July 15--WINTER HAVEN -- Polk State College launched an aerospace program in January that's been very well-received, and now a planned fall expansion will allow students to obtain degrees in aerospace administration.
Program director Eric Crump said last week that interest in aerospace has been high, and the new degree offering is a natural progression.
"It's all been going great," he said. "I am thrilled with it. So far, enrollment has gone up considerably in the pilot program."
It began with 15 students and now has 50, he said.
The program provides students with an associate degree in professional pilot science.
"And we already have five enrolled in the administrative program," Crump said. There is no specific number of students projected. "I am happy to take as many people as we can get," he said.
The new degree will enable students to prepare for management jobs at airports, with airlines and in many other related fields. The associate degree will offer a broad, business-based education in the aviation industry. Students in the new program will interact with those in the pilot program, Crump said.
"We will teach the program as a system rather than in a vacuum," Crump said.
"Sometimes the operations side has no idea what management has to deal with," he said. "Here, we will put them through a common core together."
Students in both programs will study together in such courses as air transportation, aviation meteorology and automation management, U.S. and international aviation operations, safety management systems, operational risk management and business communications.
Students also will be encouraged to take courses from the aviation program not in their degree program as electives. Usually, pilots and aviation managers are trained separately, he said.
Lakeland Linder Regional Airport Director Gene Conrad said the state college's offering is a plus.
"It's one thing learning something in the books; it's another thing to have the hands-on experience," he said.
There are many excellent schools in the state that offer aviation study, but they are private and cost more to attend, he said.
At Polk State, Florida residents can obtain degrees at a rate of $110 per credit hour.
The new degree will offer a course of study for those who are enthusiastic about aviation but do not necessarily want to become pilots. He said he intends to offer internships to the administrative students.
Crump said the college is in a great location for the aviation program.
"Florida is a huge mecca of aviation in the United States," he said. "We have 348 flyable days; you can fly almost any day in Florida."
Fall registration at Polk State is underway. For more information, go to polk.edu.
Copyright 2013 - The Ledger, Lakeland, Fla.
