In a recent interview with Dr. Parsons, an Embry- Riddle Aeronautical University professor and faculty ambassador to the Board of Trustees, I learned of the academic expansion of Embry-Riddle Prescott campus. Coming soon are four new degree programs: a Bachelor of Science in Forensic Psychology, a Bachelor of Science in Forensic Accounting, a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, and a Bachelor of Science in Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Systems. These programs are projected to be available by next fall.
Forensic Psychology will be part of the GSIS program and will allow students to gain experience in the field of psychology with which they will be able to identify certain behaviors in individuals. In essence, students will be able to read body language and find certain cues from individuals that could perhaps suggest that they are a person of interest. This skill will be applicable to careers in law enforcement and intelligence.
A degree in Forensic Accounting will also be part of the GSIS program and students who major in this new program will be able to review financial records and derive information from an individual’s finances, much like the television shows NCIS, CSI, and Law and Order. Like Forensic Psychology, Forensic Accounting will be useful for intelligence careers and law enforcement.
The university already has a program in Aviation Business Administration, but this new degree plan will focus on a broader spectrum of business. Rather than simply focusing on the aviation business, this new plan will expand to business administration in general, including all types of business. This will allow students to expand their knowledge and understanding of the market and economy, as well as how people and businesses interact with and impact upon them.
Along with the already existing minor in Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Systems, a new major in said systems is also coming soon to the university. Like the minor, the major will not focus on the design or building of UAVs, but more on the control systems and flight. The B.S. will require a private pilot’s license as well as other certificates of qualifications. Employers such as NASA, Amazon, and any intelligence or government agency will be looking for pilots who can fly unmanned aerial vehicles.
These new degree programs are sure to open new paths up to students, as well as the University, increasing the student diversity. Along with these programs, new faculty will be required to ensure the best education as possible for students. As per the Embry-Riddle standards, these new professors will of course be top personnel in their field and will have experience in their allotted field so as to help students understand how the new skill sets will apply to real world situations out in the workforce. So, gear up students! We are having four new degree plans added to the curriculum of Embry-Riddle and will certainly have the cream of the crop in every field we teach.
