
Ph.D. in
Aviation
The mission of the Ph.D. in Aviation program is to produce outstanding scholars for careers in research and teaching in the aviation field.
At Embry-Riddle, Ph.D. in Aviation students take part in a rigorous, research-driven program that pushes them to their greatest potential.
The Embry-Riddle Ph.D. in Aviation program allows highly qualified students and professionals from diverse backgrounds and aviation career paths to immerse themselves in this high-powered world of aviation.
As the nation’s first Ph.D. program in Aviation, this degree is designed to educate students and professionals in conducting state-of-the-art research in all areas of this important field of study, extending the aviation body of knowledge.
Your academic journey will focus on building skills and foundational knowledge to conduct research in Aviation Safety and Human Factors, Operations, and Intradisciplinary Studies.
The program has been designed to accommodate working professionals who seek to advance their knowledge and conduct high-quality research in aviation while being employed; the flexible, mainly online and hybrid delivery of this program enables students to continue professional careers while pursuing doctoral education.
The program consists of 60 credit hours above a Master’s degree, 36 of which will come from online courses designed to provide Ph.D. students with aviation knowledge in their intended specialization. Eighteen credit hours are earned completing the dissertation, an extensive, real-world research project.
Residency
Six credit hours are gained through three, five-day annual residencies at the Daytona Beach campus. Students are required to complete a minimum of three week-long Residency seminars at the Embry-Riddle Daytona Beach campus during the first three years in the program.
Each student is required to complete one on campus residency seminar each year, allowing students the opportunity to network face-to-face with students, faculty, and advisory board members while participating in sessions which prepare them for the next phase of the program. The residencies are scheduled during mid-August.
Program faculty come from all three ERAU campuses — Daytona Beach, Prescott, and Worldwide. These nationally and internationally recognized scholars have extensive teaching, research, and publication records within their disciplines.
Application Deadline
The deadline for applications and all supporting documents is February 1st for the following August cohort. The application package is considered an indication of your ability to perform in a challenging, professional environment. It should be carefully and thoroughly prepared, completed, and submitted on or before the deadline of February 1st.
DETAILS
About Aviation at the Worldwide & Online Campus
The Ph.D. in Aviation program at ERAU takes place as a part of the world’s largest aviation-oriented university with extensive experience in graduate education and leading-edge research. The Ph.D. in Aviation degree is housed in the College of Aviation.
The Ph.D. program requires the completion of 60 credit hours of graduate study. These credit hours are spread over aviation core classes, research methodologies and doctoral dissertation. Courses, residencies, and the dissertation allow a student to accomplish the Program Educational Goals.
Educational Goals
Graduates of the Ph.D. in Aviation degree program will:
- Contribute at the high levels of performance and productivity in academic, business, or scientific fields of aviation
- Conduct and disseminate scholarly research addressing contemporary or future problems in the global aviation industry
- Actively participate in national and international bodies to sustain continuous improvement in aviation
- Perform professionally and effectively across multicultural and multidisciplinary units in aviation
Program Assessment Measures Employed
- Alumni Surveys
- Program Student Surveys
- End of Course Evaluations
- Direct Measures of Student Performance in the Classroom
- Research Publications by Students and Alumni
See all Student Achievement Information.
Specializations
The four areas of specialization focus on:
- Aviation Safety: Students choosing this specialization will focus on managing risk culture through control of known and yet-to-be discovered techniques and safety applications in aviation.
- Aviation Human Factors: Students choosing this specialization will focus on the capacity to design, conduct, and apply human factors and cognitive psychology research in aviation.
- Aviation Operations: Students choosing this specialization will focus on the work that emphasizes research capabilities in a global aviation marketplace while considering industry trends and innovations.
- Intradisciplinary: For students with a broader interest in aviation, this specialization offers a cross-disciplinary approach to aviation where you work with your advisor to build a curriculum appropriate for a student's educational needs.
Qualifying Exam
Once a student has met course requirements, they are required to pass a two-day Qualifying Exam specifically crafted based on their research proposals and completed coursework.
Dissertation
Students will likely spend far more time preparing for and writing their doctoral dissertation than they will in the virtual classroom. The dissertation is a significant, real-world aviation-related research project developed during the course of study and conducted and finalized during the dissertation phase. Dissertations must be defended on the Daytona Beach campus.
The demand for aviation professionals with the skills to conduct research and solve problems continues to grow in response to the increasing complexity and evolution of the aviation field. The Ph.D. in Aviation program -- the first in the U.S. -- is designed to address that need by allowing students to pursue doctoral studies in aviation in a diverse, intellectually versatile and multi-disciplinary environment.
Learn more information about the Ph.D. in Aviation program at the website: http://aviationphd.erau.edu.
Program of Study
