aviation traffic. But we’re still close enough to go get expe- rience in Bravo airspace. And Savannah and Jacksonville as Class Charlies are not that far away.” Te small campus and shared interest in aviation creates


a tight bond among MGA graduates. “Everyone is here for the same thing, so you come together,” says Hummer. Te collegiate environment is also welcomed by students


who want to prepare for aviation careers but did not want to miss the college experience that so many of their peers will go through. “Our school gives them that experience of coming in and being part of a university that has student-life activities, sports, and those types of things,” says Clark. He goes on to say that some parents feel more comfortable leaving their newly minted high school graduates in the somewhat supervised environment of a residence hall as opposed to other, less-structured education options.


Part of Georgia’s Higher Education System Te MGA aviation program has developed and expanded over the years. Originally part of Georgia’s technical education program, it offered certificates in aircraft sheet metal and aircraft maintenance. Certificates and diplomas for flight instruction came next. In 2007, that technical education program merged with


Middle Georgia College and began offering a four-year degree in flight management. Middle Georgia College merged with


Macon State College in 2012 to form Middle Georgia State College. In 2015, the college became Middle Georgia State University, when its Board of Regents approved a plan to offer advanced degrees. “So we went from only offering certificates to offering


four-year degrees,” says Clark. “Now we’re at the point where we want to explore developing a master’s degree in aviation.” Clark believes that being part of the University System of


Georgia (USG) has benefited the school’s students. “It gives us better name recognition, but more importantly, it solidifies the academic rigor of the program.” MGA is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges


and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to award associate, baccalaureate, and masters degrees. SACSCOC is a regional accrediting agency recognized by the US Department of Education. Of course, the curricula for pilot ratings and A&P certificates are mandated by the FAA. However, Clark says, being part of the USG means that School of Aviation is “committed to a continuous improve- ment process to make sure we are not just maintaining status quo but always looking to assess and improve.” MGA aviation students can take advantage of the school's


relatively affordable tuition rates. In-state undergraduate tuition and fees for the 2017 fall semester was around $4,600. Tis is lower than the $6,500 average for USG schools, and


SPRING 2019 ROTOR 29


MGA offers aviation maintenance training ranging from certificates to two- or four-year degrees.


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