The overall goal of aviation schools is to offer a learning and training environment for students to prepare for a career in flying. More pointedly, training goals include helping students expand their skills in a specific aviation field, helping students access aviation resources and tools, teaching students how to use equipment for cross-country flights, helping students with aviation internship programs and increasing students' exposure to aviation employers.
Educational objectives vary from student to student. Some students are looking for a degree, while others may just want a license for personal use. All students therefore have the main objective of earning an aviation certificate, an associate degree or a bachelor's degree in aviation. No matter the credential, students have plenty of education choices to choose from since, as of 2011, there are more than 300 aviation colleges, aviation schools and two- and four-year colleges with aviation programs worldwide, according to AvScholars.com.
Most students attending an aviation school want to ultimately find employment in the aviation field. For that reason, students are most interested in aviation internship programs with airlines of all sizes. Aviation schools frequently form partnerships with aviation employers to possibly employ their schools' students. Such arrangements yield internships, cooperative education programs and entry-level jobs for students. So getting an aviation education through an accredited aviation college or school is in the best interest of students.
Whether as a means of commuting or just for fun on the weekends, some students attend aviation schools just to learn how to fly for themselves -- recreationally. They are not looking for a degree or career advancement, but instead are looking to fly across the country for vacation or fly into the city for the weekend. These types of students primarily want a certificate of completion, which will help them receive their pilot's license.
