ISTAT University, or ISTAT U, provides an overview of the many facets of the aviation finance and leasing industry and exposes students to real world concepts and methodologies. The ISTAT U curriculum has been specifically tailored to help prepare students for internships as well as long-term career opportunities in the exciting field of aviation finance, leasing and trading. This program covers topics such as:
- Aircraft leasing
- Risk management
- Aviation legal framework
- Aircraft funding
- Maintenance reserves
- Lease negotiation
- Transaction modeling
ISTAT U is currently available in a variety of formats both residential and online. These formats offer students the opportunity to earn credit hours (varies by university) and a program completion certificate.
Applications for ISTAT University in Partnership With Embry Riddle (ERAU) are now open. Learn more and find the application link by clicking on the section below.
At ERAU, students can choose from ISTAT U 1.0 or ISTAT U 2.0. The ISTAT U 1.0 program is an on-campus format, available only to qualified students enrolled in a master's program at ERAU, Daytona Beach, FL, USA. The two-course elective spans two semesters, and students are required to complete a prerequisite core master's level course in Finance before enrolling in the electives. Completion of both courses is required to receive a program completion certificate.
The ISTAT U 2.0 program is available, by way of a web-based format and is facilitated by faculty members at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (ERAU) Daytona Beach Campus through the ERAU Worldwide platform. All course instruction and assignments will be accessible online. The course is asynchronous and students will access the modules on their own time. The due dates for assignments and exams will be set in Eastern Standard Time (EST), and students from other time zones will have to submit accordingly. Students are eligible to receive course credit (as determined by ERAU) upon completion of the program.
Three courses are offered between October and August:
- Course one (FINE 695A) runs from October – December
- Course two (FINE 695B) runs from January – March
- Course three (FINE 695C) runs from May – August
The three courses must be completed in the specified order as each course is a pre-requisite for the following course. Upon completion of all three courses, students will receive a program completion certificate.
How to Apply
The application process for the ISTAT U 2.0 program (Online Program through ERAU Worldwide) involves two steps. First, students must apply per the instruction below. Upon acceptance, students must then apply on the ERAU Worldwide website as a non-degree seeking student. Applicants may be required to enroll in additional prerequisite courses and may be conditionally accepted into the ISTAT U 2.0 program.
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Admission Requirements
Carefully review the admission requirements to ensure you qualify for ISTAT U 2.0:
- Completed an undergraduate (bachelor's) degree within the last three years or are currently enrolled in a graduate (master's) degree program
- Undergraduate (bachelor's) and/or graduate (master's) degree must be in one of the following areas of study: business, accounting, finance or economics, or related field of study
- No prior professional experience in the aviation leasing or finance industry
- U.S. Grade Point Average (G.P.A.) requirement: 3.0 or above on a 4.0 scale. Outside of the U.S.: students must hold an academic ranking within the top 25% (75%-100%).
Required documentation to be included in application:
- Official transcripts from undergraduate (bachelor's) and graduate (master's) programs
- Resume/CV
- English proficiency test scores (e.g. TOEFL, etc.) for applicants whose primary language is not English
Tuition
Tuition for the 2026-2027 ISTAT U 2.0 program is $5,412 for 6 total credit hours ($902 per credit hour). If you are interested in receiving scholarship support from the ISTAT Foundation to cover a portion of the program tuition, please be sure to indicate your interest in the application. Learn more about ISTAT U scholarships.
Program Dates
For more information about ISTAT U, please contact ISTAT HQ at istat@istat.org.
- FINE695A: Topics in Aircraft Finance I: 19 October 2026 to 20 December 2026
- FINE695B: Topics in Aircraft Finance II: 11 January 2027 to 14 March 2027
- FINE 695C: Topics in Aircraft Finance III: 31 May 2027 to 1 August 2027
At Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, USA, students can choose from both residential and online offerings.
Residential
Purdue University offers residential programs year-round, including full-length fall and spring semesters, as well as shorter summer sessions. Prospective students are encouraged to review Purdue University’s application deadlines for their intended start term.
The ISTAT U Certificate is available through the following residential academic programs:
To earn the ISTAT U Certificate, residential students must successfully complete:
- AT 54800: Aircraft Asset Management
- AT 54900: Aircraft Leasing
Please note: These courses must be taken in sequence, as AT54800 serves as a prerequisite for AT54900.
For more information or questions, please contact Ms. Karla Calvin.
Online
The ISTAT U Certificate is available through the following online academic programs. The online format offers flexibility, allowing you to access lectures, course materials, assignments and tests at your convenience; no scheduled login times required. Courses run for 16 weeks during the spring and fall semesters and eight weeks during the summer session.
The ISTAT U Certificate is available through the following residential academic programs:
To earn the ISTAT U Certificate, residential students must successfully complete:
- AT 54800: Aircraft Asset Management
- AT 54900: Aircraft Leasing
Please note: These courses must be taken in sequence, as AT54800 serves as a prerequisite for AT54900.
For more information or questions, please contact Lauren Lyon, Online Graduate Program Enrollment Counselor.
Online Application Deadlines: Students are accepted on a rolling basis and can start the program in any semester.
Helping Students Thrive
As a student from a non-finance background, this program definitely helps you gain essential knowledge and build skills crucial to pursuing a career in the aircraft leasing sector. Everyone in the program, from lecturers to ERAU staff, is supportive! Whether you are a seasoned professional, or just planning to start your journey in this field, the program’s dynamic approach and inspiring content will undoubtedly help you achieve your goals and elevate your career to new heights.
– Jaime Martínez, MBA, Georgetown University Completed ISTAT U 2.0 in July 2023
The ISTAT U 2.0 Program provided me with a deep understanding of the fascinating world of aircraft leasing and the wider aviation finance ecosystem. I particularly enjoyed the unwavering support of leading industry executives, who provided unparalleled insights through weekly interviews and presentations. As a graduate of the ISTAT U 2.0 Program, I continue to benefit from a valuable network of likeminded individuals and the course’s excellent reputation. The completion of this course has also opened up attractive employment opportunities, enabling me to apply and showcase my knowledge on a daily basis.
– Basil Gygax, Msc, Cranfield University Completed ISTAT U 2.0 in May 2020
It was a unique experience to be a part of ISTAT University, and I enjoyed every minute of it. The course is structured in such a way that you understand different aspects of the commercial aviation industry through theoretical learning of the basics, but also get the opportunity to meet industry experts and learn from them through their sharing of experiences, guest lectures, topic focused interview videos, tailored case studies and class discussions. Being exposed to professionals in the industry and getting the chance to attend the events that ISTAT hosted was a bonus to the course. It allowed me to network and establish industry relations for a future in aviation. ISTAT U prepared me for the industry and gave me a strong understanding of the workings in commercial aviation leasing and finance.
– Ashwini Krishnan, MsC, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Daytona Beach Completed ISTAT U 1.0 in December 2019