Specialized Academic Opportunities

Embry-Riddle offers a broad variety programs that provide a comprehensive education and prepare you for a career and leadership in aviation, aerospace, engineering, safety science, security and intelligence, business or other field of your choice. With minors and concentrations to match your interests, no matter what major you choose, you will study with faculty who are also industry experts, in excellent facilities with leading technology, and in programs that are career-oriented. A variety of academic-related programs complement and expand the educational opportunities available to you.

Certificate Programs (available in conjunction with an undergraduate degree)

Aircraft Dispatcher Certification

For the student interested in airline flight operations management, Embry-Riddle offers a program to prepare the student for Aircraft Dispatcher certification testing. Upon successful completion of the required curriculum and the FAA Aircraft Dispatcher Knowledge Test, the student will be eligible to take the FAA Dispatcher Practical Test with instructor authorization.

Certificated aircraft dispatchers are employed by airlines to manage the ground-based tasks vital to successful airline operations. Dispatchers share responsibility with the pilot in command for preflight planning and preparation of the dispatch release, monitoring the progress of the flight, issuing safety-of-flight information to the crew, and canceling or re-dispatching the flight.

To carry out these tasks properly, dispatchers must be knowledgeable in aircraft performance capabilities, meteorology, operating regulations, air traffic control, and instrument flight procedures. They must also exhibit strong aeronautical decision-making skills incorporating the priorities of safety, passenger comfort, and economic considerations.

For more information: Aircraft Dispatcher Certificate

Emergency Response Meteorologist Certification

The Emergency Response Meteorologist (ERM) Certificate* prepares graduates for employment as an ERM or Incident Meteorologist. This certification is only available to students who complete a B.S. in Applied Meteorology. It gives students additional knowledge and skill to provide decision support services more effectively to meteorology customers. This additional training will prepare graduates to work in emergency operations centers for national or local government agencies and help guide decisions related to meteorology.

Students in this certification program learn about the U.S. incident command structure, gaining official National Incident Management System (NIMS) certification issued by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), and Intermediate and Advanced Incident Command Certification through local emergency management personnel.

Students will also achieve familiarity with geographic information systems (GIS) as essential for mapping geophysical datasets and visualizing emergency plans and incident response operations. Then, the capstone experience (WX 458) gives students the opportunity to configure and operate various hazard models used in emergency management scenarios to predict the impacts of floods, hurricanes, earthquakes, wildfire behavior, and the spread of hazardous materials.

For more information: Emergency Response Meteorologist Certificate

GIS and Remote Sensing Certificate

The GIS and remote sensing certificate prepares students for employment in GIS and remote sensing-related careers. Due to its versatile use in many industries, the GIS certificate is open to all disciplines that use geospatial data to manage workflows, processes, policies, and high-level decision-making.

Students in this certification program will learn the most common GIS and remote sensing workflows to generate, process and apply geospatial data via in-depth, hands-on experiences using state-of-the-art GIS software. Emphasis is placed on the practical aspects of working with a GIS using easy-to-understand, step-by-step tutorials and instructor demonstrations.

Students who successfully complete the GIS and remote sensing certificate will have the necessary skills to compete and work in the field of GIS and remote sensing in both the public and private sectors. Moreover, GIS and remote sensing skills earned through this certificate are useful in supporting capstone projects, master theses and can provide students with a robust foundation to engage in a research career.

For more information: GIS and Remote Sensing Certificate

Combined Program Pathways

Combined Program Pathways offer well-qualified students the opportunity to start a master's degree while still completing their bachelor's degree and allow for the crossing of disciplines. Students earn B.S. once all requirements for that degree are met while still working to complete their M.S.

Students should review the undergraduate degree program sections for the recommended course of study and program requirements.

Cooperative Education/Internship

The Cooperative Education/Internship Program offers qualified undergraduate students an opportunity to gain valuable practical work experience, explore career options, develop contacts in the industry, and earn college credit. Requirements and benefits vary by degree program and by employer. Students should discuss their co-op/internship plans with their academic advisor, Career Services program manager, and, when applicable, the co-op/internship faculty advisor in their degree program. Upon approval, one upper-level open or technical elective credit hour is awarded for every 100 clock hours of work completed, up to a maximum of six credit hours in one semester. Additional information, including eligibility requirements and current openings, is available from Career Services and on the Career Services website, PC Career Services Team and in Handshake. Students who register for an official University co-op/internship to earn academic credit will be charged tuition for one credit hour plus applicable fees.

