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Aviation granted AABI accreditation

Delta State University’s Department of Commercial Aviation recently received news of initial accreditation for its bachelors programs in Aviation Management and Flight Operations.

The Board of Trustees of the Aviation Accreditation Board International (AABI) granted approval at the International Winter meeting Feb. 23-27. Delta State submitted its application March 6.

The board action grants initial accreditation for the programs for a period of five years.

Dr. Julie Speakes, chair of the Department of Commercial Aviation, said she was pleased with the results of the initial accreditation efforts.

“The behind the scenes work took several years and cooperation from across campus to purchase aircraft, upgrade equipment, document student learning outcome and validate the state’s only four-year aviation program,” said Speakes. “The AABI accreditation confirms the quality program that Delta State has offered. With this designation, more opportunities will be available to students and graduates, such as direct hire programs and bridge programs.”

Dr. Billy C. Moore, dean of Delta State’s College of Business, echoed Speakes’s praise.

“Achieving national accreditation is further validation of the quality education our commercial aviation students receive when they matriculate through our program,” said Moore. “I congratulate Dr. Speakes and all of our commercial aviation faculty and staff on this great accomplishment.”

Delta State University’s Department of Commercial Aviation provides the state university system’s only undergraduate and graduate aviation programs.

“Our students are prepared for a variety of opportunities in the aviation industry, including the airlines, aircraft manufacturing, airport management, air traffic control and military aviation,” added Speakes.

Program graduates serve as members of flight crews, air traffic control specialists and executives with supervisory and managerial responsibilities at all levels.

The department offers a Bachelor of Commercial Aviation with concentrations in Aviation Management and Flight Operations. Graduate level includes a Master of Commercial Aviation.

“Delta State University is one of the premier choices for students who desire a career as a professional pilot,” said Speakes. “Industry professionals agree that Delta State graduates display the highest levels of proficiency and professionalism — which make them prime candidates for positions in today’s aviation marketplace.”

Virtually all graduates of the Delta State’s programs advance to excellent positions with professional corporate, charter, regional and major airlines, as well as the military.

The Flight Operations degree provides students with the knowledge and skills to pursue a professional pilot career. Through a combination of both classroom and flight training, students will acquire the following certificates and ratings: Private Pilot In­strument Multi-engine, Commercial, Certified Flight Instructor and Certified Instrument Flight Instructor. Training culminates in a Bachelor of Commercial Aviation degree within 4 years.

The Aviation Management degree prepares students for supervisory and managerial responsibilities at all levels in the aviation field, including the airlines, air traffic control and military aviation.

In the Fall 2014 semester, the department began a new Aviation Management Logistics track. This track is designed to prepare aviation management students in complex operations of transportation and distribution of goods.

The Master of Commercial Aviation program provides students with a focused understanding of aviation concepts and operations. This 30-hour program is geared toward aviation management and aviation education and is taught 100 percent online.

For more information on Delta State’s aviation programs, visit https://www.deltastate.edu/college-of-business/commercial-aviation/ or contact the department at:

Phone:       662-846-4205
Fax:            662-846-4214
Email:        cavinfo@deltastate.edu
Location:  Gibson-Gunn, Delta State University Campus

Learn more about Aviation Accreditation Board International at http://www.aabi.aero.