The Community College of Beaver County (CCBC) is boldly strengthening its leadership in aviation education through a first-of-its-kind partnership with Slippery Rock University (SRU). This forward-thinking “co-enrollment” model delivers stability and opportunity by allowing students to be simultaneously enrolled at CCBC and SRU. Students will progress toward an associate degree from CCBC while advancing toward a four-year bachelor’s degree from SRU, creating a solid foundation for success in the high-demand aviation field.
This pathway is designed to empower lasting excellence for ambitious students. Earning a bachelor’s degree while completing pilot training provides proven academic breadth, increased earning potential, and a related four-year degree that deepens technical knowledge, expands career pathways, and positions graduates as future leaders in aviation. CCBC is committed to preparing aviation professionals with the skills and confidence to make an impact in their field and beyond.
Unlike traditional transfer agreements, this collaborative model offers a fully integrated college experience that accelerates degree completion across both institutions. Students maintain full access to academic resources, advising, and campus life at CCBC and SRU, building a powerful foundation that supports their growth as confident, capable aviation professionals.
Eligible bachelor’s degree programs at SRU for students in CCBC’s aviation pathway include:
- Homeland security
- Corporate security
- Computing
- Cybersecurity
- Mechanical engineering
- Electrical and computer engineering
- Industrial and systems engineering
SRU’s mechanical engineering and industrial and systems engineering programs are globally recognized for meeting the rigorous standards of the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET). Electrical and computer engineering is expected to achieve ABET accreditation before its first cohort graduates, following the program’s launch in Fall 2025.
CCBC’s aviation pathway is ranked among the nation’s premier aviation training programs within the James M. Johnson School of Aviation Sciences. SRU is one of CCBC’s six designated “premier partner” institutions, giving aviation students expanded pathways to earn a four-year degree that aligns with their professional goals.
“This partnership is an ideal match for students who want to further enhance their careers and earning potential by complementing their aviation training with relevant bachelor’s degrees here at SRU,” said Nicole Dafoe, dean of SRU’s College of Engineering and Science. “This is another way we are providing greater opportunities for students that align with workforce needs. The skills and knowledge required by employers continues to evolve and this is yet another way we are collaborating with education and industry partners to set students up to thrive.”
“This unique pathway provides flexibility, accessibility and value while developing future aviation leaders,” said John Higgs, CCBC’s senior dean of the James M. Johnson School of Aviation Sciences. “Our well-known aviation programs have placed a professional pilot in the cockpit of every major airline in the United States and an air-traffic controller in every FAA control tower in the country. We are excited to see this program soar as students start strong at CCBC and finish stronger at Slippery Rock.”
More about the aviation pathway is available on the SRU website.