Those students planning to participate in the Cooperative Education/Internship Program during the summer have the opportunity to apply for some financial help through the Co-op Assistance Award Program. Information will be emailed to students during the spring semester regarding deadlines, eligibility and application requirements.

Guidelines for co-op/internship:

Complete a mandatory advising session with a Career Services Program Manager and sign a Student Agreement.
Complete 30 college or university credit hours prior to registering for the experience through Career Services. Transfer students must have completed a total of 30 college or university credits, including 12 credit hours at ERAU.
Earn and maintain a cumulative grade point average of at least 2.50 for all ERAU course work, be degree-seeking, and be in good academic standing to register for academic credit.
Enrollment in ERAU courses within the past year.
12 co-op/intern credit hours may be applied toward the degree program. Department Chair or designee approval is needed to apply co-op/internship hours toward specified or technical elective degree requirements.
On-campus experiences, virtual positions, independent research activity, and special projects are not considered for co-op/intern credits.
International students must verify their eligibility to work in the U.S. with International Student Services BEFORE accepting a co-op or internship and may not register for a co-op or internship after having completed their educational requirements, according to the regulations of the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services. A co-op or internship must be required in the curriculum or fulfill a required elective.

Study Abroad/Study America Programs

Take classes that count toward your degree program and graduation while abroad! Stay on track for graduation while studying abroad!

The University’s Study Abroad & Global Engagement (SAGE) is proud to offer all our students unique and award-winning academic Study Abroad/Study America programs, as well as research and volunteer programs abroad. Embry-Riddle recognizes the unquestionable benefits of international exposure in today’s increasing globalization. Embry-Riddle offers its students a wealth of opportunities to study abroad in over 50 destinations spanning five continents or to Study experientially (hands-on) here in the United States. Whether it is as short as a week, a one-month summer adventure, or a semester/year-long program, these opportunities provide students with experiences that will greatly enhance not only their academic and professional lives but also their personal lives.

Students in good academic standing from ALL degree programs, both undergraduate and graduate, from any of our campuses (including Worldwide and Singapore) have the opportunity to take courses through our partner universities that will be directly applicable to and count toward their degree programs at Embry-Riddle. These exchanges may be semester or year-long, and most exchange programs are available in English. Additionally, there are programs taught in the language of the host country. Qualified exchange program participants may also have the opportunity to be placed in internships with companies or research labs abroad.

Our innovative summer programs are taught in English by Embry-Riddle professors and host professors throughout the world. Our summer programs are designed to enhance student learning in unique and dynamic ways through academics, experiential opportunities, and visits to businesses and organizations only open to our students because of ERAU collaborations and partnerships. Embry-Riddle offers a variety of two to four-week summer programs at half-price tuition plus a program fee. This reduced tuition serves as an additional incentive for students to explore other countries, cultures, languages, foods, and experiences while advancing their education and enhancing future career competitiveness. Living expenses in many of our destinations can be substantially lower than in the United States, allowing students to save even more.

Spring and winter breaks bring even more opportunities to globalize. The Study Abroad & Global Engagement, in collaboration with various colleges and offices on all campuses, often offers academic and volunteer abroad programs during these breaks.

Our newest initiative, Study America, offers specific opportunities to students through college departments who have identified a domestic program, organization, or location that will provide long-term benefits for their students. The Study America programs will focus on a specific aspect to help enhance student learning by taking them to a learning location stateside.

Connect with us on Eagle Life, Facebook @EaglesAbroadERAU, Instagram “eraueaglesabroad”, and our website: https://studyabroad.erau.edu/
We may also be contacted by email: GoGlobal@erau.edu

Questions about financing your Study Abroad or Study America program? Please contact our Financial Aid department https://prescott.erau.edu/financial-aid.

Undergraduate Research Scholars Program

Embry‑Riddle strives to create a culture of knowledge discovery through research and scholarship. Students who aspire to engage in sustained research activities over the course of their undergraduate career are invited to apply for admittance into the Undergraduate Research Scholars Program. Requirements include: two or more terms/semesters of research under the supervision of a mentor; completion of research training; research dissemination; and reflection. Successful completion of the program will result in a Research Scholar notation on the student’s official academic transcript.

To learn more about the program and application process, contact the Undergraduate Research Institute, Prescott (URI-PC). Interested students must apply for the program no later than the first day of the term of which they anticipate graduating. Applications will not be accepted after a student’s undergraduate degree has been conferred.