You can pursue all of the flight training and licensure requirements to become a pilot without a formal bachelor’s degree. However, the broader content and additional skills and training in Liberty University’s online aviation degree will better prepare you to take advantage of the opportunities in the field of aeronautics.

As an undergraduate student, you will also have access to sources of funding and support that can help reduce flight training costs and help you meet the requirements for your licenses. Liberty also has hiring agreements with many airlines and aviation organizations, providing you with many potential opportunities for a job right after graduation.

Liberty University is able to offer a Bachelor of Science in Aviation degree online because each aviation student must either come into the program as a licensed pilot or earn a pilot’s license through one of Liberty University’s approved Flight Training Affiliates (FTAs).*

• If you already have your pilot’s license, the bachelor’s level courses are available to you because you have already proven that you have the foundational skills you need to fly.
• If you do not have a pilot’s license, Liberty’s FTAs are conveniently located around the country, giving you the flexibility to complete the necessary flight hours for a pilot’s license while earning your aviation degree online at the same time.
• See the Aviation Scholarships page to see if you could be eligible for aviation training-related benefits!

The flight requirements for earning your aviation degree online can be fulfilled by submitting a copy of your pilot’s license to petition for credit through our Experience Plus program or opting to enroll at one of our Flight Training Affiliate locations.

*Military benefits from the Veterans Administration for flight courses are only accepted at the following locations at this time. VA benefits can be used for non-flight courses regardless of FTA location.

• American Winds Aviation – Akron, Ohio
• AMS Flight School – Milton, Florida
• AV8 – Eden Prairie, Minnesota
• Aviation Adventures (Leesburg) – Leesburg, VA
• Aviation Adventures (Manassas) – Manassas, VA
• Aviation Adventures (Stafford) – Fredericksburg, VA
• Aviation Adventures (Warrenton) – Midland, VA
• Aviation Adventures (Winchester) – Winchester, VA
• Chennault Flying Service DBA Elite Aviation VGT – North Las Vegas, Nev.

Our aviation program offers the unique opportunity to earn a maintenance management degree that’s flexible, affordable, and online. To enroll in this program, you must meet one of the following requirements:

•     Already possess a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)-approved mechanic certificate with Airframe and Powerplant (A&P) ratings
•     Earn a mechanic certification with A&P ratings at an FAA-approved maintenance school in your area while completing Liberty’s online aviation management courses

Our PhD in Aviation online can also help prepare you to pursue exciting new career options. You could go on to become an aviation researcher, regulations consultant, airport manager, FAA safety inspector, or even a professor!

Additionally, you’ll explore important methods of research and have the opportunity to develop your own scholarly findings through a dissertation – so you can contribute to the current body of knowledge in the field. Overall, the skills you develop in this program can help you stand out as a top-level leader in the field – whether you’re working directly in the industry or teaching at the college level!

• Liberty University’s School of Aeronautics is a 4-time recipient of the Loening Trophy — one of the rarest and oldest collegiate aviation awards — for being the nation’s most outstanding college aviation program.
• Through our flight credential tracks, you may have the opportunity to participate in the Restricted Airline Transport Pilot Program (R-ATP).

Our online degree programs offer students great benefits, including:

• We are recognized by multiple institutions for our academic quality, affordability, and accessibility. Our commitment to excellence also helped us rank in the top 10% of Niche.com’s best online schools in America. Earning your online degree from a nonprofit university with this kind of recognition can help set you apart from others in your field.
• The majority of tuition for undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral programs has not increased in 9 years. While many other online colleges have raised tuition, Liberty has been able to keep costs low as a nonprofit university. 
• Our aeronautics programs are offered in 8-week course formats, with 8 different start dates each year, and no set login times!