16 Total
Credits
9 Primary Course
Credits
3 Secondary
Course Credits
1 Seminar
Credit
0-3 Practical
Credits

Space Engineering Certificate

Begin Planning Your Certificate

CAMPUS: West Lafayette

SpEC Seminar (1 credit)

Students must take the Space Engineering seminar course, ENGR 10351. Opportunities may be provided periodically to fulfill this requirement in other ways.

Spring 2026 Alternate Seminar Credit

In Spring 2026, students can receive the seminar credit for attending and participating in the Space Policy, Science + Technology Symposium @ Purdue: Addressing Space Debris as a U.S. National Security Risk.
 
Participation requirements
  • Register for section 2 of ENGR 10351. 
  • Register for the Symposium, March 23-25, 2026. Registration is free if you use your Purdue email address.
  • Review pre-symposium packets
  • Attend poster presentations
  • Participate in discussions
Submission requirements
  • Proof of participation must be submitted via Brightspace in order to earn course credit. Combine all materials below into a single PDF, max. 5 pages (excluding proof of registration).
  • Copy of registration
  • Pre-symposium task: Prepare reflection questions based on the pre-symposium packets
  • Poster presentations: Write reflections and takeaways from 2 research posters
  • Networking reflection: Document and reflect on discussions with industry or government officials

Two study tracks (12-15 credits)

Students must choose a primary track (minimum 9 credit hours) and a secondary track (minimum 3 credit hours).
 
Six main study tracks are available:
  • Communications and Cybersecurity in Space
  • Space Missions and Space as a Laboratory
  • Space Commerce and Policy
  • Space Transportation
  • In-Space Manufacturing, Assembly, and Debris Management
  • Humans Living and Exploring in Space (includes 3 sub-tracks). 
The following conditions apply when fulfilling this requirement:
  • Courses cannot be counted for both Primary and Secondary tracks
  • 9 credit hours must be outside of the School of the student's primary BS degree
  • Only one sub-track may be selected from Humans Living and Exploring in Space
  • See the Purdue Course Catalog for the complete list of available courses in each track.

Practical Expericence (0-3 credits)

Students must show participation in a significant practical aerospace experience. Options that fulfill this requirement include:
 
  • An aerospace-related co-op or internship (zero-credit course)
  • An applied learning course, such as: Design-Build-Test, Senior Design, Vertically Integrated Projects
  • Participation in an aerospace-related student club or collegiate competition
Co-ops and internships must be verified through the Purdue Office of Professional Practice with the appropriate zero-credit course. Club/competition or seminar/conference participation is verified by completing this form.
 

Note: If the Practical Experience provides no course credit, then a 3-credit course must be taken from any Space Industry area to complete the 16 credits required for the certificate. Examples of candidate courses are listed below.