LATROBE, PA – Building on the success of Saint Vincent College’s Bachelor of Science in Aviation Management – Professional Pilot, the institution is now offering an aviation management minor for students interested in earning a private pilot license while earning college credits.
Housed in the Alex G. McKenna School of Business, Economics and Government, the Aviation Management – Private Pilot minor will appeal to students who want to study piloting at the collegiate level but do not wish to fit in all the requirements of a commercial license during their four years at the College.
Instead, this approach allows students to study for a private license over four years. They can then pursue a commercial license following their undergraduate studies without delaying their graduation.
This will also help entice students who may not want to take all the courses in the business core to study aviation at Saint Vincent.
“This new minor helps us to expand our aviation programs,” said Dr. Michael Urick, C’04, dean of the McKenna School. “We launched this primarily because we believe this minor will benefit our current and future students interested in flight who might not want to pursue the full aviation management major. We believe that it is an innovative program that provides students with an additional option to help them craft their own unique educational experience.”
During the recent reaffirmation of accreditation, the Middle States Commission on Higher Education commended the College for its implementation of new programs such as the Bachelor of Science in Nursing, the Direct Entry – Master of Science in Nursing and the Bachelor of Science in Aviation Management – Professional Pilot. The minor responds to that positive comment by further building on the success of the aviation management major.
The new minor could help alleviate a projected pilot shortage in the next few years for those students who continue with their commercial license following graduation. It also may create additional traffic at the nearby Arnold Palmer Regional Airport, which could benefit area businesses and the local economy.
