Aeronautical Technology, BS - Professional Pilot Option

Program Description

The Associate of Arts, AA degree or the Associate of Science, AS degree from JCCC is a general transfer degree and partners well with the first two years of most bachelor degree programs. Students pursuing the AA or AS may select courses that satisfy both the AA or AS degree requirements and lower division requirements for a bachelor’s degree at four-year institutions. The elective hours within the AA or AS allow students to complete additional general education and lower division courses required for specific majors. The AA or AS degree requires completion of 60 credit hours. Meeting with a JCCC counselor is strongly recommended for selection of appropriate courses. 

The Bachelor of Science in Aeronautical Technology provides students with comprehensive knowledge and practical skills for careers across the aviation and aerospace industries. The Professional Pilot option emphasize flight training, navigation, and airline operations, equipping students for careers as commercial pilots or aviation managers.

The professional pilot degree option is FAA part 141 approved, allowing students to complete commercial pilot training in as little as 190 hours instead of 250 hours, for a bachelor's degree. The training also allows students to qualify for a Restricted Airline Transport Pilot Certificate (R-ATP) in as few as 1,000 hours with a bachelor's degree. (Students are required to meet the minimum credits for R-ATP approved courses. Earning a degree does not equate to an automatic R-ATP.) The R-ATP can be beneficial to students by providing them with the ability to fly for the airlines earlier.

Students may transfer flight ratings from outside FBOs (Fixed Base Operators) prior to starting their Professional Pilot degree at K-State. Once flight training starts with K-State, the student must maintain their flight training with K-State. General education courses and some elective credits are offered at JCCC, either online or in person and will transfer to K-State. The core degree courses are delivered online by Kansas State University.

The program partnership between JCCC and K-State for the AA or AS degree at JCCC and the Bachelor of Science degree in Aeronautical Technology – Professional Pilot Option at Kansas State University, allows a student to remain in the Kansas City metropolitan area while completing requirements for the K-State degree.

The Bachelor of Science degree in Aeronautical Technology – Professional Pilot Option requires completion of 120 credit hours. Please note: K-State can accept up to 75 credit hours from JCCC, but this degree requires at least 45 credit hours at 300+ course level. 

JCCC Transfer Guide Disclaimer

It is the student's responsibility to check for updates to all transfer information. This transfer guide is provided as a service and is updated as needed. Degree requirements at the four-year colleges are subject to change by those institutions. To ensure you have the most accurate information about the program, you must meet with an advisor at the transfer institution.