Online Bachelor's Degree in Professional Flight

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Earn Your Degree as Early as:
Admissions Requirements
Courses
Tuition Reductions
Career Outcomes
39
Total Courses
$371
Cost per Credit
3 years
Average Completion*
15–18 Hours/Week
Course Effort

Bachelor’s in Professional Flight Overview

Are you ready to become a professional pilot or flight instructor? It’s your time. Take the next step and earn your aviation degree online from Purdue Global.

  • Complete your nonflight aviation courses 100% online.
  • Earn the aviation licenses and ratings you need to advance. Already have them? Get the credit you deserve and earn up to 45 credits for industry certifications.
  • Enjoy access to our wide network of partnerships, including numerous aviation industry organizations and flight schools where you can complete flight hours, if needed.
  • Gain a broad perspective of the aviation industry from understanding your aircraft to managing aviation operations.

Flight Certification

Upon completion of the Bachelor of Science in Professional Flight, you will have also earned industry certifications through the FAA, including:

  • Instrument Rating Certification
  • Commercial Pilot Flight Certification
  • Flight Instructor Flight Certification (CFI)
  • Multiengine Flight Certification (ME)

Review College Scorecard data for this program.

See Program Degree Plan and Policies

See Notes and Conditions below for important information.

Designed by Purdue Aviation Experts

The plan of study, curriculum, and courses were developed in collaboration with Purdue’s School of Aviation and Transportation Technology, whose renowned alumni have been part of every major achievement in aviation and aeronautics for more than 100 years.

Purdue Global Is Accredited by the Higher Learning Commission

The HLC (HLCommission.org) is an institutional accreditation agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

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Admission Requirements

You must be a high school graduate or possess a General Education Development (GED) certificate or other equivalency diploma. In addition, you must provide proof for evaluation and approval by the dean or designee of either: a minimum of a commercial pilot certificate with airplane single-engine and multiengine ratings and a flight instructor certificate, or completion of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) requirement for a Private Pilot Flight Certificate and acceptance and simultaneous enrollment at a Purdue Global-approved flight training partner.

Refer to the University Catalog for additional requirements or speak to an Advisor to learn more.

View Admissions Requirements

See Notes and Conditions below for important information.

What Courses Will I Take?

In the bachelor's degree in professional flight, you'll learn from experienced professionals who bring real-world knowledge to the courses they teach.

Sample Courses

  • Aviation Operations Management
  • Aviation Safety Problems
  • Advanced Aviation Meteorology
  • Human Factors in Aviation
  • Advanced Flight Path Management
See All Aviation Courses

Program Requirements

9
Core Courses
26
Major Courses‡
4
Elective Courses
39
Total Courses
180
Total Quarter Credits

† Students in flight training who obtain their FAA certificates and ratings may be eligible for transfer credit for 11 courses.
1 semester credit hour = 1.5 quarter credit hours

Upcoming Start Dates

We offer multiple start dates to give you flexibility in your education, life, and work schedules.

Ways to Save on Time and Tuition

Purdue Global works with students to find ways to reduce costs and make education more accessible. Contact us to learn about opportunities to save on your educational costs.

Transfer Credits

Earn credit for prior coursework completed at eligible institutions, including community colleges.

Prior Work Experience Reduction

You could earn undergraduate credit for your life and professional career experiences.

Financial Aid

Learn about federal financial aid programs available for many of our degree programs.

Grants and Loans

Learn about federal and state grants and loan programs that may be available.

Corporate Partner Benefits

Employees of Purdue Global partner organizations may be eligible for special tuition reductions.

Military Tuition Reduction

Undergraduate tuition savings for military include a 55% reduction per credit for current servicemembers and 38% per credit for veterans.

Prior Military Experience

Earn credit for your military training. The average Purdue Global military student is awarded 54% of the credits needed for an associate's and 45% of the credits needed for a bachelor's.

View the total cost of attendance for your program.

Career Opportunities

Once you complete flight school training, you’ll be qualified to work as a full-time flight instructor while still pursuing your goal to become a commercial pilot. Networking with aviation professionals along the way can help you achieve your career goals.

