Become a leader in aviation: you'll do that here.

Are you interested in a career in aviation but aren't interested in piloting an aircraft? A degree in aviation management can help you get your non-flight career off the ground. Every flight needs a team on the ground, and our aviation management degree prepares you with the technical and business skills needed to support flight operations. Labor market analysis shows a growing need for aviation management grads at the regional and national level. Plus, our program prepares students for the option of taking the Certified Member exam and getting certified through the American Association of Airport Executives, a definite advantage on your resume.

What You'll Do

Learn the business side of aviation. You’ll combine the essential courses in aviation with business courses to prepare you for careers in airline operation and airport management. Southeast partners with the Cape Girardeau Regional Airport so students get hands-on experience in aviation courses.

  • Courses in business
  • Professional flight classes
  • Courses in aviation management and safety

What Can You Do with an Aviation Management Degree?

Work for your choice of an airport, an airline or any other aviation related business with an aviation management degree. 

  • Airline manager
  • Airport operations coordinator
  • Airport executive
  • Airline consultant
  • Air freight and cargo manager
  • Airline finance and procurement

Aviation Management Degree Map

Explore the courses you'll need to complete your degree

Outcomes & Careers

  • 7%

    Job Growth

    The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects a 7% growth in employment of administrative services and facilities managers, including aviation managers, from 2021 to 2031.

  • $64k

    Average Salary

    According to ZipRecruiter.com the average salary for an Airport manager is $63,802 a year. Annual salaries in some areas can be as high as $100,000.

  • 98%

    Successful Outcomes Rate

    Students graduating with degrees from the Department of Management report being employed or furthering their education six months after graduation.

What You'll Study

Degree Map

As an aviation management major you will learn about management, aviation, and marketing. You'll complete a minimum of 120 hours to complete this degree, including general education requirements and 39 senior division hours.

57 hour major - no minor required

Required Courses:
  • AC221 Principles of Accounting (3)
  • AV100  Introduction to Aviation (3)
  • AV301 Aviation Safety (3)
  • AV306 Aviation Management I (3)
  • AV406 Aviation Management II (3)
  • AV408 Human Factors in Aviation (3)
  • AV430 Professional Flight (3)
  • AV450 Aviation Capstone (3)
  • BA400 Applied Ethical Leadership (3)
  • CM330 Construction Planning & Scheduling (3)
  • ET381 Fundamentals of Aviation in Unmanned Aircraft Systems (3)
  • ET384 Unmanned Aircraft Systems Law, Policy and Safety (3)
  • IM300 Technical Communication (3)
  • MG301 Principles of Management (3)
  • MG356 Foundations of Human Resource Management (3)
  • MI001 Microsoft Excel Certification (0)
  • MI101 Introduction to Computer Applications (3)
  • MI375 Management Information Systems (3)
  • MK301 Principles of Marketing (3)
Choose 3 hours:
  • EC215 Principles of Microeconomics (3)
  • MN220 Engineering Economic Analysis (3)
Additional requirements:
  • EN140 Rhetoric & Critical Thinking (3)
Choose 3 hours:
  • MA116 Precalculus A (3)
  • MA123 Mathematical Reasoning & Modeling (3)
Choose 3 hours:
  • SC105 Fundamentals of Oral Communication (3)
  • SC155 Interpersonal Communication (3)

Some requirements may be fulfilled by coursework in major program.

  • Social and Behavioral Sciences – 6 hours
  • Constitution Requirement – 3 hours
  • Written Communication – 6 hours
  • Oral Communication – 3 hours
  • Natural Sciences – 7 hours (from two disciplines, one to include a lab)
  • Mathematics – 3 hours
  • Humanities & Fine Arts – 9 hours (from at least two disciplines)
  • Additional requirements – 5 hours (to include UI100 for native students)
  • Civics examination

Freshman Year

Fall Semester (13 hours)
  • UI100 (1)
  • EN100 (3)
  • MI101 (3)
  • MI001 (0)
  • General Education (3)
  • General Education (3)
Spring Semester (15 hours)
  • AV100 (3)
  • EN140 (3)
  • MA116 or MA123 (3)
  • SC105 or SC155 (3)
  • General Education (3)

Sophomore Year

Fall Semester (15 hours)
  • AC221 (3)
  • AV301 (3)
  • EC215 or MN220 (3)
  • General Education (3)
  • General Education (3)
Spring Semester (18 hours)
  • IM300 (3)
  • MG301 (3)
  • General Education (3)
  • General Education (3)
  • Elective (3)
  • Elective (3)

Junior Year

Fall Semester (15 hours)
  • AV306 (3)
  • CM330 (3)
  • ET384 (3)
  • MI375 (3)
  • MK301 (3)
Spring Semester (15 hours)
  • MG356 (3)
  • General Education (3)
  • General Education (3)
  • Elective (3)
  • Elective (3)

Senior Year

Fall Semester (15 hours)
  • AV406 (3)
  • AV408(3)
  • BA400(3)
  • ET381 (3)
  • Elective (3)
Spring Semester (15 hours)
  • AV430 (3)
  • AV450 (3)
  • Elective (3)
  • Elective (3)
  • Elective (3)

 

Get Funding for Your Education

Missouri’s opened the door to a more educated workforce. We want to help you walk through it. If you’re an adult learner and a Missouri resident returning to college, learn about the Fast Track Workforce Incentive Grant. It’s a statewide financial aid program that can be used to pursue a certificate, degree or industry-recognized credential in a high need area in Missouri. This major is eligible for the Fast Track grant.

Become a Redhawk.

Do more than dream about the future. Take the first steps to make it all happen.

Getting the Job

Your education is just one piece to launching an extraordinary career. Once you’ve mastered the material, you still have to find the job you want, make the right connections, sell your knowledge and experience—and if all this is giving you anxiety, don’t panic. SEMO’s Career Services office is here to help you with the next step. They’ll provide the expertise and support you need, so you’re landing your dream job in no time.