Social Sciences Air Transportation

Social Sciences Air Transportation (BA)

The Social Sciences Air Transportation major at Ohio State provides students a broad understanding of how aviation affects and is affected by social forces like the economy, international relations, and government policy. To reflect the diversity represented in the aviation field, Air Transportation majors complete a variety of courses from the following disciplines: Global Geography and Transportation, Political Science, Economics, International Studies, Psychology, and Sociology.

Professional Pilot Certification (PPC) Specialization

While it is not required in order to complete the major, eligible students in the Air Transportation major have the opportunity to earn flight ratings toward the Center for Aviation Studies Professional Pilot Certification, through the center's FAR Part 141 certified professional flight education curriculum.  For more information about the Professional Pilot Certification, as well as industry-partnered research, internship, and career opportunities, visit The Ohio State University's Center for Aviation Studies. Please note that adding the Professional Pilot Certification Specialization (PPC) to your major may increase the number of semesters needed to complete all major, general education and PPC requirements.

Use the following link, to view ENROLLMENT UPDATES FOR PPC Specialization

We encourage you to check out The Ohio State University Airport, Don Scott Field, one of the nation's premier university owned and operated airports. Don Scott is where students learn to fly using a fleet of aircraft and simulators, including the Cessna 152, Cessna 172, Cessna 310, Piper PA-28 Arrow, and Cirrus SR20 as well as Frasca and Redbird Certified Flight Training Devices.


Declaring the Major

For the Summer 2022 and Autumn 2022 semesters, all current Ohio State students, incoming freshman, incoming transfer, and campus change students need only contact a Geography advisor to declare the major. 

A Pre-Major will be implemented for the following cohorts:

  • Current Ohio State students - starting Spring 2023
  • Transfer students - starting Spring 2023
  • Incoming freshman - starting Spring 2023

As a pre-major student, you will be fulfilling critical introductory coursework, preparing you to apply to either the Social Sciences Air Transportation major OR the Social Sciences Air Transportation major with the Professional Pilot Certification (PPC) Specialization

Students are required to apply for admission to the major after completion of pre-major coursework. The competitive admissions process is based on cumulative grade point average and performance in the following foundational courses: AVIATN 2000, AVIATN 2100, GEOG 2400 and GEOG 3300. Applications are accepted each semester. 


Declaring the Professional Pilot Certification specialization (PPC): 

The PPC specialization now has a competitive admissions process and not all Air Transportation majors will ultimately be eligible to fly at Ohio State. Most new students will take their Private Pilot Fundamentals (AVIATN 2100) in their first semester of study, and if successfully completed with a B- or better, may have the opportunity to apply for a flight slot. Students who have already completed their private pilot certificate will also go through the application process for a flight slot. Presently, there is a waitlist for flight slots, and students are ranked on the waitlist according to their grade in AVIATN 2100, class rank, and Aviation course GPA. For more information, visit the Social Sciences Air Transportation Pre-Major and Application Process webpage.  

Use the following link, to view ENROLLMENT UPDATES FOR PPC Specialization


Social Sciences Air Transportation Curriculum

Undergraduate Curriculum


Careers:

  • Pilot (Charter, cargo, airline, corporate, or medical)
  • Flight Instructor
  • Flight Dispatcher
  • Flight Attendant
  • Airport Operations Planner
  • Air Traffic Control
  • Safety Inspector
  • Airline Scheduler
  • National Transportation Safety Board Accident Investigator
  • Airport Director