the degree of a Degree
There are some unique aspects to some aviation degrees that are not found in commerce/business degrees, science degrees, aero eng degrees etc.
These include: managing high international competition changes on a daily basis, schedule management and schedule disruption management, LCC approaches, very low returns on capital investment, predicting route RPKs, choosing fleets to optimise ASKs yet minimising aircraft types on the AOC, as well as safety issues (adoption of ICAO requirements) such as SMS, developing safety cultures, human actors and SOPs, fatigue, and how to develop and implement security systems for airlines and airports etc.
Only aviation Degrees can give you this material, although some Degrees have a greater degree of thoroughness than others. Some just tack on a couple of courses on HF and aviation economics and leave the majority of academic theory to delivering the legislated flying theory, while others have specific management degrees which cover all of the issues in the 2nd paragraph and more. Graduates with a wide and deep knowledge of aviation management are very employable.
All degrees build intellectual capability as well as providing some specialist knowledge. Intellectual challenges are best made in areas in which the individual has a genuine interest and curiosity, so if a degree is to be attempted it is best done in an area where the individual has an interest, and curiosity, because this is where he/she will best prosper in the workplace where this background is useful.
As an aside, those pilots who subscribe to the “don’t need to know much outside of the direct flying requirements” philosophy probably do the profession some damage, as well as being easier to manipulate by intelligent and well educated senior managers or CEOs. The better educated and informed the pilot community, and the higher level of professionalism that pilots show, the better the pilot community is able to defend jobs.
There are different degrees of quality and content depending on the Degree on offer. They are not all the same, so check out the details carefully.
End of rant; time for a nice red.