Inside a plane cockpit

Why Avionics?

If you have questions about the Avionics Program, please email us at @email

As aircraft systems become more electronically complex, there is a critical need for advanced training in avionics, the advanced electronic systems that perform a range of functions including engine controls, flight controls, navigation, and more.  Employers are looking for avionics technicians trained in the fundamentals of avionics theory, with a heavy emphasis on avionics troubleshooting skills, plus hands-on aircraft experience, an FCC license, and aircraft electronics certifications. The WLAC avionics program was designed to meet this demand.
 
Since 1974, WLAC has assisted thousands of students to obtain their Airframe and/or Powerplant (A and P) licenses, the two FAA certificates required to become an aviation maintenance technician. Located adjacent to LAX, WLAC enjoys a strong connection to the aviation industry, including partnerships with The Boeing Company, Southwest Airlines, FedEx, Supernal, and more.  These employers approached WLAC seeking to partner in the development of an avionics bachelor's degree program to address shortages of trained personnel.  
 
In June 2023, the Bachelor of Science in Aviation Maintenance Technology: Avionics was granted full approval by the State Chancellor’s Office. The first cohort will launch in Fall 2024.
 
Career opportunities in avionics include roles in avionics testing and troubleshooting, airline technical support, and production test manufacturing. Job prospects and wages are excellent, with annual mean wages reaching $90,000 per year, and 6 percent job growth predicted in over the next ten years in California (source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics).

The Bachelor of Science in Aviation Maintenance Technology: Avionics is designed to meet a critical demand for highly skilled technicians capable of troubleshooting complex aircraft, spacecraft and satellite systems by applying high-level critical and analytical skills. As technological advances increase the need for interdisciplinary collaboration, avionics technicians must also have the ability to communicate and organize sophisticated ideas in order to improve safety and maintenance reliability and lead programs and personnel.  
 
As holders of a baccalaureate degree, graduates will possess the critical thinking, communication and leadership skills to become managers, reliability engineers, business owners, and other mid-level professionals. Graduates will also be certified Airframe and Power Plant mechanics by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), and licensed avionics technicians by the Federal Communication Commission (FCC) and National Center for Aerospace & Transportation Technologies (NCATT) in order to perform the necessary repairs and operational tests on all general and commercial airplanes.  
 
The upper-division avionics curriculum is planned sequentially to be completed in one year. Courses are open only to students accepted into the Avionics Program who have completed all CSU or IGETC General Education Breadth Requirements for certification (~35 units) and all aviation maintenance technology prerequisites.   

Cost

The enrollment fee for the upper-division bachelor’s degree program courses is $130 per unit (for California residents). 

An estimated total cost of the program (tuition) for California residents is approximately $5,200* for enrollment fees. Book fees and student health fees are extra. 

Financial Aid

Financial Aid is available for qualifying students and may be used to offset these additional costs. 98% of our students receive State, Federal, or private financial aid, or participate in the Board of Governors' Fee Waiver Program. For more information, contact the WLAC Financial Aid Office via email at ​@email, by telephone at ​(310) 287-4532, LIVE CHAT or in-person Student Services Building (SSB) 210 2nd Floor. For more info visit their website at: https://www.wlac.edu/financial-aid

We highly encourage everyone to apply for FAFSA or the California Dream Act before applying to the Avionics program regardless of the acceptance. For more information, visit the FAFSA website or CA Dream Act.

Eligibility

All Avionics applicants must complete the AMT prerequisite coursework clearance, which can be satisfied via one of the four methods listed below. Please choose which of the following four methods you will use and indicate your choice in your response to Question #1 in the Avionics Program Application.

Email copy of unofficial WLAC transcripts to @email

Please include in the subject line:

Avionics Fall 2024 - YOUR FULL NAME (STUDENT ID)

  • Email a copy of the certificate of completion (with the assigned FAA number listed) from an external Part-147-approved Aircraft Maintenance Technician School (AMTS) and official transcripts to @email.  

