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Welcome from the Chair
Greetings and welcome to the Aviation and Aerospace Science Department at Metropolitan State University of Denver. For over 40 years, we have been teaching and training students in our passion for flight – both in the air and in space!?
If you are interested in a collegiate education related to any aspect of aviation or aerospace science, then you have arrived at your destination. Our graduates are working in all areas of aviation as professional aviators, aviation managers, airport planners, air traffic controllers, flight dispatchers and much more. Our students have the opportunity combine study in aerospace science, physics, and engineering to seek new opportunities in the aerospace industry. For those interested in the space sciences, we offer unique programs in space commercialization, space physics and space systems engineering technology.
Our department is truly “student-centered.” We are focused on your education and the development of your professional career. Each member of our department’s faculty has completed a career in aviation or aerospace prior to their appointment as professional educators within our program.
We offer the highest quality and most affordable undergraduate aviation education in the country. MSU Denver’s tuition and fees are so affordable that you will be able to pay for much of your flight training or other types of certification with the money you save.
Aviation and Aerospace Science Department
Curriculum & Degree ProgramsCareer Opportunities
Jobs and Internships
Looking for jobs or experiential learning opportunities in this field? Check out this job board focused on career opportunities related to and adjacent to Aviation and Aerospace:
Be sure to browse through these additional job boards to explore more opportunities that exist in other areas, and don’t forget to explore CareerLink and the Classroom to Career Hub for ways to engage in career exploration and professional development!
Here’s a CareerLink guidebook to help you navigate the platform.
Aviation and Aerospace Science Scholarships
The Aviation and Aerospace Science Department is fortunate to assist and manage a dozen AVS-specific scholarships. These scholarships are privately funded scholarships offered to AVS students every year, based on academics, achievement, and financial need.
Each scholarship is listed below with summary information and criteria. Please Contact Prof. Tyler Bachelder for more details and advising regarding these AVS-specific scholarships.
General information regarding other MSU Denver scholarships can be acquired from the MSU Denver Office of Financial Aid.
• Have a 3.0 GPA
• Have financial need, based on FAFSA
• Be enrolled for a minimum 12 credit hours
• Be an Aviation Management or Aviation Technology major
• Preference to minority and female applicants
• Must be an Aviation Technology or Aviation Management major
• Full time student (12 credits per semester)
• Have completed 30 semester hours at the time of application for scholarship
• US Citizen
• Resident of the state of Colorado
• Submit a 250 word essay on their career goals in aviation, in addition to the general scholarship application;
• Depending on the availability of funds, the recipient(s) may be eligible for award continuation if he or she maintains the standard set for the award, but recipients are not automatically eligible for award continuation.
• Be an Aviation and Aerospace Science major
• Have a 2.7 cumulative GPA
• Be a full time student
• Have demonstrated involvement through community work and/or extracurricular activities
• One recipient will be an entering freshmen, and the 2nd recipient will be a continuing metro student who has completed 12 hours in aerospace if sufficient funding is available for both.
• Have completed 30 hours or more
• Have a 3.0 GPA
• Have a declared major in either Aviation Technology or Aviation Management
• Be enrolled in a minimum of 12 credit hours at Metropolitan State College of Denver
• Students will be required to write an additional essay on his/her scholarship and leadership attributes
• Have financial need, based on FAFSA
• Be enrolled in a minimum of 12 credit hours
• Be an Aviation Technology (Professional Pilot) major
• Be a first-time entering freshman
• Be a female in Aerospace Program with a major in Aviation
• Be enrolled a minimum 12 credit hours
• Have a 2.5 or higher GPA
• Be a Sophomore, Junior, or Senior
• Have a passion for flying
• Write an essay on a career in flying (optional)
• Scholarship is renewable for up to 4 years if standards are met
• The scholarship award is given specifically to help with cost of flight time (as opposed to ground time or other flight related expenses.) Students may be asked to provide documentation.
• Student should be planning on becoming a professional commercial pilot.
• Be an Aviation & Aerospace Science major
• Have completed 60 or more credit hours;
• Exhibit the greatest practical aptitude and enthusiasm for flying.
• Not be selected on the basis of grades or need as prime consideration
• Be an Aviation and Aerospace Science major
• Have a 2.5 GPA
• Be enrolled a minimum of 12 credit hours
• Have a FAA private pilot license
• Write a 500-word essay on why you should receive the award
• Be a declared Aerospace Science major
• Have 45 credit hours completed
• Have completed a minimum of three semesters in the declared major
• Have at least one semester remaining until graduation
• Have a history of service to the Department of Aviation and Aerospace Science or to the aviation profession, or a demonstrated interest in aviation-oriented extra-curricular activities, as shown in a 250 word essay
- Be pursuing a career in the airline industry as a pilot
- Be enrolled for a minimum of 6 credit hours
- Have a 3.0 GPA
- Be a U.S. citizen
• Minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA
•Part time or full time enrollment
• Sophomore, Junior or Senior class standing: and
• Preference is given to applicants who have manifested personal integrity, as conveyed in a brief essay.
Cost Estimate
For more than 40 years, MSU Denver’s Aviation and Aerospace Science Department has delivered high-quality instruction and unparalleled training opportunities at an affordable price. We understand that cost is one of the major considerations in selecting a collegiate program. For this reason, MSU Denver is proud to offer one of the lowest cost aviation and aerospace collegiate programs in the United States!
Our value is bolstered by diverse, highly qualified faculty members who bring rich aviation industry experience to the classroom. Our excellent flight simulator laboratory, the World Indoor Airport, is funded through a stipend that all MSU Denver students pay. As a result, students enrolled in a simulator course have extensive access to practice their flight skills at no additional cost. In comparison, many other schools charge approximately $50 per hour for their simulator usage.
Simply stated, MSU Denver’s Aviation and Aerospace Department will help your career take flight without putting your finances in a tailspin!
For a detailed discussion of cost estimates for tuition and fees for attending MSU Denver, please visit the MSU Denver Admissions webpage by clicking here. A Cost Estimator and semester tuition comparison tables are also provided.
Although costs for flight training are quite variable, an estimate of $55,000 – $75,000 can be expected. Flight training costs are in addition to tuition and fees for attending MSU Denver.
When considering flight training, note that there are many variables that can affect the cost such as the training facility you choose, weather, rising fuel prices, instructor availability, number of flying lessons per week, and gaps in training due to the student, instructor, or aircraft availability.
Questions? Contact Us
Thank you for your interest in the Aviation and Aerospace Science Department at MSU Denver.
Prospective students, parents, alumni, and industry partners are welcome to submit inquiries to the departmental email (located on the right side of this section).
Campus Address:
Aviation and Aerospace Science Department
Metropolitan State University of Denver
1250 7th Street – Seventh Street Classroom
Campus Box 30
PO Box 173362
Denver, Colorado 80204