The Ph.D. in Aviation will allow students to pursue interests in aviation in a diverse, intellectually versatile and multidisciplinary environment and to effect a global impact on the aviation discipline and industry. The program has been designed with the intent of preparing students with the cognitive and research skills necessary to solve acute problems facing the field of aviation and to advance the discipline.
Broad-based / Flexible Degree
Embry-Riddle's Ph.D. in Aviation is a flexible degree program, in that it is offered primarily online but includes three, six-day residencies at designated campuses. The degree is open to aviation professionals, including flight crew members, air traffic controllers, industry technical representatives, aviation educators, government employees and others wishing to advance their knowledge and enhance their careers with a Ph.D. in Aviation.
Program Educational Goals
Graduates of the Ph.D. in Aviation degree program will:
1. Contribute at the high levels of performance and productivity in academic, business, or scientific fields of aviation.
2. Conduct and disseminate scholarly research addressing contemporary or future problems in the global aviation industry.
3. Actively participate in national and international bodies to sustain continuous improvement in aviation.
4. Perform professionally and effectively across multicultural and multidisciplinary units in aviation.
Curriculum
The program consists of 60 credit hours above a Master's degree. Of those 60 hours, a minimum of 54 hours must be completed at Embry-Riddle. The program also requires, as a prerequisite to all courses in the program, a graduate-level, minimum 3-hour course in Descriptive and Inferential Statistics.
Coursework
Students are required to take four courses from Group A:
DAV 721 | Quantitative Research Methods in Aviation | 3 |
DAV 725 | Research Methods | 3 |
DAV 726 | Quantitative and Qualitative Data Analysis | 3 |
DAV 724 | Advanced Quantitative Data Analysis - Data Mining and Modeling | 3 |
Students will complete eight courses from Group B and Group C:
Group B courses:
DAV 711 | Foundations of Aviation | 3 |
DAV 712 | Aviation Safety Management Systems | 3 |
DAV 713 | The Economic Environment of Aviation | 3 |
DAV 714 | The Legal Environment of Aviation | 3 |
DAV 715 | Human Factors in Aviation | 3 |
DAV 716 | Management of Systems Engineering | 3 |
DAV 717 | Instructional Design in Aviation | 3 |
DAV 719 | Regulatory Environment of Aviation Safety | 3 |
Group C courses:
DAV 732 | Aviation Organizational Dynamics | 3 |
DAV 733 | Multicultural Team Operations in Aviation | 3 |
DAV 734 | Operations Research & Decision-Making | 3 |
DAV 735 | Current Practices and Future Trends in Aviation | 3 |
DAV 736 | User-Centered Design in Aviation | 3 |
DAV 737 | Topics in Safety Management Systems | 3 |
Residency
Students are required to attend three, six-day annual residencies at the Daytona Beach campus.
DAV 701 | Residency Seminar I | 2 |
DAV 702 | Residency Seminar II | 2 |
DAV 703 | Residency Seminar III | 2 |
Qualify Examination
Students must pass the Qualifying Examination to be admitted to candidacy. The exam is administered over a two-day period and tests the student´s mastery of completed course subject matter and preparation to conduct dissertation research.
DAV 801 | Qualifying Examination | 0 |
Dissertation
Once the student has successfully completed the Qualifying Examination, the student will register for DAV 901 Dissertation Research 1. The student must complete 18 credit hours of dissertation courses, at a minimum, and register for at least 3 hours of dissertation courses each semester (i.e., continuous enrollment) until the dissertation has been completed.
DAV 901 | Dissertation Research 1 | 3 |
DAV 902 | Dissertation Research 2 | 3 |
DAV 903 | Dissertation Research 3 | 3 |
DAV 904 | Dissertation Research 4 | 3 |
DAV 905 | Dissertation Research 5 | 3 |
DAV 906 | Dissertation Research 6 | 3 |
Specializations
Students can select one of four specializations.
Aviation Safety
In addition to completing all other required coursework, students must take the following courses to specialize in Aviation Safety.
DAV 712 | Aviation Safety Management Systems | 3 |
DAV 716 | Management of Systems Engineering | 3 |
DAV 719 | Regulatory Environment of Aviation Safety | 3 |
DAV 737 | Topics in Safety Management Systems | 3 |
Aviation Human Factors
In addition to completing all other required coursework, students must take the following courses to specialize in Aviation Human Factors.
DAV 715 | Human Factors in Aviation | 3 |
DAV 716 | Management of Systems Engineering | 3 |
DAV 736 | User-Centered Design in Aviation | 3 |
Aviation Operations
In addition to completing all other required coursework, students must take the following courses to specialize in Aviation Operations.
DAV 732 | Aviation Organizational Dynamics | 3 |
DAV 733 | Multicultural Team Operations in Aviation | 3 |
DAV 734 | Operations Research & Decision-Making | 3 |
DAV 735 | Current Practices and Future Trends in Aviation | 3 |
Intradisciplinary
The Intradisciplinary Specialization is for students who wish to work outside of the traditional academic boundaries, combining coursework from any specialization, while meeting basic course requirements. Students will complete all four Group A courses, and eight courses from Group B and Group C.
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Important Dates
Application Deadline
- Fall 2021 Cohort:
Deadline is February 1, 2021
Residency 2021
- August 16-20
Online Courses (12 weeks)
- September 7
- January 7
- May 7
Request Information
If you would like to receive more information about the Ph.D. in Aviation degree from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, please complete this form and a representative will reach out to you and answer your questions.
Contact Us
Katie Esguerra
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
Department of Doctoral Studies
1 Aerospace Boulevard
Daytona Beach, FL 32114
(386) 226-6546
dbphdav@erau.edu
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
Ph.D. in Aviation
1 Aerospace Boulevard
Daytona Beach, FL 32114-3900
(386) 226-7499
Fax: (386) 226-7279
ADMISSIONS
We welcome you to apply to the Ph.D. in Aviation program. The Ph.D. application process is competitive, with limited positions in the program available.
