Center for Aviation Studies

a SEMO branded cessna plane takes off down the runway with a student pilot at the controls

Where your career takes off.

At SEMO's Center for Aviation Studies, your education begins the moment you step onto the field. Whether you are training to fly, learning to lead aviation operations, or exploring the future of unmanned aircraft systems, every pathway through our programs is built around real-world experience in a professional aviation environment. Our partnership with the Cape Girardeau Regional Airport and US Aviation means you'll gain real-world experience in a professional training environment while working toward your degree.

While you get your degree at SEMO, you'll learn from experienced faculty, train with industry-standard equipment, and connect with professionals who are invested in your success. From your first flight to your first job offer, the Center for Aviation is designed to help you turn your passion for aviation into a lifelong career.

Find Your Program

Professional Pilot

Turn your passion for flying into a career in commercial aviation. SEMO's professional pilot program combines classroom instruction with flight training beginning in your first semester, helping you earn FAA certifications while building the knowledge, confidence, and experience needed to succeed in the cockpit.

Professional Pilot program
Aviation Management

Keep the aviation industry moving from the ground up. The Aviation Management program combines aviation coursework with business and leadership principles to prepare you for careers in airport operations, airline management, aviation safety, and other roles that support the success of the global aviation industry.

Aviation Management program

Experiential Learning

At SEMO, the airport is your classroom. From your first semester, you'll train at the Cape Girardeau Regional Airport, logging flight hours, mastering industry-standard flight simulators, and building the skills required for FAA certifications. By the time you graduate, you'll have more than a degree. You'll have the confidence, technical expertise, and professional preparation to take your place in the aviation industry.

Explore Experiential Learning

a professional pilot student goes over the exterior of the plan with a pilot instructor

Costs and Aid

Although Southeast Missouri State University has a proven reputation for keeping tuition costs low while delivering the highest level of quality education, flight training is expensive. It is important that students planning to major in the professional pilot program understand that financial planning is vital to successfully completing this degree. Scholarships are available.

Professional Pilot Program Costs

a SEMO aviation student checks on the engine of the plane she's about to fly

Aviation Outcomes

5%

Job Growth for Pilots

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects a 5% growth for pilots over the next 10 years.
7%

Job Growth for Aviation Managers

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.
152K+

Number of Jobs

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics calculated that there were 152,800 Airline and Commercial Pilot positions in 2022.

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