Transfer Students
Graduating from our world-renowned aviation program will equip you with the expertise and skills essential for success in the industry.
Not everyone may have started their flight training at UND, but you may be able to finish your flight training and flight education with us. Depending on where you are currently training to become a professional pilot, there are different things you need to become familiar with before taking the leap to Grand Forks, ND.
Refer to the option below which describes the type of institution you are transferring from:
Transferring from the satellite campus in Phoenix-Mesa, AZ to Grand Forks, ND
The UND Aerospace Foundation (UNDAF) operates out of the Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport and provides both an accelerated pilot training program, for those interested in getting their pilot certificates quickly, and a collegiate pilot program that is partnered with the Chandler-Gilbert Community College (CGCC), for those interested in obtaining an associate's degree while pursuing their pilot certificates.
Students in Arizona who desire to obtain a bachelor's degree in aviation have a few options offered through UND. For those interested in an online degree, we currently offer two fully online programs: B.S. in Aeronautics - Aviation Studies, and B.S. in Aeronautics - Safety and Operations. For those interested in taking in-person classes in Grand Forks, ND, find more information on all of the offered programs on the Aviation Department home page. Find out more information regarding the transfer process by visiting Transfer Students. For more information on programs offered through UND, please contact the Aerospace Success Center.
One of the requirements to be eligible for R-ATP is to complete both the flight and ground training for both the instrument rating and the commercial pilot certificate in Grand Forks, ND, not in Arizona. If you conduct training and obtain your instrument rating and/or commercial certificate in Arizona, you will not be eligible for R-ATP. For questions regarding R-ATP, visit our R-ATP webpage.
Transferring from another FAA-approved Institute of Higher Education (IHE) Part 141 program to UND
There are many FAA-approved IHE pilot schools throughout the US, but if you decide to transfer to UND to complete your flight training and obtain an R-ATP approved degree, there are additional things for you to become familiar with.
To transfer from your current university or college to UND, please find more information at Transfer Students. For aviation specific information, see below:
You can check which courses from your previous institution will transfer to UND by visiting our Transfer Credits and Course Equivalencies pages.
Although the Office of University Admissions has their own team that assists hundreds of students annually, you can also contact our Aerospace Success Center (ASC) to get more information on transferring to UND. Our ASC advisors will be able to assist you to determine what courses you have taken previously count towards your aviation degree at UND.
NOTE: If you have conducted Part 141 ground school and flight training at a FAA-approved IHE, those courses may not transfer as equivalencies for your UND degree. For students that transfer to UND with their FAA certificate and ratings, the Department of Aviation may require abbreviated flight training and retaking of certain ground schools for the purposes of meeting degree requirements. For more information, please contact the Chief Ground Instructor.
The FAA approves courses and the number of credits allocated for any given course via the Institutional Authority Letter of Authorization (IALOA) that each IHE receives from the FAA upon being approved as such a facility. These courses are found by the FAA to improve and enhance the knowledge and skills of a person seeking a career as a professional pilot.
To determine which courses and how many credits taken at your previous IHE count towards R-ATP, please contact your previous institution. Your R-ATP approved credits from your previous IHE may count towards your R-ATP credits at UND upon graduation as long as those courses are listed in your transcript and the IALOA.
Please view our website that outlines the requirements of R-ATP.
In accordance with federal regulations and the Institutional Authority Letter of Authorization (IALOA), when transferring from one IHE Part 141 program to another, the receiving school - UND in this case - will administer both a knowledge and skills test (oral and flight evaluation) to determine how much of your previous flight training can be credited towards our approved 141 flight training curricula.
If you have applied to transfer to UND, and would like to set up an evaluation of your flight hours that may transfer or be credited towards your flight training at UND, please contact the Chief Flight Instructor and provide the following documents:
- The IALOA from your current university or college
- Part 141 training records
- Unofficial transcript
NOTE: Due to the high volume of interest in our aviation degrees, we will only review requests for students who have applied to UND as a transfer student.
