Aviation Business Administration

Overview

The Bachelor of Science degree in Aviation Business Administration (ABA) program blends an impressive academic foundation with the aviation industry knowledge required to compete for - and excel in - exciting, rewarding careers in aviation, aerospace and related industries. Each student completes a rich general education foundation and a rigorous business core within the program requirements. In addition, students choose one or two concentration areas of interest: Management, Flight Operations (helicopter or fixed-wing), Finance or Airport Management.

Students are encouraged to pursue enriching internship activities at airports, airlines or with businesses of their choice. Ample opportunity is given to interact with members of industry during their time at Embry-Riddle, Prescott. This includes special networking events with our Business Industrial Advisory Board members, field trips to airports, air cargo and airline industry partners; and travel to interesting aviation and business conferences. Students are also encouraged to participate in our study abroad program, featuring Asian, European and South American destinations. Selected ABA program offerings are accredited by the Aviation Accreditation Board International (AABI). The Embry-Riddle Prescott Department of Business is a member of the Association of Collegiate Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP).

Advantages

• The quality of the business academic experience is superior. For three consecutive years, the ABA students at Embry-Riddle Prescott have won the most (total) awards of any contender at the Phi Beta Lambda (Business) State Leadership Conference. So, while our students gain substantial knowledge necessary for success in the aviation industry, the strong business foundation clearly allows them to compete in both aviation and non-aviation pursuits.
• Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University is a world leader in aviation and aerospace education, prompting aviation industry employers to seek our business graduates. Recent graduates and decades of alumni regularly keep in contact with our faculty and career services staff to share industry news, emerging trends, and career opportunities.
• Department of Business full-time and adjunct faculty members have aviation and business experience at airports, airlines, space agencies, and air cargo firms. Their experiences in the aviation industry and in business consulting, small business management, law, information systems, and accounting tend to enliven the classroom, and help to promote an understanding of opportunities and challenges in a dynamic industry. Our business professors and adjunct faculty have engaged also in cutting-edge industry research (airports, unmanned systems, global business practices, etc.) and the production of meaningful scholarship.
• The ABA capstone course is a life-changing opportunity for students to serve as a business consultant for an actual client, as opposed to a business simulation. This experience helps to add the professional polish to our emerging graduates, as well as helping students to apply their academic knowledge/skills to actual public and private sector situations.

Careers

Employers throughout the industry eagerly seek graduates in the aviation management field. It's well known that Embry-Riddle's business degree plus internships make graduates attractive to aviation companies.

Potential Positions

• Revenue Management Analyst
• Financial Analyst
• Sales Representative
• Aviation Insurance Agent
• Flight Coordinator
• Market Analyst
• Strategic Planning Analyst

Career Areas

• Airport Management
• Aerospace Production
• Aviation Consulting
• Commercial Airlines
• Charter/Fractional/Air Taxi
• FBO Manager
• Government
• Leasing/Finance
• Supply Chain Market/Air Cargo

Potential Employers

• Continental Airlines
• Colorado Springs Airport
• Denver International Airport
• Guidance Helicopters
• Jet Edge
• Legend Aviation
• Lockheed Martin Flight Service Station
• McCarran International Airport
• Starr Aviation

Internships and Co-Ops

Cooperative education internships are a unique opportunity for students to receive on-the-job training prior to graduation that employers consider valuable when reviewing your resume.

Our students' internships and co-ops include:

Airlines

• V-Australia
• American Airlines
• Continental Airlines
• Delta Air Line
• Korean Air
• TWA
• United Airlines

Government Agencies

• Department of Defense
• FAA
• FBI
• NTSB
• NASA

Aviation Support/Services

• Aeronational Inc.
• AT&T
• Dallas Aerospace
• FedEx
• Japan Airport Consultants Inc.
• Rocky Mountain Helicopter
• UPS
• United Aerodynamics

Manufacturers

• Beech Aircraft Corp.
• The Boeing Co.
• British Aerospace
• Cessna Aircraft Co.
• General Electric
• Honeywell
• Lockheed Martin
• Pratt & Whitney
• United Technologies Corp.

Faculty