Professional Pilot - B.S. | Kent State University

A student pilot flies a single engine aircraft over the local region

Professional Pilot - B.S.

Take flight with Kent State's Professional Pilot program. Our Bachelor of Science in Professional Pilot program prepares you for a successful career in the aviation industry. With a comprehensive curriculum, hands-on training and experienced faculty, you'll gain the skills and knowledge needed to become a skilled pilot.

Contact Us

Apply Now
Request Info
Schedule a Visit

Bachelor鈥檚 Degree in Professional Pilot

Kent State University鈥檚 Bachelor of Science degree in Professional Pilot prepares students to be professional pilots and enable them to obtain Federal Aviation Administration certificates and ratings required for giving flight and ground instruction and commercial and instrument operations in federally regulated commercial aviation operations.

Program Information for Professional Pilot - B.S.

Program Description

Full Description

The Bachelor of Science degree in Professional Pilot is designed for students who aspire to become professional pilots. This program stresses subjects associated with flight systems, propulsion, structures and electronics. Students entering this program should have a strong desire for excellence in aviation, as well as the flying skills required of a professional pilot.

The mission of the Bachelor of Science degree in Professional Pilot is to prepare students to be professional pilots and enable them to obtain Federal Aviation Administration certificates and ratings required for giving flight and ground instruction and commercial and instrument operations in federally regulated commercial aviation operations.

Students may apply early to the and double count 9 credit hours of graduate courses toward both degree programs. See the policy in the University Catalog for more information.

Admissions for Professional Pilot - B.S.

Admissions

Admission Requirements

The university affirmatively strives to provide educational opportunities and access to students with varied backgrounds, those with special talents and adult students who graduated from high school three or more years ago.

Admission to the Professional Pilot major is selective.

All students must complete a pre-admission evaluation to be considered for admission. Students applying to the Professional Pilot major and receiving admission to Kent State University will be placed into the , allowing students to begin any scholarship or financial aid applications while waiting for the final decision regarding the Professional Pilot major. Please see the College of Aeronautics and Engineering for additional information.

Transfer students must have a minimum 2.250 overall GPA in all college-level coursework to be considered for admission to the Professional Pilot major (effective for the fall 2025 admission term, a minimum 2.500 overall GPA will be required).

International Students: All international students must provide proof of English language proficiency (unless they meet specific exceptions to waive) by earning a minimum 71 TOEFL iBT score, minimum 6.0 IELTS score, minimum 47 PTE score or minimum 100 DET score, or by completing the ELS level 112 Intensive English Program. For more information on international admission visit the admissions website for international students.

Flight Training Courses: Transfer students and students admitted to the Professional Pilot major with credits completed through College Credit Plus or other means may be allowed to enroll in flight training courses only with special permission.

Learning Outcomes

Program Learning Outcomes

Graduates of this program will be able to:

Demonstrate the knowledge, skills and techniques required to safely operate in single-pilot or multi-crew aircraft operations under FAR Parts 121, 135, 91K and other commercial aviation operations.
Analyze available information and problem solve as part of an aircrew, with respect to aircraft operation, airline operations, physiology, safety and emergency or challenging situations.
Demonstrate the skills of an aviation professional, make ethical decisions and correlate aviation business principles to operations.
Demonstrate instructional level knowledge and skills in application to single-engine and multi-engine, VFR or IFR flight.

The educational goals of the program are the following:

Exhibit the qualities of excellence, integrity, leadership, management and professionalism within their area of professional specialization in aviation.
Demonstrate a professional commitment to safety and contribute to the safety culture within their area of professional specialization in aviation.
Demonstrate the ability to improve aerospace for generations to come through experiential learning, creativity and innovation within their area of professional specialization in aviation.
Manifest the college’s core values in the areas of collaboration, compassion, inclusiveness, innovation, integrity, respect and perseverance within their area of professional specialization in aviation.

