U.S. Naval Community College Selects Embry-Riddle for Aviation Maintenance Program

The U.S. Naval Community College (USNCC) selected Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University as the Pilot II aviation maintenance associate degree program on Nov. 30, 2022.

This new agreement provides active duty enlisted sailors, marines and coast guardsmen an opportunity to earn a naval-relevant associate’s degree in Aviation Maintenance that will directly contribute to the readiness of the naval services and set them on a path of lifelong learning.

“This program will take our sailors, marines and coast guardsmen to new heights in naval-relevant education,” said USNCC’s President Randi R. Cosentino, Ed.D. “We are excited to support the Naval Aviation Enterprise’s promise to fly, fight, lead and win. This degree program will provide our naval aviation maintainers the education that helps our naval forces maintain the competitive advantage over our adversaries.”

Naval professionals who pursue the Associate of Science in Aviation Maintenance through USNCC will have an opportunity to gain an in-depth understanding of general aeronautics and applications, airframe structures, reciprocating engine theory, turbine engine theory and more. The six aviation maintenance courses taken as part of the degree program can be used to prepare students for the Federal Aviation Administration airframe and powerplant certification testing process. Aviation Maintenance degree program graduates become eligible to apply for the Aviation Maintenance Technology Part 65 Certification. The degree will also have an established transfer path to a Bachelor of Science in Aviation Maintenance or a Bachelor of Science in Aeronautics through Embry-Riddle.

“Our longstanding relationship with the military, providing exceptional instruction to service men and women around the globe, is a point of pride for our institution,” said John R. Watret, Ph.D., chancellor of Embry-Riddle’s Worldwide Campus. “We are extremely eager to begin this new partnership with USNCC to develop aviation maintenance talent for the Navy, Marines and Coast Guard.”

The degree pathway also includes a Certificate in Naval Studies taught by the USNCC’s faculty and a professional certificate in aviation maintenance through Embry-Riddle.

Embry-Riddle is regionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges. While the USNCC is pursuing accreditation — a process that typically takes two to three years — Embry-Riddle will be the primary degree grantor for this associate degree program, ensuring the service members who graduate from this program receive a transferable degree from an accredited institution.

Active duty enlisted sailors, marines and coast guardsmen can fill out a student interest form on the USNCC website. The USNCC anticipates accepting applications on the website starting in February, and the first courses will start in the summer of 2023.

The United States Naval Community College is the official community college for the Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard. Fill out the form on the USNCC website to learn how to be a part of the USNCCC Pilot II program.

Posted In: Aviation | Institutional News