ERAU...Master Degree

[Cypilot77]

Thank you very much guys.All the suggestions were very helpfull to me.By the way,i live and work in NY,thats why im trying to find any easy ways to get a degree. As for the CFI,the Farmingdale FSDO,except that you have to wait up to 6 months to take your checkride,the passing rate is only 17%. I dont think i want to do it here.. Any other suggestions welcome.

 

[dueguard1]

Yea I agree with U about that ol Farmingdale FSDO....those guys definetely got a chip on their shoulders when it comes to doing their CFI examination.....I recommend a DPE out in Jersey by the name of Bob Brodwater, He's tough but very fair...Also I've heard some other folks getting better luck up at the Albany FSDO

 

[Frmr Avro Drvr]

i completed the master of aeronautical science degree from erau distance learning program. i think it was a good quality program. paid for by my employer (best kind). it has probably helped my career somewhat, but it is hard to quantify. i would recommend the program. A very nice feature of the program is that it is self paced and self motivated. you won't complete it unless you have discipline. good thing to do on the road for sure.

Please don't take this wrong because I am not trying to flame or start an argument, but I am curious what a "master of aeronautical science degree" gets you. Is that like an MBA with aviation focus or a Masters in Management with an aviation focus. How does industry look at it?

I am asking because I am working on my MBA at Western Michigan. What if I wanted to become an airport manager, which I assume is where the Riddle degree will get you. Would the Riddle degree help me or does my couple thousand hours of Part 121 experience combined with my MBA put me in the same position? I leaned toward the MBA since it isn't aviation specific, similar to my Electrical Engineering degree.

I am just curious what the Riddle degree gets a person besides an X in the box for Masters degree. I went to Parks so I understand the whole airway science degree is a generic business degree a person who also flies will receive.

I emphasize that I am not trying to knock anyone, I am just trying to validate my path. Four years at one course a semester is a long time.

Thanks.

 

[semperfido]

Avro Drvr,

No problemo. As I said it is difficult to quantify what a Masters Degree gets you, per se. I can tell you that it may help differentiate yourself from the rest of the pack in this competition based world we live in. I went after it because at that time I wanted the challenge and the company would foot the Bill. All I had to do was make an effort and do the work. May not be everyones cup of tea, but it was a challenge for me to complete it that made me want to do it.

A MBA may be even more of a challenge and also more useful. That depends on your personal situation and goals. It is all an individual thing. I am a pilot and my undergraduate is in Aero Science so it fit well for me. The degree program included the usual array of management studies and was very well designed and in my view well thought out, well rounded course of study.

It may not get you anything. I did not do it to get anything ,other than the challenge it provided in it's pursuit. I have always enjoyed the hunt more than anything else, but that's me. You need to work that out on your own. There is no pot of gold at the end.

fido

 

[Frmr Avro Drvr]

Avro Drvr,

No problemo. As I said it is difficult to quantify what a Masters Degree gets you, per se. I can tell you that it may help differentiate yourself from the rest of the pack in this competition based world we live in. I went after it because at that time I wanted the challenge and the company would foot the Bill. All I had to do was make an effort and do the work. May not be everyones cup of tea, but it was a challenge for me to complete it that made me want to do it.

A MBA may be even more of a challenge and also more useful. That depends on your personal situation and goals. It is all an individual thing. I am a pilot and my undergraduate is in Aero Science so it fit well for me. The degree program included the usual array of management studies and was very well designed and in my view well thought out, well rounded course of study.

It may not get you anything. I did not do it to get anything ,other than the challenge it provided in it's pursuit. I have always enjoyed the hunt more than anything else, but that's me. You need to work that out on your own. There is no pot of gold at the end.

fido

Semperfido,

Thanks for the info. These business classes bore me to tears. I hope I make it through. My company pays for it also so I figured I needed to do something. Free money is hard to turn down. I didn't go for the Master in Electrical Engineering because it looked entirely too painful and would have required a whole lot more work. An MBA seems doable if I can handle listing to the professors drone on and on for hours. Don't get me wrong. I am getting good info but that topics are a bit dry. As with you, I think any Masters degree looks good. It shows dedication and work ethic.

Good luck to you.

 

[semperfido]

Semperfido,

Thanks for the info. These business classes bore me to tears. I hope I make it through. My company pays for it also so I figured I needed to do something. Free money is hard to turn down. I didn't go for the Master in Electrical Engineering because it looked entirely too painful and would have required a whole lot more work. An MBA seems doable if I can handle listing to the professors drone on and on for hours. Don't get me wrong. I am getting good info but that topics are a bit dry. As with you, I think any Masters degree looks good. It shows dedication and work ethic.

Good luck to you.

