Southeast Missouri State University will offer a Bachelor of Science in aviation management beginning fall 2023. The degree was officially approved by the Missouri Department of Economic and Workforce Development this month.
Southeast established a successful professional pilot program in 2020 to address the aviation industry’s need to fill high-demand jobs. In addition to pilots, the aviation industry has a large need for bachelor’s degree level management professionals. Non-flight careers in aviation, such as airport manager and air freight manager among others, are projected to have a 7 percent job growth rate. Southeast’s new aviation management degree is the path designed for these roles.
“Southeast is committed to listening to the needs of the marketplace and adjusting our academic programs,” said Dr. Carlos Vargas, president of Southeast. “This allows the University to be a true partner for workforce development and helps our students graduate into a field where jobs await.”
Southeast’s Harrison College of Business and Computing collaborated with the University’s College of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics to design the aviation management program by combining several established aviation courses with core business and management courses to produce professionals ready to fill management roles in operations, finance, procurement, freight, and more.
The Southeast Board of Governors approved the program at its March 10, 2023 meeting.
More information on the program can be found on the aviation management program page, as well as information about Southeast’s other aviation degree paths.