Students are admitted only during the fall term each year with the residency seminar occurring in August and the term beginning September 7.
The application package is considered an indication of your ability to perform in a challenging, professional environment. It should be carefully and thoroughly prepared.
The Admissions Committee carefully considers all applications completed by February 1.
Are you ready to become one of the world's leading authorities on aviation? Begin the application process to be considered for the Ph.D. in Aviation program.
How to Get Started
Are you Eligible to Apply?
Applicants must meet ONE of the following two conditions:
- Possess a bachelor and a master's degree, one of which must be in an aviation-related field such as aeronautical science, aviation technology, aviation management, professional pilot, aviation maintenance, aviation electronics, aviation safety and aeronautics.
- Possess a bachelor and master’s degree in non-aviation disciplines, supplemented by at least one year of full-time-equivalent service in the aviation industry as a professional pilot, maintenance manager, air traffic controller, or other professional aviation position.
Application Materials
Online Application Form:
Click the Start Your Application button on the Ph.D. in Aviation homepage or start the application process. This form will be processed internally, typically within 24 to 48 business hours.
Application Fee:
A non-refundable application fee of $50 will be required upon the submission of your application.
Application Submission
Deadline:
A completed application package, including those items listed in the Admissions Requirement sections, must be received no later than February 1 in order to receive full consideration for fall admissions. Students are only considered for and admitted to the program for the fall term. Late applications may be reviewed on a case-by-case basis prior to the start of the residency seminar.
Where to send:
All documents, with the exclusion of official transcripts, may be e-mailed in PDF format to dbphdav@erau.edu. If an applicant so desires, printed materials and official transcripts may be sent to:
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University Worldwide Imaging - Ph.D. in Aviation
1 Aerospace Blvd.
Daytona Beach, FL 32114
Notification of decision:
Applicants will be informed of admissions decisions within 60 days of the due date.
Affirmative Action
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University shall actively seek to recruit and admit students promoting the concepts of diversity and ethnicity in the program.
Admissions Requirements
Graduate Record Examination (GRE) Scores (OPTIONAL):
- GRE scores must be taken in the past five years.
- Scores are to be sent directly to Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University.
Information about the GRE can be found at ETS, as well as the GRE Guide website.
Transcripts
Bachelor and master's degree official transcripts are required and are to be sent directly from all colleges and universities attended. A GPA of 3.5/4.0 in graduate programs and 3.0/4.0 in undergraduate programs is required. If you are an international applicant, be sure to click on the “International Applicants” link for information regarding evaluation of foreign credentials.
Official transcripts can be sent to:
Worldwide Imaging Department
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
1 Aerospace Blvd.
Daytona Beach, FL 32114-3900
Statement of Goals:
Completing the Ph.D. in Aviation is a transformative experience that is designed to prepare graduates to make significant contributions to the industry as research scholars and leaders. In 500 words or fewer, please describe your personal and professional goals and how earning the Ph.D. in Aviation from Embry-Riddle aids you in achieving those outcomes with consideration to the Ph.D. experience as it affects your life in the short and long term.
Sample of Writing:
In 750 words or fewer, describe an aviation or aerospace problem of significance that you believe would be worthy of research exploration as part of your doctoral program (the dissertation). Briefly, identify the problem the research addresses, summarize the available literature, and propose a method that you could utilize to support the research.
Fiscal and Time Responsibility:
Because education at this level is expensive, students are requested to carefully review their options.
Costs for 2019-2020 will be $1,198 per credit hour, books $300 per course, software a one-time cost of $200, and a residency fee of $1,500.
Additional details can be found under the Finance section.
Applicants are asked, in 500 words or fewer, to provide a brief fiscal plan as well as to show how they will accommodate an anticipated workload of approximately 14 hours per class per week as part of their normal work/family schedule. Students are required to enroll in a minimum of 5 courses per year in addition to the annual residency seminar. Most students will enroll in two course per term, three terms per year in addition to the annual residency.
Letters of Recommendation:
Three letters of recommendation are required. Both professional and academic references are suggested.
The letter of recommendation form can be found here and is also provided in the application package.
Resume:
Applicants must provide a current resume outlining past educational and work experiences.
International Applicants
Evaluation of Foreign Credentials:
International students who completed their postsecondary education outside of the United States will be required to have their transcripts evaluated by World Education Services, Inc.
World Education Services, Inc.
Bowling Green Station
P.O. Box 5087
New York, N.Y. 10274-5087
(Tel) 212-966-6311
(Fax) 212-739-6100
The official evaluation must be in English, include a course-by-course evaluation, and be certified by the credential evaluating service. A fee is charged for the translation service and must be paid by the applicant.
The results of the evaluation must be sent directly from World Education Services, Inc. to:
Worldwide Imaging Department
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
1 Aerospace Blvd.
Daytona Beach, FL 32114-3900
English Proficiency Exam:
