Mar 28, 2024  
2023-2024 Academic Catalog 
    
2023-2024 Academic Catalog

Aviation, BS


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The Aviation BS is offered by the Department of Aviation and Technology . The curriculum provides a four-year pattern of coursework for those interested in the several different aspects of aviation. In addition to the required course work in general education, aviation, science and business, the student has the opportunity to choose one of four options - Professional Flight, Operations, Aviation Management, or Maintenance Management.

Summary of Degree Units

University Graduation Requirements 30
Major Preparation 20
Major Requirements 27
Specialization 43
Total 120

Program Roadmaps

The 4-Year Roadmap is available online. Roadmaps should be used in consultation with the catalog and your advisor to identify additional requirements for completing the major (for example, course grade minimums). Associate Degrees (ADT) Pathways are also available online.

Major-Specific Graduation Requirements

All courses in the Preparation and Required in Major (all courses in preparation, core, and concentration) must be completed with a grade of “C-” or better. With the exception of ENGR 100W  which must be completed with a “C” or better.

University Requirements


Students must satisfy all of the major and Undergraduate University Graduation Requirements , which includes unit, GPA, and residency requirements as well as the below identified General Education , American Institutions, Graduation Writing Assessment, and Physical Education requirements. Courses that meet Undergraduate University Graduation Requirements are noted with an area designation (see Course Abbreviations ).

Exceptions for University Graduation Requirements  apply to this major.  

Core Lower Division General Education (24 units)


Of the 39 units required by the university, 15 units may be satisfied by coursework outlined below. Courses that meet GE Areas A1, A2, A3, B4, or F must be passed with a “C-” or better to meet the requirement. Consult with a major advisor for details. Of the 39 units, the following 24 units are not satisfied in the major:

Upper Division General Education


Of the 9 units required by the university, 9 units may be satisfied by coursework outlined below. Consult with major advisor for details.

American Institutions (6 units)


Complete one 6-unit sequence of American Institutions (US123) courses, which also satisfies GE Area D. Students may also satisfy the American Institutions Requirement  with other courses, but these may not satisfy other GE areas.

The American Studies sequence (AMS 1A /AMS 1B ; 12 units) or Humanities Honors course (HUM 2B ; 6 units) satisfies the American Institutions Requirement and additional GE Areas (see course descriptions for details).

Consult with a major advisor to select the appropriate sequence.

Physical Education


The Physical Education Requirement is waived for this major. See the Exceptions for University Graduation Requirements .

Graduation Writing Assessment Requirement


At SJSU, students must pass a Writing in the Disciplines (100W) course with a  grade of C or better (C- not accepted) to meet graduation requirements. For this major, the Graduation Writing Assessment Requirement (GWAR)  is satisfied by a course in the major.

Major Preparation (20 units)


Accounting (3 units)


Complete one course:

Physics (8 units)


Complete one sequence:

Physics B


Major Requirements (70 units)


To qualify for a baccalaureate degree in Aviation, students must earn a grade of “C-” or better in each required major and preparation course.

Specialized Courses (43 units)


Choose one specialization.

Professional Flight


Students in the Professional Flight option are required to select an affiliated flight school and earn three FAA pilot ratings. The costs of flight training are not included in the tuition at SJSU.

Maintenance Management


Airframes and Powerplants (A&P) coursework (30 units)

In order to complete this option, a student must complete an AS-level FAA-approved maintenance programs at an accredited community college, such as those listed below, prior to beginning upper division coursework. See http://avtech.sjsu.edu/department for more information.

SJSU Required Courses (13 units)

The following courses are completed at SJSU. 

Total Units Required (120 units)


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