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Bachelor of Science in Aviation

School of Aviation

College of Justice, Safety & Military Science

Bachelor of Science in Aviation

School of Aviation

College of Justice, Safety & Military Science

On-Campus

Program

120 Credit Hours

to Graduate

Full-Time, In-State Tuition

$5,010 Per Semester

Free Books

for All Students

EKU
College of Justice, Safety & Military Science
School of Aviation
Bachelor of Science in Aviation

← School of Aviation

Soar Through the Clouds as a Professional Pilot

Kentucky’s only FAA-approved university flight program

As the only program of its kind in Kentucky, EKU Aviation provides the aerospace industry with highly trained, safety focused professional pilots, and forward-thinking managers. Students have access to a robust fleet of training aircraft and a variety of top-notch flight simulators. Before graduation in the professional flight option, you’ll log 250-300 flight hours. If you want to work outside the captain’s chair, the aerospace management option will prepare you for employment in a variety of roles.

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Career Outlook

Employment of airline and commercial pilots is projected to grow as the demand for air travel increases. The post-pandemic expansion of hybrid and remote work arrangements is likely to increase demand for trips that combine business and personal travel, also known as “bleisure” travel, supporting employment demand for pilots. To meet the demand, Eastern Kentucky University was among the nation’s first FAA-approved 1,000-hour Restricted ATP institutions, which provides flight students an exceptional advantage over other methods of training.

Overall employment of airline and commercial pilots is projected to grow 5 percent from 2023 to 2033.

– U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Common Job Titles

A degree in aviation can prepare you for a variety of career options in private and corporate industries.

Job Titles Include:

Corporate or military pilot
Operations specialist
Safety manager
Line personnel manager
Airport or airline manager
Air traffic controller
Aircraft technician
Flight instructor

Where EKU Graduates Have Worked

EKU aviation graduates have found success throughout the industry.

Employers Include:

Delta Airlines
American Airlines
Blue Grass Airport
UPS Airlines
DHL

EKU Career Services

The Office of Academic and Career Services is a one-stop shop for all your career and professional development needs.

Services Include:

Creating/updating your resume and cover letter
Interviewing tips and coaching
Career documents review
Job search

Why EKU?

Free textbooks through EKU BookSmart
No application fee
Reduced tuition for active-duty military members and their spouses
Customize your degree with one of four concentration areas
The only FAA-approved university flight program in Kentucky
Gain experience at the Central Kentucky Regional Airport, home of EKU’s flight training operations
Robust fleet of training aircraft, including: 29 Cessna single engine aircraft, 3 Piper Seminole multi-engine aircraft
Top-notch flight emulator labs on campus: Alsim MC200 Flight Simulator capable of 15 different aircraft types, Professional Flight Controls DCX MAX with glass cockpit capability
One of the largest, most advanced virtual reality (VR) flight simulation labs in the United States
EKU Aviation Living Learning Community

Program Options

Aerospace Management

Aerospace management students prepare for careers at airports, airlines, corporate aviation, and government agencies such as the FAA, NASA, and NTSB with hands-on training in operations, scheduling, and dispatch for management professionals. Management graduates work in aviation marketing, public relations, human resources, safety, and security at the local, national, and international level. They also have the opportunity to receive certification as an AAAE Certified Member (C.M.) through the American Association of Airport Executives (AAAE).

Aerospace Technology

The Aerospace Technology degree is a degree completion concentration. By adding upper-division aerospace management and operation’s studies, the bachelor’s degree aerospace technology concentration is specifically designed to complete a two-year community college degree with a heavy technical aviation course load.

Examples of aviation technical degrees include Airframe and Powerplants (A&P), a two-year helicopter and/or airplane pro flight degree, any two-year career technical (CTE) degree partnered with a local flight school, any two-year air traffic control program, and /or any two-year aerospace management program, Additionally, non-degreed airline pilots with the Airline Transport Pilot (ATP) certificate may complete their Bachelor’s degree with this concentration.

Professional Flight Concentration

The Professional Flight concentration includes all commercial and instructor pilot ratings. This program provides future pilots with the flight time they need to become competitive. With approximately 250 hours of flying time, our students are prepared for careers ranging from small corporate flight departments to the largest commercial airlines.

Professional flight students may receive FAA flight certifications as a Private Pilot, Instrument Pilot, or Commercial Pilot with a single engine and multi-engine rating, and Instructor Pilot with a single engine, multi-engine, and instrument rating. Additionally, professional flight students receive a world class aviation education in multiple areas of aviation organizational leadership to better prepare them for flying careers in the aerospace industry.

Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS)

The concentration in Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) prepares students for a variety of careers in UAS, one of the fastest growing segments of the aviation industry across the globe. Courses in this concentration focus on mission planning and execution as well as UAS integration in a variety of career paths including agriculture, construction, and criminal justice.

In April 2022, the concentration was approved for the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) Collegiate Training Initiative (UAS-CTI) which establishes a collaborative partnership between the school and the agency focused on curriculum development and resource allocation.