Applicants for whom English is not their primary language must submit an International English Language Testing System (IELTS) or Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) exam score. The minimum IELTS requirement is 6.0 and TOEFL minimums are:
- 600 on the paper-based exam
- 250 on the computer-based exam
- 105 on the Internet-based exam
TOEFL or IELTS scores must be sent directly to Embry-Riddle by the testing agency.
If an applicant's primary language is not English but he/she has completed an undergraduate or graduate degree in an English speaking institution, they may request the TOEFL/IELTS requirement be waived.
FINANCE
Earning a Ph.D. in Aviation from Embry-Riddle comes with costs, but we’ve worked to make it as easy as possible for students to receive assistance and pay for their tuition and other expenses.
Many of our students earn grants, scholarships, and fellowship funding throughout their tenure in their program from various entities.
Veterans are eligible to receive Financial Aid through several federal programs, and other students can receive aid from the government and private lenders.
We also break down the Estimated Cost of Attendance to see what expenses to expect during an online semester or on-campus residency.
Financial Aid
Veterans’ Assistance
If you are a U.S. Veteran, you may be eligible for funds through the various programs from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA).
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University degree programs are approved by the appropriate State Department of Veterans Affairs (State Approving Agency) for enrollment of persons eligible to receive education benefits from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA).
For further information concerning approved programs and the application process, eligible persons should contact Marty McLoughlin, Director of Military and Veterans Affairs, 386-226-6370.
Private Lenders
To be eligible for private educational loans, borrower and co-borrower must pass a credit check. Applying with a qualified co-borrower may give you the best rate.
Private loan credit checks are valid for a limited time. Most private loans have variable interest rates.
We recommend you contact them prior to applying.
Federal Financial Aid
Students wishing to use federal financial aid can apply online on the federal website.
The FAFSA application will have to be filled out every year. The application is available January 1 of each year.
One of the final steps in completing the FAFSA is supplying Embry-Riddle's federal school code. Our school code is 001479.
After completing the FAFSA, you will receive a Student Aid Report (SAR). This document lists the information you and your family have provided and tells you what your Expected Family Contribution (EFC) is for the year you are applying.
The Financial Aid Office receives this information in an electronic format, as well. You do not need to mail your SAR to us unless you would like us to make corrections for you. You can also correct your information online.
Once we receive your information, we will prepare an award letter that outlines the aid programs for which you are eligible.
Federal Direct Loans
As a doctoral student, you are only eligible for Federal Direct Loans.
Students must meet enrollment requirement of three credit hours per term to receive a Federal Direct Loan disbursement. The residency of two credit hours is not covered under federal financial aid. Please review the Financial Aid Terms and Conditions for a better understanding of financial aid policies and student's responsibilities as a Financial Aid recipient.
Please keep in mind the maximum aggregate limit for Federal Direct Loans is $138,500 (includes undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral studies).
You can review your loan information on the federal website to determine if you have enough loan eligibility to cover your entire doctoral program.
Estimated Cost of Attendance
Coursework
- Tuition: $1,198 per credit hour ($3,594 per three-credit course)
- Books: $300 (estimated) per three-credit course
- Software: $200 (one-time expense)
- Total: $4,094 for a one-course semester
Residency Seminar
- Tuition: $1,198 per credit hour ($2,396 per two-credit residency course)
- Residency Fee: $1,500
- Books: $300 (estimated) per three-credit course
- Room and board: $90 per day plus tax for a room in an off-campus hotel within walking distance of the Daytona Beach campus ($630 for one-week residency)
- Meals: $30 per day ($210 for one-week residency)
- Total: $5,036 for one residency-course session
Payment Options
- Visa
- MasterCard
- Discover
- American Express
- Personal checks are acceptable forms of payment.
Ways to Pay
All payments must include the student's name and identification number.
Online: Payments can be made online by logging in to ERNIE and accessing the Student Services tab. Under Manage Your Student Account, click on View Account Statement.
By Telephone: 386-226-6329
By Mail: Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
Attn: Susie Sprowl
College of Aviation, Ph.D. in Aviation
1 Aerospace Blvd.
Daytona Beach, FL 32114
Required Dates
Tuition charges are due at the time of registration. Registration for all course work occurs two weeks prior to classes beginning.
Residency fees (currently $1,500) are due six weeks prior to the start of the residency.
FACULTY
Embry-Riddle is the world’s largest aviation-oriented university and has extensive experience in graduate education and leading-edge research.
The Ph.D. in Aviation program draws its faculty from all three campuses of ERAU: Daytona Beach, Florida; Prescott, Arizona; and from the University’s Worldwide Campus.
The doctoral faculty members are nationally and internationally recognized scholars in aviation and closely related disciplines and in research methods.
These faculty members have extensive teaching, research, and publication records in their disciplines.
Faculty members also participate in professional development to build their skills as instructional designers and facilitators and work with exceptional instructional designers to develop rigorous, engaging, and meaningful courses.
Also, learn more about the Ph.D. in Aviation Advisory Board.

