While Seminole State College offers a wide variety of courses, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University offers a distinctive dual enrollment program unlike any other: a rigorous aeronautics curriculum. The dual enrollment program originated in 2013. It allows students from all across Seminole County to earn college credits from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University.

Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, located in Daytona Beach, is the world’s largest fully accredited university specializing in aeronautics and aerospace. Founded in 1926, the university became one of the top schools in the United States for aerospace engineering.

The courses revolve around private pilot operations in which students are able to learn about the science and technology of pilot aircraft in order to understand all the aerodynamics and physics that is involved. Students, if qualified, also have the opportunity to take the Federal Aviation Administration Private Pilot exam towards the end of the course. If they pass, students are halfway finished to receiving their private pilot license.

The program’s courses are offered for students with a keen interest in aeronautics. Of the 30 students taking the courses offered, about 10 go to Seminole while the rest are from different schools in Seminole county. One of the students in the afternoon session, Lake Mary senior Kali Bennet said that her passion for airplanes and the beauty of flight was the reason she chooses to take this course.

“This class will help me in the future, because I would like to study the field of aeronautical science and become a commercial airline pilot for a prestigious airline company,” Bennet said.

The courses are taught by Dr. Paul Becht and Dr. Sara-Maria Becht, both adjunct professors at the Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University.

Dr. Paul Becht says that the biggest challenge he faces is making students realize that this is a college course and it has to be taken seriously.

“When you go to college, it’s a different orientation which is hard for students to transition to,” Becht said. “Once you walk in this classroom, you are not at Seminole High School anymore. You are at Embry-Riddle University.”

Since students are taking certified Embry-Riddle courses, they are able to receive the added benefits that the university students receive. In addition to access to the campus library, classrooms, professors, and high-tech simulators used for added learning and practice, students can receive up to 11 hours of credit for the courses taken. These can be transferred to any college or university since it is a university transcript.

“I joined the Embry-Riddle class to get ahead in college and use the knowledge I gained from this course to apply to my future,” said Winter Springs junior Drew Keiter. “I plan on joining the Navy and becoming a pilot, so everything we learn in this class helps me out in the long-run.”