Curriculum & Admission

Learn essential skills from the only FAA-approved university flight program in Kentucky. EKU’s aviation curriculum blends academic and professional preparation with course topics including aviation management, safety, and decision making, as well as aircraft systems, air traffic control and aviation law.

A minimum of 120 credits are required to graduate.

View the degree requirements:

EKU Academic Catalog

Please review the admissions requirements before applying for this or any program. If you have questions about the program or are planning to register for classes, please speak to the program advisor.

Students may transfer up to 90 hours of credit from accredited institutions. Please note that a minimum of 30 credit hours in this degree program must be completed at Eastern Kentucky University.

Previously earned credits must be reviewed upon admission to EKU for appropriate articulation.

The concentration in aerospace technology is designed for students who have completed their Airframe and Power plant certificate through a two-year associate degree program. Upon completion of an associate, students can enroll in EKU Aviation upper division coursework specifically designed to complement the associate degree with the Aerospace Technology concentration. This concentration is only available to students with approved transfer credits.

Term	Application Deadline	Classes Begin
Fall	August 1	August
Spring	December 1	January
Summer	May 1	May

All applicants must provide an application and evidence of appropriate scholastic achievement through prior educational experience.

Please note that certain degree programs have special admission requirements. Admission to the University does not mean automatic admission to all degree programs.

The completed application and all required supporting documentation must be received by the University no later than:

• August 1 for fall enrollment
• December 1 for spring enrollment
• May 1 for summer enrollment

To apply for undergraduate admission to Eastern Kentucky University (EKU), submit an application at apply.eku.edu and submit any required materials electronically or by mail to:

Office of Admissions
Eastern Kentucky University
Whitlock Bldg. 112, CPO 54
521 Lancaster Avenue
Richmond, KY 40475-3154.

The Professional Pilot concentration is certified by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) as a Part 141 Flight program.

Enrolling & Advising Information

EKU’s College of Justice, Safety and Military Science is committed to delivering high-quality enrollment and academic advising for our students. We strive to create an atmosphere of mutual trust and meaningful engagement to help students reach their academic goals and have a rewarding educational experience.

Interested in enrolling? Reach out to our college enrollment counselor today.

Jacinda Bertie-Cockerham

College Enrollment Counselor

859-622-6520
jacinda.bertie@eku.edu

Student Stories & Features

See All Student Stories

Carter Sizemore

EKU Student & Army ROTC Cadet

The EKU ROTC program has given me the resources to reach new heights I didn’t know I was able to achieve. I have made many connections and friends through this program; it never feels like I am alone in doing something, and I think that says a lot about the community that is created here. We have our high days, we have our low days, but I have no doubt that this program has helped me and many others become better people and better leaders.

Chloe Hampson

EKU Student & Army ROTC Cadet

Chloe Hampson ’25 “The ROTC program is full of opportunity and comradery. Cadets learn important skills needed to commission as an officer in the Army, as well as have opportunities to compete for Army schools. More importantly, cadets learn how to interact with other soldiers and build interpersonal relationships.

Jesse Valdez

EKU Safety Leadership and Management Student

The advisors, administrator, and instructors at EKU are compassionate, empathetic, and available to meet the educational needs of all students when necessary.

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News & Updates

See All News & Updates

Aviation Careers Beyond the Cockpit: EKU Graduates Soar in Aerospace Management

Eastern Kentucky University (EKU) isn’t just preparing students to pilot planes—it’s launching them into high-powered careers managing some of Kentucky’s most critical aviation hubs. From strategic innovation to airport operations, EKU aviation alumni are proving that aerospace management offers dynamic, impactful career paths. Hannah Meredith, ’15, leads innovation initiatives as the senior manager of strategic […]

Sky’s the Limit with EKU’s Innovative UAS Program

Controller in hand, the drone lifts off the ground and rises steadily and effortlessly into the sky. Under the operator’s control, it soars through the landscape transmitting valuable data and information for a variety of applications. Learning how to operate an unmanned aircraft system, or drone, as well as mission planning and execution are some […]

Groundbreaking Ceremony for EKU’s New Flight Training Center Welcomed State Leaders

Eastern Kentucky University (EKU) held a groundbreaking ceremony for a new flight training center at the Central Kentucky Regional Airport (CKRA) on Tuesday, Nov. 19. The $25 million facility, funded by Kentucky’s General Assembly, is expected to be completed by early 2027. State leaders including Governor Andy Beshear, Senate President Robert Stivers and House Speaker […]

Contact Information

School of Aviation

Stratton Building
Room 50
4453 Kit Carson Drive
Richmond, KY 40475

859-622-1014
aviation@eku.edu

Department Directory

Bachelor of Science in Aviation

School of Aviation

College of Justice, Safety & Military Science

Bachelor of Science in Aviation

School of Aviation

College of Justice, Safety & Military Science

Soar Through the Clouds as a Professional Pilot