Coursework

On This Page

Program Requirements
Progression Requirements
Graduation Requirements

Program Requirements

Major Requirements

Course List
Code	Title	Credit Hours
Major Requirements (courses count in major GPA)
AERN 15000	INTRODUCTION TO AERONAUTICS	3
AERN 15740	ELEMENTS OF FLIGHT THEORY (min C grade)	5
or AERN 15750 & AERN 15752	ELEMENTS OF FLIGHT THEORY I and ELEMENTS OF FLIGHT THEORY II
AERN 15751	PRIVATE PILOT FLIGHT I (min C grade)	2
AERN 15753	PRIVATE PILOT FLIGHT II (min C grade)	3
AERN 25100	INTRODUCTION TO AVIATION MANAGEMENT	3
AERN 25250	ELEMENTS OF AVIATION WEATHER	3
AERN 25252	THUNDERSTORMS AND SEVERE WEATHER	3
AERN 25350	FUNDAMENTALS OF AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL	2
AERN 25351	FUNDAMENTALS OF AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL LABORATORY	1
AERN 30000	PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT IN AERONAUTICS	1
AERN 35020	AIRCRAFT PROPULSION SYSTEMS	3
AERN 35040	AIRCRAFT SYSTEMS I	3
AERN 35150	AIRCRAFT STRUCTURES	3
or AERN 45730	APPLIED TRANSPORT CATEGORY AIRCRAFT SYSTEMS
or AERN 45740	FLIGHT MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS
AERN 35660	INSTRUMENT FLIGHT THEORY (min C grade)	3
AERN 35661	INSTRUMENT PILOT FLIGHT (min C grade)	3
AERN 35665	COMMERCIAL PILOT FLIGHT: NAVIGATION (min C grade)	3
AERN 35760	COMMERCIAL PILOT THEORY (min C grade)	2
AERN 35761	COMMERCIAL PILOT FLIGHT (min C grade)	3
AERN 45030	AIRCRAFT SYSTEMS II	3
AERN 45130	PHYSIOLOGY AND HUMAN FACTORS OF FLIGHT	3
AERN 45135	AVIATION SAFETY THEORY	3
AERN 45150	APPLIED FLIGHT DYNAMICS I	3
AERN 45250	AVIATION LAW	3
AERN 45550	MULTI-ENGINE PILOT - THEORY (min C grade)	1
AERN 45551	MULTI-ENGINE PILOT - FLIGHT (min C grade)	1
AERN 45648	THEORY OF FLIGHT INSTRUCTION (ELR) (min C grade)	3
AERN 45649	FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR - AIRPLANES (min C grade)	3
AERN 45660	FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR - INSTRUMENTS THEORY (min C grade)	1
AERN 45661	FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR - INSTRUMENTS FLIGHT (min C grade)	1
AERN 45710	TURBINE ENGINE THEORY AND OPERATION	2
AERN 45720	CREW RESOURCE MANAGEMENT	2
AERN 45791	AVIATION SECURITY AND POLICY SEMINAR (WIC) ¹	3
Additional Requirements (courses do not count in major GPA)
COMM 15000	INTRODUCTION TO HUMAN COMMUNICATION (KADL)	3
MATH 11010	ALGEBRA FOR CALCULUS (KMCR)	3
MATH 11022	TRIGONOMETRY (KMCR)	3
PHY 13001	GENERAL COLLEGE PHYSICS I (KBS)	4
PHY 13012	COLLEGE PHYSICS II (KBS)	2
PHY 13021	GENERAL COLLEGE PHYSICS LABORATORY I (KBS) (KLAB)	1
PHY 13022	GENERAL COLLEGE PHYSICS LABORATORY II (KBS) (KLAB)	1
UC 10001	FLASHES 101	1
		6
		9
		6
Minimum Total Credit Hours:		120

¹: A minimum C grade must be earned to fulfill the writing-intensive requirement.

Progression Requirements

Students must pass all required flight training and associated flight theory courses with a minimum C grade. Failure to complete all requirements may result in students being deemed not being permitted to continue in the Professional Pilot major; those students will be advised to change their program to the with the .

Flight Training Courses: Beyond AERN 15751, all students are required to have and maintain a minimum 2.500 overall GPA to continue in flight courses. Students must complete all flight courses by the end of the semester following that in which they enrolled. In other words, if a student enrolls in a flight course in the fall, they must complete the course no later than the end of the following spring semester. This requirement is subject to waiver by the academic program director. In the absence of an authorized waiver, students who fail to complete any flight course by the end of the subsequent semester after course enrollment will receive a failing grade (F) and a complete forfeiture of the balance of the flight fees. Students who wish a refund of flight fees are required to withdraw from their flight course by the withdrawal deadlines established by the Office of the University Registrar. Flight fees will be refunded in accordance with the University policy regarding student fee refunds, policy number 3342-7-06. Students must complete the commercial certificate and instrument rating at Kent State to be eligible for the FAA's R-ATP certificate.

Students in Flight Training Courses must comply with the University Code of Student Conduct, Federal Aviation Regulations and policies outlined in the Kent State University Flight Operations Manual. Failure to comply may result in punitive actions, issuance of a failing course grade and/or dismissal from the Professional Pilot major.

Graduation Requirements

Graduation Requirements Summary
Minimum Major GPA	Minimum Overall GPA
2.500	2.500

Flight courses may be repeated once with permission.

