Program: Commercial Aviation, (B.S.) - University of Memphis

May 04, 2025

2025-2026 UNDERGRADUATE CATALOG {Editing in Progress}

The program in Commercial Aviation prepares students for careers as professional pilots for airlines, corporate aviation, government agencies, air charter companies and flight schools. In addition to flight training that leads to licensure, students will complete studies in management, business operations, human resources, transportation, logistics and aviation administration. These studies in combination with flight labs, experiential learning, and internships in an aviation setting will provide students with the necessary skills for future employment.

Note: Aviation students must have a Valid Class A FAA Aviation Medical Certificate conducted by an FAA medical examiner. This should be completed no later than the student’s first flight. A background check is also required.

For information on careers in this and other disciplines students should consult the career counselor located in 211 Wilder Tower, 678-2068.

General Education (35-41 hours)

See University General Education Program for the University General Education Program requirements. Students who have completed one year of American History in high school are exempted from the six credit-hour History General Education Program requirement; otherwise, students will have to meet the History requirement.

Business Related Aviation Courses (12 hours)

Management and Business Operations (6 hours)

ACCT 2010 - Financial Accounting Credit Hours: (3)
ACCT 2020 - Managerial ACCT/Non-Acct Major Credit Hours: (3)
MIS 2749 - Foundation/Information Systems ** Credit Hours: (3)
MGMT 3110 - Principles of Management** Credit Hours: (3)
MKTG 3010 - Principles of Marketing ** Credit Hours: (3)
TECH 4381 - Principles of Supervision** Credit Hours: (3)
PADM 3601 - Public Admin** Credit Hours: (3)
LDSP 3000 - Leadership Development** Credit Hours: (3)

Team and Organizational Relations (6 hours)

MGMT 3215 - Management of Human Resources ** Credit Hours: (3)
COMM 4341 - Interpersonal Communication ** Credit Hours: (3)
COMM 4380 - Communication and Conflict ** Credit Hours: (3)
PADM 4226 - Intro Nonprofit Organizations Credit Hours: (3)
PSYC 3518 - Psychology of Organizational Behavior Credit Hours: 3
COMM 4011 - Communication in Organizations ** Credit Hours: (3)
PSYC 3508 - Indust/Organizatnl Psyc Credit Hours: (3)

Professional Aviation (51 hours, with PPL included)

Prerequisites to the aviation program: Private Pilot Certificate - AVIA 1500, AVIA 1600, AVIA 1601

AVIA 1700 - General Aviation Safety** Credit Hours: (3)
AVIA 1800 - Systems I: Basic Aircraft Systems Credit Hours: (3)
AVIA 2100 - Aerodynamics Credit Hours: (3)
AVIA 2101 - Instrument Rating Flight Lab Credit Hours: (1)
AVIA 2200 - Instrument Rating Theory** Credit Hours: (3)
AVIA 2400 - Aviation Weather ** Credit Hours: 3
AVIA 3200 - Commercial Pilot Theory** Credit Hours: (3)
AVIA 3201 - Commercial Pilot Flight Lab I Credit Hours: (1)
AVIA 3301 - Commercial Pilot Flight Lab II Credit Hours: (1)
AVIA 3400 - Air Traffic Control and Airspace Credit Hours: (3)
AVIA 3500 - Systems II: Turbine Aircraft Credit Hours: (3)
AVIA 3551 - Commercial Pilot Flight Lab III Credit Hours: 1
AVIA 3700 - Commercial Aviation Safety Credit Hours: 3
AVIA 4200 - Systems III: Transport Category Aircraft Systems Credit Hours: (3)
AVIA 4300 - Air Carrier Operations Credit Hours: (3)
AVIA 4800 - Crew Resource Management** Credit Hours: (3)
AVIA 4810 - Human Factors** Credit Hours: 3
AVIA 4850 - Systems IV: Electronic Information Systems and Automation** Credit Hours: 3

College Requirements

Thematic Studies (6 hours)

Students complete a total of 6 hours in a College of Professional & Liberal Studies thematic studies course(s). These courses are designed to broaden a student’s knowledge of significant AVIA themes.

AVIA Thematic Studies Courses are the Following:

AVIA 4550 - Aviation Law & Regulation Credit Hours: (3)
AVIA 4560 - Aviation Physiology & Survival Credit Hours: (3)

Culminating Experience (3 hours)

The culiminating experience for the Commercial Aviation student can be a Capstone or AVIA Internship.

AVIA 4110 - Aviation Internship Credit Hours: 3-6
AVIA 4700 - Flight Instructor Theory** Credit Hours: 2
AVIA 4701 - Flight Instructor Lab Credit Hours: (1)

General Electives (11 – 17 hours)

Electives will be chosen to bring the total number of hours to 120 with a minimum of 42 upper-division hours.

AVIA 4900 - Certified Flight Instructor Instrument Theory** Credit Hours: 2

Minimum Requirements for Graduation

• Students must complete at least 60 hours from a 4-year institution.
• Students must complete at least 42 hours of upper-division credit (3000 or 4000-level).
• Students must complete at least 30 of the last 60 hours through the University of Memphis.
• Students must complete at least 9 graded hours in the major at the University of Memphis.