See Notes and Conditions below for important information.

Job titles associated with the Bachelor of Science in Professional Flight include:

  • Flight instructor
  • Commercial pilot

Flight Training Experience Options

If you’ve already earned your commercial pilot certificate with airplane single- and multi-engine ratings and a flight instructor certificate, you’ll be awarded all 45 flight training and certification credits — saving you time and money.

If you haven’t earned these qualifications yet, you’ll need to enroll in a Purdue Global-approved flight partner school.

The School of Aviation leadership team created specific criteria to ensure our approved flight partners meet the industry’s gold standard. Students have the option of choosing the partner within their geographic area that benefits them the most.

Our partners’ flight training includes private pilot, instrument, commercial, multiengine, and certified flight instructor. In addition, employees, members, and students of either partner with an Education Alliance Agreement on file will receive a tuition discount.

Alliance Partners for Flight Training

Alliance partners' flight training offers an accelerated pathway because students are not required to complete the flight training labs and flight lecture courses at Purdue Global. A student will receive 45 transfer credits upon completing private pilot certificate, instrument rating, commercial pilot certificate, multiengine rating, and certified flight instructor certificate and obtaining the associated FAA certificates and ratings. Under this type of partnership, students will pay tuition and course fees directly to Purdue Global and pay flight training fees directly to the alliance partner.