Roadmap

This roadmap is a recommended semester-by-semester plan of study for this major. However, courses designated as critical (!) must be completed in the semester listed to ensure a timely graduation.

Plan of Study Grid
	Semester One		Credits
	AERN 15000	INTRODUCTION TO AERONAUTICS	3
	AERN 15740 or AERN 15750	ELEMENTS OF FLIGHT THEORY or ELEMENTS OF FLIGHT THEORY I	3-5
	AERN 15751	PRIVATE PILOT FLIGHT I	2
!	MATH 11010	ALGEBRA FOR CALCULUS (KMCR)	3
	UC 10001	FLASHES 101	1
	Kent Core Requirement		3
		Credit Hours	15
	Semester Two
	Requirement: Students must have a 2.500 overall GPA prior to taking flight training courses.
	AERN 15752	ELEMENTS OF FLIGHT THEORY II (required for students who took AERN 15750)	2
	AERN 15753	PRIVATE PILOT FLIGHT II	3
!	AERN 25250	ELEMENTS OF AVIATION WEATHER	3
	AERN 25350	FUNDAMENTALS OF AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL	2
	AERN 25351	FUNDAMENTALS OF AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL LABORATORY	1
!	MATH 11022	TRIGONOMETRY (KMCR)	3
	Kent Core Requirement		3
		Credit Hours	17
	Semester Three
	AERN 25100	INTRODUCTION TO AVIATION MANAGEMENT	3
	AERN 35660	INSTRUMENT FLIGHT THEORY	3
	AERN 35661	INSTRUMENT PILOT FLIGHT	3
!	PHY 13001	GENERAL COLLEGE PHYSICS I (KBS)	4
!	PHY 13021	GENERAL COLLEGE PHYSICS LABORATORY I (KBS) (KLAB)	1
		Credit Hours	14
	Semester Four
	AERN 25252	THUNDERSTORMS AND SEVERE WEATHER	3
!	AERN 35020	AIRCRAFT PROPULSION SYSTEMS	3
	AERN 35665	COMMERCIAL PILOT FLIGHT: NAVIGATION	3
	COMM 15000	INTRODUCTION TO HUMAN COMMUNICATION (KADL)	3
!	PHY 13012	COLLEGE PHYSICS II (KBS)	2
!	PHY 13022	GENERAL COLLEGE PHYSICS LABORATORY II (KBS) (KLAB)	1
		Credit Hours	15
	Semester Five
	AERN 30000	PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT IN AERONAUTICS	1
!	AERN 35040	AIRCRAFT SYSTEMS I	3
	AERN 35760	COMMERCIAL PILOT THEORY	2
	AERN 35761	COMMERCIAL PILOT FLIGHT	3
!	AERN 45150	APPLIED FLIGHT DYNAMICS I	3
	Kent Core Requirement		3
		Credit Hours	15
	Semester Six
!	AERN 45030	AIRCRAFT SYSTEMS II	3
!	AERN 45130	PHYSIOLOGY AND HUMAN FACTORS OF FLIGHT	3
!	AERN 45648	THEORY OF FLIGHT INSTRUCTION (ELR)	3
!	AERN 45649	FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR - AIRPLANES	3
	Kent Core Requirement		3
		Credit Hours	15
	Semester Seven
!	AERN 45250	AVIATION LAW	3
	AERN 45550	MULTI-ENGINE PILOT - THEORY	1
	AERN 45551	MULTI-ENGINE PILOT - FLIGHT	1
	AERN 45660	FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR - INSTRUMENTS THEORY	1
	AERN 45661	FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR - INSTRUMENTS FLIGHT	1
!	AERN 45720	CREW RESOURCE MANAGEMENT	2
	Kent Core Requirement		3
	Kent Core Requirement		3
		Credit Hours	15
	Semester Eight
	AERN 35150 or AERN 45730 or AERN 45740	AIRCRAFT STRUCTURES or APPLIED TRANSPORT CATEGORY AIRCRAFT SYSTEMS or FLIGHT MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS	3
	AERN 45135	AVIATION SAFETY THEORY	3
!	AERN 45710	TURBINE ENGINE THEORY AND OPERATION	2
!	AERN 45791	AVIATION SECURITY AND POLICY SEMINAR (WIC)	3
	Kent Core Requirement		3
		Credit Hours	14
		Minimum Total Credit Hours:	120

Program Delivery

Accreditation for Professional Pilot - B.S.