Roger that. i know the feeling. back at ya

 

[Cypilot77]

Personally, i always wanted to work for NTSB or any other company as an accident investigator. After too much thinking,i decided to start the masters of aeronautical science from erau,with specialization in safety systems or aviation operations. Hopefully the degree together with my CPL will help me..i dont know if im thinking right.If not please tell me before is too late..

 

[Tnkr Pilot]

I finished up my ERAU Master's degree in Aeronautical Science (Operations) in June and did it because knowledge is power...and Uncle Sam paid the bill. I never took an internet class, but the distance learning classes were good. Almost every class consisted of a mid-term, final, paper and presentation, and class attendance/participation. You will find you learn more from the group than from the text..dah..but it was worth while and I now have something to fall back on, other than flying, when my commitment is up if I decide to get out. The value to me was in the challenge, and I would think that an employer would see the commitment/work ethic part as the real value. Any hiring boards/resume folks care to chime in?

 

[mayday1]

The value to me was in the challenge, and I would think that an employer would see the commitment/work ethic part as the real value. Any hiring boards/resume folks care to chime in?

You are correct sir! I'm a technology (app dev) manager in a large corporation, and advanced degrees do go a long way to opening doors, and attaching some credentials to the usual "i'm a hard worker" lines that come through in interviews.

 

[RichardRambone]

Im looking into a traditional MBA myself, not an aviation one strictly b/c I know that aviation degrees are fun but maybe a slight disadvantage should I have to use it outside aviation. I don't wanna quit my flying but I'd like to pursue my MBA full time as a student, more or less to go to school a couple more years and put off this job business. I can only hope that it does at least differentiate me from the pack and give me some sort of business sense considering the industries status. But as far as helping me get a flight job Im not sure if it would help. Any hiring folks I'd love to hear chime in.

 

[NTXPilot]

I'm doing the online MBA thing as well, through the University of Texas at Dallas, pretty much for the exact same reasons. I'd look into a program from a reputable school though, nowadays there's ten gazillion online MBA programs.

 

[mayday1]

Im looking into a traditional MBA myself, not an aviation one strictly b/c I know that aviation degrees are fun but maybe a slight disadvantage should I have to use it outside aviation. I don't wanna quit my flying but I'd like to pursue my MBA full time as a student, more or less to go to school a couple more years and put off this job business. I can only hope that it does at least differentiate me from the pack and give me some sort of business sense considering the industries status. But as far as helping me get a flight job Im not sure if it would help. Any hiring folks I'd love to hear chime in.

not sure if you currently have a business related job, but keep in mind, many MBA programs require/really like to see applicants who have a couple of years of work experience under their belts. Students w/work experiences to share in the classroom are what make MBA programs valuable and successful. Schools don't want an MBA class to be made up of people who just got their undergrad 3 months prior, or who have no real business experience to speak of. Furthermore, I would not advise getting an MBA just to get an MBA.. without some relevant work/business experience to complement your degree, the value of that MBA diminishes quickly.

 

[Cypilot77]

hey....i was wondering,how can you attend and participate in an online class.I didnt start yet but it sounds weird to me ,to get graded on attendance.The whole point of the online degrees is not to attend any classes.

I finished up my ERAU Master's degree in Aeronautical Science (Operations) in June and did it because knowledge is power...and Uncle Sam paid the bill. I never took an internet class, but the distance learning classes were good. Almost every class consisted of a mid-term, final, paper and presentation, and class attendance/participation. You will find you learn more from the group than from the text..dah..but it was worth while and I now have something to fall back on, other than flying, when my commitment is up if I decide to get out. The value to me was in the challenge, and I would think that an employer would see the commitment/work ethic part as the real value. Any hiring boards/resume folks care to chime in?

 

[mayday1]

hey....i was wondering,how can you attend and participate in an online class.I didnt start yet but it sounds weird to me ,to get graded on attendance.The whole point of the online degrees is not to attend any classes.

your attendance will be based/graded on your participation in the online forums.. responding to questions your instructor posts, as well as posts and comments from other classmates. Typically instructors will set expectations at the beginning of class as to what participation they expect.

 

[chperplt]

I started my Masters on campus and finished via the distance learning program. My diploma and transcripts look identical to my BS degree that was completed entirely on campus. No one gives a rats ass where you got the degree from as long as it's from an accredited university.

As to the question of what a Masters in Aeronautical Science will get you. The degree can open up many doors in other aspects of aviation should that piece of paper called a medical go away.

My focus was on safety and accident investigation. I have friends that have worked in the airlines safety departments as well as with their respective unions safety department. I know one that was hired away from the airline into the NTSB. The degree delves into all aspects of safety and is not limited to aviation. You'll learn about OSHA and many other aspects of general safety systems.

As much as the BS degree in Aero Sci is useless in real life, the MS degree is far from useless.