Flight Schools

  • Midwest Region
    • American Flight Schools: Kearney, NE—Nebraska Flight School, Kearney Regional Airport (KEAR)
    • Avit Flight Academy:
      • Akron, OH—Akron Canton Airport (KCAK)
      • Akron, OH—Akron Fulton Airport (KAKR)
      • Mansfield, OH—Mansfield Lahm Regional Airport (KMFD)
      • Medina, OH—Medina Municipal Airport (K1G5)
      • Smithville, OH—Wayne County Airport (KBJJ)
      • Wadsworth, OH—Wadsworth Municipal Airport (K3G3)
    • AV8 Flight School: Eden Prairie, MN—Flying Cloud Airport (KFCM)
    • Buiqui Aerospace: Valparaiso, IN—Porter County Regional Airport (KVPZ)
    • Elevation Air: Janesville, WI—Southern Wisconsin Regional Airport (KJVL)
    • Equus Flight Academy: Salem, IN—Salem Municipal Airport (I83)
    • Flex Air:
      • Manhattan, KS—Manhattan Regional Airport (KMHK)
      • Olathe, KS—Johnson County Executive Airport (OJC)
    • Ignite Flight Academy: Lincoln, NE—Lincoln Airport (KLNK)
    • Inflight Pilot Training: Eden Prairie, MN—Flying Cloud Airport (KFCM)
    • JA Flight Training: Chicago, IL—Aurora Municipal Airport (KARR)
    • Jet Access:
      • Columbus, IN—Columbus Municipal Airport (KBAK)
      • Columbus, OH—Bolton Field (KTZR)
      • Dallas, TX—Dallas Executive Airport (RBD)
      • Greenfield, IN—Indianapolis Regional Airport (MQJ)
      • Mattoon, IL—Coles County Memorial Airport (KMTO)
      • Nashville, TN —Music City Executive Airport (KXNX)
      • Quincy, IL—Quincy Regional Baldwin Field (KUIN)
      • Shelbyville, IN—Shelbyville Municipal Airport (KGEZ)
      • Zionsville, IN—Indianapolis Executive Airport (TYQ)
    • Kilo Charlie Aviation: Kansas City, KS—New Century Air Center (KIXD)
    • Lake Elmo Aero: Lake Elmo, MN—Lake Elmo Airport (21D)
    • LIFT Academy: Indianapolis, IN—Indianapolis International Airport (KIND)
    • Louisville Aviation: Louisville, KY—Bowman Field (KLOU)
    • Lunken Flight Training Center: Cincinnati, OH—Lunken Airport (KLUK)
    • New Horizons Aviation: Goshen, IN—Goshen Municipal Airport (KGSH)
    • Oracle Aviation: Omaha, NE—Millard Airport (KMLE)
    • Piston Aviation:
      • East Alton, IL—St. Louis Regional Airport (KALN)
      • St. Louis, MO—Creve Coeur Airport (1H0)
    • Pray Aviation: Augusta, KS—Augusta Municipal Airport (K3AU)
    • Pilotsmith:
      • Appleton, WI—Appleton International Airport (KATW)
      • Green Bay, WI—Green Bay Austin Straubel International Airport (KGRB)
      • Menominee, MI—Menominee Regional Airport (KMNM)
      • Milwaukee, WI—Lawrence J Timmerman Airport (KMWC)
      • Shawano, WI—Shawano Municipal Airport (KEZS)
    • Purdue Aviation, LLC: West Lafayette, IN — Purdue University Airport (KLAF)
    • Region Flyers:
      • Lansing, IL—Lansing Municipal Airport (KIGQ)
      • Valparaiso, IN—Porter County Regional Airport (KVPZ)
    • Revv Aviation:
      • Council Bluffs, IA—Council Bluffs Airport (KCBF)
      • Davenport, IA—Davenport Municipal Airport (KDVN)
      • Huron, SD—Huron Regional Airport (HON)
      • Janesville, WI—Southern Wisconsin Regional Airport (KJVL)
      • Milan, IL—Quad Cities International Airport (KMLI)
      • Muscatine, IA—Muscatine Municipal Airport (KMUT)
      • Omaha, NE—Eppley Airfield (KOMA)
      • Schaumburg, IL—Schaumburg Regional Airport (OGC)
      • Sioux City, IA—Sioux Gateway Airport (KSUX)
    • Sweet Aviation:
      • Auburn, IN—DeKalb County Airport (KGWB)
      • Fort Wayne, IN—Smith Field Airport (KSMD
    • Synergy Flight Center:
      • Bloomington, IL—Central Illinois Regional Airport (KBMI)
      • Wheeling, IL—Chicago Executive Airport (KPWK)
    • WAir Aviation: Wheeling, IL—Chicago Executive Airport (KPWK)
  • Northeast Region
  • Southeast Region
    • 2FLY Airborne: Merritt Island, FL—Merritt Island Airport (KCOI)
    • Academy of Aviation:
      • Atlanta, GA—Atlanta Regional Airport/Falcon Field (KFFC)
      • Charlotte/Gastonia, NC—Gastonia Municipal Airport (AKH)
      • Orlando, FL
        • Orlando Executive Airport (KORL)
        • Kissimmee Gateway Airport (KISM)
    • Aviation Adventures:
      • Fredericksburg, VA—Stafford Regional Airport (KRMN)
