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The BS in Aeronautics with a Major in Commercial Aviation at the University of North Dakota is a renowned four-year, on-campus program that prepares you for a dynamic career in the aviation industry. Whether you dream of piloting aeroplanes or helicopters, this degree offers world-class flight training, industry-leading safety standards, and the credentials you need to launch your career as a professional pilot or aviation leader.
Curriculum structure:
Year 1: You’ll start with the fundamentals, including AVIT 100 – Aviation Orientation and AVIT 102 – Introduction to Aviation (or AVIT 142 – Introduction to Aviation-Helicopter for helicopter students), and begin your core studies in ENGL 110 – College Composition I, MATH 103 – College Algebra, and ATSC 110/110L – Meteorology I and Lab. These courses build your academic foundation and introduce you to the world of aviation.
Year 2: You’ll dive deeper into aviation with courses like AVIT 221 – Basic Attitude Instrument Flying or AVIT 241 – Commercial Helicopter, and AVIT 208 – Aviation Safety. You’ll also take COMM 110 – Fundamentals of Public Speaking and continue your essential studies, while starting to accumulate flight hours and hands-on experience in UND’s state-of-the-art simulators and aircraft.
Year 3: You’ll focus on advanced flight and technical knowledge, with courses such as AVIT 323 – Aerodynamics – Aeroplanes or AVIT 342 – IFR Regulations and Procedures-Helicopter, AVIT 309 – Flight Physiology, and AVIT 403 – Aerospace Law. This year also includes electives and specialised training, preparing you for multi-engine or advanced helicopter operations.
Year 4: Your final year is all about professional readiness and leadership. You’ll complete AVIT 414 – Certified Flight Instructor Certification or AVIT 444 – Helicopter Advanced Operations, AVIT 430 – Crew Resource Management, and AVIT 485 – Aviation Senior Capstone. You’ll graduate with commercial pilot certification, instrument and multi-engine ratings, and the skills to instruct or lead in the aviation field.
Focus areas: Commercial pilot training (aeroplane or helicopter), aviation safety, flight instruction, aerodynamics, aircraft systems, aviation law, crew resource management.
Learning outcomes: Graduates earn commercial pilot certificates with instrument and multi-engine ratings, develop advanced flight, safety, and leadership skills, and are fully prepared for professional roles in airlines, corporate aviation, flight instruction, or aviation management.
Professional alignment (accreditation): The program is delivered by the John D. Odegard School of Aerospace Sciences, recognised globally for aviation education excellence and FAA-approved safety standards.
Reputation (employability rankings): UND is ranked among the top aviation programs in the U.S. and is known worldwide for producing highly skilled, job-ready aviation professionals (US News #244 National University, 2025)
If you want to launch a career as a professional pilot, the University of North Dakota’s BS in Commercial Aviation is one of the world’s most respected programs, blending rigorous academics, advanced flight training, and state-of-the-art facilities.
From your first year, you’ll build real-world skills through:
Flight Training: Earn your commercial pilot certificate with instrument and multi-engine ratings, as well as a certified flight instructor certificate with instrument rating. You can specialise in either aeroplanes or helicopters, gaining hands-on experience in various flight environments and weather conditions.
Simulators and Labs: Train with advanced virtual controller simulators, radar simulators, and a range of aviation training devices, including Frasca Piper and CRJ simulators, plus virtual reality tools for immersive learning.
Faculty Mentorship: With over 30 faculty members and a low student-to-instructor ratio, you’ll receive personalised guidance and support throughout your training.
Student Organisations: Join one of 17 aviation-related student organisations for networking, leadership, and career development opportunities.
Industry Connections: UND maintains strong ties with airlines and aerospace employers, offering career pathway programs and a dedicated industry relations and placement office.
Largest Collegiate Fleet: UND operates the largest fleet of collegiate aircraft in the country, with over 110 aircraft including Archers, Seminoles, Super Decathlons, Cessna 172s, King Airs, CubCrafters Top Cubs, and Robinson R44 helicopters.
On-Campus Airfield: The Grand Forks International Airport (KGFK) is just 10 minutes from campus, providing direct access to runways and airspace for flight training.
Cutting-Edge Simulators: The program features state-of-the-art simulators for both aeroplanes and helicopters, including virtual reality training devices and CRJ regional jet simulators.
Modern Classrooms and Labs: The John D. Odegard School of Aerospace Sciences houses advanced classrooms, labs, and briefing rooms, supporting both academic and flight training.
Comprehensive Support Services: Students benefit from dedicated advising, career placement, and a robust safety management system (SMS) at the core of all operations
Graduates of the University of North Dakota’s BS in Aeronautics with a major in Commercial Aviation are in high demand, ready to launch careers as commercial pilots, certified flight instructors, airline operations managers, and aviation safety specialists. Most UND graduates start as Certified Flight Instructors, quickly building flight hours and moving on to regional airlines, corporate flight departments, or government aviation roles.
Here’s how UND helps you soar:
Personalised Career Support: UND’s Department of Aviation offers hands-on training with one of the largest civilian aircraft fleets in North America, state-of-the-art simulators, and a dedicated faculty focused on your success. Over 85% of graduates begin as flight instructors at UND, providing a direct path to build experience and move up in the industry.
Strong Employment Outcomes: UND’s Commercial Aviation program is known worldwide for excellence, with alumni working at airlines like Skywest, Endeavour, Horizon, Envoy, PSA, GoJet, Air Wisconsin, Cape Air, and in all branches of the military and government aviation.
Industry & Research Partnerships: UND’s John D. Odegard School of Aerospace Sciences partners with leading airlines, corporate flight departments, and government agencies, offering students direct connections to employers and real-world experience.
Accreditation & Lasting Value: The program is fully accredited and recognized throughout the aviation industry, ensuring your degree is respected by employers across the US and internationally.
Graduate Outcomes: You’ll earn a commercial pilot certificate with instrument and multi-engine ratings, plus a certified flight instructor certificate. The curriculum covers advanced aviation safety, crew resource management, aerospace law, and international navigation, preparing you for leadership in aviation.
Further Academic Progression:
After earning your BS in Aeronautics at UND, you’ll be well-prepared to pursue a master’s degree in aviation, aerospace management, or related fields. Many graduates also go on to specialised training, airline transition programs, or advanced certifications, all supported by UND’s strong reputation and global alumni network
Official transcripts from Grade 9 to Grade 11th. For 12th Grade your school counselor should send the predictedOptional Common App personal essay (up to 650 words)Letters of recommendation are optionalIt's recommended that you have a cumulative GPA 3.25 or higher when applyingIf you've taken the ACT/SAT, you're encouraged to submit your test scores to best determine scholarships and placement in English and math coursesHighlight your extracurriculars, leadership, or research experiencePortfolio, project links, or YouTube channel to enhance your application (optional)Apply via the CommonApp or the UND Application PortalAerospace EngineerAerospace TechnicianDesign EngineerMechanical EngineerAeronautical EngineerAircraft DesignerSystems EngineerPilotAeronautical ConsultantMaintenance EngineerTechnical Sales Engineer
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University of North Dakota
