Master of Science in Aerospace Engineering
Application Deadlines
Spring 2024:
September 15, 2023
Fall 2024:
December 15, 2023
- Program Overview
- Application Criteria
- Tuition & Fees
- Meet Our Students
- Career Outcomes
- DEN@Viterbi - Online Delivery
- Request Information
The Master of Science degree in Aerospace Engineering is designed to give students exposure to at least two different areas of Aerospace Engineering through concentration and breadth requirements while at the same time allowing students to pursue their interests through flexibility in the selection of technical electives.
- This program requires completion of 27 units of coursework
- Eligible for the OPT STEM extension
- Program Curriculum Details
- USC Catalogue (Full Course List)
- USC Schedule of Classes
SEMESTER | DEADLINE |
---|---|
Spring 2024 | September 15, 2023 |
Fall 2024 | December 15, 2023 |
ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA
Applicants to the master's of science programs in Aerospace Engineering are required to have a bachelor’s degree or be in the process of completing a bachelor's degree. Degrees in any engineering or engineering-related disciplines are frequently represented among our program applicants, including but not limited to the following:
- Aerospace Engineering
- Aeronautics
- Mechanical Engineering
- Mechatronics
Applicants without a Bachelor’s degree in the preferred majors listed above will only be considered with coursework and demonstrated proficiency in the acceptable courses listed below (or equivalent).
Computer |
Engineering |
Linear Systems |
Physics |
Applications are reviewed holistically; simply taking these courses does not guarantee admission.
APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS
The following materials are required to be included with your online application:
- Transcripts
- Resume/CV
- Personal Statement
- Letter of Recommendation (Optional)
NOTE: The GRE is not required for 2024 applications.
For tips on completing your application visit
Ready to Apply
The following link will take you to an overview of the tuition & fees for graduate engineering students, including payment information. Both on-campus and DEN@Viterbi students pay the same tuition
Download the Cost of Attendance to see a summary of tuition and fees by semester. The document is a typical example and the number of courses, and time to complete the program, will vary by student.
MATTHEW BAYER
What was the main reason you chose to pursue this graduate program at USC?
I chose USC because of the flexibility of USC's remote learning platform and the graduate courses offered in Aerospace Engineering. I wanted to continue my academic education while working, and taking courses remotely on my own schedule allows me to continue working in my professional career full-time.
Alumni Employment
- Boeing - Aerospace Structural Engineer
- Boeing - Guidance Navigation and Controls Engineer
- Boeing - Senior Aerodynamics Engineer - Aero-Stability & Control Analysis
- Boeing - Manager, Design & Integration Engineering
- Boeing - Flight Test Engineer
- Boeing - Mechanical Engineer
- Boeing - Aerodynamics Engineer
- Boeing - Spacecraft Systems Engineer
- Boeing - Electronics Packaging Product Design Engineer
- Boeing - Nondestructive Evaluation Engineer
- Collins Aerospace - Product Support Engineer
- Deloitte - Solutions Engineer
- Frontier Aerospace - Propulsion Test Engineer
- General Veneer Manufacturing Co. - Quality Engineer
- Honeywell - Manufacturing Engineer
- Lasertec U.S.A., Inc. - Field Service Engineer
- Linquest - Cyber Security Systems Engineer
- NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory - Systems Engineer
- NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory - Mars 2020 Systems Testbed Engineer
- Northrop Grumman Corporation - Systems Engineer
- Relativity Space - Propulsion Engineer
- Rivian - Aerodynamics Engineer
- Spike Aerospace - Engineering Consultant
- Vision Creative LLC - Engineer
Internships
Plane View Partners; Meta Platforms, Inc.
Available Online
This program is also available online through DEN@Viterbi. DEN@Viterbi students undergo the same academic requirements, curriculum, and must adhere to the same academic standards as on-campus students; therefore, the diploma issued by the University of Southern California is the same. There is no difference between remote students and on-campus students.
