Online Bachelor of Science in Professional Flight

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Program at a Glance

Focus on the core concepts and skills of aviation and the industry.
Take convenient online courses in aviation and general education.
Earn the aviation licenses and ratings you need to advance.
Complete flight hours with a Purdue Global-approved flight school, if needed.

Upcoming Start Dates

Course Effort

15–18 Hours per Week

Course Length

10-Week Terms

Average Completion

4 years

Of Full-Time Study

Credits Required

180

(120 Semester Credits)

Cost per Credit

$371

Overview of Bachelor of Science in Professional Flight

Are you ready to become a professional pilot or flight instructor? Take the first step and earn an online aviation degree at Purdue Global.*

You’ll gain a broad perspective of the aviation industry from understanding your aircraft to managing aviation operations. All of your degree’s required courses in aviation and general education are 100% online, giving you flexibility to balance your studies and flight training with your life.

Designed by Purdue Aviation Experts

The bachelor’s degree plan of study, curriculum, and courses have been developed in collaboration with Purdue’s legendary School of Aviation and Transportation Technology, whose renowned alumni have been part of every major achievement in aviation and aeronautics for more than 100 years.

Upon completion of the Bachelor of Science in Professional Flight, you will have earned industry certifications, including^†:

Instrument Rating Certification
Commercial Pilot Flight Certification
Flight Instructor Flight Certification (CFI)
Multiengine Flight Certification (ME)

You must be a high school graduate or possess a General Education Development (GED) certificate or other equivalency diploma. In addition, you must provide proof for evaluation and approval by the dean or designee of either: a minimum of a commercial pilot certificate with airplane single-engine and multiengine ratings and a flight instructor certificate, or completion of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) requirement for a Private Pilot Flight Certificate and acceptance and simultaneous enrollment at a Purdue-Global-approved flight training partner.* Refer to the University Catalog for additional requirements or speak to an Advisor to learn more.

View the University Catalog

Career Opportunities

Once you complete flight school training in term 8, you’ll be qualified to work as a flight instructor while still pursuing your goal to become a commercial pilot. Networking with aviation professionals along the way can help you achieve your career goals.

Job titles associated with the Bachelor of Science in Professional Flight include^‡:

Flight instructor
Commercial pilot

Student Handbook

Download the Bachelor of Science in Professional Flight Student Handbook to learn more about the program and get answers to frequently asked questions.

View the Handbook

Ways to Save

The bachelor's in professional flight program tuition does not include University fees and associated program and practica fees.^§ View the total cost of attendance for your program. Contact an Admissions Advisor for more information.

Transfer Credits

Earn credit for prior coursework completed at eligible institutions, including community colleges.

Save Time and Money on Your Degree
Financial Aid

Title IV federal financial aid is available for many of our degree programs.

Financial Aid FAQ
Grants

Learn about federal financial grants and loan programs that may be available.

Federal and State Grants
Military Tuition Reduction

55% reduction per credit for current servicemembers, 38% per credit for veterans for undergraduate programs.

Tuition Savings for Military

In the bachelor's degree in professional flight, you'll learn from experienced professionals who bring real-world knowledge to the courses they teach. See All Aviation Courses

Sample Courses

Aviation Operations Management
Advanced Aviation Meteorology
Human Factors in Aviation
Flight Instructor Lectures
Multiengine Flight

Program Requirements

Core Credits
45
Major Credits
105
Elective Credits
10
Training/Certification Credits
20
Total Credits
180

Flight Training Experience Options

If you've already earned your commercial pilot certificate with airplane single- and multiengine ratings and a flight instructor certificate, you’ll be awarded all 45 flight training and certification credits—saving you time and money.

If you haven't earned these qualifications yet, you’ll need to enroll in a Purdue Global-approved flight partner school.

The School of Aviation leadership team created specific criteria to ensure our approved flight partners meet the industry's gold standard. Described below are two types of partners. Students have the option of choosing the one within their geographic area that benefits them the most.

The flight partners' curriculum is VA approved, and most are Part 141 approved. Our partners' flight training includes private pilot, instrument, commercial, multiengine, and certified flight instructor. In addition, employees, members, and students of either partner—which has an Education Alliance Agreement on file—will receive a tuition discount.

Alliance partners' flight training offers an accelerated pathway because students are not required to complete the flight training labs and flight lecture courses at Purdue Global. A student will receive 45 transfer credits upon completing private pilot certificate, instrument rating, commercial pilot certificate, multiengine rating, and certified flight instructor certificate and obtaining the associated FAA certificates and ratings. Under this type of partnership, students will pay tuition and course fees directly to Purdue Global and pay flight training fees directly to the alliance partner.

