Aviation

OU School of Aviation

Our purpose is to provide aviation majors with the knowledge and skills of a competent pilot, air traffic controllers, and/or industry professional, along with strong business fundamentals that provide long-term competitive professional advantages.

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OU is one of approximately 33 institutions worldwide with AABI-accredited programs

#1

ranked the top "university to consider when pursuing a degree in aviation" by Flying Magazine

5

areas of academic concentration

Degree Programs

Aviation Management - Air Traffic Management Concentration
Aviation Management - Flying Concentration*
Aviation Management - Non-Flying Concentration
Professional Pilot - Airplane*
Professional Pilot - Helicopter

*Please review application and selection process below.

Fall 2026 Freshman & Transfer Application and Selection Process

Professional Pilot – Airplane and Aviation Management – Flying Majors

For First-Time Entering Freshmen and Transfers – Fall Entry Only

If you’re planning to choose the Professional Pilot – Airplane or Aviation Management – Flying major, you must apply to OU by November 1 to be considered for a flight slot. Interested students can only apply for the fall term and are encouraged to apply to the University of Oklahoma when the application opens on August 1.

IMPORTANT! Due to the great demand and limited number of flight slots OU can offer each fall, the selection process for our flying programs is competitive and extends beyond the initial application to the university. Once admitted to OU, the School of Aviation has two additional steps that must be completed before further consideration for acceptance into a fixed-wing flight degree option can occur. These steps (steps two and three) are outlined in the application process described below. It is imperative that you check your email frequently throughout the admission’s cycle for updates about next steps to assure that you submit all required materials.

Flight major applications are accepted during the fall term application timeframe only. Although the starting term at OU is the fall semester, flying spots are assigned either for the fall, spring, or summer term. Flight experience is not required, and preference is not given to students with a pilot's license.

Application Process

Step 1: Submit OU Admissions Application
Application Deadline: November 1, 2025

Apply for freshman or transfer admission and select Professional Pilot – Airplane or Aviation Management – Flying to be considered for a flying slot.
Professional Pilot – Airplane or Aviation Management – Flying majors will be removed from the OU application for admission on November 2, 2025 and further applications will not be accepted until the application window reopens for the following school year (August 1, 2026).
Only completed OU applications will be considered for admission. This includes sending official transcripts from all previously attended institutions, the application fee, and the OU application.

Step 2: Submit Pilot Candidacy Form and get selected for a flight slot
Deadline: December 15, 2025

OU Admitted students with Professional Pilot – Airplane or Aviation Management – Flying majors must complete the online Pilot Candidacy Form.
A link to the form will be emailed to admitted students.
As a reminder, ONLY completed OU applications will be considered for admission.
The Pilot Candidacy Form can only be completed after being admitted to OU.
Failure to complete the Pilot Candidacy Form by the December 15 deadline will remove the candidate from further consideration for a flight slot.

Selection Process

After the Pilot Candidacy Form submission deadline of December 15, the admissions committee will review all eligible applicants.
Students selected for secured flying slots will receive their selection notifications all at once, no later than January 30, 2026. Students receiving a flight slot must then complete all items in “Step Three” to solidify their flight slot.
Students not selected for a flight slot will have their major switched to their second choice major listed on their OU application and will not advance to “Step Three.” The Committee will create a short waitlist and notify qualified students of this option.

Step 3: Confirm Flying Slot and Complete Requirements
Deadline: May 1, 2026 (One Stop packet and Enrollment Deposit for freshman)
Deadline: June 15, 2026 (Orientation Registration)