Student Achievement Data

Program Educational Goals

With the guidance of both the Aviation Accreditation Board International (AABI) and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Kent State University and the College of Aeronautics and Engineering assesses our program鈥檚 educational goals every two years. Our Program Educational Goals are as follows:

Graduates will exhibit the qualities of excellence, integrity, leadership, management, and professionalism within their area of professional specialization in aviation.
Graduates will demonstrate a professional commitment to safety and contribute to the safety culture within their area of professional specialization in aviation.
Graduates will demonstrate the ability to improve aerospace for generations to come through experiential learning, creativity, and innovation within their area of professional specialization in aviation.
Graduates will manifest the college鈥檚 core values in the areas of collaboration, compassion, inclusiveness, innovation, integrity, respect, and perseverance within their area of professional specialization in aviation.

Several methods to gather both direct and indirect assessment data over the course of each academic year are utilized. Data is gathered to improve student's learning and strengthen our relationships with industry. Some methods used include:

Surveys (Graduating Senior, Alumni, and Employer Surveys)
Capstone Projects
Aeronautics Advisory Committee Feedback
Degree Program Review
Faculty Assessment and Discussion of Student Learning Outcomes

The assessment of our goals starts with the University鈥檚 vision to Promote academic excellence and enhance student learning through a culture of evidence-based decision-making. The valuable data we collect from our assessment activities is analyzed and discussed amongst our Faculty to ensure we are making value added improvements to our programs.

Program Enrollment and Graduation Data

**Professional Pilot; Enrolled**
2018	2019	2020	2021	2022	2023	2024
2018 216	2019 264	2020 119	2021 257	2022 310	2023 381	2024 346

**Professional Pilot; Graduated**
2018	2019	2020	2021	2022	2023	2024
2018 25	2019 18	2020 14	2021 32	2022 17	2023 43	2024 19

**Student Retention Rates**
Term	Freshman Cohort	Retention	After 4 Yrs	After 5 Yrs	After 6 Yrs
Term 2018	Freshman Cohort 58	Retention 87%	After 4 Yrs 64%	After 5 Yrs 59%	After 6 Yrs
Term 2019	Freshman Cohort 89	Retention 87%	After 4 Yrs 52%	After 5 Yrs 26%	After 6 Yrs
Term 2020	Freshman Cohort 104	Retention 87%	After 4 Yrs 73%	After 5 Yrs 38%	After 6 Yrs
Term 2021	Freshman Cohort 111	Retention 72%	After 4 Yrs 59%	After 5 Yrs	After 6 Yrs
Term 2022	Freshman Cohort 88	Retention 85%	After 4 Yrs	After 5 Yrs	After 6 Yrs
Term 2023	Freshman Cohort 105	Retention 82%	After 4 Yrs	After 5 Yrs	After 6 Yrs
Term 2024	Freshman Cohort 72	Retention	After 4 Yrs	After 5 Yrs	After 6 Yrs

Comprehensive Assessment Plan

A is written and implemented by the College of Aeronautics and Engineering faculty and staff to meet requirements set forth by the Aviation Accreditation Board International (AABI) and Kent State University.

The B.S. in Professional Pilot program (PROP) at Kent State University requires students complete a pre-admission evaluation to be considered for admission.

Prospective B.S. in Professional Pilot Admission Information

Kent State University Aeronautics is authorized to certify graduates of specific aviation degree programs for a restricted privileges ATP certificate with reduced aeronautical experience.

Restricted ATP Certificate

Special Course Fees (including Flight Fees, not Aircraft Operational Fees) for the College of Aeronautics and Engineering effective academic year 2024-2025.

Special Course Fees

Graduates of this program have found employment with these typical career paths:

Major and Regional Commercial Airlines
Corporate Aviation Services
Cargo and Transport

FedEx Aeronautics Academic Center

The College of Aeronautics and Engineering鈥檚 18,000-square-foot Aeronautics Academic Center has been in use since Fall of 2019. An Aircraft Maintenance and Academic Center, which became the third brick-and-mortar building for the college, broke ground in Spring 2020. The FedEx building marked the second building for the college and the first brick-and-mortar facility at the Kent State University Airport. The expansion allows students to learn in the classroom, laboratory and airplane all within the same campus.

Flight Simulators

These advanced aviation training devices offer students the ability to learn advanced procedures and flight skills in a controlled environment without compromising fidelity or realism. Our simulators directly mirror our fleet of aircraft, effectively preparing our students for upcoming flight lessons.

Our Fleet

Tail of a single engine airplane parked in front of the Kent State University Airport hangar

Kent State University鈥檚 College of Aeronautics and Engineering has the largest academic fleet in Ohio, with 34 planes providing flight training to hundreds of students each year. This combination of flight, infrastructure, and simulation all contribute to distinguishing Kent State University as the premiere flight school in the state of Ohio.