Department of Aviation and Emergency Management

The Department of Aviation and Emergency Management is an academic unit within Academic Affairs offering baccalaureate degree programs in Aviation Science, Emergency Management, and Unmanned Aircraft Systems. The mission of the Department of Aviation and Emergency Management is to provide students with educational and research opportunities in an extensive array of rewarding professional careers in aviation and emergency management by offering a rigorous curriculum to advance scholarship and promote excellence in emerging technologies. The Department of Aviation and Emergency Management offers degrees in:

Aviation Science with a Concentration in Avionics

The B. S. in Aviation Science with a concentration in Avionics will prepare students with knowledge to analyze, repair, and maintain the sophisticated communications, navigations, and cockpit instrument systems on today’s technically advanced aircraft.

Aviation Science with a Concentration in Aviation Management

The B. S. in Aviation Science with a concentration in Aviation Management will prepare students for a variety of entry-level positions in the aviation industry, including airport management, airline management, general aviation management, and airline and general aviation operations.

Aviation Science with a Concentration in Flight Education

The B. S. in Aviation Science with a concentration in Flight Education will prepare students to become certified as commercial pilots, preparing them to serve as airline, corporate, or military pilots and/or professional aircrew.

Aviation Science with a Concentration in Professional Aeronautics

The B.S. in Aviation Science with a concentration in Professional Aeronautics prepare students to enter a variety of entry-level positions in the aviation industry and affords student flexibility by taking courses from air traffic control, aviation management, avionics, engineering technology, flight education, or unmanned aircraft systems.

Aviation Science with a Concentration in Unmanned Aircraft Systems

The B. S. in Aviation Science with a concentration in UAS prepares students to enter the workforce as professionals in the emerging field of unmanned aircraft systems where they can apply their knowledge and skills to many areas of societal need, i.e. agriculture, border security, public safety, infrastructure inspection, and many more.

The curriculum includes instruction in basic electricity and electronics; UA aircraft platforms and systems; sensor and data acquisition; flight controls; high-fidelity simulation, mission planning; and data processing.

B.S. in Unmanned Aircraft Systems

The B.S. in Unmanned Aircraft Systems program at ECSU provides students with knowledge of the aviation industry, national airspace, air traffic control, laws governing UAS operations, human factor issues, UAS business, data processing, flight controls, civilian applications of UAS, and basic and advanced training in the core areas for the operation of unmanned aircraft as operators, pilots, and sensor/payload operators. The program is designed to prepare students for employment in entry-level positions as an operator or payload/sensor operator in a job utilizing UASs. The graduates will be well prepared to safely deploy this cutting-edge technology in rapidly evolving civilian applications.

In addition, the program curriculum is developed to assist incumbent workers with an associate degree or other college degrees to advance in their current positions by acquiring new skill sets in UAS increasing their productivity to the employer.

Aviation Science Program

The Aviation Science Program is the only four-year collegiate aviation education program in the State of North Carolina. The mission of the Aviation Science Program is to provide quality aviation education to a diverse student body by offering specializations in areas relevant to the highly competitive aerospace/aviation industry. Students who select Aviation Science as a major will complete the technical, managerial, and aviation courses that are necessary to fulfill the critical aviation personnel needs of local and state governments, the national government, business, and the aviation and aerospace industries. Graduates of the program will receive the Bachelor of Science degree in Aviation Science with a concentration in Aviation Management, Avionics, Air Traffic Control, Flight Education, or Unmanned Aircraft Systems. Majors must earn a grade of “C” or better in each required Aviation Science course.

Emergency Management

The B.S. degree in Emergency Management (EM) will prepare students with knowledge and skills to mitigate, prepare for, prevent, respond and recover organizations and communities from emergencies and disasters in order to obtain a rewarding career working in a variety of venues including all levels of government, private sector and non-profits.

Opportunities For Graduates

Aviation Science

In century following the inception of aviation, the world has become dependent on air transportation as a primary system for passenger conveyance and cargo movement. Air transportation has risen to this position because through the years, the men and women who have worked in the industry have applied new techniques, technologies, and dedication to keep it ahead of any transportation competitors. All areas of aviation and aerospace are expanding and there continues to be a need for motivated individuals to fill these challenging positions with government and private industry. The areas of study offered by the Aviation Science Program are designed to educate and train students who want careers in these dynamic and rewarding industries.

The Aviation Science Program prepares students for a variety of positions including Airport Management, Air Traffic Control, Airline and Corporate Flight, Unmanned Aircraft Systems as operators and program managers, Avionics, Radar Technology, Flight Instruction, Aviation Policy, and Aviation Entrepreneurship.

Transfer Students

Transfer students from accredited universities, community colleges, and technical institutes may be admitted to the Department with advanced standing. Specific course requirements for these students will be made on an individual basis after their previously earned credits have been assessed.