Four New Degrees Focus on Safety

Aircraft in FlightEmbry-Riddle has created four aviation safety-related academic programs: bachelor of science degrees in applied meteorology, air traffic management, and safety science, and a master of science in safety science.

The new degrees were announced Sept. 13 by President George Ebbs at the Smithsonian Institution's National Air and Space Museum, during Gala 2000: A Celebration of Distinguished Service.

Ebbs pointed to FAA projections that many of the nation's air traffic controllers are nearing retirement age at a time when air travel is reaching record highs. "This information," he said, "coupled with President Clinton's call to reduce air accidents by 80 percent within 10 years, was a catalyst in our decision to create new programs to address the industry's complex safety concerns."

Students have begun enrolling in all of the programs except the master's in safety science, which will begin accepting students for the fall term in 2001.

The bachelor's degree in air traffic management was developed in response to an increased need for air traffic controllers and to position Embry-Riddle as the preeminent source of new air traffic controllers. The university also seeks to elevate the professional standing of air traffic controllers by creating an academic standard that contains a body of recognized knowledge.

The need for the degree is based on the demand for more air traffic control capacity, caused by rapid growth in airline travel, and for competent air traffic controllers to replace those who will retire in the next few years.
The need for the degree is based on the demand for more air traffic control capacity, caused by rapid growth in airline travel, and for competent air traffic controllers to replace those who will retire in the next few years.

The degree's cross-disciplinary approach exposes students to other disciplines, such as business, social sciences, and human factors, and provides an air traffic control background for those seeking careers in other aviation specialties.

For more information on the bachelor's degree in air traffic management:
Web site: www.erau.edu/0Universe/01/01b-airtraffmgmt.html
E-mail: allen.parkman@erau.edu
Telephone: 386-226-6445

The bachelor's in applied meteorology was designed in response to technological changes in meteorology and the market's changing need for weather services. With computers being used to perform detailed weather analysis and meteorologists expected to have better communication and analytical skills to convey complicated processes to customers and employers, undergraduate education in atmospheric science has become more application-oriented.

Depending on their career interest, students in the program select a concentration in commercial weather, flight weather, media weather, or research.

The commercial concentration offers basic business courses to prepare for a career as a weather specialist in a corporation. The flight concentration offers basic aeronautics and aerodynamics courses leading to a career as a flight weather briefer or airline dispatcher. In the media concentration, writing and oral communications courses prepare the student for a career as a television or radio weather professional. The research concentration allows the student to work in specialized areas, pursue a graduate degree, work as a federal employee, or serve as a military weather forecaster.

For more information on the bachelor's degree in applied meteorology:
Web site: www.erau.edu/0Universe/01/01b-appliedmeteorology.html
E-mail: richard.bagby@erau.edu
Telephone: 386-226-6858

The bachelor's and master's degrees in safety science are designed to produce safety professionals for careers in aviation, aerospace, and other advanced technology settings. The programs have been endorsed by Embry-Riddle's Center for Aerospace Safety Education, which is composed of safety professionals from the aerospace industry.

Graduates of both programs will manage and provide technical guidance for corporate safety programs that comply with regulations of the departments of Defense, Energy, and Transportation, the Environmental Protection Agency, the Federal Aviation Administration, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, or any state agency that sets workplace standards.

They also will be qualified to help meet the federal goals in air safety expressed in the Safe Skies Program. For example, airlines, aircraft manufacturers, and component suppliers are now required to appoint a director of safety and to have a formal safety program.

The master's program is composed of core courses, applied research in a sponsored or faculty-designed project, and elective courses concentrating on safety analysis and investigation or safety program management. Graduates will work in aviation and aerospace settings for the government, the military, aircraft manufacturers, component suppliers, and air carriers. They also will be able to serve the federal government as compliance officials.

For more information on the bachelor's degree in safety science:
Web site: www.erau.edu/0Universe/01/01b-safetyscience.html
E-mail: donald.hunt@erau.edu
Telephone: 386-226-6865

For more information on the master's degree in safety science:
Web site: www.erau.edu/0Universe/01/01ma-safetyscience.html
E-mail: msss@pr.erau.edu
Telephone: 928-777-6993 or 1-800-888-3728