Aerospace Engineering

About This Degree

Aerospace engineers develop new technologies in the field of aviation, space exploration, and defense systems. They specialize in the design, development, testing, and maintenance of both commercial and military aircraft, spacecrafts and their components, as well as satellites and missiles.

The Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering offers an MS and a PhD degree in aerospace engineering. Sometimes called Utah “Space” University, USU is ranked number two in the nation (2010) when it comes to funding for space research, according to the National Science Foundation. This funding, along with stellar faculty, has given the USU aerospace engineering program national recognition.

The USU rocket team, consisting of graduate and undergraduate students, took home the grand prize at NASA’s University Student Launch Initiative the last three years in a row. Also, through USU’s Space Dynamics Lab, USU holds the world record for the most student experiments sent into space.

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At a Glance

College: College of Engineering

Department: Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Department

USU Locations:

Logan campus
Statewide campuses
USU Online

Faculty: View profiles of faculty members on the department directory.

Program Requirements

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Career And Outcomes

Career Opportunities

Graduates in aerospace engineering can pursue careers in the following areas:

Aircraft manufacturing
Spacecraft manufacturing
Commercial airlines
Federal agencies – NASA, Department of Defense, all branches of military
Defense industry
Space industry

Job Outlook

REQUEST FOR INFORMATION AND ADVISING

Advising

Joan Rudd

Email: joan.rudd@usu.edu
Office: ENGR 417
Phone: (435) 797-0330

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I am a current USU student

I have been admitted and plan to attend, or continue attending USU

USU Locations

LOGAN CAMPUS

STATEWIDE CAMPUSES*

USU ONLINE**

*This degree is available at various USU locations.

**This degree is 100% available online. USU is a SARA-approved institution offering fully online programs nationwide; please visit USU's state authorizations for details.

Admission

Admission Requirements

Students must have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution in mechanical engineering, aerospace engineering, or a closely related engineering discipline. Students who have a bachelor’s degree in a closely related engineering discipline may be admitted with nonmatriculated status (not officially accepted to the program) and required to complete remedial requirements. Once these courses are completed, students may be officially admitted to the program.

Students must also be well acquainted with either the FORTRAN or C programming language.

Application Requirements:

Complete the online application
Pay the $55 application fee
GRE scores are used by some faculty in choosing students and in funding decisions and are therefore strongly encouraged
Have a 3.3 or higher GPA on your last 60 semester or 90 quarter credits
Provide transcripts of all college/university credits
Provide three contacts for letters of recommendation
Statement of Purpose
Curriculum Vitae

International students have additional admissions requirements.

Deadlines

The department has the following deadlines:

Fall semester - last day of February
Spring semester - last day of August
Applications are accepted after these deadlines, but students will not be considered for financial assistance.
International students are encouraged to apply much earlier to allow time for Visa applications.

Plan Options

Students can receive the MS by pursuing one of three options:

In the Plan A option, students complete graduate-level coursework and must write a thesis.
The Plan B option requires a project and a report that is expected to reflect equivalent scholarship standards as a thesis.
A third option, Plan C, is comprised of coursework only.

Doctoral Degree Plan Option(s):