DEGREE PROGRAMS

Aviation at SEU

Two JROTC Aviation Students flying an airplane

Take to the Skies with SEU

The Southeastern University Aviation Program prepares tomorrow’s leaders for success in the aviation industry. We take pride in providing our students with exceptional, affordable training in this in-demand and ever-growing industry. The program offers a thorough understanding of aviation, including knowledge of different aircraft types, their systems, regulations, safety measures, and much more. 

Degree Programs

Southeastern University students pursue aviation-related degrees through the Jannetides College of Business, Communication, & Professional Leadership. 

Available programs include:

On-Campus Undergraduate Students


Partner Site Students
(KingSky only)

All aviation students are required to complete the following FAA certificates and ratings. These ratings are built into the academic requirements for the associate and bachelor’s degrees.

  • Private Pilot—Airplane
  • Instrument Rating—Airplane
  • Commercial Pilot
  • Certified Flight Instructor—Airplane

 

Online students may choose a minor in Aviation Operations or in Aviation Management

Program Benefits

  • Accelerated Flight Training — Begin flying in your first semester or transfer in your FAA Certificate to become a professional pilot sooner than most other university programs.
  • Earn While You Learn — Our degree plans allow you to take many of your flight courses in your first few semesters, enabling you to build flight time as a Certified Flight Instructor (CFI) while completing your remaining academic courses.
  • Time & Money Savings — Earn money as a Certified Flight Instructor and build flight hours while completing your degree.
  • Interview with Regional Airlines — Network with a variety of regional airlines prior to completing your commercial flight training and secure your future.
  • Log Jet Simulator Time — Train in an FAA-approved FSTD jet simulator. This jet transition program uses the B-737 simulator, which better prepares students to be competitive job candidates for a regional airline. These state-of-the-art flight simulators enable you to continually develop your cockpit resource management skills and problem-solving techniques.
  • Certifications — Program graduates will earn the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Commercial Pilot Certificate, with Single and Multi-Engine Land class ratings with an Instrument Rating, Certified Flight Instructor Certificate.
  • Financial Aid — Unlike some flight programs, qualified students can apply for financial aid to cover the cost of their tuition, room and board, and flight training costs.
  • Christian College Experience — A Christ-centered education from SEU means opportunities for spiritual formation and learning more about your faith.
  • Cohort Model — Learn alongside like-minded students and build connections as you begin your aviation education. 
  • Structured Training Curriculum — Provides you with a progression of flight experiences, including basic maneuvers, cross-country navigation, and instrument procedures. 
  • Proximity — In cooperation with KingSky, our flight school partner, flight training takes place not far from our campus on the property of the Lakeland Linder International Airport.

Admission & Financial Aid

To Begin Your Journey with SEU:

Get started here. For more details about general admission procedures and requirements, visit this page.

When completing your application, choose either:

BS in Aviation Management: Professional Pilot
Traditional delivery on the main Lakeland campus

or
AAS in Aviation/Professional Pilot
Partner site, KingSky/Lakeland Linder International Airport

Please note that acceptance to SEU does not guarantee acceptance to the aviation program; aviation students have additional requirements. Before the first flight, students must also complete a list of items through SEU’s flight training partner, KingSky Flight Academy (KSFA). Learn more in the SEU Aviation Handbook. 

To Apply for Financial Aid:

Follow the steps here for traditional/campus-based delivery
or 
Follow the steps here for partner site delivery. 

View the current tuition and fee schedule for the SEU Aviation programs here

SEU Aviation Handbook

SEU Tuition Costs + Flight and Ground Training Fees

Effective for the 2024–2025 Academic Year

Revised September, 2024

This chart provides the costs for tuition and non-aviation fees for students enrolled in classes at the KingSky Academy Partner Site. These do not include flight training fees. To view the additional costs for required, additional, and elective flight training fees, see the charts in the below sections.

ItemCost
Aviation Tuition — Partner Site Only $390/credit hour
Technology Fee$175
Federal Student Loan fee (if applicable)$72
Course-Specific FeesVaries per course; see below tables

Note: The above tuition numbers do not apply to campus-based undergraduate students. The costs for tuition, general student fees, room, and meals can be found here. Course-specific fees for all student types are outlined below.

