Aviation Science: Professional Pilot

The Aviation Science-Professional Pilot Bachelor of Science at Texas A&M University-Central Texas provides students with a well-rounded curriculum that encompasses conceptual foundations in aviation science and management. Texas A&M University-Central Texas offers the only state-supported four-year professional pilot program in Texas. The program is 100% online, so you can study to move forward in your career from home or anywhere with Internet access.

The Aviation Science-Professional Pilot program offers both junior- and senior-level coursework. All lower-level core aviation and flight courses are transferred into A&M - Central Texas, as we do not have a flight school. This includes the required FAA Instrument Rating and the FAA Commercial Flight Certificate.

Talk to an A&M-Central Texas academic advisor, online or in person, for prospective student advising, undergraduate advising, and help with a range of other issues.

As a student in the Professional Pilot program, you will concentrate on aircraft flight operations and be further prepared though science/technology orientated coursework. This program focuses on advanced aeronautical ratings complemented by business administration, management, and communication skills for professional pilots in the civil and military aviation industries.

Download the program brochure .

Transfer Pathways:

The direct & affordable path from your community college to a Bachelor's degree!

Whether you are attending an A&M-Central Texas partner college, have credits from another community college, or are attending a another four-year university, your A&M-Central Texas enrollment specialist can help you find the quickest and most affordable path to your bachelor degree.

To get started, select the Bachelor's degree you are seeking, and then select your community college:

Select the Bachelor's degree you are seeking
Then choose the college you are attending

Aggressive Airline Hiring Surge

The pilot shortage for the airlines is critical. As shown on a nearly daily in the news, airlines are laying off aircraft and canceling thousands of flights each week due to this shortage. Industry forecasters indicate this will be the case for several more years. This shortage has necessitated substantial pay increases to retain aviator talent in regional and major airlines. The wages paid today are the highest in the history of commercial aviation. For example, a typical first officer starts at $94 per hour, with a cash signing bonus of up to $25,000. Follow-on contracts typically have up to $30,000 signing bonuses. Regional airline captains start at 154 dollars per hour, and major air carriers pay an average of $360,000 annually or more. For example, Delta Airlines recently upped their top-tier captains to $590,000 annually.

An aviator must ask themselves, why wait? Our unique degree plan gives you the affordability and flexibility to progress through your aviation degree plan quickly. We allow you to be the master of your flight training, and our degree plan can get you through the full upper-level Bachelor of Science degree, with a full load, 100% online, in as little as one year if you take a summer semester with a full load.

The airlines also need more management and aviation maintenance management leadership. Our Bachelor of Science in Aviation Management degree prepares you to lead, manage and inspire the aviation team you work for. This degree is also suitable for those who wish to diversify their talents into leadership roles in aviation.

Contact us and ask us how we can move you forward toward getting into the industry with an industry-respected and recognized aviation degree from Texas A&M University-Central Texas.