Program Overview

Aerospace Engineering Master's Program

The Aerospace Engineering Master's Program at the University of Colorado Boulder is designed for working engineers and those pursuing careers in the aerospace industry. The two-year professional master's program offers flexibility, allowing students to take classes online or in-person, as well as study full- or part-time.

Program Overview

• The program is designed for working engineers and those pursuing careers in the aerospace industry.
• The two-year professional master's program offers flexibility, allowing students to take classes online or in-person, as well as study full- or part-time.
• The faculty are leading minds in aerospace engineering, with close ties to industry.

Curriculum

• Classes cover topics from the advanced foundations of aerospace engineering sciences to cutting-edge disciplines.
• Professional MS students enjoy program flexibility, while traditional MS students choose from five separate specializations.
• The specializations include:
  • Astrodynamics & Satellite Navigation Systems
  • Autonomous Systems
  • Bioastronautics
  • Fluids, Structures and Materials
  • Remote Sensing, Earth and Space Science

Reputation

• CU Boulder is the No. 5 public aerospace program in the nation.
• The university is the No. 1 public university for NASA funding.

Location

• Colorado offers one of the nation's most dynamic aerospace industries.

Career Opportunities

• Graduates have gone on to work at leading aerospace companies and labs, including:
  • The Aerospace Corporation
  • Airbus
  • Arianespace
  • Ball Aerospace/BAE Systems
  • Blue Canyon Technologies
  • Blue Origin
  • Boeing
  • Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics
  • Lockheed Martin
  • NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory
  • Northrop Grumman
  • Raytheon Technologies
  • SpaceX
  • Textron Aviation
  • Thales Group

Program Tracks

• Professional MS: industry-focused, designed for early- and mid-career professionals, with a customizable curriculum and no required core courses.
• Traditional MS: research-focused, intended for students interested in obtaining deep knowledge in a particular aerospace discipline, with a choice of five focus areas and some core courses required.

Faculty Spotlights

• Katya Arquilla: Assistant Professor, expertise in Bioastronautics.
• Hanspeter Schaub: Department Chair, Distinguished Professor, expertise in Astrodynamics & Satellite Navigation.
• Zach Sunberg: Assistant Professor, expertise in AI and Autonomous Systems.
• Mahmoud Hussein: Alvah and Harriet Hovlid Professor, expertise in Fluids, structures, materials.

Costs and Financial Information

• The master's degree represents a valuable investment in career potential.
• Tuition structure: Engineering master's programs have different rate structures based on program type, delivery method, and course load.
• ROI consideration: Most graduates recoup their educational investment within 2.5 years of completing their degree.
• Flexible options: Many programs offer part-time enrollment, allowing students to distribute costs while maintaining employment.

Admissions Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in engineering, mathematics, physics, chemistry, or other physical sciences from an accredited institution.
• Undergraduate courses in:
  • Calculus, linear algebra, and differential equations.
  • Two semesters of undergraduate calculus-based physics.
  • At least two semesters of upper-division courses in engineering or physics.
• Statement of purpose outlining goals and interests.
• Three letters of recommendation.
• Resume/CV highlighting relevant experience.

Application Deadlines

• Fall admissions: December 1, with decisions announced by the end of February.
• Spring admissions: October 1, with decisions announced by mid-November.

Frequently Asked Questions

• How is a professional master's different from a traditional master's program?
  • A traditional master's degree has set focus areas, and many students enter the program immediately after getting their undergraduate degree.
  • With a professional master's, many students already have experience as an engineer in industry or the military, and the program is more flexible, with no required focus area.
• What kind of degree will I earn?
  • As a professional master's student, you will earn the same Master of Science degree as a traditional master's student.
• What are the curriculum tracks?
  • There are no required curriculum tracks for the professional master's. You can choose to pursue your degree within one of our research focus areas or mix together classes from multiple focus areas and even other engineering departments.
• What are the program requirements?
  • The professional master's requires a total of 30 credits, of which at least 24 credits must be completed at the 5000 (graduate) level or above, and at least 18 credits in ASEN courses.