Expert: David A. NewMyer - 1/27/2010

Question
First of all, I would like to congratulate you for your contribution in helping us clarifying our minds, in this interesting field of the aircraft industry. I am a 36-year lawyer with an active real estate law practice in San Juan, Puerto Rico, but I always have been in love with the aviation world. I know that pursue for a pilot career, is going to be hard and too ambitious; however, I am giving a really serious consideration to apply in the EMBRY-RIDDLE MBA program in aviation management. I would like to know what is your opinion about that program, is a respectful one? Could you evaluate EMBRY-RIDDLE MBA with other MBA programs' in the field?; what are the opportunities for employment with a combination in Law (Juris Doctor Degree) with a MBA Aviation management degree?

PD- Sorry, for my English, my vernacular is Spanish and I am out of practice.  

Answer
Hi, Felix:

Thank you for your questions.  I will try to assist.

First of all, there are at least four choices in the USA for pursuing an MBA in Aviation:

1. Auburn University in Auburn, Alabama; more information at:
http://business.auburn.edu/academicdepartments/aviation/aviationmasters.cfm

2. Daniel Webster College in Nashua, New Hampshire; more information at:  aviation.dwc.edu

3. Dowling College in Oak dale, New York; more information at:
www.dowling.edu/academics/mbaam.shtml

4. Embry Riddle Aeronautical University, Daytona Beach, Florida; more information at:
www.erau.edu/db/degrees/mba-am/index.html

I have no way of comparing these four programs.  However, you can gather data on each of them by looking at their program websites and comparing such things as:

A.  Program admission requirements (do you have the prererquisite courses in business and in aviation to qualify for any of these programs?).

B.  Program costs including books, etc;

C.  Program curriculum---how much is aviation, how much is business, etc.;

D.  Progam faculty qualifications, especially in aviation

E.  Program placement upon graduation

F.  Any factors that you can think of......especially the questions you have about the ties to a Juis Doctor Degree.

With regard to my thoughts on what you can do with a combination of an MBA and J. D. degree:

1.  You can work in the education field--teaching in the field of aviation;

2.  You can work in the airport administration field where most in airport management are "jacks of all trades" needing skills and knowledge in many areas, including in fields like law and business;

3.  You can work in the airline business where the knowledge of law and of business would be a good combination for someone in corporate planning for an airline.

4.  You could work in the aviation manufacturing sector, particularly with your bi-lingual skills on top of your skills in law and in business (in aviation)--those would all help in the sales area as well as the contract management field (since so many manufacturers have contracts with multiple suppliers); and,

5.  You could work in the legal field specializing in aviation-related issues (such as contract law related to aviation; or in the negotiation and execution of sales contracts for new aircraft).

I hope that this answer helps you in your career planning.

With all best wishes,

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