Aviation Management

The Bachelor of Science in Aviation Management prepares students for a career in any aspect of business, leadership and managerial roles in the aviation industry.  Students have the opportunity to explore and learn the management and operation of domestic and international airlines, modern airports, corporate aviation, and fixed-base operators (FBO's). 

What You Will Learn

• Demonstrate the impact of aviation, technology, and business sustainability in a global and societal context.
• Apply the techniques, skills, and modern aviation management tools to perform business related tasks.
• Function on a multi-disciplinary and diverse management team which includes technical and management issues.
• Utilize mathematics, science and/or applied science to ensure safe and efficient operations.
• Accurately analyze and interpret data to solve a variety of complex problems.
• Recognize and apply ethical and professional excellence for responsible decision-making.
• Communicate effectively with precision and clarity within aviation and related industries.
• Engage in and recognize the need for life-long learning.

A University of Dubuque degree in aviation management prepares students for a career in nearly every aspect of business and management within the aviation industry. Designed with a strong aviation and business core, students will gain an understanding of the various branches of business within the industry from airports, FBO’s, airlines, corporate flight departments, and everywhere in between.

Sample Aviation Management Curriculum

Schedule a visit today! Tour the University campus and Flight Operations Center at the Dubuque Regional Airport. Speak with our professors about career paths in aviation and meet our friendly staff. We can't wait to share our passion for aviation.

Program Assessment

The Aviation Department uses an annual (Academic Year) process to look formally at an outcome or set of outcomes. Plans are developed in August, lead faculty for each outcome are assigned, interim reviews are conducted in January, draft reports are due in June, and final reports are due no later than October.

We collect signature data from a minimum of one course per learning outcome. The Aviation Department uses external and internal assessments to identify areas of weakness and where possible areas of interest. When shortcomings are determined, plans are developed and resources are gathered to address these issues.

Minutes are the primary set of evidence indicating future actions. Formal assessments result in plans to address shortcomings as well as to take no action when the process provides validation.

The following departments and committees participate in assessment of outcomes. Identified program recommendations are followed up with syllabi changes, course flow adjustments, and program development to address short comings.

• The Curriculum Committee and Core Committee
• Assessment Committee

AABI 3.4.2 Comprehensive Self-Analysis

AABI 3.4.2 Compliance - Aviation Management

Graduation Rates

Graduate Rates and Types of Employment

What Our Students Do

The University of Dubuque Aviation Management Program allows students the opportunity to explore and learn the management and operation of both domestic and international airlines, modern airports, corporate aviation, and fixed-base operators (FBO’s).  Students receive opportunities to get out of the classroom and get hands-on experience in each of these various areas. Additionally, class trips to places such as United Airlines in Chicago, John Deere and Elliott Aviation in Moline, and several different airports enhance the learning expereince. 

Where Our Graduates Go

University of Dubuque Aviation Management graduates go all directions. Recent graduates of the University of Dubuque Aviation Management Program have found careers in air traffic control at the Chicago Air Route Traffic Control Center (ARTCC), the corporate offices of Republic Airlines, various branches of the military, American Airlines, O’Hare Airport, and many other places. 

News from the Department

University of Dubuque's Spring Aviation Career Days will be held May 2-3, 2019. We begin with a career fair in the Iowa Hangar at the Dubuque Regional Airport on Thursday from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and finish with interviews on Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on campus in the Center for Advising and Vocation.  

The University of Dubuque is striving to bring the best education and flight training available. The University of Dubuque has recently purchased 11 new Cessna 172SP aircraft. This means that UD’s entire fleet of Cessnas will consist of 2014 or newer model aircraft and all have the latest in glass cockpit technology, utilizing the Garmin G-1000 Avionics system. 

Careers in Aviation Management

Aviation is a profession filled with limitless personal and professional reward; where the sky is not the limit when it comes to the type of careers students can pursue in the industry. The University of Dubuque’s aviation management graduates can choose from a vast array of areas when they begin their careers. UD’s aviation management students have gone on to work in the area of operations, finance, IT and a number of other opportunities at airports, airlines, air traffic control facilities, and fixed based operations (FBOs). 

Bachelor of Science Opportunities

An aviation student with a bachelor of science in aviation management is prepared to enter almost any position within flight management and flight operations within the aviation industry. The aviation department provides students with the professional skills that allow for success in all segments of the aviation industry while enhancing their critical thinking and decision making skills. Accordingly, an aviation student is well-qualified and comes with the experiences to enter most entry level positions within the aviation industry. 

Post-graduate Opportunities

The Aviation Program provides the educational and experiential base not only for entry-level management but also as a foundation to build a career through graduate level study in the aviation industry. The University of Dubuque Aviation Department encourages all of our graduates to strive for higher levels of experience and education, to advance the students capacity to enhance the quality of their education and experience in serving the aviation industry. Most of our graduates have gone on to complete advanced level training in flight operations, and for some this has included pursuing post-graduate degrees.