Online Aviation Management Bachelor of Science Degree
The Aviation Management online bachelor’s degree from National American University integrates management and fundamental business principles into the aviation industry.
Whether you already have aviation experience and are looking toward the next step in your career, or you are preparing to enter the aviation field, the program combines aviation knowledge with business, management, leadership, and organizational skills.
The degree prepares graduates for careers in the aviation field related to management for airports, airlines, aerospace and aviation companies, and state, local, and federal government agencies.
Who Is a Good Candidate for the Online Aviation Management Bachelor’s Degree Program?
Students come to aviation management from different starting points. Some already have aviation training or experience and are preparing for the next stage of their careers. Others are preparing to enter the aviation industry.
The program offers two options based on your aviation background. The option that best fits your experience will also help determine which track you select when applying.
- Option One: For Students with Prior Aviation Training or Experience
- For Pilots: If you currently have or had a pilot license and you want to move into a management position at an airline or airport, the aviation management program may be right for you. You already have the pilot training requirements and experience.
- For Airframe and Powerplant (A&P) Technicians: As someone with training and knowledge gained through being an A&P technician, you have the skills and experiences to pursue an undergraduate degree in aviation management.
Option One Prerequisites: Prior to enrollment, you must complete a professional pilot training program and share verification. As an alternative, you can demonstrate completion of prior education or training in an approved sub-specialty. Examples of sub-specialties include military training in aviation and FAA certifications in Airframe and Powerplant (A&P), or avionics.
- Option Two: For Students Preparing to Enter the Aviation Industry: This pathway allows for any student who aspires to work in the airline industry to complete this degree. This online bachelor’s degree option offers a combination of aviation and business courses to round out a degree option for those wishing to advance or lead in the aviation industry.
Online Aviation Management Bachelor’s Degree Program Overview
The online Aviation Management program gives you the background you need for business and management roles in the aviation field.
For experienced aviation professionals, the program provides an opportunity to build on existing aviation knowledge while developing broader business, management, leadership, and organizational skills. For those entering the industry, it provides a foundation that combines aviation and business education.
Graduates of the program will be able to:
- Analyze how concepts in the principal areas of aviation management guide organizational decision-making.
- Use current aviation management technologies in support of organizational continuity.
- Show the leadership skills required to achieve strategic aviation management objectives.
- Apply appropriate ethical perspectives in a global business environment.
- Demonstrate effective communication strategies across multiple stakeholder groups.
- Employ productive collaboration methods in a professional business setting.
Online Aviation Management Bachelor’s Degree Program Curriculum
The online Aviation Management bachelor’s program consists of 180 total credits. You take aviation management core and support core courses, general education courses, and specialty core or elective courses. Prior learning, certifications, academic, or industry credentials may affect the specialty and elective course choices needed to complete the degree program.
All academic courses are 100% online and subject to minimum class size requirements.
Core and Support Core
63 credits
Specialty Core
51 credits
General Education Core
66 credits
Course availability is subject to minimum class size requirements.
Online Aviation Management Bachelor’s Degree Career Opportunities
The online Aviation Management bachelor’s degree prepares you for careers in the aviation field related to management for airlines, aerospace and aviation companies, and government agencies.
For those already working in aviation, these opportunities may represent the next step from technical, operational, or aviation-specific experience toward broader management responsibilities. For others, they provide examples of the types of roles found across the aviation industry.
Graduates with a background in aviation management pursue roles across airlines, airports, aerospace companies, and government agencies. Examples include:
Airline & Airport Management
- Airline Operations Manager – Oversee flights, schedules, and passenger services.
- Airport Operations Manager – Manage terminals, ground operations, and coordination.
- Airport Security Manager – Lead staff and safety procedures to protect travelers.
Aviation Operations & Safety
- Aviation Safety Manager – Develop and enforce safety standards.
- Fleet and Systems Manager – Keep aircraft maintained and efficient.
- Airline Systems Specialist – Support reservations, crew, and cargo systems.
Government & Regulatory
- Aviation Program Analyst – Support FAA/TSA programs with data and reports.
- Compliance Specialist – Ensure regulations and standards are met.
- Transportation Security Coordinator – Strengthen airport security measures.
Logistics & Emerging Technologies
- Freight and Cargo Manager – Direct shipments and logistics teams.
- UAS Coordinator – Manage drone and unmanned system operations.
- Sustainability Coordinator – Advance green practices in aviation.
Career opportunities vary, and some may require additional education, training, or certification. We encourage you to explore these paths further and research how they align with your personal goals.
Suggested Resources for Career Research
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) – Occupational Outlook:
https://www.bls.gov/ooh/ - O*NET Online – Career Exploration:
https://www.onetonline.org/ - CareerOneStop – Sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor:
https://www.careeronestop.org/ - Indeed Career Guide:
https://www.indeed.com/career-advice
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Online Aviation Management Bachelor’s Degree Program Tuition and Fees
Learn more about our undergraduate
tuition schedule.
Course Listing (180 Credits)
AM3000 – Air Carrier Operations
AM3005 – Aviation Marketing Management
AM3010 – Aviation Law
AM3015 – Aviation Safety Programs
AM4000 – Crew Resource Management I
AM4005 – Crew Resource Management II
AM4010 – Air Transportation System
AM4015 – Airport Security
AM4020 – Airport Planning
AM4040 – Aviation Capstone Course
AC2760 – Financial Accounting for Managers
MT1050 – Introduction to Business
MT2050 – Principles of Management
MT4300 – Management Across Cultures OR
MT6580DC – International Management
General Education (22.5) Available for Block Transfer
Learn how to Earn Your Working with AI Gen-Ed Badge while completing your general education courses.
Communications
EN1150 – Composition I
Science
SC Science Elective
Humanities
HU2000 – Critical Thinking and Problem Solving
Behavioral/Social Science
Behavioral/Social Science Elective
General Education
General Education Elective
General Education (34.5) Course-by-Course Transfer
Communications
EN1300 – Composition II
EN2100 – Speech OR
EN2150 – Interpersonal Professional Communication
EN3070 – Advanced Research and Writing
Mathematics
MA2000 Quantitative Reasoning
MA3000 Business Statistics
Behavioral/Social Science
EC2050 – Macroeconomics OR
EC6100DC – Economic Analysis
EC2100 – Microeconomics OR
EC6150DC – Managerial Economics
General Education
CS2080 – Career Management
Specialty Courses
OPTION ONE SPECIALTY SUPPORT CORE (51 credits)
Professional pilot training or another approved aviation subspecialty. If fewer than 51 credits are awarded for specialty core courses, open elective courses may be taken to make up the difference.
OPTION ONE OPEN ELECTIVES (9 credits)
3000+ – Elective OR
MT6255DC – Introduction to Leadership and Quality
3000+ – Elective
OPTION TWO NON-SPECIALTY SUPPORT CORE (42 credits)
FN300 – Business Finance I OR
FN6200DC – Accounting and Finance for Managers
MG3000 – Marketing OR
MG6200DC – Marketing and Sales Management OR
MG6500DC – Marketing Administration
MT3050 – Human Resource Management OR
MT6300DC – Managing Human Resources
MT3230 – Employment Law OR
LA6570DC – Human Resource Law
MT3300 – Supervision OR
MT6255DC – Introduction to Leadership and Quality
MT3500 – Management Information Systems
MT4200 – Business Ethics
MT4444 – Management Review Lab
MT4450 – Strategic Management
OM3000 – Operations Management
OPTION TWO OPEN ELECTIVES (18 credits)
Elective OR
MT6255DC – Introduction to Leadership and Quality
Course availability is subject to minimum class size requirements.
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