      • Leesburg, VA—Leesburg Executive Airport (KJYO)
      • Manassas, VA—Manassas Regional Airport (KHEF)
      • Midland, VA—Warrenton-Fauquier Airport (KHWY)
      • Winchester, VA—Winchester Regional Airport (KOKV)
    • Aviation Zone Academy: Miami, FL—Miami Executive Airport (KTMB)
    • Blue Line Aviation:
      • Smithfield, NC—Johnston Regional Airport (KJNX)
      • Winter Haven, FL—Winter Haven Regional Airport (GIF)
    • Buiqui Aerospace:
      • Base Ramey, Aguadilla, Puerto Rico—Rafael Hernández International Airport (BQN)
      • Dallas, GA—Paulding NW Atlanta Airport (KPUJ)
      • Kissimmee, FL—Kissimmee Gateway Airport (KISM)
      • Lindbergh, San Juan, Puerto Rico—Fernando Luis Ribas Dominicci Airport (SIG)
    • Carolina Sky Flight Training:
      • Moncks Corner, SC—Berkeley County Airport (KMKS)
      • Summerville, SC—Summerville Airport (KDYB)
    • CTI Professional Flight Training:
      • Fort Lauderdale, FL—Fort Lauderdale Executive Airport (KFXE)
      • Millington, TN—Millington-Memphis Airport (KNQA)
    • Crystal Air:
      • Apison, TN—Collegedale Airport (KFGU)
      • Chattanooga, TN—Chattanooga Metropolitan Airport (KCHA)
    • D2 Flight Academy: New Bern, NC—Coastal Carolina Regional Airport (KEWN)
    • Elite Flight Academy: Lexington, NC—Davidson County Airport (KEXX)
    • Epic Flight Academy:
      • New Smyrna Beach, FL—New Smyrna Beach Municipal Airport (KEVB)
      • Ocala, FL—Ocala International Airport (KOCF)
      • Tallahassee, FL—Tallahassee International Airport (KTLH)
    • Faithful Guardian Aviation:
      • Temple, GA
        • Fulton County Airport (KFTY)
        • West Georgia Regional Airport (KCTJ)
    • First Landings Aviation: Apopka, FL—Orlando Apopka Airport (X04)
    • Florida Flyers Flight Academy: Augustine, FL—Northeast Florida Regional Airport (KSGJ)
    • FlyBright Pilot Academy: Punta Gorda, FL—Punta Gorda Airport (KPGD)
    • Fly Corps Aviation: Savannah, GA—Savannah/Hilton Head International (KSAV)
    • GoFly Academy: Opa–Locka, FL—Miami–Opa Locka Executive Airport (OPF)
    • High Tide Aviation:
      • Southport, NC—Cape Fear Regional Jetport (KSUT)
      • Saint Simons Island, GA—Saint Simons Island Airport (KSSI)
      • Wilmington, NC—Wilmington International Airport (KILM)
      • Wallace, NC—Henderson Field Airport (PMDY)
    • Kingsky Flight Academy: Lakeland, FL—Lakeland Linder International Airport (LAL)
    • L3Harris Flight Academy: Sanford, FL—Orlando Sanford International Airport (KSFB)
    • Legends Aviation Academy: Lakeland, FL—Lakeland Linder International Airport (KLAL)
    • LIFT Academy: Myrtle Beach, SC—Myrtle Beach International Airport (MYR)
    • Melbourne Flight Training: Melbourne, FL—Melbourne Orlando International Airport (KMLB)
    • New Orleans Aerial Tours and Flight Training: New Orleans, LA—Lakefront Airport (KNEW)
    • Naples Air Center: Naples, FL—Naples Airport (KAPF)
    • Paragon Flight Training:
      • Fort Myers, FL—Page Field (KFMY)
      • Punta Gorda, FL—Punta Gorda Airport (PGD)
    • Phoenix East Aviation: Daytona Beach, FL—Daytona Beach International Airport (KDAB)
    • Revv Aviation: Tuscaloosa, AL—Tuscaloosa National Airport (KTCL)
    • RexAir:
      • Sebring, FL—Sebring Regional Airport (KSEF)
      • Naples, FL—Naples Airport (KAPF)
    • Savannah Aviation: Savannah, GA—Savannah / Hilton Head International Airport (KSAV)
    • SkyBlue Jet Aviation:
      • Sebastian, FL—Sebastian-Roseland Municipal Airport (KX26)
      • West Palm Beach, FL—North County Airport, (KF45)
    • Skyborne Airline Academy: Vero Beach, FL—Vero Beach Regional Airport (KVRB)
    • Skybound Aviation: Atlanta, Georgia—DeKalb-Peachtree Airport (KPDK)
    • SkyWarrior: Pensacola, FL—Pensacola International Airport (KPNS)
    • Sterling Flight Training:
      • Jacksonville, FL—Jacksonville Executive at Craig Airport (KCRG)
      • Tallahassee, FL—Tallahassee International Airport (TLH)
    • Sunrise Aviation:
      • Ormond Beach, FL—Ormond Municipal Airport (KOMN)
      • Lakeland, FL—Lakeland Linder International Airport (KLAL)
