The program objectives for the B. S. in Commercial Pilot - Fixed Wing, are to:

1. Provide a high-quality flight training program that follows requirements outlined by the Federal Aviation Administration specified in 14 CFR Part 141.
2. Provide future fixed-wing pilots a general education that will allow them to work for national or international aeronautics corporations.
3. Provide students with the theoretical information that will allow them to understand the operation of aircraft and the technical skills to operate aircraft using advanced aeronautics technology.
4. Prepare students to be effective pilots and flight instructors.

Student learning outcomes for the B.S. in Commercial Pilot - Fixed Wing:

1. Students will complete an FAA-approved course of study and demonstrate that they can operate technically advanced aircraft under a range of flight conditions.
2. Students will demonstrate the ability to communicate effectively and work collaboratively in diverse and demanding environments.
3. Students will demonstrate the ability to engage in continual professional development related to skills as pilots and professionals working in commercial aviation settings.
4. Students will demonstrate the application of skills and perspectives.

Note: This program is not approved for the usage of veterans' education benefits.

All Flight Students

For initial consideration, all applicants must meet Marshall University’s general freshman or transfer admission requirements. Admission to the Bachelor of Science program in Commercial Pilot - Fixed Wing will be selective each year, depending on both the number of applications received and the capacity to enroll new students. Not all applicants who qualify for general admission to the university will be admissible to this program.

As required by FAA regulations, and determined by the Bill Noe Flight School, students must speak, read, write and understand English. Prior to commencing flight training, non-U.S. citizens must complete all Transportation Security Administration (TSA) background checks and appropriate approvals.

Marshall requires that all flight students have at least a Second Class Medical when starting the flight program. However, we recommend students get a First Class Medical prior to flight training to make sure they do not have any medical conditions that could disqualify them from flying with airlines. Medicals must be done by a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Aviation Medical Examiner (AME). Prospective students will find AMEs by location using the resource at https://designee.faa.gov/#/designeeLocator.

Upon admission to the program and before beginning AVSC coursework, students who do not have at least a Private Pilot certification must apply for and receive a Student Pilot certificate. See https://www.faa.gov/pilots/become/student_cert/ for details. Contact the Bill Noe Flight School if you have questions.

Transfer Student / Intercollege Transfer Policy

Transfer students must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.25 or Chief Instructor approval.

Students who hold one or more FAA pilot certificates will not need to repeat required courses for these certifications but must discuss their specific situations with the Chief Instructor before enrolling.

Students allowed to enroll with previous FAA pilot certifications, however, must complete AVSC 105 Transition Lab, a course designed to train students to operate the Cirrus SR20. Successful completion requires students to pass the knowledge and practical test requirements of the FAA certification standards at a level commensurate with the pilot certification held while operating the Cirrus SR20 aircraft. Students with previous FAA pilot certifications must successfully complete AVSC 105 before proceeding with further flight courses.
Transfer students who completed college-level courses from a regionally accredited institution of higher education may receive credit for those courses. Please review the Admissions section in the Undergraduate Catalog for more information regarding the university’s transfer policies.

Graduation/ Other Requirements

The Professional Pilot B.S. degree requires a minimum of 120 hours for graduation.

Progression Requirements

Flight students are expected to complete each flight course in one semester. However, with permission, students experiencing extensive uncontrollable situations, such as weather, may complete the course the following semester with permission. Any student failing to complete the course requirements in that following semester may be dismissed from the program due to lack of progress. Students must maintain a minimum of a C or better in all courses required for the major. AVSC ground schools (AVSC 200, AVSC 215, and AVSC 329) also require an 80% minimum score for all exams.

Course Requirements

  - General Education Course

  - Milestone course: a key success marker for your major. See your advisor to discuss the importance of this course in your plan of study.

The Core Curriculum is designed to foster critical thinking skills and introduce students to basic domains of thinking that transcend disciplines. The Core applies to all majors. Information on specific classes in the Core can be found at https://www.marshall.edu/gened/.

Semester Plan

The following  semester plan presents a sequence of courses that allows students to complete the degree in eight semesters. Individual student plans will depend upon the courses they have completed, the availability of courses, and other factors.

• A minimum of 120 credit hours are required for the baccalaureate degree.
• Six hours of Writing Intensive (WI) credits are required for the degree. Students are encouraged to select WI sections of courses when available within the plan of study.

The Core Curriculum is designed to foster critical thinking skills and introduce students to basic domains of thinking that transcend disciplines. The Core applies to all majors. Information on specific classes in the Core can be found at https://www.marshall.edu/gened/.