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Guide to Majors

Guide to College Majors in Aerospace Engineering


What is Aerospace Engineering?

The always-evolving field of aerospace engineering is one of the most challenging career paths in the world. Technology is advancing at a rate unparalleled since the Industrial Revolution. Aerospace engineers are at the forefront of that expansion, as they research, design, and develop high-speed transportation vehicles, such as:

Aerospace engineering majors learn about the analysis, synthesis, and design of aeronautical and aerospace vehicles. Students can specialize in either aeronautics (aircraft design) or aerospace (spacecraft design) at an undergraduate level.

A college degree in aerospace engineering combines the unique tradition of aerospace technology with engineering and management methods from related disciplines. Although very closely related to air transportation and design, aerospace technology is a little more intensive. Some aerospace programs emphasize hands-on training and subsystem design, while others rely more on lectures and fieldwork.

Currently in the United States, only a handful of institutions have earned accreditation to offer degrees in aerospace engineering.

What kinds of courses do aerospace engineers take?

The general academic program for aerospace engineers begins with two years of science and basic engineering coursework. After that, two more years of specialized courses allow students to hone their career paths. Specialized courses cover topics like:


What kinds of jobs can I expect as an aerospace engineer?

After earning their college degrees, aerospace engineering majors can choose from a wide array of careers, including positions in:

Educational and career goals vary from program to program, centered on the two main branches of aerospace engineering, aircraft/missiles and spacecraft. Some institutions provide a curriculum that covers both areas. Other schools completely separate the two disciplines and offer degree programs in both aeronautics and aerospace engineering. A handful of universities offer only aeronautic or aerospace engineering. Thanks to advances in technology, several universities now offer online master's degrees in aerospace engineering, allowing working professionals to study without leaving their current jobs in this competitive field.

When considering an education in aerospace engineering, prepare to encounter a significant amount of actual design and implementation in addition to coursework. Career choices are nearly limitless, since the entire aerospace field grows at such a rapid pace.


"I get to work on all kinds of projects that are in the news . . ."
One of NASA's top female aerospace engineers took time to answer questions from students on the NASA website. She explains some of the benefits of her exciting career:

"My work is different every day, and changes from year to year. This is necessary for me since I get bored easily. The work is challenging (which keeps boredom away). You get to work on things that really make a difference to people; it might be a space instrument to measure atmospheric pollution or an improvement to an aircraft that might ultimately allow the price of an airline ticket to go down.

As a NASA aerospace engineer, I get to work on all kinds of projects that are in the news, like shuttle and space station, and everyone on my street wants to know about what I'm doing at work. It is really nice to work on things that people have an interest in, and to work on things that even kids think are interesting (no offense, but high school students are pretty tough critics!)."

- Jill Marlowe, Head of NASA's Mechanical Design Branch


Traits of Successful Aerospace Engineers

College admissions counselors have also identified some extracurricular activities and personality traits shared by the most successful aerospace engineering majors. These interests include:

Career Education in Aerospace Engineering

Undergraduate and graduate degree and certificate programs

To enter a bachelor's degree program in aerospace engineering, you must possess a high school diploma or a GED. In addition, admissions officers review an applicant's transcript to decide whether a student could be a successful aerospace engineering major. Prospective aerospace engineering majors should take as many science courses as possible. Understanding foreign languages, especially German and Japanese, also paves the way for success in this global specialty.

Associate's Degrees in Aerospace Engineering

For a successful career in the aerospace industry, a master's degree is generally the minimum requirement. Professionals who already possess a bachelor's degree can pursue a Master of Science in Aerospace Engineering. Aerospace engineering majors who transfer in from another career may be required to complete a series of undergraduate-level prerequisites in order to qualify for the more rigorous graduate level courses. At this level, online master's degree programs are available for students who've already completed hands-on training at the undergraduate level.

Master's students in aerospace engineering can specialize in one or more critical areas in their field. For example, many choose to focus on aerodynamics and propulsion, in order to prepare themselves for careers as engine designers. Students interested in aircraft or spacecraft design can specialize in flight vehicle structures and materials. Meanwhile, prospective safety specialists can concentrate on flight dynamics, safety and controls.

An online master's degree opens up a wealth of opportunities for experienced aerospace engineers. In addition to pursuing lucrative careers in the private sector, many master's degree holders serve as advisors or adjunct faculty at major universities and research institutions.

Doctorate Degrees in Aerospace Engineering

Experienced aerospace engineers who hold master's degrees in their specialty may choose to pursue a PhD. Doctoral programs in engineering are extremely research-intensive. Many PhD candidates work with veteran faculty members on highly innovative development programs, in conjunction with the U.S. government or with private industry.

Many of the innovations in aircraft design that we take for granted today started out as research projects for doctoral candidates. Once they earn their doctorates, these aerospace engineers not only share their passion for their field with future generations of students, but also spearhead the next wave of groundbreaking design for tomorrow's astronauts and travelers.

Doctorate programs vary by length, depending on the student's specialty and the amount of time s/he can devote to research. Though most research projects are extremely hands-on, online courses and other distance learning tools have opened up these programs significantly in the last few years. Many working professionals can participate in worldwide research programs by connecting over the Internet. Instead of working on design models in a studio, they can run simulations online.

Doctoral candidates can participate in advanced research opportunities by competing for fellowships at colleges and universities nationwide. Fellows often enjoy significant benefits, such as priority access to equipment like supercomputers and wind tunnels. They also benefit from close connections with the institutions that fund the fellowships, such as corporations or influential family foundations.

In order to retain qualified aerospace engineers, many major employers offer their staff tuition reimbursement programs that cover the cost of online degree programs. Some companies take this dedication to professional development even further by providing their engineers with space and resources to conduct research in-house. The company benefits by retaining the rights to the discoveries, while the engineers benefit from an accelerated path to a higher degree and, ultimately, more income from salary and patent royalties.

What Can You Do with a College Major in Aerospace Engineering?

Career options for aspiring aerospace engineers

Most careers in aerospace engineering involve designing and developing flight-worthy aircraft. Your education level determines your eligibility for various types of job opportunities. The higher the degree you earn, the more positions you may pursue, and the higher the salary you can expect.

Most aerospace engineers work directly within the aerospace industry. This sector comprises many organizations, such as aerospace prime contractors (and major suppliers), the propulsion industry, academia, NASA, the Department of Defense (and other government agencies) and the airlines. Aerospace industry professionals work in research and development, marketing, computer applications and more.

In order to have an effective career in the research and development industry, a master's degree is recommended. A doctorate is usually required for individuals wishing to teach at a university level or in advanced research.

Other Aerospace Careers

Not limited to aerospace engineering alone, students have used a bachelor's degree in the field to go on to graduate degrees in medicine, law, and business. Here are a few of the different career paths available to aerospace engineering majors.

Salary Expectations for Aerospace Engineers

The U.S. Department of Labor reports that the median annual earnings of aerospace engineers were $87,610 in 2004. According to a 2003 salary survey by the National Association of Colleges and Employers, bachelor's degree graduates in aerospace engineering received starting salary offers averaging $48,028 a year, master's degree holders were offered $61,162, and doctoral graduates were offered $68,406.

Certification and Licensure

State and federal governments do not require any specific licenses for aerospace engineers. Most employers rely on the solid foundation of a job seeker's academic credentials. Licensing and certification is reserved for the products designed and developed by aerospace engineers. These certifications, for the most part, come from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and, in the realm of space travel, are self-imposed by NASA (National Aeronautics and Space Administration).

Other Aerospace Engineering Associations

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