College of Aeronautics and Engineering
School of Aeronautics
www.kent.edu/aeronautics

About This Program

Ready to train as a professional pilot with a program built on precision and performance? The Professional Pilot program combines FAA-approved coursework with advanced flight training in Kent State’s university-owned fleet and integrated simulators, preparing students for careers in commercial, corporate, military and specialized aviation operations. Read more...

Contact Information

• cae@kent.edu | 330-672-2892
• Speak with an Advisor
• Chat with an Admissions Counselor

Program Delivery

• Delivery:
  • In person
• Location:
  • Kent Campus

Examples of Possible Careers and Salaries*

Additional careers

• Aerial applicator/aerial crop duster/agriculture pilots
• Aerial hurricane hunters
• Air force pilots
• Air tour pilots
• Airline and commercial pilots
• Airline transport pilots
• Charter/private airline pilots
• Federal law enforcement pilots
• Fixed wing air ambulance captains - Emergency Medical Services (EMS)
• Flight dispatchers (with training/certification)
• Flight instructors

Accreditation

The B.S. degree in Professional Pilot is accredited by the Aviation Accreditation Board International, Federal Aviation Administration.

^{* Source of occupation titles and labor data comes from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics' Occupational Outlook Handbook. Data comprises projected percent change in employment over the next 10 years; nation-wide employment numbers; and the yearly median wage at which half of the workers in the occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less.}

Admission Requirements

The university affirmatively strives to provide educational opportunities and access to students with varied backgrounds, those with special talents and adult students who graduated from high school three or more years ago.

Admission to the Professional Pilot major is selective.

All students must complete a pre-admission evaluation to be considered for admission. Students applying to the Professional Pilot major and receiving admission to Kent State University will be placed into the Aeronautical Studies major, allowing students to begin any scholarship or financial aid applications while waiting for the final decision regarding the Professional Pilot major. Please see the College of Aeronautics and Engineering for additional information.

Transfer students must have a minimum 2.500 overall GPA in all college-level coursework to be considered for admission to the Professional Pilot major.

International Students: All international students must provide proof of proficiency of the English language (unless they meet specific exceptions) through the submission of an English language proficiency test score or by completing English language classes at Kent State’s English as a Second Language Center before entering their program. For more information, visit the admissions website for international students.

Flight Training Courses: Transfer students and students admitted to the Professional Pilot major with credits completed through College Credit Plus or other means may be allowed to enroll in flight training courses only with special permission.

Program Requirements

Major Requirements

¹

A minimum C grade must be earned to fulfill the writing-intensive requirement.

²

Students scoring 34 or below on the ALEKS math assessment are required to enroll in CAE 12260 until they successfully complete MATH 00022.

³

If students complete the American Civic Literacy requirement by taking HIST 12061, the course will apply to the Kent Core Humanities category. If they complete it with POL 10101, the course will apply to the Kent Core Social Sciences category.

Progression Requirements

Successful completion of the Professional Pilot major is an achievable goal for students who stay on track with the program's structured progression. The college support students in maintaining academic standing, obtaining and retaining appropriate medical clearance and successfully meeting course requirements. While challenges may arise, students are encouraged to use available resources and support systems to address them.

Flight Training Ground and Theory Courses

Students must pass all required flight training and associated flight theory courses with a minimum C grade and maintain a minimum 2.500 overall GPA. These courses may not be repeated without special approval.

Beyond AERN 15751, all students are required to maintain a minimum 2.500 overall GPA to continue in flight courses. Students must complete all flight courses by the end of the semester following the semester in which they enrolled (e.g., a student who enrolls in a flight course in the fall must complete the course no later than the end of the following spring semester). This requirement is subject to waiver by the chief flight instructor assigned to the flight course. In the absence of an authorized waiver, students who fail to complete any flight course by the end of the subsequent semester after course enrollment will receive the F grade. Flight fees will be refunded in accordance with the university policy regarding tuition credit for dropped courses.

