Growth Requires Add'l Courses, Degree Programs

The Board of Regents at South Dakota State University believe that aviation has a future at their school... and to show their commitment, they agreed this week to expand the school's aviation-related course offerings.

The Rapid City Journal reports that students who pursue a bachelor of science degree in aviation will now be able to choose aviation education -- which was previously offered as part of a technical education degree -- or the new options of aviation management, or aviation maintenance management.

Regents president Harvey Jewett told the paper the SDSU program has grown to the point the school needs to offer additional classes and specialized degree programs to remain competitive.

"The aviation career field has shown long-term growth over the last two decades, especially with the advent of more commuter and regional airlines and the demand for professionals to fly, supervise or maintain corporate jet fleets," Jewett said.

It appears more students will be taking advantage of the new course offerings, too. Enrollments in the current aviation program have increased from 74 in 2001, to 96 students this year.

The university expects roughly 110 students to enroll in the program for Fall 2006.

FMI: http://learn.sdstate.edu/aviation/