Embry‑Riddle's Daytona Beach Campus welcomes the world's top talents to advance in aerospace and aviation via its distinguished doctoral programs. Rooted in innovation and guided by expert faculty, our doctoral programs empower scholars to pioneer cutting-edge research, shape industry and redefine the future of flight.
Each program offers unique opportunities to become part of a community where curiosity fuels real-world impact. Begin your doctoral journey at Embry-Riddle today.
Applying to Embry-Riddle as a Doctoral Student
To be considered for admission into a doctoral program at Embry-Riddle, all applicants must have earned a baccalaureate degree and/or a master’s degree from an accredited degree-granting institution. For applicants with educational experience outside of the United States, refer to our International Students admissions page.
Admissions Requirements
All graduate applicants must meet the admissions requirements outlined by the program below. In addition, be sure to check out our for full requirements.
Documentation Requirements
Application for admission
$50 non-refundable application fee
Official transcript(s) from the accredited degree-conferring institution(s)
Official or unofficial transcripts from other institutions attended may be requested to verify prerequisite knowledge for certain academic programs
Official transcripts from all accredited degree-granting institutions showing graduate-level course work, if applicable
GMAT/GRE scores are required for admission consideration into specific programs, as well as for scholarship consideration
Statement of objectives: required essay to demonstrate strong capacity for written communication. The statement should be at least three to four paragraphs long and include a description of the following:
Three letters of recommendation: Two academic and one professional are preferred
Resume: A current resume outlining your past educational and work experiences
Review your selected program below for specific requirements and start terms.
Our team of counselors is here to make the admissions process as easy as possible — contact us if you have any questions.
My time here has been the most influential in my life to date. I know I'm going to have other experiences that are going to alter my life substantially, but in my young life, this would've been the most substantial. Picking Embry‑Riddle has probably been the best decision I've ever made."
- Michael Falanga ('23), B.S. Human Factors Psychology and current Ph.D. in Human Factors student
Doctoral Program Additional Requirements
Program Specific Criteria:
Applicants to the Doctor of Aviation Business Administration program must have completed a master’s degree in business administration or a closely related discipline.
The applicant must have superior academic records as determined by the College of Business Doctoral Degree Program Committee.
The Management Admission Test (GMAT) or Graduate Record Examination (GRE) is required for acceptance into this program, and applicants are encouraged to have acceptable scores on both quantitative and verbal sections.
Note: Entry into the Doctor of Aviation Business Administration program is only available for the fall semester. Summer and spring start is not offered.
Deadline: The deadline for the application is May 1.
Program Specific Criteria:
Applicants to the Ph.D. in Aerospace Engineering program should have earned a bachelor's or master’s degree in aerospace engineering or a closely related engineering discipline from an ABET-accredited program or international equivalent.
The applicant must have superior academic records with a minimum master’s cumulative grade point average (CGPA) of 3.5.
The Graduate Records Examination (GRE) is required for acceptance into this program, and applicants are encouraged to have a score of at least 160 on the quantitative section (approximately 75th percentile).
Note: Entry into the Ph.D. in Aerospace Engineering program is only available for the fall and spring semesters of each academic year. Summer start is not offered.
Deadline: Applications will be accepted at any time for admission to the subsequent semester. International students are advised to apply by Jan. 15 for Fall semester admission and Sept. 15 for the spring semester admission to provide sufficient time for visa processing.
The Ph.D. in Aviation is a flexible degree program that is offered primarily online with limited residential positions on the Daytona Beach campus.
Students can select one of four specializations:
Aviation Safety
Aviation Human Factors
Aviation Operations
Intradisciplinary
The degree is open to aviation professionals, including flight crew members, airline and airport managers, air traffic controllers, industry technical representatives, aviation educators, government employees, space operations and others wishing to advance their knowledge and enhance their careers with a Ph.D. in Aviation.
Program Specific Criteria:
The applicant must have well-rounded academic records with a master's degree;
A minimum cumulative grade point average (CGPA) of 3.0 for an undergraduate degree; and
A minimum CGPA of 3.5 for a master's degree
There are no test requirements to join this program
Note: Entry into the Ph.D. in Aviation program is only available for the Summer E term. Fall and Spring start is not offered.
Deadline: The deadline to apply and submit all required documentation is Feb. 1.
Program Specific Criteria:
Applicants to the Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science program must have completed a bachelor’s degree or higher in computer engineering, computer science, electrical engineering, software engineering, systems engineering, or a closely related field from an ABET-accredited program or international equivalent.
The applicant must have excellent academic credentials with a minimum cumulative grade point average (CGPA) of 3.2.
The Graduate Records Examination (GRE) is required for acceptance into this program, and applicants are encouraged to have acceptable scores.
Note: Entry into the Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science program is only available for the fall and spring semesters of each academic year. Summer start is not offered.
Deadline: The deadline for the application is the same as the master's degrees.
Program Specific Criteria:
Applicants to the Ph.D. in Engineering Physics program must have completed a bachelor’s degree in physics, engineering or an appropriately related field.
The applicant must have excellent academic credentials with a minimum cumulative grade point average (CGPA) of 3.2.
The Graduate Records Examination (GRE) is required for acceptance into this program, and applicants are encouraged to have acceptable scores.
Note: Entry into the Ph.D. in Engineering Physics program is only available for the fall and spring semesters of each academic year. Summer start is not offered.
Deadline: The deadline for US students is April 15, while the deadline for international students is March 15.
Program Specific Criteria:
The Ph.D. in Human Factors is open to students who have earned a bachelor's or master’s degree in human factors, psychology or other closely related fields.
The applicant must have an overall satisfactory academic record with a minimum cumulative grade point average (CGPA) of 3.2 on a 4.0 scale for their last 60 credit hours of the bachelor's degree.
The Graduate Records Examination (GRE) is recommended for acceptance into this program.
Outside international applicants do not need to submit a WES until admitted.
Note: Entry into the Ph.D. in Human Factors program is only available for the fall semester. Summer and spring start is not offered.
Deadline: The deadline for the application is Dec. 15.
Program Specific Criteria:
Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering
Applicants to the Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering program must have completed a bachelor's or master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or a closely related field from an ABET-accredited program or international equivalent.
The applicant must have excellent academic credentials with a minimum cumulative grade point average (CGPA) of 3.5.
The Graduate Records Examination (GRE) is required for acceptance into this program.
Note: Entry into the Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering program is only available for the fall and spring semesters of each academic year. Summer start is not offered.
Deadline: The deadline to be considered for graduate assistantships is Jan. 15 for the fall semester and July 15 for the spring semester. Those not interested can follow the same deadline as the master's degrees.
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