The Master of Science in Aviation (MSc Aviation) is a course designed to ensure that learners acquire knowledge that is essential in meeting various aviation industry needs, or in performing well in their chosen profession. The program is also appropriate for individuals that desire to enhance their knowledge and skills in industry-related fields. MSc is intended for students with a bachelor’s degree in a related field.

Among the topics studied in the course include airport design and development, aviation strategic management, law, air traffic control, and aircraft safety. An aviation master’s degree course takes approximately two years to complete, or between 30 to 45 credit hours.

Minimum Grade Required for Application

International students applying for an aviation master’s degree in the United States (US) are required to have a Grade Point Average (GPA) of 3.0 for freshmen and 2.5 for transfer students, according to EIC. Additionally, the students must have a minimum Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) of 70, and the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) of 6.5. Applicants must also be degree holders from a related field, such as a bachelor's degree in aircraft operations, aeronautical engineering, or aviation, and have work experience in the field. Many universities in the US that offer aviation programs do not require the Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) or Graduate Records Examination (GRE), according to Thatcher and Michaelides-Mateou.

Application Criteria

The application criteria for a degree in aviation involve three steps; choosing a university, researching the application process, and completing the application. Applicants are always advised to choose universities with the aviation degree programs that they intend to study. The degree programs should correspond with the career that the candidates want to have in the future.

The location and extracurricular activities offered on campus should also be considered while choosing a university. The application process varies between universities, because each institution requires different documents, with distinctive cut-off test scores. The application process may be done online or by sending the documents by email depending on the requirements of a university. Online applications are often cheaper and faster.

Application Documents

The common prerequisites for the MSc Aviation include a bachelor's degree, a professional aviation experience, and a minimum overall undergraduate GPA of at least 3.0. The applicants must be bachelor degree holders in a related field from an accredited university. Most universities in the US give priority to applicants with undergraduate coursework in business, marketing, aviation, finance, statistics, and accounting.

The applicants must also have a personal statement that addresses their career objectives, and three letters of recommendation from employers or instructors that describe their suitability for work in the field. The letters should also describe the candidate’s capacity to complete the challenging academic program at the master’s level. The applicants must also have curriculum vitae (CV) with detailed information regarding their suitability for the course, as well as financial proof that they can effectively manage the housing and tuition costs.

Summary of Course Syllabus

Many MSc Aviation programs are designed for aeronautics professionals with experience in the field. The students can enroll for aviation degree programs in either business administration or technical operations. The students who pursue a Master of Business Administration (MBA) for aviation learn about the financial and operational concepts of commercial flight systems, while those who focus on technical operations acquire knowledge regarding the approaches used for air traffic management and aircraft maintenance.

The students that focus on technical operations often pursue the Master of Commercial Aviation (MCA) degree. Among the units covered in the MBA program for aviation include aviation safety, worldwide aviation law, accounting, marketing management, and employee management in aviation. The units covered by individuals who pursue the MCA degree program include air cargo transportation, statistical methods in aviation, aviation safety theory, aviation business administration, and planning and operating airports.  Most of the programs require the students to write a capstone project in order to demonstrate the application of learned information to solve or address real-life situations.

Cost of Undertaking the Course

The cost of pursuing the MSc Aviation degree varies depending on factors such as the university location, academic fee, and policies set by the respective institution. All the potential students should learn about the required tuition costs and administrative expenses before enrolling for the course at any institution. A 60-hour aviation training course in the US often costs students about $1000, while a total of $8500 would be incurred for an average pilot training course for a private pilot certificate.

Internship Opportunities

A career in the aviation industry requires both appropriate education and formal training. Training provides the graduates with the necessary experience to practice effectively in the field, thereby enabling them to work well in the entry-level airport management positions. Therefore, getting an airport internship is fundamental because it improves their knowledge of various aspects of the industry and allows them to progress in the airport management field and work effectively.

Work Opportunities on Completion

Among the career options for MSc in Aviation include logistics, research and development, patents, and intellectual property (IP), innovation management, conception and design, and quality management. Graduates with an MSc in Aviation who specialized in MCA programs can work as airport employee managers, air cargo transportation supervisors, flight attendants, pilots, and aviation entrepreneurs.

On the contrary, individuals who focused on an MBA degree in aviation can work as airline entrepreneurs, air traffic control managers, ticket sales representatives, or aviation industry managers. Overall, MBA aviation graduates can effectively assume various management and supervisory positions.

Summary

MSc Aviation is a course designed to assist learners in acquiring the knowledge that is critical in performing well in the aviation industry. The course takes about two years to complete and requires applicants to have a GPA of 3.0 and a minimum TOEFL of 70, and IELTS of 6.5. Most universities also require application documents such as a bachelor’s degree from an accredited university, three letters of recommendation, CV, and a personal statement.

The course syllabus covers aviation safety, worldwide aviation law, accounting, marketing management, and employee management in aviation, air cargo transportation, statistical methods in aviation, aviation safety theory, aviation business administration, and planning and operating airports. On completion of the MSc in Aviation, graduates can work as airport employee managers, aviation entrepreneurs, air cargo transportation supervisors, airline entrepreneurs, air traffic control managers, or aviation industry managers. The cost of studying the course is based on the university location, fee, and policies set by the academic institution.

 

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