Basic Skills
Embry-Riddle recognizes the importance of communication and quantitative skills and requires students to demonstrate appropriate proficiency in English and mathematics before enrolling in certain coursework.
Skills assessments and/or placement processes are used to ensure students are enrolled in courses appropriate to their level of preparation.
Basic or preparatory skills courses may be required if proficiency is not demonstrated.
Credits earned in certain preparatory/basic skills courses may not apply toward minimum degree requirements.
Completion of a skills assessment does not guarantee admission to the University; students must meet all admission requirements.
Although basic skills courses are computed into the student’s term grade point average (GPA) and cumulative grade point average (CGPA), credits earned in basic skills courses (numbered 001-099) do not apply to minimum degree requirements in any degree program.
Daytona Beach and Prescott
- All students, including transfer students, must demonstrate proficiency in writing, reading, and mathematics before completing registration during their first term.
- Proficiency may be demonstrated by qualifying SAT/ACT scores or by transferring credit for college-level English and mathematics courses.
If proficiency is not demonstrated:
- Students must enroll in COMM 20 (reading, writing, and critical thinking skills).
- Quantitative skills courses prepare students for introductory mathematics courses required in degree programs.
English Language Proficiency:
- Students whose primary language is not English must demonstrate advanced English proficiency by achieving a satisfactory score on a placement test.
- Daytona Beach students unable to demonstrate proficiency must enroll in COMM 20MLW during their first term.
Worldwide & Online
English and Mathematics Skills Assessments
The purpose of the Skills Assessments is to ensure proper placement into English and Mathematics courses that support student success.
- There is no pass or fail; only placement into the appropriate course.
- Students may access pre-assessment refresher tools in ERNIE (Worldwide Skills Assessments site: https://myerauedu.sharepoint.com/sites/Placement/SitePages/Worldwide-Skills-Assessment.aspx).
Assessment Requirements by Course Prefix
Students without applicable prior credit must complete the following assessments before registering for certain courses:
- ENGL courses - English Skills Assessment
- ENGR and ESCI courses - English Skills Assessment and Mathematics Skills Assessment
- PHYS 150/160/250/253, MATH, and STAT courses - Mathematics Skills Assessment
English Skills Assessment
- The English Skills Assessment may be taken one time only (no retakes).
- Course placement appears in Campus Solutions Student Center To-Do list.
Placement criteria (for students without transfer credit equivalent to ENGL 106 or higher):
- 70% or above - COMM 122
- 50%–69% - COMM 106
- Below 50% - COMM 104 and COMM 106
Additional notes:
- Students with transfer credit equivalent to COMM 106 or above who score below 70% should take COMM 106.
- COMM 104 and COMM 106 cannot satisfy General Education Communication Theory and Skills requirements.
- English is the language of instruction at ERAU Worldwide; English language services are not offered.
Mathematics Skills Assessment
- Placement appears in Campus Solutions Student Center To-Do list.
- Students may self-remediate and repeat the assessment (see Mathematics Skills Assessment).
- Topics range from arithmetic through algebra, trigonometry, and pre-calculus.
- Course recommendations consider both assessment results and the student’s degree program.
Students without transfer credit equivalent to MATH 100, MATH 106, or 100–200 level MATH courses must complete recommended courses.
- Students placing into MATH 100, MATH 106, or above who already possess equivalent transfer credit should still take the recommended course(s) for preparation.
- MATH 100 and MATH 106 cannot satisfy General Education Mathematics requirements.