Dual Enrollment Helps Aeronautics Graduate Fulfill His Need for Speed

Dual enrollment student Noah Burrows. (Photo: Noah Burrows)

Noah Burrows (’23, ’25) loves things that go fast.

And, thanks to the Dual Enrollment program at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, that includes his high school and college education.

This year, Noah graduated high school and also completed his first two years of college by earning an Associate of Science in Aeronautics through dual enrollment. Those two milestones happened right before his 18th birthday and are setting the stage for Noah to pursue his dream of becoming a commercial airline pilot – as quickly as he can.

“It’s great being able to be done with high school quicker while getting even more knowledge, including things that I will use in my career,” Noah said. “It actually made it really easy because whatever I took in my Embry-Riddle classes, I didn't have to take in high school. For instance, I took a statistics class and for that year in high school, I didn't have to take a math class. So that made it easier to balance the workload as well.”

What is Online Dual Enrollment at Embry-Riddle?

Dual enrollment at Embry-Riddle gives students a chance to earn high school and college credit concurrently starting as early as ninth grade, and the fully online classes at the Worldwide Campus provide the opportunity to participate in nine-week asynchronous courses.

With seven online terms available throughout the year to maximize flexibility, Embry-Riddle’s program offers an enriching experience with more than 80 courses available to students in the U.S. and around the world.

Noah, who is home schooled and lives in Daytona Beach, used Worldwide’s online program to earn his degrees. The flexible online options, the class offerings and the expert faculty Embry-Riddle is renowned for left a big impression on the aspiring young pilot.

“Some of the professors were the best teachers I've ever had,” Noah said. “They were always there. If you give them a call, they pick up on the second ring. They're there to explain things and they actually care. I took a meteorology class and a physics class and those are by far the best classes I've ever taken.”

Noah had a bit of a head start with Embry-Riddle thanks to his dad, Nicholas (’01), an Aeronautical Science alum who is now a Boeing 737 captain at United Airlines.

“So, ever since I was a very young age, I've always wanted to do something that would go fast, like race cars or fly airplanes,” Noah said. “And growing up in Daytona Beach, the Speedway is right here and I have had Embry-Riddle planes flying over my house as far back as I can remember.”

A Jump on the Future

Dual Enrollment student Noah Burrows tosses his graduate cap into the air in front of his family’s Cessna 172. (Photo: Noah Burrows)

Noah’s longstanding connection with the college will continue this fall, when he starts his Aerospace Engineering degree program as a junior on the Daytona Beach Campus, a prospect he is psyched about.

“So far, everybody at Embry-Riddle has been so willing to help, and I know it will be the same on campus,” Noah said. “It’s just a good school for that. Everybody's willing to help you.”

In addition to his studies, Noah is also training to fly using his family’s airplane, a Cessna 172 that’s based in Ormond Beach. He’s already earned his private pilot license and is now working on his instrument ticket as he moves closer to his goal of becoming a pilot at United Airlines – although this milestone may require a bit of patience for someone who likes going full tilt.

“Once I finish everything, I'm still not going to be old enough to actually fly commercially,” he said. “You need to be 21 to get an Airline Transport Pilot certificate, so I will just keep building hours until my birthday, because flying is something I love and enjoy.”

A Program That Opens Doors

Noah offers this advice for anyone considering Embry-Riddle’s Dual Enrollment program:

“Do it. It's worth it and the effort you put into it is going to pay off. You get started in dual enrollment then go to campus and finish your degree, so you’re pretty much set. The name and reputation of Embry-Riddle will be with you for the rest of your life and you’re never going to have a problem getting a job. If I had it to do over again, I would. It was by far the best experience I've ever had with any kind of education.”

The solid foundation provided by the dual enrollment experience have Noah excited and primed to start his next phase ASAP.

“I got a heads up, so I feel comfortable about the situation I am going into,” he said. “That's why dual enrollment was one of the best choices I've made, and I am hopefully going to get to do great things on campus and after I graduate.”

Ready to get to your future faster? Learn more about Dual Enrollment at Embry-Riddle.