      • Winter Haven, FL—Winter Haven Regional Airport (KGIF)
    • Superior Flight School: Kennesaw, GA—Cobb County International Airport (KRYY)
    • Tampa Bay Aviation:
      • Clearwater, FL
        • Clearwater Airpark (KCLW)
        • St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport (KPIE)
      • Tampa, FL—Tampa Executive Airport (KVDF)
    • The Pilot Place: Sarasota, FL—Sarasota Bradenton International Airport (KSRQ)
    • Triad Aviation Academy: Greensboro, NC—Piedmont Triad International Airport (KGSO)
    • Universal Flight Training: Sarasota, Florida—Sarasota Bradenton International Airport (KSRQ)
    • U.S AeroFlight: Greenville, SC—Greenville Downtown Airport (KGMU)
    • U.S Aviation Academy: Peachtree City, GA—Atlanta Regional Airport, Falcon Field (KFFC)
    • Wayman Aviation Academy: Pembroke Pines, FL—North Perry Airport (KHWO)
  • Southwest Region
    • AeroGuard Flight Training Center:
      • Chandler, AZ—Chandler Municipal Airport (KCHD)
      • Georgetown, TX—Georgetown Municipal Airport (KGTU)
      • Phoenix, AZ—Deer Valley Airport (KDVT)
    • Anson Aviation: Sugar Land, TX—GlobalSelect at Sugar Land Regional Airport (KSGR)
    • Coastal Skies Aero Club: Pearland, TX—Pearland Regional Airport (KLVJ)
    • Epic Flight Academy: Tucson, AZ—Tucson International Airport (KTUS)
    • LIFT Academy: Galveston, TX—Scholes International Airport (KGLS)
    • Randon Aviation:
      • St. George, UT—St George Regional Airport (SGU)
      • West Jordan, UT—South Valley Regional Airport (U42)
    • Red Arrow Flight Academy: Santa Teresa, NM—Doña Ana County International Jetport (KDNA)
    • Sierra Charlie Aviation:
      • Chandler, AZ—Chandler Municipal Airport (KCHD)
      • Scottsdale, AZ—Scottsdale Airport (KSDL)
    • Sky Safety Flight Academy: San Antonio, TX—Stinson–Mission Municipal Airport (KSSF)
    • Thrust Flight:
      • Addison, TX—Addison Airport (KADS)
      • Denison, TX—North Texas Regional Airport (KGYI)
      • Houston, TX—Conroe-North Houston Regional Airport (KCXO)
    • US Aviation Academy:
      • Denton, TX—Denton Enterprise Airport (KDTO)
  • West Region
    • All In Aviation: Henderson, NV—Henderson Executive Airport (KHND)
    • American Flight Schools:
      • Denver, CO:
        • Aspen Flying Club, Centennial Airport (KAPA)
        • Western Air Flight Academy, Rocky Mountain Metropolitan Airport (KBJC)
        • Western Air Flight Academy, Colorado Air and Space Port (KCFO)
      • Portland, OR—Aurora Flight Training, Aurora State Airport (KUAO)
    • Arapahoe Flight Club: Colorado Springs, CO—Colorado Springs Airport (KCOS)
    • Avian Flight Center: Bremerton, WA—Bremerton National Airport (KPWT)
    • Chennault Flying Service: Las Vegas, NV—North Las Vegas Airport (KVGT)
    • Executive Flight Academy: St. George, UT—St. George Regional Airport (KSGU)
    • FLT Academy:
      • Spanish Fork, UT—Spanish Fork Airport (KSPK)
      • Woods Cross, UT—Skypark Airport (KBTF)
    • Hillsboro Aero Academy:
      • Hillsboro, OR—Portland–Hillsboro Airport (KHIO)
      • Redmond, OR—Redmond Municipal Airport (KRDM)
    • Land and Sea Aviation Alaska: Anchorage, AK—Merrill Field Airport (KMRI)
    • Leading Edge Flight Training: Loveland, CO—Northern Colorado Regional Airport (KFNL)
    • Pacific Flight Academy: Honolulu, HI—Honolulu International Airport (HNL)
    • Rainier Flight Service:
      • Auburn, WA—Auburn Municipal Airport (S50)
      • Everett, WA—Seattle Paine Field International Airport (KPAE)
      • Renton, WA—Renton Municipal Airport (KRNT)
      • Tacoma, WA—Tacoma Narrows Airport (KTIW)
    • Ridgeline Aviation:
      • Billings, MT—Billings–Logan International Airport (KBIL)
      • Bozeman, MT—Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport (KBZN)
    • Regal Air: Everett, WA—Seattle Paine Field International Airport (KPAE)
    • Rocky Mountain Flight School: Broomfield, CO—Rocky Mountain Metropolitan Airport (KBJC)
    • Sandstone Aviation: St. George, UT—St. George Regional Airport (KSGU)
    • Vegas Aviation: Las Vegas, NV—North Las Vegas Airport (KVGT)

