As the demand for pilots soars in the United States, Texas State University prepares to launch its new Bachelor of Applied Arts and Sciences degree with a concentration in Aviation Science this fall. The program, aimed at producing more airline, commercial, and professional pilots, comes in partnership with Coast Flight Training, the City of San Marcos, and Texas Aviation partners, as reported by KXAN.

Amid statistics projecting a national increase of more than 4% in the demand for commercial pilots, Texas State's new offering reflects a strategic response to over 5,600 positions expected to open in the next decade, with roughly 16,800 annual openings due to mandatory pilot retirements. “Texas State is proud to partner with Coast Flight Training, Texas Aviation Partners, and the City of San Marcos at San Marcos Regional Airport to address the nation’s pilot shortage by offering this exciting new opportunity to our students,” Texas State President Kelly Damphousse said in the release obtained by KXAN.

Emphasizing the program's commitment to equipping students for the vibrant Texas job market, Shetay Ashford-Hanserd, Ph.D., chair of the Occupational, Workforce, and Leadership Studies department at Texas State, highlighted the program's innovative nature. “Our innovative B.A.A.S. Aviation Science-Professional Pilot concentration is poised to revolutionize our department's approach to delivering career-focused, hands-on training in a field that's experiencing rapid growth and high demand in Central Texas and beyond,” Ashford-Hanserd said, as per CBS Austin.