Students enrolled in on-campus undergraduate classes can find their costs for tuition, general student fees, room, and meals here.

To view the additional costs for required, additional, and elective flight training fees, see the charts in the below sections.

The costs and fees outlined below are charged for the semester in which the student is taking the class(es), in addition to their tuition. The costs listed below do not include housing, meals, other miscellaneous fees, or other non-aviation-related coursework. 

KingSky Flight Academy TrainingUniversity
Course
Student
Fee
Private Pilot AVIP 1013 Private Pilot Ground $ 3,110
 AVIP 1011 Private Pilot Flight $ 15,280
 AVIP 1022 Practical Flight Exam/Aircraft Use $ 880
 Private Pilot Sub-Total$ 19,270
   
Instrument RatingAVIP 2013 Instrument Rating Ground* $ 3,110
 AVIP 2023 Instrument Rating Flight $ 15,915
 AVIP 2023 Practical Flight Exam/Aircraft Use $ 880
 Instrument Rating Subtotal$ 19,905
   
Commercial Pilot: Part IAVIP 3013 Commercial Pilot Ground* $ 3,110
 AVIP 3023 Commercial Pilot Flight I $ 16,390
Commercial Pilot: Part IIAVIP 3033 Commercial Pilot Flight II $ 16,390
 AVIP 3033 Practical Flight Exam/Aircraft Use $ 880
 Commercial Pilot Subtotal $36,770 
   
Certified Flight Instructor (CFI)AVIP 4013 Certified Flight Instructor Ground School* $ 3,110
 AVIP 4022 Certified Flight Instructor $ 7,670
 AVIP 4022 Practical Flight Exam/Aircraft Use $ 880
 CFI Subtotal$ 11,660
   
Total Required Courses & Fees$87,605

Important: The costs and fees outlined above are charged for the semester in which the student is taking the class(es), in addition to their tuition. The costs listed above do not include housing, meals, other miscellaneous fees, or other non-aviation-related coursework. 

The costs and fees outlined below are charged for the semester in which the student is taking the class(es), in addition to their tuition. The costs listed below do not include housing, meals, other miscellaneous fees, or other non-aviation-related coursework. 

KingSky Flight Academy TrainingUniversity
Course
Student
Fee
Intro to Flight/PrerequisiteAVIP 1001: Introduction to Flight $990
   
Multi-Engine RatingAVIP 4041 Multi-Engine Rating Flight Training $8,825
AVIP 4041 Practical Flight Exam/Aircraft Use $1,615
 Multi-Engine Rating Subtotal$10,440 
   
Regional Airline TransitionAVIM 4003 Regional Airline Transition$4,195
   
CFI-InstrumentAVIP 4031 Multi-Engine Rating Flight Training$5,505
 AVIP 4031 Practical Flight Exam/Aircraft Use $1,195
 CFI-Instrument Subtotal$6,700 
   
CFI-Multi-EngineAVIP 4041 Certified Flight Instructor Multi-Engine Flight $14,370
 AVIP 4051 Practical Flight Exam/Aircraft Use $1,555
 CFI-Multi-Engine Subtotal $ 15,925
   
UAS/Drone AVIM 1101: Introduction to UAS Operations, Policy, and  Regulations (Includes a practice drone device) $300
   
Advanced Ground Instructor AVIP 4011: Advanced Ground Instructor $250
   
Instrument Ground Instructor AVIP 2021: Instrument Ground Instructor $250

 

For students who need additional training that will exceed the estimated costs, additional flight hours and/or ground instruction will be billed at the established block rates listed below. Additional hours may only be purchased in blocks.

Students will not be reimbursed for unused hours in this per-block rate, so students are encouraged to use all hours within their additional block.

Number of Hours Per BlockTotal Fee Per Block
10 hours$3,215
15 hours$4,823
20 hours$6,430

Important: The costs and fees outlined above are charged for the semester in which the student is taking the class(es), in addition to their tuition and other flight fees. The costs listed above do not include housing, meals, other miscellaneous fees, or other non-aviation-related coursework. 

