Online Aerospace Engineering Master’s Degree

Degree Overview

Gain advanced training in the field of aerospace engineering

To grow in your career as an aerospace engineer, you need:

A comprehensive understanding of material properties
A thorough understanding of applied mechanical engineering
Advanced analysis methods and other fundamental skills

Get the knowledge you need, as well as the technical skills for fieldwork practice, through CSU's online aerospace engineering master’s program.

Learn applied skills in a practitioner-oriented degree

After completing this program, you will be prepared to balance engineering and business objectives. You will also expand your capacity for strategic decision making, allowing you to take on more challenging projects with greater confidence. Learn to balance the needs of a complex engineering project with other important factors, such as:

Design parameters and limitations
Material limitations
Budgetary constraints
Policies and regulations
Environmental impacts

Customize your program of study to fit your goals

In addition to studying fundamental topics like mechanical design and computational methods, you will have the opportunity to select courses from several specialized engineering disciplines, including:

Propulsion
Fluid flow
Structures
Materials and manufacturing
Systems engineering

Career Opportunities

Aerospace engineering can be a rewarding and lucrative field, with an average salary of $118,610, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Employment opportunities for aerospace engineers have been projected to grow three percent between 2019 and 2029.

By earning a master’s degree in aerospace engineering, you will be well-positioned to pursue advancement opportunities within or outside your current organization. Potential career opportunities for graduates of this program include:

Lead aerospace engineer
Head or senior project engineer
Head of research and development
Engineering department supervisor
Engineering consultant

Study in a flexible, online format

This online program allows you to earn your master's degree from a respected, regionally accredited public research university in Colorado without traveling to a campus. Balance your academic studies with your career, family, and personal obligations.

Although this program is entirely online, you will still have opportunities to interact closely with both your instructors and peers. You will also have access to many of the same resources and services as CSU’s resident students.

Interested in learning more? Here's 10 exciting things you should know about Aerospace Engineering at CSU.

Curriculum

A minimum of 30 credits are required to complete this program. Of the 30 minimum credits required for this program, at least 21 credits must be at the 500-level or above and earned at CSU.

Foundational Courses

Select at least one course from two different groups for a minimum of 6 credits:

Group A:

ENGR 550 – Numerical Methods in Science and Engineering
OR
MATH 550 – Numerical Methods in Science and Engineering
MECH 568 – Computational Methods for Mechanical Engineering

Group B:

Group C:

Technical Electives

Select at least eight courses from the technical electives or the foundational courses for a minimum of 24 credits:

Fluid Flow Technical Electives:

MECH 478 – Computational Fluid Dynamics
MECH 507 – Laser Diagnostics for Thermosciences
MECH 551 – Physical Gas Dynamics I
MECH 552 – Applied Computational Fluid Dynamics

Propulsion Technical Electives:

MECH 468 – Space Propulsion and Power Engineering
MECH 517 – Chemical Rocket Propulsion
MECH 557 – Turbomachinery
MECH 558 – Combustion
MECH 567 – Broad-Beam Ion Sources
MECH 658 – Advanced Combustion Theory and Modeling

Structures Technical Electives:

MECH 425 – Mechanical Engineering Vibrations
MECH 426 – Advanced Machine Design
MECH 515 – Advanced Topics in Mechanical Vibrations
MECH 520 – Finite Element Analysis in Mechanical Engr
MECH 535 – Mechanics of Composite Materials

Materials & Manufacturing Technical Electives:

MECH 502 – Advanced/Additive Manufacturing Engineering
MECH 530 – Advanced Composite Materials
MECH 531 – Materials Engineering
OR
BIOM 531 – Materials Engineering
MECH 533 – Composites Product Development
MECH 537 – Processing of Polymer Composites

Systems Engineering Technical Electives:

MECH 413 – Simulation Modeling and Experimentation
MECH 417 – Control Systems
SYSE 501 – Foundations of Systems Engineering
MECH 518 – Orbit Mechanics
MECH 519 – Aerospace Vehicles Trajectory and Performance
MECH 524 – Principles of Dynamics
SYSE 530 – Overview of Systems Engineering Processes
ENGR 570 – Coupled Electromechanical Systems

How to Apply

Application Deadlines

Fall semester	May 15
Spring semester	November 1

Note: Full consideration will be given to applicants who have submitted all documents on time. Applications received after the deadline will be considered only on a space-available basis.

