Bachelor of Science (BS), Aeronautics: Professional Pilot
Your Degree
Charleston Southern’s Aeronautics program is the first and currently the only program of its kind at any South Carolina university.
Learning Outcomes
Our program provides comprehensive aeronautics instruction including aviation training, safety, meteorology, business and law, with opportunities for leadership seminars and valuable industry internships.
Your Voyage
Graduates of the Professional Pilot program will be equipped with the knowledge and skills for small business ownership and leadership or work as mid-level management with a major aviation or aerospace company.
Program Benefits
Learn how to manage
Each academic aviation course (Private Pilot, Instrument, Commercial, Multi-Engine and Flight Instructor) is a 3 credit-hour academic course. Each semester at CSU includes a 2 credit-hour flight lab, where you will fly a minimum of 2-3 times per week in pursuit of your FAA qualifications.
A faith-based aerospace program
The Bachelor of Science in Aeronautics – Professional Pilot program integrates faith-based learning by fostering ethical decision-making grounded in Christian principles throughout the aviation curriculum. Students are encouraged to develop not only technical flying skills but also a spiritual foundation that guides their professional conduct and service to others in the aerospace industry.
Get Started
- Students can expect to begin flight training within the first academic year of acceptance, including the summer term. Flight lab slots are limited by aircraft and instructor availability.
Professional Pilot Courses
As an Professional Pilot major, you’ll take courses like:
- FAA Ground and Flight Training
- Aviation Safety & Safety Management Systems
- Airport Management
- Global Navigation
- Aviation Regulation & Law
- Aerodynamics
Professional Pilot Career
Graduates are equipped for a variety of career paths.
- Airline Pilot
- Commercial/Contract Pilot
- Military Pilot
- Missionary Pilot
- Flight Instructor
- Aerospace Leader & Manager

Interested in this Program?
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Meet Our Faculty
Frequent Questions about the Pilot Program
Why should I enroll in a Part 141 school when I can go and get my certificates from a Part 61 flight school downtown?
- If you graduate from an FAA-approved degree program at CSU, you will be eligible to receive your R-ATP at 1,000 or 1,250 hours versus an unrestricted ATP at 1,500 hours.
Can you explain the Restricted Airline Transport Pilot certificate and the process to obtain it, step-by-step?
- Questions about the R-ATP can be answered here: https://www.faa.gov/pilots/training/atp/
I heard you do not need a college degree to fly for the airlines. Is there any advantage to having a college degree when applying for an airline job?
- Correct, you do not need a college degree to fly for the regional (smaller) airlines, though a 4-year degree (or equivalent military or professional experience) is still highly desired for employment at any legacy carriers (American, United, Delta), FedEx or UPS. However, the benefit of this program lies mainly in the qualification for a R-ATP certificate. Also, having a college degree allows for more leadership opportunities in the industry and an alternate path to follow in the event of an unfortunate medical disqualification in the future.
Does CSU have any partnerships with airlines or industry partners that guarantee job placement after graduation?
- CSU hosts many airline recruiters and industry partners at career events during the semester, though there are no formal flow-through agreements at this time. Through our aeronautics career events, many of our students have interviewed with and been accepted into cadet/apprenticeship programs at various regional airlines, and the aviation industry is booming (see this article from Boeing https://www.boeing.com/commercial/market/commercial-market-outlook/).