Master of Science in Aviation–Airport Development and Management
The Master of Science in Aviation (MSA) is designed to help meet the professional growth needs of persons interested in a wide range of aviation careers.
The degree is especially relevant for those who have earned baccalaureate degrees in aviation and those who have worked in the aviation field and now require more specialized knowledge. Generally, persons interested in careers in airport or airline management, airport consulting and governmental organizations involved in the management or regulation of airports should select the airport development and management program. Persons interested in aviation safety, accident investigation, technical aviation consulting and educational, regulatory or investigative positions in government or trade organizations would find the applied aviation safety program most appropriate.
Admission Requirements
The applicant to the Master of Science in Aviation – Airport Development and Management program must have earned a bachelor’s degree, or its equivalent, from an institution of acceptable academic standing. To be considered for admission, the student’s academic and professional record must indicate a high probability the applicant will be able to pursue graduate work satisfactorily. Undergraduate degrees need not be in aviation; however, preparatory coursework may be required in specific areas to assure successful pursuit of the MSA. Such coursework is determined by the College of Aeronautics before admission. The student is advised of any such requirements before final acceptance.
General admission requirements and the process for applying are presented in the Academic Overview section of the university catalog.
Degree Requirements
The Master of Science in Aviation – Airport Development and Management is conferred on students completing the selected degree requirements as specified below.
Curriculum
Students have the option of either a thesis (33 credit hours) program of study, or a nonthesis (36 credit hours) program of study with a management or development emphasis.
| Summary of Program Requirements | CREDITS | |
| Core Requirements | 27 | |
| Thesis (maximum) | 6 | |
| Nonthesis (including 6 credit hours of restricted electives) | 9 | |
| TOTAL CREDITS REQUIRED (Thesis) | 33 | |
| TOTAL CREDITS REQUIRED (Nonthesis) | 36 | |
| Core Requirements | ||
| AVM 5101 | Legal and Ethical Issues in Aviation | 3 |
| AVM 5102 | Airport Development | 3 |
| AVM 5103 | Airport Operations | 3 |
| Restricted Elective (upper-level statistics course) |
3 | |
| Additional coursework |
15 | |
| TOTAL CORE REQUIREMENTS |
27 | |
| Thesis | ||
| Core Requirements | 27 | |
| AVM 5999 | Thesis (maximum) | 6 |
| TOTAL CREDITS REQUIRED (Thesis) | 33 | |
| Nonthesis | ||
| Core Requirements | 27 | |
| AVM 5998 | Advanced Aviaiton Research Project (final semester) | 3 |
| Restricted Electives (Development or Management) | 6 | |
| TOTAL CREDITS REQUIRED (Nonthesis) | 36 | |
Typical Nonthesis Graduate Program Plan
| Development Emphasis | CREDITS | |
| AVM 4204 | CAD for Airiort Environments | 3 |
| AVM 5101 | Legal and Ethical Issues in Aviation | 3 |
| AVM 5102 | Airport Development | 3 |
| AVM 5103 | Airport Operations | 3 |
| AVM 5104 | Aviation Economics and Fiscal Management | 3 |
| AVM 5199 | Advanced Aviation Management Internship |
3 |
| AVM 5998 | Advanced Aviation Research Project (final semester) |
3 |
| BUS 5411 | Statistical Methods for Business | 3 |
| BUS 5461 |
Production and Operations Management |
3 |
| CVE 5040 |
Urban Planning | 3 |
| CVE 5072 |
Construction Contracts, Law and Specifications |
3 |
| CVE 5073 | Construction Cost Engineering | 3 |
| Management Emphasis | ||
| AVM 5101 | Legal and Ethical Issues in Aviaiton | 3 |
| AVM 5102 | Airport Development | 3 |
| AVM 5103 | Airport Operations | 3 |
| AVM 5104 | Aviation Economics and Fiscal Management | 3 |
| AVM 5199 | Advanced Aviation Management Internship | 3 |
| AVM 5998 | Advanced Aviation Research Project (final semester) | 3 |
| AVS 5206 | Aviation Security | |
| BUS 5411 | Statistical Methods for Business | 3 |
| BUS 5421 | Managerial Economics | 3 |
| BUS 5440 | Financial Management | 3 |
| BUS 5455 | Personnel Management | 3 |
| COM 5000 | Introduction to Technical and Professional Communication | 3 |