Detailed Information
Program of Study
The Master of Science in Aviation (M.S.A.) is designed to help meet the professional growth needs of persons interested in a wide range of aviation careers. The degree is especially relevant for those who have earned a baccalaureate degree in aviation and those who have worked in the aviation field and now require more specialized knowledge. Two areas of emphasis are currently being offered: the airport development and management option and the applied aviation safety option. Persons interested in careers in airport or airline management, airport consulting, and governmental organizations involved in the management or regulation of airports will be interested in the airport development and management option, which is designed to offer specialization in the management and operation of airports. Modern airport management requires a unique set of skills that cross traditional corporate lines into government regulation and oversight, public finance, public administration, urban planning, environmental protection, security, flight safety, contract management, airspace management, and a host of other disciplines. This degree option helps place all of these disciplines in context and prepares professionals for demanding but uniquely rewarding careers.
The applied aviation safety option places emphasis on aviation safety, accident investigation, technical aviation consulting, and educational, regulatory, or investigative positions in governmental or trade organizations. This option is designed to broaden knowledge in a variety of technical areas of aviation. Modern accident investigators, consultants, government employees, teachers, and researchers often need to be able to assimilate and interpret aviation information from a variety of specialists and to apply this information to the resolution of complex problems and issues. The degree option prepares professionals to understand, integrate, and use information derived from such diverse fields as aviation physiology, avionics, electronics, human factors, and meteorology.
The College of Aeronautics also offers the Master of Science (M.S.) degree with a major in aviation human factors. Human factors refers to the field of study that attempts to identify principles of human-machine interaction and apply these principles to the design and operation of aviation systems. This degree prepares individuals to assume critical positions in the design, fabrication, maintenance, investigation, and evaluation of aviation systems. It is also a strong preparatory degree for entry into human factors Ph.D. programs.
In cooperation with Florida Tech’s outstanding Science Education Department, the College of Aeronautics sponsors a Ph.D. in science education–aeronautics. The program is designed to prepare exceptional individuals for faculty positions at universities and colleges offering aviation programs.
Research Facilities
The program offers modern computer laboratories for weather, air traffic control, advanced planning applications, statistical analyses, and word processing. The College of Aeronautics is housed in the Skurla Building located on the main campus of Florida Tech. Modern conference rooms and classrooms are available for meetings, program courses, and content-specific seminars. All rooms have access to audiovisual equipment, including projectors, VCR equipment, projection screens, movie projectors, and engine mock-up and avionics equipment. Library resources contain major, general-purpose magazines and newspapers as well as professional reference books, dictionaries, and indexes. There is also electronic library search capability on the Internet and access to the Web.
A complete flight training facility consisting of thirty single and multiengine aircraft, flight simulators, classrooms with appropriate flight instructional aids, and a comprehensive maintenance facility are located minutes away at the Melbourne International Airport for students’ use. Single-engine, multiengine, and flight-training device (FTD) simulators are also available on the main campus.
Financial Aid
Awards are based on academic promise, need, college costs, and the availability of funding. Inquiries should be sent to the Director of Financial Aid. Students eligible for Veterans Administration (VA) benefits may contact the VA representative on the Melbourne campus. Some flight, airport, and human factors internship may be available.
Cost of Study
Tuition for the academic year 2009–10 is $1015 per credit hour. Graduate student teaching and research awards may include tuition remission and a stipend.
Living and Housing Costs
Room and board on campus cost approximately $4500 per semester in 2009–10. On-campus housing (dormitories and apartments) is available for full-time single and married graduate students, but priority for dormitory rooms is given to undergraduate students. Many apartment complexes and rental houses are available near the campus.
Student Group
Florida Tech has an active student government that acts as a vital link between the administration and the student body, as the liaison between the university and the community, and as the catalyst for social events. The organization promotes new ideas and encourages student participation at all levels of university activity. The College of Aeronautics specifically has a student-organized Aeronautics Committee, the National Association of Women in Aviation (NAWA), Florida Institute of Technology College of Aeronautics Alumni organization (FITSA), Alpha Eta Rho, the Falcons Flight Team, the American Association of Airport Executives (AAEE), and the first student chapter of the International Society of Aviation Safety Investigators (ISASI).
Student Outcomes
Graduates of the program obtain positions in various areas and companies, such as airport management; the FAA; Airborne Express; K-C Aviation; Molex Inc.; UXB International; Collier County Airport Authority; U.S. Air Force Civilian Personnel; Pittsburgh International Airport; City of Houston, Department of Aviation; San Francisco International Airport; NASA; Hoyle, Tanner & Associates, Inc.; Flight Data Inc.; Kenton County Airport Board; Hanover County Municipal Airport; Greiner Inc.; and the New Piper Aircraft.
