Aviation colleges typically offer bachelor's degrees in aviation science, avionic engineering, commercial aviation, aeronautical science and aerospace electronics. Some community colleges offer associate-degree programs in aviation electronic technician, aviation management technician, airframe technology, airplane mechanic, aviation manager, aircraft mechanic and aircraft maintenance technician. Some universities also offer master's degrees in commercial aviation and business administration for aviation professionals. Some universities also offer research-based doctoral-degree programs that can be completed online or on campus, depending on the college's facilities.
Bachelor's programs offered by most aviation colleges typically offer coursework related to aviation history, calculus, meteorology, physics, instrumentation, human resource management and regulatory process, aviation safety, private and commercial pilot flight and air carrier operations. Such a curriculum teaches students theoretical and practical concepts needed to operate or manage planes. Master's programs tend to equip the students with professional training. Master's curricula typically feature employee management, accounting, marketing, statistical methods, safety theory, air cargo transportation, worldwide aviation law and planning and operating airports. Doctoral coursework depends on the student's area of concentration, which could be legal issues, economics, quantitative research methods, aviation safety, foundations of aviation and parametric and non-parametric statistics.
Many aviation colleges provide financial aid to students. These scholarships are mainly based on academic achievement and artistic or athletic talent. For instance, Embry Riddle Aeronautical University in Daytona Beach, Florida and Prescott, Arizona offers four-year, full-time undergraduate scholarships to five high school seniors who have had academic and leadership achievements. Some colleges offer scholarships based on yearly outstanding performances of enrolled students. Aviation scholarship programs are also offered by external sources such as the Amelia Earhart Memorial Scholarship Program, which encourages women to pursue college degrees in aviation science or other aerospace disciplines. Able Flight is a nonprofit organization that provides aviation scholarships to those with disabilities. The University Aviation Association, affiliated with American Association of Airport Executives, provides financial aid and grants to help students pursue flight training. The Aerospace Education Foundation and the Federal Aviation Administration also provide scholarships and grants to flight students. Delta Airlines, associated with Tarrant County College in Texas, offers competitive scholarships to enrolled students with minimum grade-point averages of 2.75.
According to Educational-Portal.com, the United States Air Force Academy (Colorado) and Embry Riddle Aeronautical University are among the top aviation colleges and universities in the United States. The Air Force Academy is a military academy that offers programs in social sciences, basic sciences, engineering, interdisciplinary majors and humanities. The admission standards of the Air Force Academy are stringent and competitive. The academy selects the candidate on the evaluation of academic performance, extracurricular activities and physical fitness. Selected candidates are required to sign an agreement with the academy and accept an appointment to serve as commissioned officers for at least five years after graduation. Embry Riddle was founded 22 years after the Wright Brothers' first flight to teach the science, practice and business of aviation. A complete list of all aviation colleges and universities in the United States can be found at flightschoollist.com and other sites.