Transferring from a non-FAA approved Institute of Higher Education Part 141 program to UND for the purposes of flight training
Whether you have a pilot certificate or not, you always have the option to transfer to UND to pursue an aviation degree and start or continue your flight training. Please view our degree programs on the Aviation Department home page. The level of certificate and ratings you will earn at UND will depend on the degree pursued.
NOTE: If you have obtained your FAA pilot certificate and rating(s) via Part 61, you may not qualify for Restricted ATP (R-ATP). You can find more information on R-ATP eligibility on our R-ATP webpage.
If you have any questions regarding our programs or the transfer process, our Aerospace Success Center will be able to assist you.
Frequently Asked Questions
What aviation programs are offered at UND?
We offer multiple degrees at the undergraduate level and select options at the post-graduate level. Please see the listing on the Aviation Department home page.
I took my flight training at another 141 school. What flight courses do I need to take at UND?
Depending on the certificate and rating(s) held, the flight courses you need to complete at UND may change. Due to the variety in students' background, certificate levels, and ratings available, this would be determined on a case-by-case basis. If you have already applied to UND as a transfer student and would like the Aviation Department to evaluate your specific circumstance, you can submit the following items to the Chief Ground Instructor and provide some background on your flight education:
- Institutional Authority Letter of Authorization from your current Institute of Higher Education
- Part 141 training records
- Unofficial transcript
- A scan of your pilot certificate
NOTE: Due to the high volume of interest in our aviation degrees, we will only review requests for students who have applied to UND as a transfer student.
Why won't my credits for ground training or flight training from my current Part 141 program or Part 61 collegiate program transfer to UND?
Depending on the certificate and rating(s) held, the ground school and flight training required to be completed at UND may change. Some flight course requirements may be waived, augmented, or an alternative course may be required instead. Due to the variety in students' backgrounds, certificate levels, and ratings, the specifics will be determined on a case-by-case basis, therefore UND is not able to provide equivalency credits for ground school and flight training taken at other schools. For courses that are not ground or flight training towards an FAA certificate or rating, UND may issue equivalency credits; please visit Transfer Credits to find out more.
I am an international student attending another 141 school. Are there additional steps or TSA/FAA requirements to transfer to UND?
TSA approval to conduct flight training in the US does not transfer from school to school. You can find more information on the additional requirements on our TSA/Non-US Citizens page.
I've completed some flight training under Part 61. Will this reduce my flight training requirements at UND?
It depends - the Department of Aviation has policies outlining the required flight courses for students coming to UND with Part 61 backgrounds. For the most up-to-date information, please see the Enrolling in Aviation Courses with Previous Flight and/or Academic Training policy. Policies are subject to change and, depending on your background, the Department of Aviation may require additional or alternative courses. Keep in mind that if you have conducted Part 61 training, you may not be eligible for Restricted ATP (R-ATP). For information on R-ATP, please see the UND R-ATP webpage.
I started my flight training already. Will I still qualify for Restricted ATP?
The FAA determines eligibility for qualifications for the Restricted ATP (R-ATP). The FAA lists the requirements under 14 CFR 61.160. For additional information, please visit our R-ATP webpage.
Will having an associate's degree or prior military experience help shorten the time it takes to complete an aviation degree?
It depends - students transferring into UND with an associate's degree or military experience may have their essential studies courses waived or receive credits which may count towards the graduation requirements for UND. For more information on transfer credits from other institutions, please contact the Registrar's Office. For military-based transfer credits, please reach out to the Veteran and Military Services Office for more information.
If I have questions on helicopter training who do I contact?
For helicopter-related questions, please contact our Helicopter Chief Flight Instructor.
Who could I contact if I have questions regarding Restricted ATP?
Please look at our R-ATP webpage for more information. If you still have questions, please contact the Chief Ground Instructor.