Daytona Beach Campus

Master of Science in Aeronautics

  • OVERVIEW
  • ADVANTAGES
  • REQUIREMENTS
  • CAREERS

Overview

The Master of Science in Aeronautics (MSA) degree program is designed to provide the aviation/aerospace professional with a rigorous academic approach to a generalist education oriented degree. It provides an unequaled opportunity for flight crew members, air traffic control personnel, flight operations specialists, industry technical representatives, and aviation educators to enhance their knowledge and pursue additional career opportunities.

Advantages

The Master of Science in Aeronautics (MSA) degree is a comprehensive—and unique—advanced degree that combines both theoretical and practical learning experiences to provide the student with a valuable blend of knowledge, skills, and abilities well suited for success in the aviation industry. This competitive advantage is made possible because the professors in the MSA Program had successful professional careers in aviation before becoming educators in their second career. The combination of highly qualified professors, a realistic learning environment featuring state-of-the-art technology, and the support of an aviation industry that values our graduates, makes the MSA Program the degree of choice for anyone seeking a successful career as an aviation professional. This broad-based degree offers one or more Specializations in disciplines such as:

  • Air Traffic Management
  • Aviation/Aerospace Operations
  • Aviation/Aerospace Management
  • Aviation/Aerospace Safety Systems Management
  • Aviation/Aerospace Educational Technology
  • Aviation Meteorology

Requirements

Entry into the MSA program requires possession of an undergraduate foundation, with a minimum GPA of 3.0, in the areas of college-level mathematics, introduction to computers, economics, and behavioral science.

The program consists of a total of 36 credits. Students must complete the Advanced Aviation/Aerospace Science Core consisting of 12 credits and then complete the 12 credits that make up the selected specialization in one of five areas: Air Traffic Management, Aviation/Aerospace Education Technology, Aviation/Aerospace Management, Aviation/ Aerospace Operations, or Aviation/Aerospace Safety Systems. Students must then complete 12 credits of coursework and a comprehensive examination or six hours of coursework and a thesis. MSA students can also complete courses leading to a multiple specialization. The multiple specialization must be declared prior to the completion of the degree program. Students wishing to complete multiple specializations must have 12 unduplicated credits in each of the specializations and a minimum of 39 credit hours.

Air Traffic Management Specialization - Track 1: For Students with no ATC experience or education.

Required Undergraduate Foundation (18 Credits)
CourseTitleCredits
AS 120Principles of Aeronautical Science -OR- 
AS 132Basic Aeronautics I3
WX 201Survey of Meteorology3
AT 200Air Traffic Management I -OR- 
MSA 606Aviation/Aerospace Communications/Control Systems3
AT 302Air Traffic Management II3
AT 305Air Traffic Management III3
AT 401Air Traffic Management IV3
MSA Core Requirements (12 Credits)
CourseTitleCredits
MSA 605Research Methods and Statistics3
 Core Courses (choose 3 from below) 
MSA 602The Air Transportation System3
MSA 604Human Factors in Aviation/Aerospace Industry3
MSA 606Aviation/Aerospace Communications/Control Systems3
MSA 610Applied Aviation Safety Programs3
Specialization Requirements (12 Credits)
CourseTitleCredits
BA 520Organizational Behavior, Theory, and Applications in Aviation3
MSA 508Advanced Airport Modeling3
MSA 515Aviation/Aerospace Simulation Systems3
MSA 520Air Traffic Management-VFR Tower3
MSA 608Aviation/Aerospace Accident Investigation and Safety Systems3
MSA 615Applied Aviation Research Methods3
MSA 616Air Traffic Management Leadership and Critical Decision Making3
MSA 617Air Traffic Management V3
MSA 618Air Traffic Management VI3
MSA 627Air Traffic Management in the NAS3
MSA 636Advanced Aviation/Aerospace Planning Systems3
MSA 696Graduate Internship in Aeronautical Science1-3
Electives (12 Credits)
CourseTitleCredits
 Option I: 
MSA/BAElectives (500-600 Level)6
 -AND- 
MSA 700Thesis6
 -OR- 
 Option II: 
MSA/BAElectives (500-600 Level)12
 -AND- 
MSA 695Comprehensive Examination0

Air Traffic Management Specialization - Track 2: For students with an Embry-Riddle undergraduate degree in Air Traffic Management

