The graduate certificate in Astronautical Engineering is designed for practicing engineers and scientists who are entering space-related fields and/or who want to obtain additional training in specific space-related areas. Students who begin the certificate as Limited must apply and be Admitted to the program prior to enrolling in their third 3-unit course. A special Graduate Certificate is issued upon completion of the coursework.
International Students: This program is not eligible for the OPT STEM extension.
Please Note: Requirements for graduation, course offerings, course availability, track offerings, and any other degree requirements are subject to change. Students should consult with an academic advisor prior to registering for any classes.
- A minimum of 12 units is required to earn the Graduate Certificate in Astronautical Engineering
- 4 Required Courses: 12 units
- A minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 is required for graduation
- Courses taken for the Graduate Certificate may be applied to the M.S. or Ph.D. in Astronautical Engineering Programs if the student is admitted into the M.S. or Ph.D. program
Detailed Program Curriculum and RequirementsSchedule of Classes
APPLICATION DEADLINES
Fall 2025 application deadline has been extended to
February 15, 2025
SEMESTER | DEADLINE |
Spring | September 1 |
Fall | February 15 |
Visit our
Application Deadlines page for more information.
APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS
Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution in any engineering or engineering-related disciplines including but not limited to: Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Physics, and Astronautical Engineering.
The following materials are required to be included with your online application:
- Transcripts: Upload Electronic Transcripts from all colleges and universities attended. A mailed hard copy or official e-transcript is not required for admission to our programs.
- Submit an electronic copy of official transcripts (.pdf recommended) and other degree related documents through the online graduate application (International applicants, visit USC Graduate Admission’s Country Requirements page for details on required documents)
- Unofficial transcripts from university student portals are not acceptable
- If the transcript includes a separate grading scale, make sure it is also uploaded
- For upload purposes, all transcript related documents for a single school must be submitted as one document
- If you are admitted, you will be given specific instructions on submitting your hard copy transcripts
- Resume/CV
- Personal Statement : The personal statement should describe succinctly your reasons for applying to the proposed program at the Viterbi School of Engineering, your preparation for this field of study, study interests, future career plans, and other aspects of your background and interests which may aid the admissions committee in evaluating your aptitude and motivation for graduate study.
- Letters of Recommendation (2 Required): Letters of recommendation should be from faculty or others (supervisors, professional colleagues, etc.) qualified to evaluate your potential for graduate study.
- GRE: For the 2025 cycle, GRE submission is not required but encouraged for students who look to present a more competitive application. The GRE can further demonstrate your academic potential to be successful in the M.S. Astronautical Engineering program.
ADDITIONAL MATERIALS FOR INTERNATIONAL APPLICANTS
English Language Proficiency: In addition to application requirements above, international students whose first language is not English are required to take the TOEFL or IELTS. There is no minimum TOEFL or IELTS score required for admission to the Viterbi School. For possible exemption from additional language requirements, you must achieve an Internet Based TOEFL (iBT) score of 90, with no less than 20 on each section or an IELTS score of 6.5, with no less than 6 on each band score. Please review USC Graduate Admission – Proficiency in English.
IMPORTANT: USC does not accept Duolingo and TOEFL Essentials test scores.
APPLY NOW - USC GRADUATE APPLICATION
The following is an overview of the tuition & fees for graduate engineering students. Both on-campus and DEN@Viterbi students pay the same tuition.
TUITION
Academic Year | Per Unit Rate | 3-unit Course | 4-unit Course |
Fall 2024 - Summer 2025* | $2,543 | $7,629 | $10,172 |
Fall 2023 - Summer 2024* | $2,424 | $7,272 | $9,696 |
* Tuition is the same for on-campus and online students |
STUDENT FEES
Fee Description | Fee Amount | On-Campus | DEN@Viterbi |
Student Health Center Fee for 2023-24 (2024-25 not yet available) | $600/semester | | |
Norman Topping Student Aid Fee | $11/semester | | |
Graduate Student Programming Fee (On-Campus students) | $40/semester | | |
Graduate Student Programming Fee (DEN@Viterbi students) | $20/semester | | |
Exam Proctoring | $40 - $100 per course | | |
Transportation Fee | $117/semester | | |
Health Insurance (U.S.-based health insurance is required, but it does not have to be through USC) | Fall 2023: $948
Spring 2024: $1,765 | | |
Detailed Information on Tuition & FeesThis program is also available online to professional engineers through DEN@Viterbi. Because the DEN@Viterbi program provides a fully equivalent academic experience, the degree a USC engineering student earns is the same whether they are on-campus or online.
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.
Learn More About DEN@Viterbi
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.
Core Requirements |
Four courses are required - 12 units total. |
ASTE 520 | Spacecraft System Design (3 units) |
ASTE 523 | Design of Low Cost Space Missions (3 units) |
ASTE 527 | Space Studio Architecting (3 units) |
ASTE 529 | Safety of Space Systems and Space Missions (3 units) |
ASTE 535 | Spacecraft Environments and Spacecraft Interactions (3 units) |
ASTE 552 | Spacecraft Thermal Control (3 units) |
ASTE 553 | Systems for Remote Sensing from Space (3 units) |
ASTE 554 | Spacecraft Sensors (3 units) |
ASTE 556 | Spacecraft Structural Dynamics (3 units) |
ASTE 557 | Spacecraft Structural Strength and Materials (3 units) |
ASTE 570 | Liquid Rocket Propulsion (3 units) |
ASTE 572 | Advanced Spacecraft Propulsion (3 units) |
ASTE 577 | Entry and Landing Systems for Planetary Surface Exploration (3 units) |
ASTE 580 | Orbital Mechanics I (3 units) |
ASTE 581 | Orbital Mechanics II (3 units) |
ASTE 583 | Space Navigation: Principles and Practice (3 units) |
ASTE 584 | Spacecraft Power Systems (3 units) |
ASTE 585 | Spacecraft Attitude Control (3 units) |
ASTE 586 | Spacecraft Attitude Dynamics (3 units) |
Please complete the following form for more information.