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Embry-Riddle Ph.D. In Aviation

Typical Course Schedule

It is anticipated that most students will maintain a course load of 6 credit hours per semester (not including residencies), three times per year. The following is an example course schedule based on that assumption:

First Year

A six-day residency at a campus location precedes the Fall semester.

Fall Semester
Course Title Credit
DAV 711 Foundations of Aviation 3
DAV 721 Quantitative Research Methods in Aviation 3
Spring Semester
Course Title Credit
DAV 712 Aviation Safety Management Systems 3
DAV 722 Qualitative/Mixed Methods Research in Aviation 3
Summer Semester
Course Title Credit
DAV 713 The Economic Environment of Aviation 3
DAV 723 Advanced Multivariate Parametric and Nonparametric Statistics 3

Second Year

A second six-day residency is offered in August at a resident campus location.

Fall Semester
Course Title Credit
DAV 714 The Legal Environment of Aviation 3
DAV 724 Advanced Quantitative Research Methods and Modeling Techniques 3
Spring Semester
Course Title Credit
DAV 731 The National Air Traffic System – Research Trends and Issues 3
DAV 732 Strategies for Organizational Dynamics in Aviation 3
Summer Semester
Course Title Credit
DAV 733 Globalization and the Aviation Environment 3
DAV 735 Current Practices and Future Trends in Aviation 3

A third six-day residency is offered in August at a resident campus location.

Sample Time for Course Completion (Maximum time to completion is 7 years)

Minimum credit hours per Ph.D. degree program component
Component of Ph.D. Degree Program (beyond Master's*) Credit Hours
(minimum)
Course work in core and cognate areas 36
Residencies 6
Dissertation 18
Total 60
*Normally a Master’s degree will satisfy admissions requirements given appropriate credentials or background in aviation. However, in unusual circumstances, additional course work may be stipulated to ensure that the student is fully prepared for doctoral-level study.

Enrollment should be continuous for a student to remain in the program with a break only for medical or other acceptable reason. Full-time enrollment is considered 6 credit hours for financial aid purposes.

With continuous enrollment of 6 credit hours per semester, and one year for the dissertation, the program can be completed in three years.