MSA Core Requirements (12 Credits)
CourseTitleCredits
MSA 605Research Methods and Statistics3
 Core Courses (choose 3 from below) 
MSA 602Air Transportation System3
MSA 604Human Factors in the Aviation/Aerospace Industry3
MSA 606Aviation/Aerospace Communications/Control Systems3
MSA 610Applied Aviation Safety Programs3
Specialization Requirements (12 Credits)
CourseTitleCredits
MSA 616Air Traffic Management Leadership and Critical Decision Making3
MSA 627Air Traffic Management in the NAS3
 Core Courses 
BA 520Organizational Behavior, Theory, and Applications in Aviation3
MSA 508Advanced Airport Modeling3
MSA 515Aviation/Aerospace Simulation Systems3
MSA 608Aviation/Aerospace Investigation and Safety Programs3
MSA 615Applied Aviation Research Methods3
MSA 636Advanced Aviation/Aerospace Planning Systems3
MSA 696Graduate Internship in Aeronautical Science1-3
Electives (12 Credits)
CourseTitleCredits
 Option I: 
MSA/BAElectives (500-600 Level)6
 -AND- 
MSA 700Thesis6
 -OR- 
 Option II: 
MSA/BAElectives (500-600 Level)12
 -AND- 
MSA 695Comprehensive Examination0

Aviation/Aerospace Education Technology Specialization

MSA Core Requirements (12 Credits)
CourseTitleCredits
MSA 605Research Methods and Statistics3
 Core Courses (choose 3 from below) 
MSA 602Air Transportation System3
MSA 604Human Factors in the Aviation/Aerospace Industry3
MSA 606Aviation/Aerospace Communications/Control Systems3
MSA 610Applied Aviation Safety Programs3
Specialization Requirements (12 Credits)
CourseTitleCredits
MSA 514Computer-Based Instruction3
MSA 515Aviation/Aerospace Simulation Systems3
MSA 518Online Learning Environment3
MSA 550Aviation Education Foundations3
MSA 614Advanced Aviation/Aerospace Curriculum Development3
MSA 654Adult Teaching and Learning Techniques3
MSA 663Memory and Cognition3
Electives (12 Credits)
CourseTitleCredits
 Option I: 
MSA/BAElectives (500-600 Level)6
 -AND- 
MSA 700Thesis6
 -OR- 
 Option II: 
MSA/BAElectives (500-600 Level)12
 -AND- 
MSA 695Comprehensive Examination0

Aviation/Aerospace Management Specialization

MSA Core Requirements (12 Credits)
CourseTitleCredits
MA 605Research Methods and Statistics3
 Core Courses (choose 3 from below) 
MSA 602Air Transportation System3
MSA 604Human Factors in the Aviation/Aerospace Industry3
MSA 606Aviation/Aerospace Communications/Control Systems3
MSA 610Applied Aviation Safety Programs3
Specialization Requirements (12 Credits)
CourseTitleCredits
BA 511Operations Research3
BA 521Global Information and Technology Management3
BA 607Human Resource Development3
BA 632Seminar in Aviation Labor Relations3
BA 645Airport Operations and Management3
MSA 508Advanced Airport Modeling3
MSA 609Aircraft Maintenance Management3
MSA 611Aviation/Aerospace System Safety3
MSA 612Aviation/Aerospace Industrial Safety Management3
MSA 615Applied Aviation Research Methods3
MSA 616Air Traffic Management Leadership and Critical Decision Making3
MSA 627Air Traffic Management in the NAS3
MSA 636Advanced Aviation/Aerospace Planning Systems3
MSA 641Production and Procurement Management in the Aviation/Aerospace Industry3
MSA 643Management of Research and Development for the Aviation/Aerospace Industry3
MSA 644Integrated Logistics Support in Aviation/Aerospace3
Electives (12 Credits)
CourseTitleCredits
 Option I: 
MSA/BAElectives (500-600 Level)6
 -AND- 
MSA 700Thesis6
 -OR- 
 Option II: 
MSA/BAElectives (500-600 Level)12
 -AND- 
MSA 695Comprehensive Examination0

