Master of Science in Aerospace Engineering
Application Deadlines
Spring:
September 1
Fall:
December 15
- 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.
International Students: This program is eligible for the OPT STEM extension.
- This program requires completion of 27 units of coursework
- Program Curriculum Details
- USC Catalogue (Full Course List)
- USC Schedule of Classes
| SEMESTER | DEADLINE |
|---|---|
| Spring | September 1 |
| Fall | December 15 |
Visit our Ready to Apply page for more information
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 2025 applications.
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
Use the link below to 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.
2022 First Destinations Survey - Outcomes*
Alumni Employment - 2022*
(Companies & Job Titles)
- Aerojet Rocketdyne - Component Product Engineer
- Boeing - Electronics Design & Analysis Engineer, Aerospace Engineer, Mechanical System Design & Analysis Engineer, Advanced Concepts Engineer, Product Marketing Analyst, Structural Analysis Engineer
- Dematic - Robotics Software Engineer
- General Atomics Aeronautical System Inc. - Stress Engineer
- Lockheed Martin Corporation - Sr. Aeronautical Engineer
- Los Angeles Community College District - Adjunct Professor
- NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory - Systems Engineer
- Northrop Grumman Corporation - Principal Structural Engineer
.
Internships (Summer 2023)**
JetZero Inc., Mandala Space Ventures
.
.
* Information is based on a voluntary survey and should not be interpreted as a comprehensive view of the 2022 graduating class.
** Internship data is from CPT internships done by our international student population.
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. |
| Applied Math Requirement |
| Select one course - 4 units total |
| AME 525 | Engineering Analysis (4 units) |
| AME 526 | Partial Differential Equations for Engineering Applications (4 units) |
| Recommended Courses by Specialization |
| Note that listed core and elective units below may not add up to 27 for some specializations. Courses listed are either 3 or 4 units. Remaining units can be chosen in area of specific interest to the student in accordance with the requirements listed above. |
| 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 506 | Continuum Mechanics and Thermodynamics (4 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 |
| CE 529 | Finite Element Analysis (4 units) |
| ASTE 520 | Spacecraft System Design (3 units) |
| SAE 549 | System Architecting (3 units) |
| Aerospace Structures Specialization Track |
| Specialization Track Core Courses |
| AME 509 | Applied Elasticity (4 units) |
| AME 521 | Engineering Vibrations II (4 units) |
| AME 529 | Aircraft Structures Analysis (4 units) |
| Recommended Specialization Track Electives |
| AME 560 | Fatigue and Fracture (3 units) |
| CE 529 | Finite Element Analysis (4 units) |
| CE 541 | Dynamics of Structures (4 units) |
| Computational Fluid Dynamics Specialization Track |
| Specialization Track Core Courses |
| AME 511 | Compressible Gas Dynamics (4 units) |
| AME 530a | Dynamics of Incompressible Fluids (4 units) |
| AME 535a | Introduction to Computational Fluid Mechanics (3 units) |
| Recommended Specialization Track Electives |
| AME 506 | Continuum Mechanics and Thermodynamics (4 units) |
| AME 513a | Principles of Combustion (4 units) |
| Propulsion Specialization Track |
| Specialization Track Core Courses |
| AME 436 | Energy and Propulsion (3 units) |
| AME 511 | Compressible Gas Dynamics (4 units) |
| ASTE 570 | Liquid Rocket Propulsion (3 units) |
| ASTE 572 | Advanced Spacecraft Propulsion (3 units) |
| Specialization Track Electives |
| AME 513a | Fundamentals and Applications of Combustion I (4 units) |
| AME 513b | Fundamentals and Applications of Combustion II (4 units) |
Please complete the following form for more information.
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