Start your application online and upload materials directly into the online system. You can save your progress and return any time.

Apply Now

1Review Admission Requirements

Bachelor's degree in engineering or engineering-related field
Minimum GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale or first class standing*
Calculus 1, 2, 3*
Ordinary differential equations*
Physics 1 and 2 (calculus-based)*
For international students: The minimum TOEFL score for admission without condition is 80, and IELTS is 6.5.

*If you do not meet minimum requirements, please contact engr-me_graduate@mail.colostate.edu to get your pre-requisites and prior experience evaluated before formally applying for the program. Depending on academic background, students without a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering may also be required to take additional courses. Please use the following email subject line: ME Online – Admission Inquiry – YOUR NAME.

2 Prepare Application Materials

Prepare the materials below and upload when you apply online:

Two letters of recommendation: Recommendations should be from individuals who can accurately evaluate your skills as a student, engineer, scientist, or researcher. You will provide information about your recommenders in the online application. CSU will contact them with instructions and a link to a secure form they will submit on your behalf.
Statement of purpose (700 words or less): Address the following three items for the mechanical engineering department application:
1. Briefly describe your background, educational goals, long-term career goals, and why you would be a good fit for the program.
2. Why do you think you will succeed in this program
3. How do you intend to be successful taking graduate level courses (Note: you can skip the letter of intent on the Online University Application)
Resume or vita

3 Complete Online Application

Complete the online graduate application and pay the nonrefundable application processing fee (payable online). As soon as you have completed the required information, please submit your application. Your application will not be reviewed until it is complete and all required materials have been received.

Select "Aerospace Engineering (M.E.) - Distance" when choosing the Program of Study.

4Request Transcripts

Request one official transcript of all collegiate work completed from all institutions attended. Transcripts from Colorado State University are not required. Transcripts must be received directly from the originating institution to be considered official.

Please Note: Students may be unconditionally admitted and registered in their first semester of courses with an unofficial transcript. Official transcripts must be submitted, prior to or during your first semester, before you can register for your second semester of graduate work. Failure to meet this condition will result in your dismissal from the Graduate School.

Electronic (preferred):
Digital Transcripts must be submitted by the originating institution using a secure service such as parchment, eScrip-Safe, the National Student Clearinghouse, or e-Quals. Transcripts received via emails are considered unofficial.

Use institution code 4075 for Colorado State University or gradadmissions@colostate.edu if the secure service requires an email address.

Mail (if necessary)
Graduate Admissions
Colorado State University – Office of Admissions
1062 Campus Delivery
Fort Collins, CO 80523-1062

5Submit Test Scores (Optional)

GRE test scores are not required, but may be submitted if you feel these will strengthen your application. Submit official GRE General Test scores through the Educational Testing Service (select institution code: 4075, leave the department code blank). Scores are typically received by the University 4-6 weeks after your testing date.

All three sections — verbal, quantitative, and analytical — must be submitted. Photocopies are not accepted.
CSU graduates do not, generally, need to take the GRE. If you think it will strengthen your application, though, we recommend you do take it.

6Check Your Application Status

View your application status at any time to ensure your application checklist is complete or to check on updates.

Once your complete application, including supporting materials, is received, the department admission committee will review your application and notify you of their decision.

For International Applicants

Proof of English language proficiency is required for applicants from countries or United States territories where there are official languages other than (or in addition to) English. This includes the U.S. territories of American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, and Puerto Rico.

Learn more about English language proficiency requirements.