Location
Melbourne, Florida, is a medium-sized community with a subtropical climate. Shopping centers and a major hospital are nearby. Melbourne International Airport serves the community and campus with flights from all major cities. There are beaches approximately 3 miles from the campus for surfing, sailing, skin diving, and water-skiing. The Kennedy Space Center and Disney World are also nearby.
The Institute and The College
Florida Tech is an accredited, coeducational, independent university. Since its founding in 1958, along with the U.S. space program, the university has grown rapidly. Today nearly 4,000 students are enrolled in undergraduate and graduate programs. The university offers doctoral degrees in eighteen disciplines, while master’s degrees are offered in more than forty areas of study. The College of Aeronautics is also accredited by the Council on Aviation Accreditation.
Applying
A strong background in aviation or its related fields and scores on the GRE General Test are recommended. Applications should be received at the Graduate Admissions Office by early January. Students are selected on the basis of undergraduate records and interviews with several members of the faculty.
The Faculty and Their Research
- Winston E. Scott, Dean, College of Aeronautics. Captain Scott is a retired naval aviator with more than 5000 hours of flight experience in over twenty different aircraft. He holds a Master of Science degree in aeronautical engineering with avionics and honorary doctorate degrees from Florida Atlantic University and Michigan State University. Captain Scott served a tour of duty with Fighter Squadron Eighty Four at NAS Oceana, Virginia, served as a production test pilot at the Naval Aviation Depot with NAS in Jacksonville, and was later assigned as a test pilot and as the Deputy Director of the Tactical Aircraft Systems Department in Warminster, Pennsylvania. He served as Vice President for Student Affairs and Associate Dean, College of Engineering at Florida State University. He was also an Associate Instructor of electrical engineering at Florida A&M University and Florida Community College at Jacksonville. Captain Scott was selected as an astronaut by NASA in 1992. Serving as a mission specialist on two space flights, he logged over 24 days; including three spacewalks totaling over 19 hours. He is a published author, has appeared on national TV news as an expert commentator, and advised elected officials on matters related to space and aeronautics.
- Ballard Barker, Ph.D., Oklahoma. Planning, design, operation, and management of airports and other aviation facilities.
- Guy Boy, Ph.D., France. Developing a Ph.D. for Human Factors and Safety Critical Systems. Introduction and development of cognitive engineering in France, senior research scientist at Florida Institute for Human and Machine Cognitive, (IHMC).
- John Cain, Ed.S., Ph.D., Florida Tech. Develops curriculum and instructs aviation science and aviation management academics; instructs aeronautical science courses in aerodynamics, computer systems, aviation math, aircraft systems, aircraft performance, and accident investigation.
- Kenneth Crooks, J.D., Florida; M.P.A., Golden Gate. Corporate finance, decision theory, investments, business law, management, transportation, and labor relations with an emphasis on the legal environment of aviation management.
- Stephe Cusick, J.D., Louisville. Corporate attorney and former navy pilot. Teaches aviation technology, aviation safety, and aviation law courses.
- John Deaton, Ph.D., Catholic University. An Applied Experimental Psychologist, former Navy Commander with more than 800 flight hours, served as an Aerospace Experimental Psychologist, was a semifinalist for NASA’s astronaut training program.
- Korhan Oyman, Ph.D., Anadolu (Turkey). Former international airport manager, works on airport- and airline-related subjects. Consults aviation institutions and corporations worldwide.
- Thomas Utley, Ph.D., Florida Tech. Certified meteorologist with more than thirty years of aviation meteorology experience, former director of several governmental meteorological organizations.
- Nathaniel Villaire, Ed.D., William and Mary; M.P.A., Golden Gate. High-altitude pulmonary physiology, human factors in ATC, airspace management and safety.
Correspondence and Information
Florida Institute of Technology
Dr. John Cain
Program Chairman of Graduate Studies
College of Aeronautics
150 West University Boulevard
Melbourne, Florida 32901-6988
Telephone:
321-674-8120
Fax:
321-674-8057
Email:
jcain@fit.edu
Florida Institute of Technology
For a catalog and an application:
Graduate Admissions Office
150 West University Boulevard
Melbourne, Florida 32901
Telephone:
321-674-8027
800-944-4348 (toll-free)
Fax:
321-723-9468
Email:
grad-admissions@fit.edu
