School of Aeronautics and Astronautics Graduate Program Degree Requirements

The following degree requirements should be met in consultation with your major professor. Find a printable course list on the Plan of Study page.

MS Non-Thesis

30 credit hours needed (10 graduate level courses):

4 courses (12 credit hours) in your major area of study
2 courses (6 credit hours) in your minor area of study
2 math courses (6 credit hours) from MA or STAT (see MS course list for specific details)
2 technical electives (6 credit hours) in Engineering (excluding ENE), Science, additional MA/STAT or independent studies (AAE 59700).
GPA must be 3.0 or higher at all times and no major class has less than B-
- At least 1 member (major professor) on your Plan of Study
- Plan of Study due by the end of 1st semester (2nd semester registration PIN will be held until your POS is submitted)

30 credit hours needed (10 graduate level courses):

4 courses (12 credit hours) in your major area of study
2 courses (6 credit hours) in your minor area of study
1 math course (3 credit hours) from MA or STAT (see MS course list for specific details)
9 credit hours of professional-oriented coursework (see MS course list)
GPA must be 3.0 or higher at all times and no major class has less than B-
- At least 1 member (major professor) on your Plan of Study
- Plan of Study due by the end of 1st semester (2nd semester registration PIN will be held until your POS is submitted)

30 credit hours needed: 21 hours of graduate level coursework, and at least 9 credit hours of AAE 698 thesis research credits

3 courses (9 credit hours) in your major area of study
2 courses (6 credit hours) in your minor area of study
2 math courses (6 credit hours) from MA or STAT (see MS course list for specific details)
GPA must be 3.0 or higher at all times and no major class has less than B-
- At least 3 members on your POS Advisory Committee (major professor and two other committee members)
- Plan of Study due by the end of 1st semester (2nd semester registration PIN will be held until your POS is submitted)

90 credit hours needed: 21-27 credit hours of coursework, 30 credit hours from MS (if approved), and the rest AAE 699 thesis research credits

Up to 30 hours from MS program can be counted towards your PhD Plan of Study
2 courses (6 credit hours) in your minor area of study in lieu of minor qualifying exam
Up to 3 courses (9 credit hours) in any 500 or 600 level MA or STAT course (excluding MA 527/MA 528, ME 581, or STAT 511), PHYS 600/601, or CHE 630/6320. Two math courses may come from MS study (please see the qualifying exam information page for more details)
4 courses decided in consultation with your major professor (12 credit hours)
GPA must be 3.0 or higher at all times
- At least 4 members on POS Advisory Committee (major professor and three other committee members)
- Qualifying Examinations: Take within 2 semesters of starting the PhD (if MS received from Purdue AAE), or take within 3 semesters of starting the PhD (if MS received from outside the department).
  Note: Courses required as a result of qualifying examination conditional passes can only be used on the plan of study in excess to other course requirements.
- Preliminary Examination
- Final Thesis Defense/Deposit