Online Master of Science in Aeronautics and Astronautics

Research World Leader in Earth remote sensing through reflected satellite transmissions
First man on the moon Neil Armstrong (BSAE 1955)
Most recent in space Loral O'Hara MSAAE 2009 ISS Expedition 70

Overview

Purdue's School of Aeronautics and Astronautics is one of the top aerospace engineering programs in the nation and is consistently ranked among the top six in aerospace graduate programs and Purdue's online graduate engineering program is consistently ranked among the top three in Best Online Master's in Engineering Programs by U.S. News & World Report (2024). The online master's program focus on aerospace engineering is specifically designed for working engineers and offers flexible plans of study with a format that allows you to study from where you are.

Program Highlights

  • Flexible Learning: The online MS in Aeronautics and Astronautics program offers flexibility for working professionals, allowing students to balance their studies with other commitments.
  • World-Class Faculty: Students learn from renowned faculty members who engage in cutting-edge research and are leaders in their technical disciplines.
  • Specialized Curriculum: Students may focus in areas such as aerodynamics, propulsion, astrodynamics and space applications, structures and materials, aerospace systems, and autotomy and control, allowing students to tailor their education to their career goals.
  • Top-Ranked Engineering School: Purdue’s Aeronautics and Astronautics program is consistently ranked among the top aerospace engineering programs in the nation, ranked #2 (tie) Aerospace and Aeronautical Engineering Graduate Program (U.S. News).

Curriculum

  • Complete 10 courses totaling 30 credit hours
  • 4 courses in one of the six available focus areas within Aeronautics and Astronautics
  • 2 courses in a secondary area
  • 2 courses to meet the math requirement
  • 2 technical electives which gives flexibility to take a wide range of courses that fit the student’s interest and goals
  • Engineering Leadership concentration available, where students can take professional oriented courses, usually in Management.

Additional curriculum information:

Courses offered in the following topic areas:

online graduate student working at a cafe while wearing a Purdue shirt

Suggested Prerequisites

Math Background:

  • We recommend a background in: Calculus 1, 2, and 3; Differential Equations; Linear Algebra; Partial Differential Equations; Statistics; and Physics 1 and 2.

    • Undergraduate Degree:

  • No formal prerequisites, but a BS in engineering or science disciplines is typical. We prefer the following engineering disciplines: Aerospace, Mechanical, Electrical/Computer, Chemical, or Materials. Degrees in Math or Physics are also well suited.

    • Test Scores:

  • Valid GRE score unless a waiver applies.

    • Requirements

  • Transcripts from all universities attended
  • 3 letters of recommendation
  • An academic statement of purpose
  • A personal history statement
  • A professional resume
  • TOEFL or IELTS scores (international students only)
  • Full admissions requirements

    • Deadlines

    For Spring start:

  • November 1

    • For Fall start:

  • July 1

    • Tuition*

  • In-state: $1,139 per credit hour
  • Out of state & international: $1,459 per credit hour

    • Domestic students and permanent residents may qualify for the following types of financial aid:

  • US federal financial aid
  • US veterans financial aid

    • *The cost of attending Purdue varies depending on where you choose to live, enrollment in a specific program or college, food and travel expenses, and other variables. The Office of the Bursar website shows estimated costs for the current aid year for students by semester and academic year. These amounts are used in determining a student’s estimated eligibility for financial aid. You can also use our tuition calculator to estimate tuition costs.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Yes. Most of our typical students work full-time. Most courses are delivered asynchronously, which means you can complete your coursework when it is convenient for you. Exam requirements may vary from course-to-course and may require a specific window of time and instructions should be made available to you in your course materials.

    Yes. Neither U.S. residency nor a visa are required.
    Yes, unless you have received a degree within the last 36 months from a school where English is the primary language of instruction in a country where English is the native language.

    Top-Ranked Program: Purdue’s School of Aeronautics and Astronautics consistently ranks among the top aerospace engineering programs in the nation, currently placed #2 by U.S. News & World Report for aerospace graduate programs.

    Pioneers in Aerospace Engineering: Purdue AAE has a long history of excellence, with notable alumni like Neil Armstrong and Gus Grissom, showcasing our deep roots in space exploration.

    Renowned Faculty: Learn from world-class faculty who are not only leaders in academia but are also actively engaged in aerospace industry research and innovation.

    Global Aerospace Hub: Purdue is a leader in collaborations with major aerospace companies and organizations like NASA, Boeing, and Lockheed Martin, providing students with unparalleled networking and career opportunities.

    Flexible and Specialized Curriculum: Whether you’re interested in propulsion, astrodynamics and space applications, aerodynamics, autonomy and control, aerospace systems, structures and materials, hypersonics, and more, Purdue’s AAE program offers a broad spectrum of specializations, giving you the opportunity to tailor your education to your career goals.

    No, both programs lead to the MSAAE. The only difference is the online delivery method. The courses, assessments, and faculty – and rigor – are the same.

     

    Courses are delivered asynchronously via Brightspace, Purdue’s learning management system. Course content and materials can be accessed on most Windows and Mac desktops, laptops, and tablets.

     

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    online master's program graduate Collin Drake

    Meet Collin Drake, Flight Science Engineering and MSAAE Alumni

    Often from 2015-2017 while Drake was taking online courses for his master’s, he’d find what he learned was directly — and immediately — applicable to his day-to-day responsibilities at Edwards. After working a 12-hour day during the week, Drake would go home and study. He’d load up the weekends with more coursework. Though a challenging experience, he said, ultimately, it was well worth the long hours.

    “It did not take long before really digging into a lot of the things I was doing that, all of a sudden, I just find myself spitting out the information I had learned in grad school and I almost surprised myself that, wow, this really does have actual impact,” he said. “Especially through the aero department, I think it’s definitely kudos to Purdue for really being able to give that context in the coursework. There was always engineering context around what we were learning. We learned the theory, but the professors did a great job of giving case examples of their past experience — because a lot of them have worked in industry before or work with industry now."

    “The quality of education is off the charts. I could not have asked for a higher-quality education, especially for a distance program. Because the quality of education was so high, I felt like it was just like being on campus as a student. I really liked that part about it. You have the same professors. You have the same TAs. You take the same tests. You do the same homework. You have the exact same lectures.”