Aviation/Aerospace Operations Specialization

Advanced Aviation/Aerospace Science Core (12 Credits)
CourseTitleCredits
MSA 602Air Transportation System3
MSA 604Human Factors in the Aviation/Aerospace Industry3
MSA 606Aviation/Aerospace Communications/Control Systems3
MSA 610Applied Aviation Safety Programs3
Specialization Requirements
CourseTitleCredits
 Students must choose 12 credit hours from the following: 
BA 511Operations Research3
BA 520Organizational Behavior, Theory, and Applications in Aviation3
MSA 508Advanced Airport Modeling3
MSA 515Aviation/Aerospace Simulation Systems3
MSA 516Applications in Crew Resource Management3
MSA 519Terrorism and Homeland Security3
MSA 603Aircraft and Spacecraft Development3
MSA 606Aviation/Aerospace Communication/Control Systems3
MSA 608Aviation/Aerospace Accident Investigation and Safety Systems3
MSA 620Air Carrier Operations3
MSA 622Corporate Aviation Operations3
Electives (12 Credits)
CourseTitleCredits
 Option I: 
MSA/BAElectives (500-600 Level)6
 -AND- 
MSA 700Thesis6
 -OR- 
 Option II: 
MSA/BAElectives (500-600 Level)12
 -AND- 
MSA 695Comprehensive Examination0

Aviation/Aerospace Safety Systems Specialization

MSA Core Requirements (12 credits)
CourseTitleCredits
MA 605Research Methods and Statistics3
 Core Courses (choose 3 from below) 
MSA 602The Air Transportation System3
MSA 604Human Factors in the Aviation/Aerospace Industry3
MSA 606Aviation/Aerospace Communications/Controls Systems3
MSA 610Applied Aviation Safety Programs3
Specialization Requirements (12 credits)
CourseTitleCredits
MSA 508Advanced Airport Modeling3
MSA 519Terrorism and Homeland Security3
MSA 608Aviation/Aerospace Accident Investigation and Safety Systems3
MSA 611Aviation/Aerospace System Safety3
MSA 612Aviation/Aerospace Industrial Safety Management3
MSA 613Airport Operations Safety3
MSA 634Aviation/Aerospace Psychology3
Electives (12 Credits)
CourseTitleCredits
 Option I: 
MSA/BAElectives (500-600 Level)6
 -AND- 
MSA 700Thesis6
 -OR- 
 Option II: 
MSA/BAElectives (500-600 Level)12
 -AND- 
MSA 695Comprehensive Examination0

Aviation Meteorology Specialization

MSA Core Requirements (12 credits)
CourseTitleCredits
MA 605Research Methods and Statistics3
 Core Courses (choose 3 from below) 
MSA 602The Air Transportation System3
MSA 604Human Factors in the Aviation/Aerospace Industry3
MSA 606Aviation/Aerospace Communications/Controls Systems3
MSA 610Applied Aviation Safety Programs3
Specialization Requirements (12 credits)
CourseTitleCredits
 Option 1: For students with no undergraduate Meteorology/Atmospheric Sciences degree (12 credits) 
MSA 517Advanced Meteorology3
MSA 525Advanced Aviation Meteorology3
MSA 530Research Seminar in Aviation Meteorology3
WX 422Statistical Applications for Meteorological Data Analysis -OR- 
WX 480Environmental Security3
 Option II: For students with undergraduate Meteorology/Atmospheric Sciences Degree (12 credits) 
MSA 525Advanced Aviation Meteorology3
MSA 530Research Seminar in Aviation Meteorology3
 Electives6
Electives (12 Credits)
CourseTitleCredits
 Option I: 
MSA/BAElectives (500-600 Level)6
 -AND- 
MSA 700Thesis6
 -OR- 
 Option II: 
MSA/BAElectives (500-600 Level)12
 -AND- 
MSA 695Comprehensive Examination0

Careers

Graduates are employed as human factors specialists, pricing analysts, and systems engineers and in flight operations, flight management, and research. Recent graduates have been hired by companies such as the following:

  • Advanced Aviation Associates
  • Allied Signal Aerospace
  • Beech Aerospace
  • Dufresne-Henry
  • Emory Worldwide
  • Euronet LTD
  • FAA
  • General Dynamics
  • Harris Corp.
  • Honeywell
  • Lockheed
  • NASA
  • Sikorsky Aircraft
  • Texas Department of Transportation
  • Texas Instruments