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Contacts: Robert T. Tad Perry, Executive Director
tadp@sdbor.edu
Janelle Toman, Director of Information & Institutional Research
janellet@sdbor.edu
T: 605.773.3455
F: 605.773.5320
www.sdbor.edu
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Thursday, June 22, 2006
SDSU Aviation Degree Expanded
BROOKINGS, S.D. – With the bachelor of science degree in aviation approved Thursday for South Dakota State University, students will now be able to specialize in three distinct areas. The South Dakota Board of Regents approved the expanded degree offering at its regular meeting in Brookings.
New to SDSU will be specialized programs in aviation management and aviation maintenance management. The third option—aviation education—replaces a similar specialization currently offered within the B.S. degree in career and technical education.
Enrollments in the current aviation program offered at SDSU increased from 74 in 2001 to 96 students this year. University officials expect to enroll about 110 students this coming fall, with that number estimated to increase to 156 by fall 2009.
“The aviation career field has shown long-term growth over the last two decades, especially with the advent of more commuter and regional airlines and the demand for professionals to fly, supervise, or maintain corporate jet fleets,” Regents President Harvey C. Jewett said. “The program at SDSU has matured to the point where additional classes and specializations were needed to meet the needs of students and industry.”
Jewett noted that SDSU has a long history of aviation studies dating back to at least 1933, when the regents approved an aircraft mechanics and repair shop on campus.
No new state resources or additional student fees were requested to develop or implement the degree program.
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