CWU Offers More Aviation Degrees at Moses Lake

August 21, 2008

ELLENSBURG, Wash. -- Central Washington University will begin offering more bachelor degree opportunities through the Department of Aviation this fall at CWU-Moses Lake, Central’s university center located on the campus of Big Bend Community College (BBCC). In addition to the Bachelor of Science in Aviation Management Central started offering at CWU-Moses Lake in 2006, aviation students there will now be able to receive a Flight Officer Specialization, Commercial Pilot Specialization and Aviation Maintenance Management Specialization.

"This is an incredible opportunity for our state institutions to share resources and pursue a collaborative vision to offer Washington students the highest quality education we can provide," said Dr. Amy Hoover, CWU Department of Aviation chair and associate professor.

Central is the only Washington institution to offer a four-year degree in aviation fields. The partnership with BBCC expands the capacity of the program, which is in high demand by Northwest residents who want to get into the aviation field.

Students in Moses Lake earn their flight or mechanics training through Big Bend Community College, and then transfer directly into the CWU degree program at Moses Lake. The degrees are being offered as a collaborative effort between Central’s Department of Aviation and BBCC’s Aviation and Aviation Mechanics Departments.

With more than 180 students enrolled in the program and 60 new freshmen and transfer students beginning in Fall 2008, aviation enrollment at Central's main campus in Ellensburg has reached capacity. By expanding aviation degree programs to CWU-Moses Lake, Central will be able to serve a broader potential student base that is currently underrepresented at the university's main campus, including students from eastern Washington.

CWU has been awarding degrees in flight technology for more than 35 years and has been involved in aviation since WWII when the school participated in the civilian pilot training program for the military to help train pilots for the war.

Media Contact: Amy Hoover, CWU Department of Aviation, 509-963-2300, hoovera@cwu.edu
Teri Olin, CWU Public Relations & Marketing, 509-963-1416, olint@cwu.edu

Central Washington University is a master's degree-granting institution with approximately 10,000 students and 1,500 faculty and staff. More than 160 undergraduate and master's degrees are offered. Founded in 1891, the Ellensburg campus is located in the heart of Washington State, nestled between the Cascade Mountains and the Columbia River. Since 1975, CWU has served the needs of place bound students at six university centers throughout the state. CWU is an AA/EEO Title IX Institution.