Imagine not being able to fly to your vacation destination, to a business trip, or even home for the holidays. It’s a future possible according to a December story by NBC. NBC News reported that the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) acknowledged that it is 3,000 controllers below optimal levels, signaling the potential for flight delays or cancelations due to a shortage of workers.
A Southeast Missouri State University professor says this is just why the University launched an aviation management degree last fall to prepare students for careers in flight control, working to answer the need for high in-demand jobs and fighting short staffing issues in airports across the nation.
“A national news story on this topic verifies that the more people educated in aviation management and the issues plaguing the industry from a logistics and operations perspective, the more chances our students have to provide solutions,” said Dr. Quantella Noto, an associate professor of management who assisted in the development of the aviation management degree path at Southeast.
Southeast’s aviation management program began in fall 2023. 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 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. Students have access to resources and hands-on experience while working toward their degree at the Cape Girardeau Regional Airport.
“The partnership is vital to distinguishing the program as one with access to experiential education opportunities in advanced technology and emerging passenger expectations,” said Noto. “Additionally, the aviation program was designed to allow students to complete most of the management requirements online, which sets us apart from competing programs that do not offer an online modality. SEMO has created the ideal curriculum and partnership for students to prepare for tomorrow's aviation careers, today.”
More information on the program can be found on the aviation management program page. Southeast offers other aviation degree paths such as a professional pilot degree where students are in flight their first semester and Missouri’s only bachelor’s degree in unmanned aircraft systems (drones).
Applying To SEMO
New Missouri undergraduate students with a 2.75 high school GPA and who are eligible for Pell Grants won’t pay any tuition or fees at Southeast Missouri State. The Will To Do Award will cover all tuition and fees that aren’t covered by other scholarships and grants. SEMO’s aviation programs are eligible for the Fast Track Workforce Incentive Grant that will cover tuition and fees for eligible students.
Prospective students are encouraged to visit campus. Southeast will host its premiere visit day, Show Me Day on March 23.
For more information or to visit campus, visit the Southeast Admissions page or contact at (573) 651-2000.