Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University: A Comprehensive Overview of Locations and Programs

Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (ERAU) stands as a pre-eminent institution for aviation and aerospace education. Founded in 1926, ERAU has evolved from a regional school for pilots and aircraft mechanics into a global university with multiple campuses and a wide array of programs. This article provides a detailed look at Embry-Riddle's locations, academic offerings, and unique features.

Historical Overview

The Embry-Riddle Company was founded on December 17, 1925, at Lunken Airport in Cincinnati, Ohio, by Talton Higbee Embry and John Paul Riddle. Initially, it served as a regional school for pilots and aircraft mechanics. In 1939, Riddle, along with John Graham McKay and his wife Isabel, re-established the school in Miami, partnering with the University of Miami to provide flight training under the Civilian Pilot Training Program, which rapidly increased the number of qualified pilots before World War II. Alumni of this school included John F. Kennedy, Jr.

Embry-Riddle became a nonprofit institution in 1959 and was awarded university status in 1968. In 1970, it officially became Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University and launched its international program.

Main Campus Locations

Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University has two main residential campuses:

Daytona Beach, Florida

The oldest residential campus, established in 1965, is located in Daytona Beach, Florida. Situated adjacent to the Daytona Beach International Airport, the 185-acre campus is connected to an aircraft ramp owned by the university for flight training. The main campus includes an aviation complex, academic quad, residence halls, a student center, and the Jack R. Hunt Aviator Park.

Read also: Tuition at Embry-Riddle

The Daytona Beach campus comprises seven residence halls and one off-campus housing complex. This eastern campus serves a large student body, with 6,740 undergraduates and 781 graduate students from nearly 100 countries. All first-year students are required to live on campus, along with sophomores, juniors, and seniors. The Daytona Beach campus boasts a fleet of 88 Cessna Skyhawks and 14 Diamond DA42-VIs.

Prescott, Arizona

Opened in 1978, the Prescott, Arizona, campus is located 100 miles north of Phoenix. The flight training center is located at nearby Ernest A. Love Field. Facilities at the Prescott Campus include the Aerospace Experimentation and Fabrication Building, a wind tunnel lab with one supersonic and four subsonic wind tunnels, the aviation safety center with an accident investigation lab, library, the 48,000 sq ft (4,500 m2) academic complex, the engineering and technology center, chapel, dining hall, student union and residence halls.

Worldwide Campus

Embry-Riddle Worldwide was established in 1970 and has grown into a network of over 130 learning locations, including military bases and a virtual "online campus". The largest worldwide location is the Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University Asia campus in Singapore. U.S. News & World Report has consistently ranked Embry-Riddle Worldwide as one of the top online educators, particularly for veterans.

Online Programs

Embry-Riddle Worldwide offers a variety of online programs to accommodate students who cannot attend a residential campus. These programs provide flexibility and access to quality education in aviation and aerospace.

U.S. News & World Report ranked Embry-Riddle #1 Best out of almost 300 Online Bachelor's Programs in 2016.

Extended Campus Locations

Embry-Riddle also has extended campus locations, such as those in Los Angeles and Savannah, which cater to students seeking to advance their careers in aviation and aerospace without relocating to the main campuses.

Los Angeles, California

The Los Angeles Site, located near Long Beach Airport, offers associate, bachelor’s, and master’s degrees, as well as undergraduate certifications. These programs are designed to help students achieve higher positions in their current companies or become attractive job candidates in new businesses or fields. The Los Angeles area is home to many of the nation's biggest industries. This site is authorized to enroll F-1 students with the selection of an approved program.

Savannah, Georgia

The Savannah Area Campus, located in nearby Pooler, offers associate, bachelor’s, and master’s degrees, as well as undergraduate certifications. These programs aim to help students advance in their current roles or transition to new opportunities. Savannah and the Lower Coastal Plain area are home to many of the nation’s biggest industries.

Academic Programs and Specializations

Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University offers a wide range of programs focused on aviation and aerospace, including associate, bachelor's, and master's degrees, as well as undergraduate certifications.

Flight Training

Flight training is a cornerstone of Embry-Riddle's curriculum. The Daytona Beach campus has a fleet of 88 Cessna Skyhawks and 14 Diamond DA42-VIs, while the Prescott campus operates its flight training center at Ernest A. Love Field.

Read also: Inside Embry-Riddle Admissions

Research and Development

Embry-Riddle is actively involved in research and development across its campuses:

Daytona Beach Campus: Research has expanded to include engineering, cyber and homeland security, human factors, modeling and simulation, and business. The university is expanding its partnerships with industry in developing the Aerospace Research and Technology Park adjacent to the campus and manages the FAA NextGen Florida Test Bed.
Prescott Campus: The Robertson Safety Institute (RSI) is a center for research, development, short courses, and corporate outreach in safety education. Additionally, $60,000 in Eagle-Prize (E-Prize) Grants is available each year for student teams participating in collegiate, national, or international design or research competitions.

Accreditation

Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC). Specific programs are also accredited by organizations such as the Aviation Accreditation Board International (AABI) and the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP).

Student Life and Activities

Embry-Riddle offers a variety of extracurricular activities and organizations to enhance student life.

Athletics

The athletic teams at Embry-Riddle's Daytona Beach campus are known as the Eagles, competing in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) and the Sunshine State Conference (SSC). The Prescott campus also has its Eagles, competing in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) and the Great Southwest Athletic Conference (GSAC).

Student Organizations

The Avion is the school's student magazine, published bi-monthly and funded by the Embry-Riddle Student Government Association. The Prescott campus is home to the Golden Eagles Flight Team, which competes in the National Intercollegiate Flying Association.

First Year Experience

The First Year Experience (FYE) program at the Prescott Campus is designed to help students transition to college through academic, social, and educational support. Students in FYE housing are grouped by major and reside with specially trained staff. All first-year students who graduated high school within 12 months of matriculation are required to live in university housing for their first full academic year.

Additional Resources and Facilities

Embry-Riddle provides various resources and facilities to support its students:

Computer Labs: A 20-seat computer lab is available for student research and web access at various locations.
Libraries: Each campus has a library with extensive resources for research and study.
Housing: On-campus housing is available at the Daytona Beach and Prescott campuses, with specific requirements for first-year students.

Rankings and Recognition

Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University consistently receives high rankings from various publications:

U.S. News & World Report: Recognized Embry-Riddle Worldwide as a top online educator, particularly for veterans.
Forbes: Included Embry-Riddle in its list of America's Top Colleges.

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