Midwest Region
- American Flight Schools: Kearney, NE—Nebraska Flight School, Kearney Regional Airport (KEAR)
- AV8 Flight School: Eden Prairie, MN—Flying Cloud Airport (KFCM)
- Eagle Aircraft: Valparaiso, IN—Porter County Regional Airport (KVPZ)
- Elevation Air: Janesville, WI—Southern Wisconsin Regional Airport (KJVL)
- Flex Air: Manhattan, KS—Manhattan Regional Airport (KMHK)
- Ignite Flight Academy: Lincoln, NE—Lincoln Airport (KLNK)
- Inflight Pilot Training: Eden Prairie, MN—Flying Cloud Airport (KFCM)
- JA Flight Training: Chicago, IL—Aurora Municipal Airport (KARR)
- Jet Access:
- Kilo Charlie Aviation: Kansas City, KS—New Century Air Center (KIXD)
- LIFT Academy: Indianapolis, IN—Indianapolis International Airport (KIND)
- Pray Aviation: Augusta, KS—Augusta Municipal Airport (K3AU)
- Pilotsmith:
Northeast Region
- Academy of Aviation:
- Fly Legacy Aviation: Philadelphia, PA—Northeast Philadelphia Airport (KPNE)
- Long Island Aviators: Farmingdale, NY—Republic Airport (KFRG)
- Premier Flight Center: Hartford, CT—Hartford–Brainard Airport (KHFD)
- US Aviation Academy: Wappingers Falls, NY—Hudson Valley Regional Airport (KPOU)
Southeast Region
- Academy of Aviation:
- Aviation Adventures:
- Aviation Zone Academy: Miami, FL—Miami Executive Airport (KTMB)
- Blue Line Aviation: Smithfield, NC—Johnston Regional Airport (KJNX)
- Craft Flight Training & Simulation:
- CTI Professional Flight Training:
- D2 Flight School: New Bern, NC—Coastal Carolina Regional Airport (KEWN)
- Flight Training Professionals: Orlando, FL—Orlando Executive Airport (KORL)
- FLYT Aviation: Peachtree City, GA—Atlanta Regional Airport, Falcon Field (KFFC)
- GoFly Academy: Opa–Locka, FL—Miami–Opa Locka Executive Airport (OPF)
- Jet Access: Punta Gorda, FL—Punta Gorda Airport (PGD)
- L3Harris Flight Academy: Sanford, FL—Orlando Sanford International Airport (KSFB)
- Legends Aviation Academy: Lakeland, FL—Lakeland Linder International Airport (KLAL)
- LIFT Academy: Myrtle Beach, SC—Myrtle Beach International Airport (MYR)
- Melbourne Flight Training: Melbourne, FL—Melbourne Orlando International Airport (KMLB)
- Naples Air Center: Naples, FL—Naples Airport (KAPF)
- Paragon Flight Training: Fort Myers, FL—Page Field (KFMY)
- Phoenix East Aviation: Daytona Beach, FL—Daytona Beach International Airport (KDAB)
- Savannah Aviation: Savannah, GA—Savannah / Hilton Head International Airport (KSAV)
- Skyborne Airline Academy: Vero Beach, FL—Vero Beach Regional Airport (KVRB)
- SkyWarrior: Pensacola, FL—Pensacola International Airport (KPNS)
- Superior Flight School: Kennesaw, GA—Cobb County International Airport (KRYY)
- Tampa Bay Aviation:
- U.S AeroFlight: Greenville, SC—Greenville Downtown Airport (KGMU)
Southwest Region
- AeroGuard Flight Training Center:
- Sierra Charlie Aviation:
- Sky Safety Flight Academy: San Antonio, TX—Stinson–Mission Municipal Airport (KSSF)
- Thrust Flight:
- US Aviation Academy: Conroe, TX—Houston Flight School, Conroe–North Houston Regional Airport (KCXO)
West Region
- American Flight Schools:
- Chennault Flying Service: Las Vegas, NV—North Las Vegas Airport (KVGT)
- FLT Academy:
- Hillsboro Aero Academy:
- Leading Edge Flight Training: Loveland, CO-Northern Colorado Regional Airport (KFNL)
- Pacific Flight Academy: Honolulu, HI—Honolulu International Airport (HNL)
- Ridgeline Aviation:

Affiliates’ flight training is closely aligned with Purdue Global’s flight training labs and lecture courses within the BS in Professional Flight. As students complete their flight training with our affiliate partner, they will simultaneously complete Purdue Global’s flight training lab. The flight training lecture course can be completed concurrently or within one term. Under this type of partnership, students will pay tuition, course fees, and flight training fees directly to Purdue Global. Purdue Global will reimburse the affiliate partner for the flight training fees. Visit the aviation degree tuition and fees page for details of affiliate partner flight training fees.

