Online MS/MEng in Aerospace Engineering

Aerospace Engineering at Illinois, consistently ranked among the elite programs in the U.S. and and worldwide for both undergraduate and graduate studies, offers a Master of Science degree and a Master of Engineering in Aerospace Systems Engineering that are a non-thesis, non-research program, entirely online.

Online students have access to the same lectures, class assignments, exams and projects as on-campus students. Online is an excellent option for students who want to pursue their graduate studies while working.

Degree Overview

The program is designed to provide students with a solid foundation in the fundamentals of Aerospace Engineering by requiring at least one core course in each of the three branches of Aerospace Engineering (Fluid Mechanics, Solid Mechanics and Materials, Dynamics and Controls) as well as one course in mathematics.

Specialization can then be made by taking additional courses in one or more of these, and other, areas: Aerodynamics, Fluid Mechanics, Combustion/propulsion, Structural Mechanics, Solid Mechanics and Materials, Dynamical Systems, Aerospace Control, Orbital Mechanics, and Spacecraft.

The non-thesis M.S. degree in Aerospace Engineering requires 32 credit hours of coursework (a thesis is not required). All students in the MS non-thesis option must complete at least one course from all three areas listed among the Aerospace Engineering Breadth Requirements. Graduate students are expected to exhibit competence in applied mathematics by taking at least one approved Mathematics course. An online seminar requirement also exists.

Online students have five years to complete the program. All online students receive access to recorded on-campus lectures and follow the class syllabus, including the same assignments, exams, and projects as on-campus students. The MSAE degree awarded online is the exact same degree awarded to on-campus students.

(The online MSAE program and online AE classes are restricted to off-campus students and are not intended for University employees or students in on-campus programs.)

Degree Requirements

Admissions Requirements

Applicants must hold a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college in the United States or an approved institution of higher learning abroad. Aerospace Engineering graduate programs are open to engineering, mathematics, and physical sciences students with a grade point average of at least 3.0 (4.0 scale) for the last two years of undergraduate work and any graduate work completed. All applicants must submit an online application form, three letters of reference, a statement of purpose, and official transcripts from all completed university coursework. TOEFL scores are required of applicants whose native language is not English, regardless of U.S. citizenship. The Graduate Record Exam (GRE) is also required.

How to Apply

Admissions Deadlines

Fall Semester: July 1

“Being able to choose when I watch lectures and the ability to re-watch lectures was extremely useful. I no longer need to worry about schedule conflicts or not being able to scribe all of my notes quickly.”

-- Luke Firsching with UTC Aerospace Systems in Rockford, Illinois

“The differences are (online) is more flexible and you can apply what you’re learning to the real world at your job.”

-- Cassie Meisner, Rolls Royce

Read about the experience 2016 grad Matthew Schonert has had!