Students must complete the commercial certificate and instrument rating at Kent State to be eligible for the FAA's R-ATP certificate.

Medical Requirements

Pilot certification dictates that certain medical standards be met. As such, all students are required to obtain and maintain FAA medical certification for program eligibility. While it is encouraged for all students to obtain first-class medical certification, all students starting in the Private Pilot Flight courses are required to obtain a minimum third-class medical certification. All flight courses beyond Private Pilot Flight require a minimum second-class medical certification.

Students admitted to the Professional Pilot major must have a medical in hand (minimum third class) before the start of their first flight course, but no later than the end of their first semester. If the medical is deferred (in progress by the FAA), students will have two full semesters to obtain the medical from the initial date their medical was deferred.

Continuing students who have their medical certificate deferred, suspended or revoked will be placed in a medical probationary status and have two full semesters to re-obtain medical clearance. If their medical clearance is not obtained by the end of the second semester, they must change their program to the Aeronautical Studies major.

Progression Ineligibility

A minimum 2.500 major GPA and overall 2.500 GPA is required for the Professional Pilot major. Students who fall below the minimum GPA will have two semesters to raise their GPA to the required minimum level.

Students may become ineligible to continue in the Professional Pilot major and be advised to change their program to the Aeronautical Studies major if any of the following occur:

1. Failure to to raise their major and/or overall GPA to the minimum required;
2. Failure to obtain or retain an appropriate level of medical clearance;
3. Failure of either an FAA-regulated flight theory course or a flight course; and/or
4. Failure to comply with Kent State Code of Student Conduct, Federal Aviation Regulations and policies outlined in the Kent State University Flight Operations Manual.

Graduation Requirements

• Flight courses may be repeated once with permission.

Roadmap

This roadmap is a recommended semester-by-semester plan of study for this program. Students will work with their advisor to develop a sequence based on their academic goals and history. Courses designated as critical (!) must be completed in the semester listed to ensure a timely graduation.

University Requirements

All students in a bachelor's degree program at Kent State University must complete the following university requirements for graduation.

NOTE: University requirements may be fulfilled in this program by specific course requirements. Please see Program Requirements for details.

Kent Core Requirements

Program Learning Outcomes

Graduates of this program will be able to:

1. Demonstrate the knowledge, skills and techniques required to safely operate in single-pilot or multi-crew aircraft operations under FAR Parts 121, 135, 91K and other commercial aviation operations.
2. Analyze available information and problem solve as part of an aircrew, with respect to aircraft operation, airline operations, physiology, safety and emergency or challenging situations.
3. Demonstrate the skills of an aviation professional, make ethical decisions and correlate aviation business principles to operations.
4. Demonstrate instructional level knowledge and skills in application to single-engine and multi-engine flight, Visual Flight Rules (VFR) or Instrument Flight Rules (IFR).

The educational goals of the program are the following:

1. Exhibit the qualities of excellence, integrity, leadership, management and professionalism within their area of professional specialization in aviation.
2. Demonstrate a professional commitment to safety and contribute to the safety culture within their area of professional specialization in aviation.
3. Demonstrate the ability to improve aerospace for generations to come through experiential learning, creativity and innovation within their area of professional specialization in aviation.
4. Manifest the college’s core values in the areas of collaboration, compassion, inclusiveness, innovation, integrity, respect and perseverance within their area of professional specialization in aviation.

Full Description

The Bachelor of Science degree in Professional Pilot is designed for students who aspire to become professional pilots. This program stresses subjects associated with flight systems, propulsion, structures and electronics. Students entering this program should have a strong desire for excellence in aviation, as well as the flying skills required of a professional pilot.

The mission of the Professional Pilot major is to prepare students to be professional pilots and enable them to obtain Federal Aviation Administration certificates and ratings required for giving flight and ground instruction and commercial and instrument operations in federally regulated commercial aviation operations.