The department and overall program has major flaws. The degree itself is hardly an Aviation degree, with fewer than eight important aviation classes. They mix Aviation Administration students in with many of the Aviation Pro-pilots. Students struggle to balance the required flying with the coursework of other general educational departments who are less understanding of pro-pilot's unique situation. The aviation program itself faults are numerous. A required $7500 is mandatory balance in personal accounts to maintain flight training, at which point, you are at the mercy of your instructor and department, some instances I have heard some students completing their Private Pilot License in over 130 hours, when the national average is around 73 hours. At $165 dollars an hour, that is a huge difference. Very few faculty members (professors, NOT instructors) have actual experience in the field itself (with the exception of two). The chief pilot knows little about running a proper 141 school and the FAA has even stepped in to investigate some of his actions. What is good about the flight line is the aircraft fleet and maintenance. The Piper Warriors, Arrows (and Seminole*.) are very well maintained and properly handled. There are no full-time MEIs- and insurance policy limits hired CFIs from flying the Seminole. However, Farmingdale, unlike competitors ER/UND choose to buy out their aircraft as opposed to leasing them, so in the long run students who choose the school in the future, will be stuck with an aging fleet. Their failure to attract new student has resulted in a decline in the program. This year they started with 12 Private students, three have already declined to continue training. Grant money intended for simulators "mysteriously has disappeared" and with the cost of the flight training itself, it is much more reasonable and logical to choose to train at a local FBO and pay as you go. Go to an alternative school for a means of a bachelor's degree. Very important for which you may actually use if you were to ever loose your FAA medical. The major airlines do NOT care what kind of degree you have, just as long as you do have a four-year degree. A person of comparable flight experience, with an aviation degree MAY have a slight advantage with an interview for regional airlines. I only write this as a deterrent to people who think about attending Farmingdale for this program, the majority of students are in this predicament, so do understand this is from personal experience. Think about going elsewhere.
*The Seminole rarely flies. Many students choose not to do their multi-engine rating at Farmingdale, they go elsewhere to places like Mid Island or Action Multi in Groton, CT.