Dr. Carolina Anderson
Dissertation chair and Associate Professor of Aeronautical Science

Dr. Frank Ayers
Adjunct faculty and Dissertation chair, and Professor of Aeronautical Science

Dr. Tim Brady

Dr. Bruce Conway
Adjunct faculty and Dissertation chair, and Professor and Associate Dean, College of Aeronautics, Worldwide

Dr. David Cross
Dissertation chair and Assistant Professor, College of Aeronautics, Worldwide

Dr. Haydee Cuevas
Associate Professor of School of Graduate Studies

Dr. Andy Dattel
Associate Professor of School of Graduate Studies

Dr. David Esser
Adjunct faculty and Dissertation chair, and Professor of Aeronautical Science

Dr. Mark Friend
Professor of School of Graduate Studies and Program Coordinator for the M.S. in Occupational Safety Management

Dr. Steven Hampton
Professor of School of Graduate Studies and Associate Dean for Research & Graduate Studies

Dr. Buck Joslin
Dissertation chair and Associate Professor, College of Aeronautics, Worldwide

Dr. Dahai Liu
Dissertation chair and Professor of School of Graduate Studies

Dr. Kadie Mullins
Adjunct faculty and Dissertation chair, and Executive Director of Administrative Assessment

Dr. Jane Pan
Visiting Assistant Professor of School of Graduate Studies

Dr. Franklin Richey
Professor Emeritus of School of Graduate Studies

Dr. John Robbins
Dissertation chair and Associate Professor of Aeronautical Science

Dr. John Sabel
Adjunct faculty and Adjunct Assistant Professor, College of Business, Worldwide

Dr. Alan Stolzer
Professor of School of Graduate Studies and Dean, College of Aviation

Dr. Jennifer Thropp
Associate Professor of School of Graduate Studies

Dr. Dothang Truong
Professor of School of Graduate Studies and Program Coordinator for the Ph.D. in Aviation

Dr. Dennis Vincenzi
Dissertation chair and Associate Professor, College of Aeronautics, Worldwide
