G'day folks,
Has anyone here pursued a Masters of Science in Aeronautics through ERAU? If so, please share intel on your experiences doing the online degree. I am looking for professional development opportunities in aviation.
Cheers!
Masters of Science in Aeronautics - ERAU
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Raglan Aviation
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Re: Masters of Science in Aeronautics - ERAU
Greetings,
I didn't complete my MSA online, but at the Daytona Campus and this was about 15 years ago, but I'll add my thoughts. Although I was on campus, the online experience isn't too different from what I am told.
I guarantee that I am no better of an aviator than anyone else here with my flying experience and I do not know anything that cannot be learned elsewhere in the field. With that in mind, however, the MSA remains one of the best decisions that I have made in my career. I loved every class that I took and the professors were some of the most experienced and diverse people that I have ever come across. I learned a ton about aviation operations, safety systems, accident investigation, statistical analysis, human factors, ATC/airspace structuring, international ops, and business management but not enough to make me an expert in any one field. I had just enough information to provide a solid foundation and a solid entry point to these subjects. I learned that I certainly did not know everything, but I came away with the confidence that I could obtain the information and insight that were needed to get a particular task done.
When considering the Masters degree, you must think about what your goals and aspirations are in aviation. Do you have a general idea of where you would like to end up in your career and how the MSA fits into these goals? If you think this will advance your opportunities as a pilot, you're in it for the wrong reason. Within 3 months of my graduation, I was loading Dinty Moore stew and Sunny D on a Navajo in Northern Ontario. The year prior I was sitting in the chief pilot's office at Netjets asking him questions for my thesis or having a drink with one of the chief pilots at American on his patio. You'll still need to pair a solid education with solid working experience before the two will bloom into something fruitful. Personally, my goal was a broad one. I knew I enjoyed the industry and wanted to go as deep into it as possible and perhaps manage a flight department or work in aviation safety at a higher level.
Looking back on the last 15 years, the opportunities the degree brought were totally worth the interruption in my career and stress on my personal finances. I now work for a great flight department, I have consulting opportunities come up on a frequent basis and have access to an incredible group of professionals all over the world; which is ideal because I still DON'T KNOW EVERYTHING
That is a broad answer for the forum folk, we can get into the finer details via PM if you're interested.
All the best!
I didn't complete my MSA online, but at the Daytona Campus and this was about 15 years ago, but I'll add my thoughts. Although I was on campus, the online experience isn't too different from what I am told.
I guarantee that I am no better of an aviator than anyone else here with my flying experience and I do not know anything that cannot be learned elsewhere in the field. With that in mind, however, the MSA remains one of the best decisions that I have made in my career. I loved every class that I took and the professors were some of the most experienced and diverse people that I have ever come across. I learned a ton about aviation operations, safety systems, accident investigation, statistical analysis, human factors, ATC/airspace structuring, international ops, and business management but not enough to make me an expert in any one field. I had just enough information to provide a solid foundation and a solid entry point to these subjects. I learned that I certainly did not know everything, but I came away with the confidence that I could obtain the information and insight that were needed to get a particular task done.
When considering the Masters degree, you must think about what your goals and aspirations are in aviation. Do you have a general idea of where you would like to end up in your career and how the MSA fits into these goals? If you think this will advance your opportunities as a pilot, you're in it for the wrong reason. Within 3 months of my graduation, I was loading Dinty Moore stew and Sunny D on a Navajo in Northern Ontario. The year prior I was sitting in the chief pilot's office at Netjets asking him questions for my thesis or having a drink with one of the chief pilots at American on his patio. You'll still need to pair a solid education with solid working experience before the two will bloom into something fruitful. Personally, my goal was a broad one. I knew I enjoyed the industry and wanted to go as deep into it as possible and perhaps manage a flight department or work in aviation safety at a higher level.
Looking back on the last 15 years, the opportunities the degree brought were totally worth the interruption in my career and stress on my personal finances. I now work for a great flight department, I have consulting opportunities come up on a frequent basis and have access to an incredible group of professionals all over the world; which is ideal because I still DON'T KNOW EVERYTHING
That is a broad answer for the forum folk, we can get into the finer details via PM if you're interested.
All the best!
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inthomerker
- Rank 1
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- Joined: Fri Apr 29, 2005 9:36 am
Re: Masters of Science in Aeronautics - ERAU
Hey sjatana,
I'm currently in the process of completing that program in the online format. The easy answer is: there are a lot better elsewhere. Unfortunately, I figured that out too late. I am continually frustrated by the school's lack of quality in the course material, and instructors that are incapable of providing consistent or meaningful feedback on work. Have I learned anything.... you bet I have. However, I primarily attribute that to putting in copious amounts of additional work to make up for the glaring gaps and shortcomings in the school's course designs.
If I can say one good thing about the school is that the online reference library is exceptional. However, any masters level (or higher) program should have one at this caliber.
Feel free to DM me if you have questions.
Cheers!
I'm currently in the process of completing that program in the online format. The easy answer is: there are a lot better elsewhere. Unfortunately, I figured that out too late. I am continually frustrated by the school's lack of quality in the course material, and instructors that are incapable of providing consistent or meaningful feedback on work. Have I learned anything.... you bet I have. However, I primarily attribute that to putting in copious amounts of additional work to make up for the glaring gaps and shortcomings in the school's course designs.
If I can say one good thing about the school is that the online reference library is exceptional. However, any masters level (or higher) program should have one at this caliber.
Feel free to DM me if you have questions.
Cheers!
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Cessna 180
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- Joined: Wed Sep 23, 2015 8:28 pm
- Location: YKF
Re: Masters of Science in Aeronautics - ERAU
I'm seriously considering UNDs MSA next year. It looks to be a comparable program from a top school for aviation but with more of the support a traditional campus offers (UND does not segregate their online campus from their Grand Forks campus).
Re: Masters of Science in Aeronautics - ERAU
My experience with ERAU is it’s a mixed bag.
If you pay your money and put in token effort you’ll get an A same as someone who puts in 40 hours per course every week. I’m pretty sure everyone graduates with a 4.0 as long as assignments are in on time, no matter how poorly completed. It can be frustrating to deal with the lazy ones in class. I suspect the professors are handcuffed in their grading by the school as it’s a business, leading to some not being overly involved.
That said, if you put in the work and proactively engage with the instructors many are excellent, with extensive experience in their fields, and are very supportive and helpful. There is also flexibility to chose your own topics of study within each course. Overall, you’ll get out of it what you put into it, but if you’re expecting to be spoon fed the knowledge you’ll be very disappointed.
Is it worth the money? Tough question. Personally, had my employer & scholarships not covered the cost, I probably wouldn’t have gone through with it.
If you pay your money and put in token effort you’ll get an A same as someone who puts in 40 hours per course every week. I’m pretty sure everyone graduates with a 4.0 as long as assignments are in on time, no matter how poorly completed. It can be frustrating to deal with the lazy ones in class. I suspect the professors are handcuffed in their grading by the school as it’s a business, leading to some not being overly involved.
That said, if you put in the work and proactively engage with the instructors many are excellent, with extensive experience in their fields, and are very supportive and helpful. There is also flexibility to chose your own topics of study within each course. Overall, you’ll get out of it what you put into it, but if you’re expecting to be spoon fed the knowledge you’ll be very disappointed.
Is it worth the money? Tough question. Personally, had my employer & scholarships not covered the cost, I probably wouldn’t have gone through with it.
