Two Pennsylvania Universities Launch Aviation Degree Programs in 2026 to Meet Pilot Demand

Pennsylvania, USA – Two Lehigh Valley universities, Moravian University and DeSales University, are launching bachelor’s degree programs in aviation management with flight training beginning in fall 2026, marking a major step toward expanding aviation education opportunities in eastern Pennsylvania.

• Both institutions will offer aviation-focused bachelor of science degrees designed to address the growing demand for pilots, air traffic controllers, and aviation management professionals.

• Moravian University will introduce two tracks: a B.S. in Aviation Management and a B.S. in Professional Pilot Training, emphasizing hands-on instruction, mentorship, and industry placement.

• The Moravian program will be operated in partnership with flyGATEWAY Aviation Institute, which provides flight training at Lehigh Valley International Airport (LVIA) and Queen City Airport in Allentown, alongside Lehigh Carbon Community College (LCCC) aviation programs.

• Future expansion at Moravian will include an Air Traffic Controller training program and additional aviation specializations.

• Mark Cronin, a veteran commercial airline captain and U.S. Air Force pilot with more than 40 years of experience, will lead the aviation management program at Moravian.

• DeSales University will offer two FAA-aligned degree paths: Commercial Pilot and Flight Instructor, developed in collaboration with Penn Flight Academy at Quakertown Airport.

• The DeSales program will combine business education and leadership training with practical flight operations, preparing graduates for roles in airline management, airport operations, and flight training.

• DeSales Provost Terese Wignot said the university aims to cultivate “leaders who see aviation as a field of service, innovation, and human connection.”

• Christopher Cocozza, Dean of the DeSales Waterbury Reilly School of Business, added that the program blends aviation proficiency with organizational leadership, positioning students to navigate a complex, global industry.

• Both universities cited the continued global pilot and aviation workforce shortage as a key motivator for launching the programs, aligning with broader national efforts to expand collegiate aviation pipelines.

Statements

• “In 2024, we opened the School of Professional Studies & Innovation and this new program will now serve students with a passion for flight and aviation technology,” said Bryon Grigsby, President of Moravian University.
• “Our students will not only learn to navigate aircraft but also to lead people and organizations with integrity in a complex, global industry,” said Christopher Cocozza, Dean at DeSales University.

Source: Moravian University & DeSales University