Bachelor of Science, Professional Pilot

Launch your aviation career with FAA-certified flight training

Some careers stay grounded. Yours doesn’t have to. Earn your Certified Flight Instructor (CFI) certification with Moravian University’s Bachelor of Science, Professional Pilot program. This degree is designed to give you a guaranteed path to immediate impact and job certainty in an industry with a global need for 674,000* pilots over the next 20 years—and 123,000* in North America alone.

Moravian’s online, hyflex Professional Pilot program combines comprehensive FAA-certified flight training with rigorous academics, and provides you with exclusive real-world mentorship and essential connections. Why wait? Build your skills and gain the flight hours and credentials you need to become a professional pilot today.

First-Time College Student Path

The classic Moravian undergraduate experience including our career promise, global travel, and Apple technology.

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Cost of Attendance

Adult Professional Studies Path

A flexible route designed for working adults and career changers, with personalized support and streamlined degree completion.

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Cost of Attendance

Career Outlook

A professional pilot degree sets you up for success not only in a flying career but in aviation leadership, flight operations, safety and training roles, and specialized areas. Here are just some of the paths our degree can take you:

Airline pilot
Corporate/Business jet pilot
Charter (on-demand) pilot
Flight instructor
Aerial Tour pilot
Medical Transport pilot
Agricultural aviation
Government and Public Safety aviation

Why a Professional Pilot degree from Moravian?

Complete flight instruction through our partner, flyGATEWAY, a FAA Part 141-approved flight school, at local airports including Queen City Airport in Allentown and Lehigh Valley International Airport (ABE).
Earn academic credit through Moravian University that aligns with FAA guidelines for Institutional Restricted Airline Transport Pilot (R-ATP) eligibility.
Learn from faculty with real-world aviation experience and strong safety credentials.
Receive one-on-one private instruction time to help your individual flight needs.
Access support through advising, financial aid, and aviation-specific scholarships.
Leverage our regional location between major hubs (Philadelphia, Newark, Harrisburg, Lehigh Valley) for internships, employer access, and high job density.

Admission Requirements

In addition to Moravian University’s standard admittance guidance and protocols, the following are required:

Second class (first-class preferred) medical certificate
English proficiency
Proof of US citizenship (Separate requirements for non-US citizens)
At least 16 years of age for solo flight training and 17 years of age for private pilot training
Flight evaluation if you hold prior certificates
Any evidence of major DUI and/or drug offenses or legal issues that may impact future hiring
Students need to obtain a FAA Medical Certificate. While a 2nd or 3rd class medical certificate is sufficient to begin training, it's recommended that students obtain a 1st class medical certificate to ensure they're physically qualified for their future professional career. This medical exam must be done by an AME—find a location near you.

If you do not meet the requirements for the pilot program, our Aviation Management program is another powerful way to launch your aviation career.

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Curriculum Overview

Moravian University offers a comprehensive, accredited pathway to a Certified Flight Instructor (CFI) certification integrated with an academic concentration in management. As a student in our Professional Pilot program, you’ll complete 120 credits with more than 60 of those being FAA-recognized aviation coursework.

Engage in dual and solo flight time, pre/post-flight briefings, and stage checks under flyGATEWAY CFI supervision.
Learn about aeronautical decision making, air traffic control, aviation weather, pilot performance and safety, drone technology, and so much more!
Our courses will even prepare you for the addition of the Multi-Engine Commercial Certificate.

Mark Cronin

Program Director

Mark S. Cronin is a retired American Airlines captain and founder of the Velocity R Aviation Foundation. He brings more than 40 years of aviation experience to this program director role, including over 32 years as a pilot for American Airlines, 10 years as a Chief Pilot, and seven years of active duty service in the United States Air Force as both an A-10 pilot and Instructor pilot.

R-ATP eligibility

To qualify for the 1,000-hour R-ATP route, students must:

Earn a bachelor’s degree in an aviation major (or major approved)
Complete at least 60 semester-credit hours of approved aviation and aviation-related coursework
Complete the ground and flight training for the commercial pilot certificate and instrument rating under an approved Part 141 curriculum at or associated with the institution.
Complete at least 1,000 hours total pilot time (including the usual cross-country, night, multi-engine, etc). to apply for the R-ATP

*Numbers based on airlineratings.com as of March 2025.

141 Flight School Certification

Moravian University is in the process of obtaining a 141 flight school certification that will allow the institution to pursue the R-ATP certification and offer the restricted airline transport pilot certification to offer a letter of authorization.