Apply

Main Content

Bachelor of Science in Aviation Technologies

student assembling machinery with screwdriver

Whether it's general aviation or commercial transport aircraft, aviation enterprises require highly trained technicians to manage hardware, troubleshoot systems, repair airframe structures, and maintain powerplant (engine) systems.

Our courses are developed following Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) guidelines in consultation with field experts and alumni, to ensure our graduates' strength in essential skills while providing exposure to cutting-edge technology and the broad educational experience necessary to thrive in today's competitive environment.

Students under wheel housing

Bachelor of Science

The undergraduate major can be accomplished by fulfilling the requirements for the Bachelor of Science (BS) degree.

  • Total Degree Requirements: 120 credit hours
  • University Core Curriculum: 39 credit hours
  • Specialization Requirements: 30-46 credit hours
  • Internship/Cooperative Experience*: 12 credit hours
  • Technical or Career Electives: 15-39 credit hours

*Only required as part of the B.S. Aviation Technologies - Aviation Maintenance Management Specialization

Compass IconCheck out the Curricular Guides for Aircraft Maintenance | Helicopter Maintenance | Aviation Electronics | Aviation Maintenance Management which outline what courses you would want to take each semester for all four years. View all related undergraduate courses.

FAA Certifications

FAA Airframe and Powerplant (A&P) certification paths within our curriculum provide a great deal of flexibility in preparing for an aviation career. While most students choose to fulfill the A&P components in conjunction with additional coursework to complete the bachelor degree, you may pursue A&P certification only in a shorter five-semester sequence of coursework, giving you earlier access to many entry-level jobs in the field of aviation maintenance.

Minors

  • Aircraft Product Support: This interdisciplinary minor is for those who want to work in aircraft product support with aerospace manufacturers, suppliers, airlines, the military, or other segments of the aviation and aerospace industries. The minor may complement the Aviation Management or Aviation Technologies majors.
  • Unmanned Aircraft Systems: This minor provides SIU students the opportunity to advance their technical knowledge in unmanned aircraft systems design, operations, maintenance, and management. The Unmanned Aircraft Systems minor is available to all SIU degree programs and majors.

Specializations

The Aviation Technologies program offers four available degree specializations.

Major specializations include:

  • Advanced Aircraft Maintenance
  • Aviation Electronics (Avionics)
  • Helicopter Maintenance
  • Aviation Maintenance Management (online)

Restricted Air Transport Pilot (R-ATP)

The FAA has approved a modified version of the Restricted Air Transport Pilot, or R-ATP, for SIU Aviation. That means that students majoring in AF and AVT may now qualify for the full reduction in the R-ATP hours!

Besides adding the AVT major to the R-ATP document, we have also added the following specific classes to count towards R-ATP:

  • AF 202, 203, 204, 207A (Commercial) and AF 205, 206A, 206B (Instrument) Required.
  • AVT 101—Applied Sciences
  • AVT 112—Aircraft Electricity
  • AVT 203—Aircraft Aerodynamics
  • AVT 305—Cabin Environment and Jet Transportation Systems
  • AVT 405—Flight Management Systems

For SIU Aviation Flight and SIU Aviation Management students, this opens up new options for completing your R-ATP hours. The policy allows a three-year look back, which means graduates in the past three years can qualify under this modification.

Please contact Bryan Harrison, Associate Professor at bryanth@siu.edu with any questions and to verify you qualify.

Online Completion

Apply your qualifying previous coursework and/or related work experience toward the required credit hours for your SIU bachelor’s degree!

Aviation Maintenance Management is an online degree completion plan that offers working professionals who meet certain requirements the means to finish a Bachelor of Science degree in Aviation Technologies entirely through distance education.

Facilities

Instructional facilities include a 60,000 square-foot hangar and classroom building at the Southern Illinois Airport. Additional facilities include the Helicopter Laboratory, which houses equipment and many Bell Helicopters used in the Helicopter Maintenance specialization, and the Aviation Test Cell, where students in the FAA powerplant curriculum learn aspects of aircraft powerplant overhaul and operation.

AV-Tech Engine

Internships & Externships

Internships are a great way to gain new on-the-job knowledge and skills and build your network of contacts.  Recent SIU aviation internships include:

Student Organizations

We urge our Aviation Technologies majors to expand their network and explore new skills through registered student organizations. Among the hundreds of active student groups on campus, our program-specific organizations include:

  • Alpha Eta Rho
  • Association for Women in Aviation Maintenance
  • Aviation Management Society
  • Aviation Technologies Ambassadors
  • Detail Dawgs
  • National Gay Pilots Association
  • Rotor and Wing International
  • Women in Aviation

Contact Information

For more information about the program or to request information, contact:

Chris Milazzo
Academic Advisor
Trans Educ Center (TEC) 126 D
545 N. Airport Rd.
Murphysboro, IL 62966
618-453-5485
cmilazzo@siu.edu

Karen Johnson
Program Coordinator
Trans Educ Center (TEC) 226 G
545 N. Airport Rd.
Murphysboro, IL 62966
Phone: 618-453-9210
karen.johnson@siu.edu

Scholarships & Funding

Recognizing the importance of a quality academic experience, we are dedicated to helping you achieve your higher education goals. Through scholarships, grants, and/or loans, we put your college experience within reach.

Peruse the many general scholarships available to SIU students or check out our aviation-specific scholarships.

School of Aviation | College of Health and Human Sciences | 618-453-8898 |