Expert: David A. NewMyer - 9/4/2004

Question
Dear David Sir,

I am 38 yrs old having 10 years of ecperiance in aviation field as an air traffic controller/airport manager/insturctor in Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal.

For your kind information I have finished Aeronautical Communication Operation/Air Traffic Control Training of 1 1/2 yrs(as per ICAO standards) from Civil Aviation Academy of Nepal,and academically I have also completed Master's Degree in Business Administration (majoring in personalle management), and Bachelor's Degree in Law (with Int'l Air and Space Law major) from Tribhuvan University of Nepal. Additionally, I have been attending aviation management program (AAS) in CCBC Baltimore, MD as an international student since July 2002, and I have already taken Eng 101, 102, and academic writing (9 credits) from this school.

I haven't attended GRE or GMAT yet. But, I had attended TOEFL in Feb. 2002 and scored 220(CBT).

I would like to upgrade my academic qualification and career in aviation field expecting financial assistentship. Could you please advise and suggest  me regarding the matters. Please also advise me whether I will be eligible at your university for assistentship in MPA with aviation management concentration.

Thanking and anticipating your kind cooperation.  

Answer
Mr. Thapa:

It is nice to hear from you.  I will try to assist.

As far as admission to the Master of Public Administration program in Aviation Administration, you need to contact Dr. Keith Snavely, the Director of the MPA program at Southern Illinois University Carbondale.  His email address is ksnavely@siu.edu

Regarding your TOEFL score, it meets the minimum for admission to the program.  I expect that they will require you to also take the GRE exam, but, ask Dr. Snavely that question.

With regard to financial assistance, there are two good sources of information out there for you to look into aside from what any school or university might be able to provide.  Those two sources of information are:

1.  THE COLLEGIATE AVIATION SCHOLARSHIP LISTING published by the University Aviation Association.  The cost of this publication is around $25 and is available by contacting UAA at (334) 844-2434 or by emailing them at uaa@auburn.edu
This publication has a separate section for graduate school funding that might be of some assistance.

2.  Check this website:  www.avscholars.com  for information on aviation-related financial aid and scholarships.

Best wishes to you!

Sincerely,

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