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Master of Business Administration (MBA) - Airport Management

Master of Business Administration in Airport Management

The safe, efficient transport of passengers requires smart, capable leadership at the helm of airport operations. Take your career to the next level with an MBA in airport management degree you won’t find anywhere else. Complete an AACSB-accredited Master of Business Administration specific to Airport Management at the University of Central Missouri. At UCM, you can get the education and industry certifications you need in ways that work best for you.

The first airport management master’s degree of its kind

Building on a long tradition of aviation education, UCM is proud to offer the nation’s first Master of Business Administration in Airport Management. It’s also the first in the world to achieve accreditation by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB).

UCM’s MBA in Airport Management launched in 2021 to support the varied needs of aspiring airport executives. Our MBA program follows a schedule that allows you to begin your education at one of five points in the year. You can also enjoy these flexible options for completing your MBA courses in airport management:

  • In person on our Warrensburg campus
  • 100% online via asynchronous learning — at your pace and on your schedule
  • A combination of in person and online

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Fortune’s Best Online MBA Programs 2022

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Earn your MBA in as little as 12 months

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AACSB-accredited degree program

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Prep courses for AAAE certifications

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In-person and online options

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No GMAT or GRE required

What you will study

Your graduate coursework will begin with UCM’s MBA Business Knowledge Foundations class to restore or strengthen skills you’ll need to successfully oversee airport operations. Then, you’ll move to MBA courses in airport management, which are based on AAAE standards. Two airport leadership courses prepare you to become an AAAE Certified Member (C.M.), which demonstrates your understanding of the varied functions of airport operations. If you’ve already earned this certification, you’ll get course credits and can direct your focus to these topics, some of which prepare you for additional AAAE certifications:

  • Airport Planning and Design
  • Airport Finance
  • Aviation Safety Program Management
  • Strategic Communications

You can apply what you learn in a capstone course, identifying a problem or challenge at an airport or other organization and presenting your solution to leadership.

 

Excellence in Airport Management

  • UCM was the first in the United States to offer an MBA in Airport Management and the first in the world to offer an AACSB-accredited Airport Management master’s degree. Learn how our graduate program curriculum, which aligns with that of the American Association of Airline Executives (AAAE), provides a future-proof airport management education.
  • The University of Central Missouri continuously ranks among the best online MBA programs by national publications, such as Fortune, as well as one of Missouri’s top MBA programs. Get a high-quality, AACSB-accredited education with flexible options for attendance that include online and in-person coursework.
  • A Best Business School (U.S. News and World Report, 2022)
  • A Best Part-Time MBA (U.S. News and World Report, 2022)
  • #35: Best Online MBA Program (Fortune, 2023)
  • A Best Part-Time MBA Program (Fortune, 2022-2023)
  • #6: Best Online MBA Programs in the Midwest (Fortune, 2023)
  • #16: Best Accelerated Online MBA programs (Fortune, 2023)
  • A Most Affordable Online MBA Program (Fortune, 2022-2023)
  • #19: Best MBA Program (Intelligent, 2022)
  • A Most Focused College for Air Transportation in the Plains States Region (College Factual, 2022)
  • Top 10.5%: Most Popular Colleges for Aviation/Airway Management & Operations (College Factual, 2022)
  • Top 15%: Most Popular Colleges for Air Transportation (College Factual, 2022)
  • A Best Online MBA Program (U.S. News and World Report, 2021)
  • A Best Online MBA Program for Veterans (U.S. News and World Report, 2021)
  • Top 15%: Best Value Colleges for Business, Management & Marketing (College Factual, 2021)
  • Top 15%: Best Value Colleges for Business Administration and Management (College Factual, 2021)

 

Unique learning opportunities in airport management

As you pursue UCM’s AACSB-accredited MBA in Airport Management degree, you’ll analyze operations and strategize solutions for growth at every turn. These resources and opportunities help UCM rank among the best MBA programs in the state, as well as the best online MBA programs in the nation:

  • Experiential classes: The experience you gain in UCM’s MBA courses will get you recognized by employers. Examine issues, make decisions and present solutions to actual organizations while building your resume and earning your MBA in Airport Management degree.
  • Internships: If you have yet to work within an airport, an internship can give you a real-world view of your future career. You may choose an internship instead of your capstone course and gain hands-on experience to boost your resume.
  • Certifications: UCM’s MBA courses in airport management will prepare you for additional AAAE certifications. The Airport Certified Employee (ACE) certification in Safety Management Systems will demonstrate your knowledge in improving airport safety based on FAA regulations. The ACE certification in Airport Finance will show your understanding of the airport system as it relates to financial regulations and practices for budgeting and beyond.

 

What can you do with an MBA in Airport Management from UCM?

An AACSB-accredited MBA in Airport Management from the University of Central Missouri gives you an edge in the job market as you apply for airport positions such as:

  • Airport director and manager
  • Marketing manager
  • Environmental planning manager
  • Facilities development manager
  • Finance manager
  • Operations or maintenance manager

You may also choose to pursue a career in airport consulting or with government agencies such as the Federal Aviation Administration.

Career opportunities with UCM’s MBA in Airport Management degree

UCM’s MBA program director, as well as Airport Management program faculty, offer their expertise and time to advise MBA students regarding career paths and opportunities.

To get a look at the kind of opportunities that await you after completion of your MBA in Airport Management degree, use the interactive tool below.

 

 
 


 

Financial assistance options for your MBA in Airport Management degree

An investment in a Master of Business Administration in Airport Management will expand your career opportunities and your earning potential. As you explore the best online MBA programs and courses for airport management, you may also be considering how to finance your graduate degree. At the University of Central Missouri, we make available resources for loans, grants and employment opportunities, as well as scholarships, that can help fund your education.

Scholarships for UCM’s AACSB-accredited MBA

Graduate students pursuing a master’s degree within UCM’s Harmon College of Business may qualify to apply for the following scholarships:

  • Adrian and Margaret Harmon Business Graduate Scholarship
  • Lucas Sterne & Albert G. Spaeth Graduate Business Scholarship

Search these and other scholarships available through UCM or alumni gifts using the UCM Scholarship Finder.

 

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Explore programs related to airport management.
 

If you have an interest in completing your MBA in Airport Management, you may also want to explore these UCM master’s degrees:

Admission Requirements

Applicants for the MBA program must have a completed undergraduate degree (in any discipline) from an accredited institution and have earned a minim undergraduate GPA of 2.5 (on a 4.0 scale).  The GMAT and GRE are no longer an admissions requirement. However, students must be prepared for the rigor of quantitative analysis (including business math and statistics, accounting, finance, and economics) in order to be successful in the program.

 

Accreditation

The University of Central Missouri's Master of Business Administration program is accredited by AACSB International.  UCM is one of only six universities in the state of Missouri to have both business and accounting accreditations through AACSB.  When you're evaluating your MBA options, an AACSB accreditation means that the university has met the highest standards in business education.

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