Limited Status
If you are interested in beginning classes as a DEN@Viterbi student next semester, explore the requirements and steps to enrolling as a Limited Status Student.
State Authorization
Prior to enrolling in classes, DEN@Viterbi (online) students need to confirm that their academic program is authorized by their state for online delivery. Please confirm by reviewing the approved program lists, by state, on the DEN@Viterbi State Authorization webpage.
If you have any questions about a specific state or academic program, please email denstateauth@usc.edu.
Detailed Program Curriculum and RequirementsSchedule of Classes
DEN@VITERBI ONLINE COURSE OFFERINGS
The following courses and program requirements serve as program planning for DEN@Viterbi students. Course offerings and availability are subject to change. Please consult with advisor if you have any questions.
General Requirements for Graduation Without Thesis |
27 units total with 3.0 GPA overall. |
AME 525 | Engineering Analysis (4 units) |
15 units 500 level courses in AME department. Cross listed classes count as AME department courses. |
12 units Approved 400 or 500 level elective courses. Elective courses may be from AME or other Engineering Departments. |
Recommended Courses by Specialization |
Note: Specializations do not appear on transcripts or diplomas. |
Aerodynamics / Fluid Dynamics Specialization Track |
Specialization Track Core Courses |
AME 511 | Compressible Gas Dynamics (4 units) |
AME 530a | Dynamics of Incompressible Fluids (4 units) |
Recommended Specialization Track Electives |
AME 457 | Engineering Fluid Dynamics (3 units) |
AME 530b | Dynamics of Incompressible Fluids (3 units) |
AME 535a | Introduction to Computational Fluid Mechanics (3 units) |
Aerospace Control Specialization Track |
Specialization Track Core Courses |
AME 532a | Flight Vehicle Stability and Control (3 units) |
AME 541 | Linear Control Systems II (4 units) |
Recommended Specialization Track Electives |
AME 545 | Modeling and Control of Distributed Dynamic Systems (3 units) |
AME 552 | Nonlinear Control Systems (4 units) |
ASTE 585 | Spacecraft Attitude Control (3 units) |
ASTE 586 | Spacecraft Attitude Dynamics (3 units) |
Aerospace Design Specialization Track |
Specialization Track Core Courses |
AME 527 | Elements of Vehicle and Energy Systems Design (3 units) |
Recommended Specialization Track Electives |
AME 528a | Finite Element Analysis (3 units) |
ASTE 520 | Spacecraft System Design (3 units) |
Aerospace Structures Specialization Track |
Specialization Track Core Courses |
AME 529 | Aircraft Structures Analysis (4 units) |
Recommended Specialization Track Electives |
AME 509 | Applied Elasticity (4 units) |
AME 521 | Engineering Vibrations II (4 units) |
CE 541a | Dynamics of Structures (3 units) |
AME 559 | Creep (3 units) |
AME 560 | Fatigue and Fracture (3 units) |
CE 529a | Finite Element Analysis (3 units) |
Computational Fluid Dynamics Specialization Track |
Specialization Track Core Courses |
AME 530a | Dynamics of Incompressible Fluids (4 units) |
AME 535a | Introduction to Computational Fluid Mechanics (3 units) |
Recommended Specialization Track Electives |
AME 535b | Introduction to Computational Fluid Mechanics (3 units) |
AME 511 | Compressible Gas Dynamics (4 units) |
AME 530b | Dynamics of Incompressible Fluids |
Propulsion Specialization Track |
Specialization Track Core Courses |
AME 511 | Compressible Gas Dynamics (4 units) |
AME 513 | Fundamentals and Applications of Combustion (4 units) |
Specialization Track Electives |
AME 436 | Energy and Propulsion (3 units) |
ASTE 470 | Spacecraft Propulsion (3 units) |
CHE 530 | Thermodynamics for Chemical Engineers (3 units) |
Please complete the following form for more information.

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