Midwest Region
- Lunken Flight Training Center: Cincinnati, OH—Lunken Airport (KLUK)
Southeast Region
- New Orleans Aerial Tours and Flight Training: New Orleans, LA—Lakefront Airport (KNEW)
- Sterling Flight Training: Jacksonville, FL—Jacksonville Executive at Craig Airport (KCRG)
Southwest Region
- AeroGuard Flight Training Center:
  - Chandler, AZ—Chandler Municipal Airport (KCHD)
  - Georgetown, TX—Georgetown Municipal Airport (KGTU)
  - Phoenix, AZ—Deer Valley Airport (KDVT)

Disciplinary knowledge and skills: Discuss the major areas of professional flight, including but not limited to, the evolution of aircraft, commercial air transportation, airspace management, and regulatory oversight bodies.
Publication and analysis: Synthesize current publications in aviation operations including, but not limited to, finance decisions, aircraft maintenance, and meteorology.
Critical-thinking and problem-solving: Analyze principles, concepts, safety, and/or issues in aviation to work effectively in the field.
Leadership and teamwork: Apply leadership and teamwork practices as they relate to the aviation industry nationally as well as internationally.
Professionalism and ethics: Examine aviation as a profession including careers, certifications, professional ethical behavior, and communication.

Communication skills: Learn how to speak clearly and effectively with air traffic controllers and crew members and how to listen carefully to instructions.
Observational skills: Practice maintaining situational awareness, identify distances between objects, discern colors, and monitor cockpit instruments.
Problem-solving skills: Learn to assess situations and find solutions for sudden in-flight changes or challenges, such as air traffic deviations or adverse weather.
Quick reaction skills: Develop rapid responses to a wide range of potential dangers in the air or on the ground, using sound judgment to take action.

Purdue Global Is Accredited by the Higher Learning Commission

The HLC (HLCommission.org) is an institutional accreditation agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

Program Flyer

Download our flyer to learn more about the Bachelor of Science in Professional Flight and the benefits of earning your degree at Purdue Global.

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NOTES AND CONDITIONS

^*Bachelor of Science in Professional Flight Admissions Requirements: Students are required to submit a first-class medical clearance and proof of citizenship through a Purdue Global flight training affiliate partner prior to enrollment at Purdue Global. International (non-U.S. citizen) students who wish to enroll must complete a TSA clearance check and obtain an M-1 Visa through AeroGuard Flight Training Center, Lunken Flight Training Center, New Orleans Aerial Tours and Flight Training, or Sterling Flight Training. Students must hold a Private Pilot certificate prior to enrollment.

^†Certification Exams: Students are responsible for understanding the requirements of certification exams. The University cannot guarantee students will be eligible to sit for or pass exams. In some cases, work experience, additional coursework beyond the Purdue Global program, fieldwork, and/or background checks may be necessary to be eligible to take or to successfully pass the exams. You must pass additional exams offered by independent certification agencies to become certified in this field. For more information, consult an Admissions Advisor.

^‡Employment and Career Advancement: Purdue Global does not guarantee employment placement or career advancement. Actual outcomes vary by geographic area, previous work experience and opportunities for employment.

^§Tuition and Fees: Flight time and training are not eligible for federal financial aid and will be at your expense. Refer to the program’s tuition and fees for details.

^#Credit for Prior Learning: Purdue Global does not guarantee transferability of credit. See the University Catalog for the Prior Learning policy.

Online Bachelor of Science in Professional Flight

Program at a Glance

Overview of Bachelor of Science in Professional Flight

Designed by Purdue Aviation Experts

Flight Certification

Admission Requirements

Career Opportunities

Student Handbook

Ways to Save

What Courses Will I Take?

Program Requirements

Flight Training Experience Options

Alliance Partners for Flight Training

Affiliate Partners for Flight Training

Program Outcomes and Skills

Outcomes

Skills

Purdue Global Is Accredited by the Higher Learning Commission

Program Flyer