  • SEU students shall be charged fees for flight and ground training delivered by the contracted vendor when enrolled in a corresponding university course. 
  • Fees do not include the costs of repeat FAA check-rides or knowledge exams. 
  • SEU reserves the right to impose a fuel surcharge should fuel prices rise dramatically. 
  • Students will be charged a $100 fee for a no-show on a scheduled flight lesson. 
  • Fees reflect the estimated training required for the average student to complete each course. 
  • For students who need additional training that will exceed the estimated costs, additional flight hours and/or ground instruction will be billed at the established block rates listed above. Additional hours may only be purchased in blocks. Students will not be reimbursed for unused hours in this per-block rate, so students are encouraged to use all hours within their additional block.

The fees for each certificate or rating include the cost of: 

  • Individualized ground school instruction 
  • Individualized dual flight instruction in aircraft or simulator 
  • Expenses and fuel associated with using the aircraft or simulator 
  • Pre- and post-flight briefings 
  • Ground school test preparation curriculum and required textbooks 
  • One FAA Knowledge Examination fee 
  • One FAA Practical Examination fee, including the use of aircraft 

Miscellaneous Fees 

  • Students are expected to obtain the following at their own cost: 
  • FAA Medical certificate (approximately $150) 
  • Aeronautical charts and other training aids (price varies) 
  • Students will be charged a $100 fee for a no-show on a scheduled flight 
  • FAA Flight physical is required prior to any flight training 

Most students also use a tablet or iPad connected to the Foreflight application for navigation and other services. The aviation training partner will assist students in obtaining the above.

Important: The costs and fees outlined above are charged for the semester in which the student is taking the class(es), in addition to their tuition. The costs listed above do not include housing, meals, other miscellaneous fees, or other non-aviation-related coursework. 

SEU Flight and Ground Training Fees

Effective for the 2024–2025 Academic Year
Revised September, 2024
Tuition Details
Students will be responsible for their tuition based on their chosen program format. Additional fees vary per course; see below charts for details.
  • Students enrolled in on-campus undergraduate classes can find their costs for tuition, general student fees, room, and meals here.
  • Students enrolled in partner site based undergraduate classes at KingSky Academy can find their costs for tuition, and general student fees here.
Important: The costs and fees outlined below are charged for the semester in which the student is taking the class(es), in addition to their tuition.

Item

Cost

Aviation Tuition — Partner Site Only 

$390/credit hour

Technology Fee

$175

Federal Student Loan fee (if applicable)

$72

Course-Specific Fees

Varies per course; see below tables

Note: The above tuition numbers do not apply to campus-based undergraduate students. The costs for tuition, general student fees, room, and meals can be found here. Course-specific fees for all student types are outlined below.

Students enrolled in on-campus undergraduate classes can find their costs for tuition, general student fees, room, and meals here.

KingSky Flight Academy TrainingUniversity
Course
Student
Fee
Private Pilot AVIP 1013 Private Pilot Ground $ 3,110
 AVIP 1011 Private Pilot Flight $ 15,280
 AVIP 1022 Practical Flight Exam/Aircraft Use $ 880
 Private Pilot Sub-Total$ 19,270
   
Instrument RatingAVIP 2013 Instrument Rating Ground* $ 3,110
 AVIP 2023 Instrument Rating Flight $ 15,915
 AVIP 2023 Practical Flight Exam/Aircraft Use $ 880
 Instrument Rating Subtotal$ 19,905
   
Commercial Pilot: Part IAVIP 3013 Commercial Pilot Ground* $ 3,110
 AVIP 3023 Commercial Pilot Flight I $ 16,390
Commercial Pilot: Part IIAVIP 3033 Commercial Pilot Flight II $ 16,390
 AVIP 3033 Practical Flight Exam/Aircraft Use $ 880
 Commercial Pilot Subtotal $ 36,770 
   
Certified Flight Instructor (CFI)AVIP 4013 Certified Flight Instructor Ground School* $ 3,110
 AVIP 4022 Certified Flight Instructor $ 7,670
 AVIP 4022 Practical Flight Exam/Aircraft Use $ 880
 CFI Subtotal$ 11,660
   
Total Required Courses & Fees$87,605

Important: The costs and fees outlined above are charged for the semester in which the student is taking the class(es), in addition to their tuition. The costs listed above do not include housing, meals, other miscellaneous fees, or other non-aviation-related coursework. 