  • Submit the Credit for Prior Learning by Credit Exam to @email.  Instructions and required forms are can be found here: https://www.wlac.edu/academics/credit-for-prior-learning 

WLAC staff will reach out to you to explore prerequisite clearance via military experience

NOTE FOR IN-PROGRESS COURSEWORK

All prerequisite coursework must be completed by August 31st.  For any prerequisite course that is still in progress as of the application deadline (August 31st), you must also submit a letter from your instructor documenting the course end date and that you are in good standing to pass the class.

Application Process

Students may only apply during the active application cycle in the Spring and Summer for the following Fall semester for the Avionics program.

The deadline for the Avionics application is August 01st. NOTE: Fall 2024 application period has been extended to August 30th, 2024.

All students except current and returning WLAC students need to submit a college application by applying online.

To apply to the College, click West Los Angeles College Application page.

All official transcripts from U.S. colleges and universities outside the LACCD must be sent directly to the Office of Admissions and Records from the institution of origin before requesting a CSUGE or IGETC Evaluation. 

You can request transcripts in one of two ways:

1. Electronically via Parchment.com, OR

2. By regular mail. If your school does not use Parchment, the transcript must be mailed by your previous institution directly to Admission and Records at

By mailing to the address below:
West Los Angeles College
Attn: Admissions and Records Office
9000 Overland Ave
Culver City, CA 90230

Important notes:
• To be an eligible applicant to the Avionics program, official transcripts must be on file by August 30th, 2024.

• Transcripts issued directly to the student or another party, even in a sealed envelope, will not be accepted.

• Once WLAC receives your official transcript, please allow 15 business days for processing.

• Check your student email for verification. If you did not receive an email notification to your student email confirming your transcripts have been received, please visit https://www.wlac.edu/admissions/admissions-live-chat

The Avionics degree requires completing one of the following general education patterns before the program.

Have you completed a CSUGE or IGETC certification at WLAC or another regionally accredited community college or a university?

If yes, please proceed to STEP 4.

If not, please meet with a counselor so they can advise you on the appropriate classes. To make an appointment with the Counseling Department please click on the link Counseling Appointments or email Ronnie Felder at @email.

Important notes:

Make sure you have official transcripts of all schools attended on file in Admissions and Records, or at least bring unofficial transcripts to your counseling appointment.

Once you have applied to WLAC and have an active Student ID number, submit the Bachelor of Science in AMT: Avionics Program Application 

Upper Division Course Sequence

Fall Semester will consist of one 8-week session. Two 3-unit courses will be offered during each session.

Session 2 - Fall Semester

  • AVIATEK 340 - Avionics Standard Practices (3 Units)
  • CHICANO 505 - Chicana/o/x Art, Literature, and Film (3 Units)

The Winter Session is 5 weeks long and consists of 3-unit courses if you need to take English 103 to meet the pre-requisite of English 420. 

  • Prereq for English 420 if needed (ENGLISH 103)

The Spring Semester will consist of two 8-week sessions offering one 3-unit course and one 4-unit course.

Session 1 - Spring Semester 

  • AVIATEK 310 - Aircraft Electronic Circuits  (4 Units)

  • AVIATEK 315 - Aircraft Digital Circuits (3 units)

Session 2 - Spring Semester

  • AVIATEK 320 – Aviation Electronic Communications (4 Units)
  • AVIATEK 325 - Aviation Data Communications  (3 Units)

Summer Session is 8 weeks, offering two 3-unit courses.

  • AVIATEK 345 - Avionics Circuit Repair  (3 Units)
  • AVIATEK 350 – Aircraft Navigation Systems (3 Units)

The Fall Semester will consist of two 8-week sessions. Two 3-unit courses will be offered during the first session, and two 3-unit courses plus a 2-unit course will be offered during the second session.

Session 1 - Fall Semester

  • AVIATEK 355 - Aircraft Pulse Systems (3 Units)

  • AVIATEK 360 – Aircraft Radar Systems  (3 Units)

Session 2 - Fall Semester

  • AVIATEK 365 – Avionics General Regulations  (2 Units)

  • ENGLISH 420 - Research Design and Methodology (3 Upper Division GE Units)

  • NEW TBA - (3 Upper Division GE Units)