Freshmen:
- Submit the Final Onboarding (One Stop) packet (including required medical forms) to the School of Aviation by May 1. The Final Onboarding (One Stop) packet will be emailed to only those students selected in step two for a flying slot. It is important that you do not delay in compiling these documents as some will be time-consuming. We recommend that you start this process immediately after being notified about your flying slot selection to meet the May 1 deadline.
- Pay the $250 OU Enrollment Deposit by May 1.
- Register for New Sooner Orientation by June 15 to retain your flying slot.
- Failure to complete any of these requirements by the stated deadlines will result in the loss of your flying slot.
Transfers:
- Submit the Final Onboarding (One Stop) packet (including required medical forms) to the School of Aviation by May 1. The Final Onboarding (One Stop) packet will be emailed to only those students selected in step two for a flying slot. It is important that you do not delay in compiling these documents as some will be time-consuming. We recommend that you start this process immediately after being notified about your flying slot selection to meet the May 1 deadline.
- Register for New Sooner Orientation by June 15 to retain your flying slot.
- Failure to complete any of these requirements by the stated deadlines will result in the loss of your flying slot.

Aviation Flying Waitlist

Because of the limited number of flight slots each fall, as well as the very competitive nature of the process to receive a slot, OU maintains a waitlist for these spaces. Applicants who are waitlisted will be notified by the Office of Admissions and Recruitment of their status. OU cannot guarantee that any offers of flight slots from the waitlist will be made annually; getting off the waitlist depends on whether eligible students choose later not to accept a flight slot. If you have any questions regarding the flying slot waitlist, please contact the Office of Admissions and Recruitment at admissions@ou.edu or 405-325-2151.

For Aviation Management – Non-Flying, Aviation Management – Air Traffic Management, and Professional Pilot – Helicopter Applicants

If you are interested in Professional Pilot – Helicopter, Aviation Management – Non-Flying, or Air Traffic Management, we encourage you to submit your application to OU for priority admission. These concentrations are not limited by space and are open to all students, including freshmen and transfer students. Students interested in these majors will follow general admission application dates and deadlines.

Important Dates for Freshmen:

August 1: OU Application Opens
November 1: Early Action Admission Deadline
December 15: Final Scholarship Admission Deadline
February 1: Final Admission Deadline
May 1: Enrollment Deposit Deadline

Here are just a few reasons why OU is a smart and affordable choice for your aviation degree:

The university meets the FAA requirements for 1,000-hour R-ATP.
The Professional Pilot - Airplane, Air Traffic Management, Aviation Management – Flying, and Aviation Management degree concentrations have been AABI accredited since 2005.
Students with a flying slot are guaranteed to start flying their first academic year.
OU partners with several airlines across the country to offer pathway programs. These programs offer students the opportunity to work toward careers with some of the nation’s largest airlines, giving you an opportunity to get into the right seat of a commercial airline sooner.
OU subscribes to the highest standards of international aviation academic rigor, safety and quality standards.
Each concentration has a strong business focus which incorporates a general minor, thus preparing students to succeed in the business world of aviation or other related jobs.

Only students accepted into the Aviation Management – Flying or Professional Pilot – Airplane AND get a flying spot will be able to fly. Unfortunately, students in other non-flying aviation or aerospace programs will NOT be able to fly.

Top 3 Things to Know

1

Faculty, adjunct faculty, and instructors bring a combined 300 years of operational aviation and real-world experience into the classroom from disciplines of airlines, corporate aviation, air traffic control, Department of Defense, airport management, Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), and government.

2

We offer students the opportunity to apply to aviation internships all over the country. Currently, we’re connected to paid and volunteer opportunities at Southwest Airlines, American Airlines, Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport, Raytheon, Tinker Air Force Base Airfield Operations, OAC, Leidos, and more.

3

The OU School of Aviation includes learning labs like the Simulation Center with state-of-the-art Air Traffic Control and Advanced Aviation Training Device simulation. Students are exposed to a wide variety of weather conditions and gain proficiency in weather-related decision making in flying and controlling.

Sky Porter

Aviation, Class of 2026
From Fort Worth, Texas

As an aviation major, OU's #1 ranked program immediately stood out. What made it even more meaningful was the chance to finish something my great-grandfather started. He served in the Air Force but never had the opportunity to fulfill his dream of becoming a pilot. Being here at OU, with the resources, flight training, and support I've received, I feel like I'm not just pursuing my own dream — I'm honoring his. OU has given me the wings to fly for both of us.