Master's Degrees in Aviation Management

Any individual hoping to pursue a degree this high in air traffic control will have to look into aviation management. The master’s degree is the highest degree offered in aviation management. There are still very few such programs available in the country, but thanks to distance learning, students who live anywhere can enroll in such programs, provided they are accepted through a relatively competitive application process.

Requirements to apply to a master’s degree program in aviation management begin with a bachelor’s degree. An air traffic controller who has an associate’s degree can not apply to earn a master’s degree, which is one reason why students may want to invest the time and money in to earning a bachelor’s degree before beginning one’s career. Most programs do not mandate that the bachelor’s degree be in aviation or air traffic control, but students who have completely unrelated academic and professional backgrounds are unlikely to be selected for enrollment. Students must submit transcripts that prove they are likely to succeed in a graduate degree program.

Master’s Degree in Aviation Management Career Paths

A master’s degree in aviation management is applicable to a number of careers in aviation, from those in aircraft manufacturing to those in airport management. This degree is intended to help professionals in the aviation industry who hope to pursue promotions in their career or are simply interested in learning about new facets of the industry they work in.

Who Earns a Master’s Degree in Aviation Management

Students who are seeking master’s degrees in aviation management have already worked in some sector of aviation for some amount of time – often for many years. They are able to bring their expertise to the academic program, and learn from the experiences of their peers. The master’s degree in aviation management requires approximately two years of full-time study. In addition to the core curriculum, students usually have to complete a master’s thesis, also. The thesis is an in-depth project that relates to some area of aviation management, usually one that is related to the area that students work in. For example, those who work as airport managers may do a case study regarding airport planning or development. An air traffic controller may write his or her thesis on the differences between radar and non-radar operations or on the proper management of airplane hijackings. The possibilities for students who aviation management are endless but students generally seek these degrees because they are interested in becoming better at the work they do.