I cannot remember where I read this but it was not marketing hype, The JAA ATPL Theory course is equivalent to a 2 year degree course and there are institutions which recognise this.
Also the argument about pilots don't fly anymore, they are only there to monitor, it's all automated yada yada yada...We are 21st century humans after all, automation is expected and exists in many other industries. I can think of hundreds of job titiles where one's job is simply to monitor; and react when needed. Those people however do not have responsibility for other peoples lives.