Number of Hours Per BlockTotal Fee Per Block
10 hours$3,215
15 hours$4,823
20 hours$6,430

Important: The costs and fees outlined above are charged for the semester in which the student is taking the class(es), in addition to their tuition. The costs listed above do not include housing, meals, other miscellaneous fees, or other non-aviation-related coursework. 

KingSky Flight Academy TrainingUniversity
Course
Student
Fee
Intro to Flight/PrerequisiteAVIP 1001: Introduction to Flight $990
   
Multi-Engine RatingAVIP 4041 Multi-Engine Rating Flight Training $8,825
AVIP 4041 Practical Flight Exam/Aircraft Use $1,615
 Multi-Engine Rating Subtotal$10,440 
   
Regional Airline TransitionAVIM 4003 Regional Airline Transition$4,195
   
CFI-InstrumentAVIP 4031 Multi-Engine Rating Flight Training$5,505
 AVIP 4031 Practical Flight Exam/Aircraft Use $1,195
 CFI-Instrument Subtotal$6,700 
   
CFI-Multi-EngineAVIP 4041 Certified Flight Instructor Multi-Engine Flight $14,370
 AVIP 4051 Practical Flight Exam/Aircraft Use $1,555
 CFI-Multi-Engine Subtotal $ 15,925
   
UAS/Drone AVIM 1101: Introduction to UAS Operations, Policy, and  Regulations (Includes a practice drone device) ??
   
Advanced Ground Instructor AVIP 4011: Advanced Ground Instructor $250
   
Instrument Ground Instructor AVIP 2021: Instrument Ground Instructor $250

Important: The costs and fees outlined above are charged for the semester in which the student is taking the class(es), in addition to their tuition. The costs listed above do not include housing, meals, other miscellaneous fees, or other non-aviation-related coursework. 

  • SEU students shall be charged fees for flight and ground training delivered by the contracted vendor when enrolled in a corresponding university course. 
  • Fees do not include the costs of repeat FAA check-rides or knowledge exams. 
  • SEU reserves the right to impose a fuel surcharge should fuel prices rise dramatically. 
  • Students will be charged a $100 fee for a no-show on a scheduled flight lesson. 
  • Fees reflect the estimated training required for the average student to complete each course. 
  • For students who need additional training that will exceed the estimated cost, additional flight hours and/or ground instruction will be billed at established block rates. Students will not be reimbursed for unused hours in this per-block rate, so students are encouraged to use all hours within their additional block.

The fees for each certificate or rating include the cost of: 

  • Individualized ground school instruction 
  • Individualized dual flight instruction in aircraft or simulator 
  • Expenses and fuel associated with using the aircraft or simulator 
  • Pre- and post-flight briefings 
  • Ground school test preparation curriculum and required textbooks 
  • One FAA Knowledge Examination fee 
  • One FAA Practical Examination fee, including the use of aircraft 

Miscellaneous Fees 

  • Students are expected to obtain the following at their own cost: 
  • FAA Medical certificate (approximately $150) 
  • Aeronautical charts and other training aids (price varies) 
  • Students will be charged a $100 fee for a no-show on a scheduled flight 
  • FAA Flight physical is required prior to any flight training 

Most students also use a tablet or iPad connected to the Foreflight application for navigation and other services. The aviation training partner will assist students in obtaining the above.

Important: The costs and fees outlined above are charged for the semester in which the student is taking the class(es), in addition to their tuition. The costs listed above do not include housing, meals, other miscellaneous fees, or other non-aviation-related coursework. 

Lakeland's Legacy of Aviation

Lakeland, located in Central Florida, has a long, in-depth history in the aviation industry, which began in the 1940s. Choosing to complete your pilot training here provides multiple opportunities to learn from and interact with a wide variety of aviation professionals.

Today, Lakeland is home to Lakeland Linder International Airport, NOAA’s Aircraft Operations Center (the “Hurricane Hunters”), the Central Florida Aerospace Academy (a public high school program dedicated to aeronautical studies), the Florida Air Museum, and the Sun ’n Fun Aerospace Expo. 

The airport property also includes Amazon/Prime Air, Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission offices, Army National Guard, U.S. Customs & Border Protection (General Aviation Facility), the Lakeland Aero Club, and aircraft refurbishing facilities 

Did You Know?

The first commercial flights into and out of Lakeland Linder International Airport began via Avelo Airlines in 2024.