MS Degree Non Thesis - On Campus or Online
MS Non Thesis - On Campus or Online
Students should indicate their intention to seek the non-thesis MS option when applying to the AE graduate program or through a departmental petition. The MS non-thesis option can be completed on campus or completely online. It is designed to be completed in 1 year (16 hours per semester) of self-supported, full-time study. The Department of Aerospace Engineering does not provide funding for students in this program. It is expected that students pursuing the MS without Thesis degree will pay tuition and fees for the duration of their studies.
Students wishing to switch to the MS with Thesis program must have a faculty member who will oversee research and advise their thesis. Securing a research advisor may include financial support in the form of research assistantship or teaching assistantship, but does not guarantee it.
Students may transfer to the MS with thesis program at any time with research advisor’s approval and should reach out directly to possible advisors whose research areas and interests align with their own. Any AE faculty member or AE Affiliate may serve as your research advisor.
“My MS -non thesis program focused more on coursework and practical applications, which suited my goals and learning style better. This approach allowed me to gain a broad range of skills and knowledge that are directly applicable to real-world problems in aerospace engineering. .”
-- Angel Agrawal, MS '24
“Pursuing an advanced degree is highly rewarding, not only for the specialized knowledge you gain but also for the comprehensive skill set you develop, which is invaluable in any professional setting. Be it a thesis or a non-thesis program, it enhances your ability to think critically, solve complex problems, and manage challenging projects. ”
-- Kanishka Deepak, MS '24
Degree requirements
The MS non-thesis degree requirements are summarized in the table below.
|
REQUIREMENTS |
|
|
Total Coursework (technical courses) |
32 hrs (Up to 4 hrs of coursework may be in AE 597 or another independent study course) |
|
500-level coursework: |
12 hrs |
|
AE coursework: |
8 hrs at the 500-level in AE |
|
1 course from approved list |
|
|
Thesis credit: |
N/A |
|
Enrolled all semesters; attend 10 seminars per semester |
|
|
1 course from all three specialty areas |
|
|
AE coursework required: (400-level or above) |
16 hrs |
The MS non-thesis degree requires 32 hours of coursework. Students must choose at least one course from each of the three AE specialty areas (AFMCP: Aerodynamics, Fluid Mechanics, Combustion and Propulsion; CDS: Controls and Dynamical Systems; SMM: Solid Mechanics and Materials) and may concentrate in more depth in one particular area if they choose. They can also develop cross-disciplinary programs in consultation with their advisor.
For more information about AE graduate programs and courses, or to apply online, visit the graduate section of the AE website.
Program Information
In the non-thesis option, 32 hours of graded course work are required, selected in the following ways:
- All students in the MS non-thesis option must complete one course from all three areas listed among the Aerospace Engineering Breadth Requirements.
- Graduate students are expected to exhibit competence in applied mathematics. MS students may meet this requirement by taking a minimum of 3-4 hours of courses listed among Mathematics Requirements.
- The MS without Thesis Check List needs to be completed in consultation with your advisor to plan your program. A DARS Audit is an unofficial audit of progress toward the undergraduate student degree that reflects courses currently in progress. Recommended courses for various areas of research are also listed in the Suggested Program Tracts.
Checklists
All MS degree candidates must complete Check Lists with their advisors to plan their programs.
Graduate Contacts
Ioannis Chasiotis
Director of Graduate Studies
chasioti@illinois.edu
Jenna Russell
Graduate Programs Coordinator
jennar@illinois.edu
Dung Quach Wisdom
Graduate Programs Advisor
pdq@illinois.edu
MS with Thesis - on campus only
The University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign graduate program is consistently ranked in the top-10 schools nationally. When you pursue a master's degree at Illinois, you'll learn from world-renowned professors and benefit from state-of-the-art facilities on campus.
Earning a master's degree from Illinois allows you to build on what you were passionate about as an undergraduate student and take it to the next level as a speciality--one that can open doors to jobs that demand more expertise or lead to continuing your education by earning a doctorate. If the latter is your goal, a master's degree with a thesis is a good start.