Aviation High Schools/Vocational Schools

Program Outcomes and Skills

Outcomes

  • Disciplinary knowledge and skills: Discuss the major areas of professional flight, including but not limited to, the evolution of aircraft, commercial air transportation, airspace management, and regulatory oversight bodies.
  • Publication and analysis: Synthesize current publications in aviation operations including, but not limited to, finance decisions, aircraft maintenance, and meteorology.
  • Critical-thinking and problem-solving: Analyze principles, concepts, safety, and/or issues in aviation to work effectively in the field.
  • Leadership and teamwork: Apply leadership and teamwork practices as they relate to the aviation industry nationally as well as internationally.
  • Professionalism and ethics: Examine aviation as a profession including careers, certifications, professional ethical behavior, and communication.

Skills

  • Communication skills: Learn how to speak clearly and effectively with air traffic controllers and crew members and how to listen carefully to instructions.
  • Observational skills: Practice maintaining situational awareness, identify distances between objects, discern colors, and monitor cockpit instruments.
  • Problem-solving skills: Learn to assess situations and find solutions for sudden in-flight changes or challenges, such as air traffic deviations or adverse weather.
  • Quick reaction skills: Develop rapid responses to a wide range of potential dangers in the air or on the ground, using sound judgment to take action.

Student Handbook

Download the Bachelor of Science in Professional Flight Student Handbook to learn more about the program and get answers to frequently asked questions.

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Program Flyer

Download our flyer to learn more about the Online Bachelor of Science in Professional Flight and the benefits of earning your degree at Purdue Global.

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Your Path to Success Begins Here

Connect with an Advisor to explore program requirements, curriculum, credit for prior learning process, and financial aid options.

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NOTES AND CONDITIONS

*Estimated Graduation Date and Average Completion: Estimated graduation date is based on the assumption that you will enroll in time to begin classes on the next upcoming start date, will remain enrolled for each consecutive term, and will maintain satisfactory academic standing in each term to progress toward completion of your program.

This program is relatively new, and thus historical data regarding time to completion are not available. Completion time estimates based on a full-time schedule: 3 years, 2 courses per term; 2 years, 3 courses per term. Programs will take longer for part-time students to complete.

Bachelor of Science in Professional Flight Admissions Requirements: Students are required to submit a first-class medical clearance and proof of citizenship through a Purdue Global approved flight training partner prior to enrollment at Purdue Global. International (non-U.S. citizen) students who wish to enroll must complete a TSA clearance check and obtain an M-1 Visa through one of our U.S. flight training alliance schools that offers these services. Students must hold a Private Pilot certificate prior to enrollment.

Certification Exams: Students are responsible for understanding the requirements of certification exams. The University cannot guarantee students will be eligible to sit for or pass exams. In some cases, work experience, additional coursework beyond the Purdue Global program, fieldwork, and/or background checks may be necessary to be eligible to take or to successfully pass the exams. You must pass additional exams offered by independent certification agencies to become certified in this field. For more information, consult an Admissions Advisor.

Employment and Career Advancement: Purdue Global does not guarantee employment or career advancement. Actual outcomes vary by geographic area, previous work experience and opportunities for employment. Additional certification or licensing may be required to work in certain fields.

Tuition and Fees for BS in Professional Flight: Flight time and training are not eligible for federal financial aid and will be at your expense. Refer to the program’s tuition and fees for details.