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Aviation, M.S.

Saint Louis University's Master of Science in Aviation is a fully online, rigorous program that prepares graduates for leadership roles within the aviation industry. The master’s degree provides technical depth and specialization that can lead to expanded career opportunities and responsibilities for graduates, as well as preparation for doctoral (Av.D. and Ph.D.) studies.

Program Highlights

  • SLU's Master of Science in Aviation is well-suited for working professionals since 100% of the courses are taught online.
  • Exceptional aeronautics undergraduate students who are committed to continuing their education through a master’s program can reduce the time it takes to complete their bachelor’s and master’s degrees. SLU aeronautics undergraduates may apply for admission to the Master of Science in Aviation program, and if admitted, may be able to apply up to six credit hours of graduate coursework from their senior/fourth year toward the 30 hours required for the Master of Science in Aviation. See the Department of Aviation Science for more information on this option.

Curriculum Overview

SLU's master's program in aviation consists of 30 credits of graduate-level work: a common core taught in a completely online format and a graduate-level internship experience. Each M.S. student prepares a program of study that must be approved by their faculty advisor, the department chair and the associate dean for graduate education and research for School of Science and Engineering.

This program of study is developed within the context of the student's background and career goals, allowing students to customize their graduate program to suit their professional goals.

Careers

Possible career fields for Master of Science in Aviation graduates include flight training and education, aviation-related management, and aviation safety. After graduating, alumni are qualified for management positions within the aviation industry.

Admission Requirements

Begin your application for this program at www.slu.edu/apply.

Most admitted students meet the following criteria:

  • Undergraduate GPA of at least 3.0
  • A four-year undergraduate degree in aviation or a field related to the desired graduate program

Application Requirements

  • Online application form
  • Official transcript(s) of all previous degrees
  • Three letters of recommendation (preferably from recent instructors)
  • A writing sample solely authored by the applicant that has been preferably composed within the last two to three years. The sample should relate to a contemporary issue affecting the aviation industry. Submissions should be formatted using APA style, be between 2,000-3,000 words and include an abstract of fewer than 200 words.
  • Curriculum vitae/résumé
  • Professional goal statement

Requirements for International Students

All admission policies and requirements for domestic students apply to international students along with the following:

  • Demonstration of English Language Proficiency
  • Proof of financial support, including:
    • A letter of financial support from the person(s) or sponsoring agency funding the time at Saint Louis University
    • A letter from the sponsor's bank verifying that the funds are available and will be so for the duration of study at the University
  • Academic records, in English translation, of students who have undertaken postsecondary studies outside the United States must include the courses taken and/or lectures attended, practical laboratory work, the maximum and minimum grades attainable, the grades earned or the results of all end-of-term examinations and any honors or degrees received. WES and ECE transcripts are accepted.

Application and Assistantship Deadlines

The department only reviews applications for the fall semester. To be considered for enrollment, submit application materials by May 31.

Admitted students who want to be considered for an assistantship must submit a separate application for assistantship consideration by March 1.

Review Process

Once the online application is complete and all the materials are received, the application is reviewed by the School of Science and Engineering's Office of Graduate Education and Research before being sent to the Department of Aviation Science for a recommendation. The final decision is made by the college's associate dean for graduate education.

Admissions decisions are made based on the background and educational experience of students. Applications are reviewed when completed, and decisions are generally made within a few weeks.

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Tuition

Tuition Cost Per Credit
Graduate Tuition $1,310

Additional charges may apply. Other resources are listed below:

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Information on Tuition and Fees

Miscellaneous Fees

Information on Summer Tuition

Scholarships and Financial Aid

The School of Science and Engineering offers graduate fellowship awards and assistantships each year. Assistantships provide tuition, stipend and health insurance. There are also many opportunities for students to receive funding through external research grants that are managed by individual faculty.

For more information, visit the student financial services office online at www.slu.edu/financial-aid.

