Aviation Management Requirements

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The Aviation Management major is designed to build upon technical training in aviation maintenance, flight, avionics technology, air traffic control, aircraft operations support, or other aviation-related fields. The technical training may be gained through Southern Illinois University Carbondale, other post-secondary institutions, proprietary schools, and military government agencies (international or domestic), or through government certified flight or maintenance training schools. To be considered for enrollment into the Aviation Management program, prospective students must first obtain admission to the University.

Before beginning 300-level Aviation Management coursework, all AVM students are expected to have an aviation-related background consisting of a prior aviation associate degree, a military aviation background, civil aviation background or similar. Students without an aviation background have specific curricular requirements necessary for them to become familiar with the complex aviation industry. If a prior aviation background is not acquired before admission, on campus students will be required to complete AVM 200 - Introduction to Aviation Management during their first semester, before taking any 300-level Aviation Management course. In addition, students without aviation experience are required to complete a minor in Airport Management and Planning, Aircraft Product Support, or Air Traffic Control.

A grade of C- or better is required for all Aviation Management Courses to satisfy the requirements for a major in Aviation Management.

An Aviation Management course can only be repeated once without prior authorization.

The Aviation Management accepts transfer credits from colleges, universities, and community colleges from around the nation to order to facilitate the transfer of aviation students to SIU. The course transfer agreements take full advantage of the Capstone Option for admission to the Bachelor of Science in Aviation Management. See below for additional information.

Students who major in aviation management have the opportunity to participate in a variety of aviation management-related internship and externship programs. These internship programs enrich an undergraduate student's academic experience by “extending the SIU campus” to aviation headquarters or business locations around the nation. Recent students have had internships and externships with all major airlines, regional airlines, airports, aviation consultants, and the NTSB and other federal, state, and local government agencies.

Graduates of the Aviation Management program obtain professional, technical, and management positions in aviation manufacturing, the airlines, general aviation, military aviation, and government agencies related to aviation.

The AVM off campus and online degree courses are delivered over a 16-month, four-semester period. The off-campus program will be delivered in a face-to-face off-campus environment where students will attend classes on alternating weekends as required by the established schedule. The online program is an asynchronous format utilizing learning management software. Both the off-campus and online programs are aligned with the 48-credit hour AVM course requirement established for on-campus students. Off-campus and online students will complete their university core curriculum (general education) courses at other accredited colleges or universities in the local area and transfer those credits in to SIUC. 

Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Aviation Management Degree Requirements

Degree RequirementsCredit Hours
University Core Curriculum Requirements 39
Requirements for Major in Aviation Management 48
Basic Core Requirements: 15 hours selected from the following as approved by the advisor: AVM 300, AVM 301, AVM 302 or AVM 349, AVM 304, AVM 305 15
Six hours selected from AVM 360 or AVM 361, AVM 373, AVM 450 6
Advanced Core Requirements: AVM 410, AVM 420, AVM 430, AVM 440 12
15 hours of additional advisor-approved, 300- or 400-level Aviation Management Courses or program approved electives 15
AVM Minor or Approved Career Electives 33
Total 120

Professional Pilot Specialization

The professional pilot specialization allows students who have completed the A.A.S. degree in Aviation Flight, or equivalent, at SIU to complete the required credit hours to be eligible for a 500 flight-hour reduction for the Restricted Airline Transport Pilot (R-ATP) certificate.

B.S. Aviation Management - Professional Pilot Specialization Degree Requirements

Degree RequirementsCredit Hours
A.A.S. degree in Aviation Flight 60
University Core Curriculum Requirements (Capstone) 18
Requirements for Major in Aviation Management 42
Core Requirements: AVM 300, AVM 301, AVM 302, AVM 304, AVM 305, AVM 373, AVM 420, AVM 430, or AVM 440 27
R-ATP Courses: AVM 360 or AVM 361, and AVM 410 6
Option 9
Certified Flight Instructor (CFI):
AF 300A, AF 300B, AF 303 5
AVM 374, AVM 378, or AVM 460 3
AF 311 1
OR
Executive Flight:
AF 220 or AF 305 2(3)
AVM 374, AVM 378 or AVM 460 6
AF 311 1
Total 120

Air Traffic Control Minor

The purpose of the Air Traffic Control (ATC) Minor is to prepare students for entry into the ATC career field. Students completing the minor will have the basic knowledge to enter the ATC discipline as air traffic controllers or other ATC related positions.

The ATC Minor requires a minimum of 13 semester hours of coursework: AF 205 - Instrument Theory (or FAA Instrument Rating), AF 211 - Aviation Weather I, AF 311 - Aviation Weather II, AVM 361 - Basic Air Traffic Control, AVM 362 - Advanced Air Traffic Control, AVM 460 - National Airspace System.

Aircraft Product Support Minor

The minor in Aircraft Product Support is a multi-disciplinary minor offered by the Aviation Management and the Aviation Technologies Program. The purpose of this minor is to provide additional preparation for students who wish to enter the field of aircraft product support with aerospace manufacturers, suppliers, airlines, the military and related aviation/aerospace industry segments. The courses required to complete this minor include: AVM 301 or AVM 376, AVM 461, AVT 370, AVT 380, AVT 390, and one additional approved course from either Aviation Management or Aviation Technologies degree program. All prerequisites for these courses must be fulfilled prior to enrollment in each course. All students who wish to enroll in this minor must do so through either the Aviation Management advisor or the Aviation Technologies advisor. Aviation Management students must complete AVM 301 in their major. Aviation Technologies students must complete AVM 376 in their major.

Airport Management and Planning Minor

The purpose of this minor is to provide preparation for students who wish to enter the airport-related segment of the aviation industry. This minor requires a total of 15 semester hours of coursework: AVM 370, AVM 372, AVM 374, PADM 340, and one additional Aviation Management course at the 300- or 400-level. All course prerequisites must be completed prior to enrolling in each course. Students wishing to enter this minor must do so by contacting the Aviation Management advisor.

Capstone Option for Transfer Students

The SIU Capstone Option may be available to eligible students who have earned an associates degree or the equivalent. The Capstone Option reduces the University Core Curriculum requirements from 39 to 30 hours, therefore reducing the time to degree completion. The Capstone Option is available to both on-campus and extended campus students. See the Capstone Option section for more information on this option.