What Can I Do With an Aviation Degree?

What Kind of Accreditation Should My Degree Program Have?

Accreditation is the process by which colleges and universities are evaluated and validated . Colleges and universities that have earned accreditation have met the standards set by accrediting organizations. These organizations are comprised of faculty from various accredited colleges and universities. Legitimate regional and national accrediting organizations are recognized by the U.S. Department of Education (ED). Typically, the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) recognizes the same institutions, although CHEA recognition isn’t mandatory. A college or university must be accredited by a Department of Education-recognized accreditor in order for its students to receive federal financial aid.

For a detailed look at the differences between regional and national accreditation, check out What Do I Need to Know About College Accreditation?

What is Regional Accreditation?

Regional accreditation is the signifier of quality education; this includes the currency of curriculum, credentials of educators, and credibility of degrees. Regional accrediting agencies only accredit institutions in their geographical area.

The Six Regional Accrediting Agencies

• Middle States Commission of Higher Education (MSCHE)
• New England Commission on Higher Education (NECHE)
• The Higher Learning Commission (HLC)
• Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU)
• Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)
• WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC)

To find out if a college or university on your list is regionally accredited, check the Department of Education’s Database of Postsecondary Institutions and Programs.

What Is National Accreditation?

National accreditation is often perceived as a less rigorous standard than regional accreditation and is governed by educational accreditors agencies that are not restricted by region or geography. This means that one such agency can provide accreditation to any college or university in the U.S. that meets its criteria. National accreditation is commonplace among trade schools, religious schools, and for–profit colleges.
 
Most regionally–accredited colleges do not accept or recognize credits or degrees earned from colleges that lack regional accreditation. However, national accreditation may be a useful indicator of quality for students pursuing vocational training, competency-based education, or other education models that operate under a for-profit model.

To learn more about National Accreditation, check out Understanding National Accreditation.

For help safely navigating the For–Profit Sector, check out our Guide to For–Profit Colleges: What You Need to Know.

What is Programmatic Accreditation?

Programmatic accreditation certifies that an institution’s program, department, or college has met the standards of the programmatic accrediting agency. While programmatic accreditation agencies often have national jurisdiction, programmatic accreditation is not institutional national accreditation. In fact, programmatic accreditation often coexists with regional accreditation. In some disciplines, a degree with programmatic accreditation may even be required to earn a license or enter professional practice.
 
When it comes to aviation degree programs, the main programmatic accreditation organization is the Aviation Accreditation Board International (AABI). Programs that maintain accreditation through AABI have to report that they are maintaining certain levels of performance, integrity, and quality. As a student, you can be confident that your AABI–accredited aviation degree will be respected and valued as you enter your career.

The easiest way to determine accreditation status is to contact your school of choice, or visit the website for any of the above accreditation agencies. Each provides a searchable database of accredited institutions and degree programs. You can also look at the Department of Education’s database of all recognized accreditors within its purview.

Or, to learn a little more about navigating the tricky accreditation landscape, check out Accreditation of Colleges and Universities: Who’s Accrediting the Accreditors?

What Kinds of Aviation and Aeronautics Degrees Are There?

What Kind of Licensing or Certification Do I Need?

Depending on what you want to do with your aviation degree, you may or may not need to be certified or receive a license. If you plan to be a pilot, you will need various licenses. The license will depend on the kind of organization for which you plan to fly. There are different certifications for private, commercial, and airline pilots, all administered by the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). Many degree programs include opportunities for certification as part of their curriculum. If you want to be a pilot of any kind, it’s a good idea to choose a program that includes certification.

You don’t necessarily need certification for every job in the field of aviation and aeronautics, but in many cases, these added credentials may help to advance your career. For example, the FAA also offers certification for aircraft mechanics. This certificate isn’t required to work as a mechanic, but if you aren’t certified, you’ll only be able to work under a mechanic who is.

Licensing and Certifying Organizations

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)

As the lone entity certifying pilots in the U.S., The FAA offers a variety of licenses, including a private pilot license, commercial pilot license, airline transport pilot license, and more.

The International Air Transport Association (IATA)

The IATA offers a variety of training courses and certificates for those in the aviation field. With courses on subjects such as air navigation, ground services, and civil aviation authority, this organization can provide critical knowledge and valuable certificates as you advance in your career.

What Can You Do With an Aviation Degree?

If you’re wondering, “what can I do with an aviation degree?” there are plenty of options. Your aviation or aeronautics degree can be the key to entering many challenging and exciting Aviation Careers. For more detail, check out a few of these top aviation degree jobs:

• Aerospace Engineers
• Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technicians
• Air Traffic Controllers
• Aircraft Mechanics
• Aircraft Technicians
• Airline Pilots
• Commercial Pilots
• Flight Attendants

What Kind of Salary Can I Earn With an Aviation Degree?

Your aviation degree could open the door to a variety of careers in aviation or aeronautics. The Bureau of Labor Statistics provides median annual salary information for some of the top aviation degree jobs:

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics