Southern Illinois University Carbondale, will accept your AAS degree toward its BS in Aviation Management. Of course, we only have our main campus location in Illinois and two off campus locations each in North Carolina and California where we offer the AVM degree; so, we may not be located where we can serve you. But, there are other institutions out there to check on; the University Aviation Association has a guidebook entitled THE COLLEGIATE AVIATION GUIDE which they have for sale on their website at www.uaa.aero if you wish to track down other institutions.
In any case, comparing the B. S. in Professional Aeronautics to the B. S. in Technical Management can be done by you right on the ERAU Worldwide website at www.worldwide.erau.edu
As I look at the comparison, alot of the pre-requisites of each degree are similar; what is different is that the upper division content of the Professional Aeronautics degree is aviation-oriented and the B. S. in Technical Management is not. Furthermore, yes, there is a bit of aerodynamics and aviation safety coursework thrown in with the Professional Aeronautics degree (but there are also some other classes that have application to applied aeronautics management subjects such as 21 hours of credit that you can choose from management, economics, safety , security, transportation and other elective areas: YOU WILL HAVE TO CHECK AND SEE WHAT IS OFFERED IN YOUR AREA BY ERAU, if you are in an area covered by an ERAU extension location). In the case of the BS in Technical Management, the upper division seems to be more specified in that such courses as Marketing, Managerial Accounting, Human Resource Management, Organization Behavior, Business Information Systems and so forth are REQUIRED not electives....part of a business core.
So, to me, it depends on two key things:
1. What sort of coursework interests you? (this will drive you to do well in your studies); and,
2. Where will be using this degree later? If you will be using it in an aviation content, then, to me that directs you more toward the BS in Professional Aero; if it is a more general business application you are expecting, then, maybe you should be thinking about the BS in Technical Management.
Finally, when taking classes at any extension location (ERAU or other institutions) make sure you ask the question about the frequency of course offerings and the average time it takes to complete a degree. Some institutions have a minimum number of students, below which they will not offer a particular course. If that happens often in the location where you are, you need to know before you begin the program.
All the best to you in seeking a BS degree. This is an important step in your moving on in your career.
Sincerely,
David A. NewMyer, Ph.D., Professor and Chair
Aviation Management and Flight
Southern Illinois University Carbondale http://www.aviation.siu.edu
