B.S. in Pilot Operations

student piloting an aircraft on a runway

The Bachelor of Science in Pilot Operations is designed for undergraduate students with an interest in aeronautical science who are already licensed pilots. The program supports preparation for roles in aviation operations and leadership and includes instruction from faculty with industry experience.

At the Worldwide & Online Campus, the Bachelor of Science in Pilot Operations is delivered in an online format that allows students to complete coursework remotely. The program may be completed in approximately two years, depending on prior coursework and enrollment. Students who hold a multi-engine Airline Transport Pilot (ATP) certificate or are commercial/instrument rated with additional ratings, such as multi-engine, flight dispatcher, flight engineer or jet type ratings, may transfer up to 45 credits toward the 120-credit degree. Graduates from the Worldwide Bachelor of Science in Pilot Operations are not eligible to apply for a restricted privileges airline transport pilot (R-ATP) certificate.

Program-Level Student Learning Outcomes

Students will:

  • Apply scientific principles and programs related to aviation safety as they correlate with aircraft operations.
  • Exhibit foundational managerial skills needed to achieve greater leadership opportunities within aviation flight organizations.
  • Apply fundamental concepts in national and international legislation and law as they pertain to the aviation industry.
  • Demonstrate knowledge of the essential operating systems of aircraft as they relate to fundamental pilot operations.

Worldwide Program Requirements

General Education Requirements36
Core Requirements72
Electives12
Total Credits120

Program Details

The Bachelor of Science in Pilot Operations requires successful completion of a minimum of 120 credit hours. Students enrolled in the Worldwide Undergraduate Online program may complete the degree in 20 terms, or approximately four years, assuming full-time enrollment and continuous progress. Students pursuing this undergraduate degree must earn a minimum cumulative grade point average (CGPA) of 2.00 for all work completed at the University. The courses required to earn this degree are listed below.

Students should be aware that many courses have prerequisites and/or corequisites. Students are responsible for ensuring that all prerequisite and degree requirements are satisfied prior to enrollment in advanced coursework. The suggested plan of study is provided as a guide. A student's actual plan of study may vary based on term of admission, course availability, transfer credit, and other academic considerations. Students should consult with their academic advisor to develop an individualized plan of study.

The curriculum integrates coursework in pilot operations, aviation maintenance, aviation safety, air traffic management, meteorology, and aviation management to prepare students for professional aviation careers. Students should work closely with their academic advisor to ensure prerequisite requirements are met and courses are completed in the recommended sequence.

General Education Requirements

Communication9
Any Communication above COMM 106
Humanities - Lower or Upper Level3
Social Sciences - Lower or Upper Level6
Humanities/Social Sciences - Upper Level3
Computer Science/Information Technology3
Mathematics6
Any College Algebra or Higher Math Series
Physical/Life Sciences6
Physical Sciences/Physics
Total Credits36

Core Requirements

ASCI 121WPrivate Pilot Operations5
ASCI 121LAirman Knowledge Test Preparation1
ASCI 221Instrument Pilot Operations3
ASCI 321WCommercial Pilot Operations3
ASCI 254Aviation Legislation3
ASCI 257Flight Physiology3
ASCI 301Introduction to Air Traffic Control3
ASCI 309Aerodynamics3
ASCI 412Corporate and Business Aviation3
ASCI 426Airport Management in Air Traffic Management3
ASCI 491Operational Applications in Aeronautics3
AMNT 260Aircraft Electrical Systems Theory3
AMNT 271Airframe Systems and Applications3
AMNT 272Fundamentals of Aircraft Avionics3
AMNT 281Turbine Engine Theory and Applications3
AMNT 416Aviation Maintenance Management: A Global Perspective3
AVSF 320Human Factors in Aviation Safety3
AVSF 330Aircraft Accident Investigation3
AVSF 335Mechanical and Structural Factors in Aviation Safety3
AVSF 345Aviation Safety Program Management3
AVSF 409Aviation Safety3
MGMT 201Principles of Management3
WEAX 201Introduction to Meteorology3
WEAX 301Aviation Weather3
Total Credits72

Electives

Open Electives12
Total Credits12

Suggested Plan of Study

Year One

Term 1
RequirementsCredits
Communication above COMM 1063
College Algebra or Higher Math Series3
Semester Hours6
Term 2
RequirementsCredits
Communication above COMM 1063
College Algebra or Higher Math Series3
Semester Hours6
Term 3
RequirementsCredits
Communication above COMM 1063
Computer Science3
Semester Hours6
Term 4
RequirementsCredits
Humanities - Lower Level or Upper Level3
Social Sciences - Lower Level or Upper Level3
Semester Hours6
Term 5
RequirementsCredits
Social Sciences - Lower Level or Upper Level3
Open Elective3
Semester Hours6

Total Credits

Total Hours for All Requirements: 30

Year Two

Term 1
RequirementsCredits
Physical Sciences/Physics3
Physical Sciences/Physics3
Semester Hours6
Term 2
RequirementsCredits
ASCI 121W - Private Pilot Operations5
ASCI 121L - Airman Knowledge Test Preparation1
Semester Hours6
Term 3
RequirementsCredits
ASCI 221 - Instrument Pilot Operations3
ASCI 254 - Aviation Legislation3
Semester Hours6
Term 4
RequirementsCredits
AMNT 260 - Aircraft Electrical Systems Theory3
AMNT 271 - Airframe Systems and Applications3
Semester Hours6
Term 5
RequirementsCredits
AMNT 272 - Fundamentals of Aircraft Avionics3
AMNT 281 - Turbine Engine Theory and Applications3
Semester Hours6

Total Credits

Total Hours for All Requirements: 30

Year Three

Term 1
RequirementsCredits
MGMT 201 - Principles of Management3
WEAX 201 - Introduction to Meteorology3
Semester Hours6
Term 2
RequirementsCredits
Humanities/Social Sciences - Upper Level3
ASCI 321W - Commercial Pilot Operations3
Semester Hours6
Term 3
RequirementsCredits
ASCI 301 - Introduction to Air Traffic Control3
ASCI 309 - Aerodynamics3
Semester Hours6
Term 4
RequirementsCredits
AVSF 320 - Human Factors in Aviation Safety3
AVSF 330 - Aircraft Accident Investigation3
Semester Hours6
Term 5
RequirementsCredits
AVSF 335 - Mechanical and Structural Factors in Aviation Safety3
Open Elective3
Semester Hours6

Total Credits

Total Hours for All Requirements: 30

Year Four

Term 1
RequirementsCredits
ASCI 257 - Flight Physiology3
ASCI 412 - Corporate and Business Aviation3
Semester Hours6
Term 2
RequirementsCredits
AMNT 416 - Aviation Maintenance Management: A Global Perspective3
AVSF 345 - Aviation Safety Program Management3
Semester Hours6
Term 3
RequirementsCredits
AVSF 409 - Aviation Safety3
WEAX 301 - Aviation Weather3
Semester Hours6
Term 4
RequirementsCredits
ASCI 426 - Airport Management in Air Traffic Management3
Open Elective3
Semester Hours6
Term 5
RequirementsCredits
ASCI 491 - Operational Applications in Aeronautics3
Open Elective3
Semester Hours6

Total Credits

Total Hours for All Requirements: 30

Estimated Cost of Attendance

Estimated Cost of Attendance: California Student Information