Looking for that degree

[STLCFII]

What I am doing is taking 5 general edu classes at the community college online while I rack up some airtime (cfi/cfii/mei), then I am going to be moving to an ERAU Extended Campus to finish up. They offer 5 9 week semesters of night courses that meet once a week per class and will grant me 36 credit hours for my flight experience. From my experience with the online classes at the community college, they are just as good as in the classroom. Most people don't like online courses because it is new and not as proven as in the classroom. When I go to ERAU's EC I plan on taking 2 classes in the classroom during each of the semesters and then a couple online classes throughout the year. The online classes are over a longer time, 14 weeks I think, so it'll be a good mix. The main couple reasons I am taking the online courses at the community college now is because 1) its cheeper and 2) being online allows the flexibility so I can rack up more airtime which will get me more credits at ERAU. Going this path will allow me to finish up my degree around 2 years once I get to ERAU. This looks like it'll work out for me, maybe you should look into it!

 

[adam_jorgensen]

Great, I was thinking of doing an online course to get my BS in aviation science through the University of Utah at my local flying club, and that way, I don't have to spend as much money, get to stay at home and keep my job but of course, as usual, everytime I get an idea that I like, everybody else says its not a good idea to take online courses. What should I do now?

 

[bobbysamd]

Re: Don't need a 4 yr degee

Originally posted by pilotyip
Some of our best pilots Captains on the DC-9's make over 100K per year and have only driven by a college on the interstate. You do not need degree to be successful in aviation.

No, you do not need a college degree to fly airplanes. You don't even need a high school diploma. Maybe you can drop out in tenth grade and test out of high school by getting your GED.

Okay, then, Yip, with all the hoardes of pilots looking for precious few jobs, even in good times, how do you distinguish yourself without a degree? I submit that a significant percentage of jobhunters, if not the majority, have at least some college. I submit, again, that you have to offer the best credentials possible. The degree is one such credential.

I remember reading the "Congratulations, FAPA Pilots" column in Kit's old magazine, Career Pilot, years ago. Invariably, the people whom the majors hired had at least some college, if not a four-year degree or more.

Why is it that the typical airline app makes such a big deal out of educational quals? Clearly, a degree is a door-opener, if not needed outright to be able to fly an airplane.

You have written that you have a B.S. in Physics from Michigan State, a pretty decent school, and an M.A. from Central Michigan. More education than I have. I am sure the B.S. helped you get your Navy gig. Therefore, I don't quite understand where you're coming from, Yip, on not encouraging aspirants to get a degree.

Maybe I'm not seeing something here. What does it take for an applicant to obtain the opportunity to sit across the desk from you for an interview? Do tell . . . .

 

[Flywrite]

I started the ERAU Extended Campus degree in January. So far I'm enjoying it, and contrary to popular opinion, it is possible to learn a lot from an online course, you jsut have to be disciplined and schedule "classtime" that you stick to.

I'm not sure how much credit you will get for a Commercial and CFI, but I got 36 hours for an ATP, CFI, and Air Carrier experience. I imagine you would get at least 20-25 hours towards a Professional Aeronautics Degree.

Marriedtoit has a good point about getting CLEP credit if you can, however ERAU WILL accept CLEP credit after you enroll, you just have to let your advisor know in advance. If you can find your way onto this board you can get 3 hours credit for Computer Applications through a $50 CLEP test. Sample test books are available at any decent bookstore, or at the College Board website (www.collegeboard.org I think)

Overall I would also suggest knocking out the freshman classes at Community College/CLEP, then look into ERAU. While doing the Community COllege thing you might be able to build the 1500 hours to get your ATP and the extra credit hours.

ERAU is not cheap, but financial aid is available and it's a fun degree when you're into aviation. I wish I'd done it sooner.

Good Luck!