Online Master of Aeronautics & Astronautics Engineering

Our Master of Aeronautics and Astronautics Aerospace Engineering Program (MSAA)

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.

Courses offered in the following topic areas:

Aerodynamics Autonomy and Control
Aerospace Systems Structures & Materials
Astrodynamics & Space Applications Propulsion

Aerospace Engineering Degree Options

The 30-credit hour non-thesis curriculum is carefully designed and is delivered through streaming video and downloadable MPEG-4 files at times and locations convenient for you. You are able to decide to earn a Master of Science in Aeronautics and Astronautics (MSAA) or an Interdisciplinary Master of Science in Engineering (MSE/MS) with a concentration in Aeronautics and Astronautics.

Online Plan of Study Details

The AAE master's program offers a wide range of flexibility in aerospace course options. After you begin your studies at Purdue, an academic advisor will help you create a Plan of Study (POS) to best fit your educational needs and career goals. Every POS varies based on student interest, time, and course load.  For planning purposes, an example POS for the Master of Science in Aeronautics and Astronautics (MSAA) and the Interdisciplinary Master of Science in Engineering (MSE/MS) with a concentration in Aeronautics and Astronautics are available, as well as an extensive course menu that lists classes available over the next several years.

The flexible nature of our programs makes it possible for you to take time off from your studies if you need to. The majority of students choose to begin their studies by taking one course at a time to ensure they find a successful balance of work, life, and school.

Aerospace Engineering Job Outlook

For engineers considering additional training in aerospace engineering coursework and certification, it helps to examine the job outlook for that specific discipline. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the need for aerospace engineers will increase about 2% between now and 2028. 

Admissions to the Aeronautics/Astronautics/Aerospace Master's Program

Application details for each of our degree options differ. For more information on applying for the Master of Science in Aeronautics and Astronautics (MSAA)  or the  Interdisciplinary Master of Science in Engineering (MSE/MS) with a concentration in Aeronautics and Astronautics, please visit the specific program admissions page.

Go to the Purdue School of Aeronautics and Astronautics website. 

Alumni Testimony

Collin DrakeCollin Drake (MSAA ’17)

Flight science engineer, 412th Test Wing at Edwards Air Force Base
Member of Automatic Ground Collision Avoidance System team to receive 2018 Robert J. Collier Trophy

“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.”

To learn more about Drake’s story, click here.