  1. Graduates will be able to assess relevant literature or scholarly contributions in the field(s) of study.
  2. Graduates will be able to apply the major practices, theories or research methodologies in the field(s) of study.
  3. Graduates will be able to apply knowledge from the field(s) of study to address problems in broader contexts.
  4. Graduates will be able to articulate arguments or explanations to both a disciplinary or professional audience and to a general audience, in both oral and written forms.
  5. Graduates will be able to evidence of scholarly and/or professional integrity in the field of study.

SLU's M.S. in aviation requires a minimum of 30 credits of graduate coursework--6 credits with the Aviation Research attribute and 24 credits with the Aviation Foundation attribute--beyond a bachelor’s degree. The M.S. in aviation is a fully online, non-thesis, course-only degree.

Students are required to take a final comprehensive oral examination during their final academic term. Students who completed an undergraduate aeronautics degree from SLU may use up to 6 credits of graduate coursework (5000 level and above) to count towards both the B.S. and M.S. degrees.

Please note: the courses in the Master of Science in Aviation curriculum are taught in an entirely online format.

Non-Course Requirement

All students must complete an exit survey with their department during their final semester.

Continuation Standards

Students must maintain a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.00 in all graduate/professional courses.

Aviation Research attributed courses 

ASCI 5010Introduction to Aviation Research Methods3
ASCI 5020Aviation Safety Data Analysis3
ASCI 5460Qualitative Data Analysis3
ASCI 5470Quantitative Data Analysis3
AA 5221Applied Analytics & Methods I3
EDR 5100Intro to Inferential Stats: Ed3
EDR 6100 Intermediate Applied Statistics for Education3
ORES 5100Research Methods in Health & Medicine3
PSY 6500Applied Multivariable and Multivariate Statistics in Behavioral Science3
SOC 5750Qualitative Analysis, Grounded Theory Method3
SOC 5800Survey Design & Sampling3

Aviation Foundation attributed courses

ASCI 5030Aviation Security Management3
ASCI 5040Human Factors in Aviation Safety3
ASCI 5150Aviation Incident and Accident Analysis3
ASCI 5210Aviation Organization Theory and Management3
ASCI 5220Aviation Safety Programs3
ASCI 5230Prof Ethics and Standards3
ASCI 6010Federal & International Regs3
ASCI 6020Flight Op's Business & Admin3
ASCI 6030Aviation and Public Policy3
ASCI 6070Aviation Training Methods3

Roadmaps are recommended semester-by-semester plans of study for programs and assume full-time enrollment unless otherwise noted.  

Courses and milestones designated as critical (marked with !) must be completed in the semester listed to ensure a timely graduation. Transfer credit may change the roadmap.

This roadmap should not be used in the place of regular academic advising appointments. All students are encouraged to meet with their advisor/mentor each semester. Requirements, course availability and sequencing are subject to change.

Plan of Study Grid
Year One
FallCredits
ASCI 5010 Introduction to Aviation Research Methods 1 3
ASCI 5220 Aviation Safety Programs 2 3
 Credits6
Spring
AA 5221 Applied Analytics & Methods I 1 3
ASCI 5030 Aviation Security Management 2 3
 Credits6
Year Two
Fall
ASCI 5040 Human Factors in Aviation Safety 2 3
ASCI 5210 Aviation Organization Theory and Management 2 3
 Credits6
Spring
ASCI 6070 Aviation Training Methods 2 3
 Credits3
Year Three
Fall
ASCI 5150 Aviation Incident and Accident Analysis 2 3
ASCI 5230 Prof Ethics and Standards 2 3
 Credits6
Spring
ASCI 6030 Aviation and Public Policy 2 3
M.S. Comprehensive Examination  
 Credits3
 Total Credits30
1

Aviation Research - 6 Credit Hours

2

Aviation Foundation - 24 Hours

Program Notes

  • All coursework is offered online.
  • The program is a 30-credit hour, course-only program.
  • A comprehensive examination at the end of coursework is a graduation requirement.

For more information about any School of Science and Engineering graduate program, please email ssegrad@slu.edu.