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Aerospace Engineering is the branch of engineering concerned with the design, development, testing and production of aircraft and related systems that fly within the Earth’s atmosphere (Aeronautics) and of spacecraft, missiles, rocket propulsion systems and other equipment operating beyond the Earth’s atmosphere (Astronautics)

The Department of Aerospace Engineering awarded the Bagley College of Engineering’s first master’s degree in 1951 and its first doctoral degree in 1960. We have awarded degrees to graduates who are now leaders in government, industry, and education worldwide.

The strength of the graduate program, as it has been for more than five decades, resides in its excellent faculty who have a keen interest in the advancement of students and a hands-on approach to education, further enhanced by the outstanding facilities of the Department of Aerospace Engineering and the Bagley College of Engineering.

Tuition & Fees

Tuition per credit hour $602.50
Instructional Support Fee per credit hour $25.00

Tuition and fees listed are subject to change and do not include all possible charges. Additional fees may apply. Please refer to the master class schedule for individual course charges.

Program Structure

The Department of Aerospace Engineering offers graduate programs leading to the Master of Science (thesis and non-thesis option) and Doctor of Philosophy degrees. Major areas of study include fluid dynamics, structural mechanics, controls, and autonomous systems.

The Master of Science in Aerospace Engineering prepares the student for continued progress toward the doctoral degree or to enter the workforce at a level of preparation more advanced than a bachelor’s degree would provide.

Master of Science in Aerospace Engineering – Thesis

Course Code/Course Name Credit Hours
8XXX Coursework at the 8000 level 9 hours
Additional graduate-level coursework 15 hours
Thesis research 6 hours
Total Hours 30

The student must choose a committee by the end of the second semester of study, consisting consisting of a major professor, who is a member of the graduate faculty in the Department of Aerospace Engineering, and at least two other members. At least fifty percent of the committee must be members of the graduate faculty in the Department of Aerospace Engineering.

Candidates for the Master of Science (thesis) degree in Aerospace Engineering must pass a final thesis defense upon completion of all course requirements.

Master of Science in Aerospace Engineering - Non-Thesis

Course Code/Course Name Credit Hours
8XXX Coursework at the 8000 level 12 hours
Additional graduate-level coursework 18 hours
Total Hours 30

The student must choose a committee by the end of the second semester of study, consisting consisting of a major professor, who is a member of the graduate faculty in the Department of Aerospace Engineering, and at least two other members. At least fifty percent of the committee must be members of the graduate faculty in the Department of Aerospace Engineering.

Candidates for the Master of Science (non-thesis) degree in Aerospace Engineering must pass a written comprehensive examination. Students entering the program must pass a written examination based on material taken from three courses, selected from a list of approved courses (see below), that appear on the student’s program of study.

Dynamics and Controls
  • ASE 6133 Automatic Control
  • ASE 6153 Advanced Performance
  • ASE 6813 Advanced Orbital Mechanics
  • EM 8313 Advanced Dynamics
Fluid Mechanics
  • ASE 8313 Advanced Compressible Aerodynamics I
  • ASE 8343 Incompressible Viscous Laminar Flow
  • ASE 8353 Turbulent Flow
Solid Mechanics
  • EM 6133 Composite Materials
  • EM 8113 Theory of Continuous Media
  • EM 8203 Applied Elasticity

Examination Rules

  • The comprehensive examination is to be administered by an Examination Committee appointed by the Department Head, with membership drawn from the Faculty within the Department. The Chair of the Committee shall have a Level 1 appointment to the Graduate Faculty at MSU.
  • These examinations shall be offered once each Fall/Spring semester on a date that observes university deadlines.
  • The comprehensive exam shall consist of problems taken from three courses selected from the list above that appear on the student’s program of study, with no more than two from the same topical area as defined above. There shall be two problems from each course and the student shall select three problems to work, one problem from each course. It is not necessary to earn a passing score on each problem, only to earn a passing score on the examination.
  • The Examination Committee shall be responsible for grading all examinations. After the Committee’s final review of the scored exam, a pass/fail determination shall be made in each topic, separately, for each student. Any grade appeal shall follow the University procedures (detailed in the Graduate Bulletin), with the Examination Committee Chair serving as the Instructor of Record for this purpose.
  • A student who fails the comprehensive examination can apply to schedule a second examination after a period of three months have elapsed from the date of the original exam. Two failures result in the student’s removal as a master’s degree candidate. The student is not required to choose the same courses for the retake; however, the selected courses must appear on the student’s program of study.

Admissions Process

Students seeking full admission into this program should apply as a classified student. Non-degree seeking students wishing to take classes offered through the online program should apply as an Unclassified student.

Applications for the degree programs are reviewed three times a year. The application deadlines for those semesters are as follows:

  • Fall Semester – June 1
  • Spring Semester – November 1
  • Summer Semester – May 1

An applicant for admission to graduate study must hold a bachelor's degree from a fully recognized four-year educational institution that has unconditional accreditation with appropriate regional accrediting agencies. They must meet the admission requirements of the Graduate School and the Aerospace Engineering program.

Regular admission to graduate study in the program requires a minimum grade point average (last four semesters of undergraduate work) of 3.00/4.00. When a student is deficient in one of the criteria cited, the student's application, nevertheless, may be considered for admission based on the strength of other materials contained in the student's application.

Bagley College of Engineering programs may accept transfer work previously completed by the student. Transcript reviews to determine transfer or prerequisite work will be evaluated AFTER students are granted full admission. Once admitted an academic coordinator can review those transcripts for more information.

To meet admission requirements, submit a separate official final transcript from each college or university attended; faxed transcripts will not be accepted. An applicant may not ignore previous college attendance and must list all colleges attended on the application for admission. You must be in good standing at the last college or university attended.

 

Admission Options

 

Domestic/International Classified Admissions

  1. Submit online application. You will choose Aerospace Engineering as your Program of Study and Online Education as your campus.
  2. Complete Identity Verification: Applicants must complete identity verification through Stripe Identity as part of the required application process. This step helps confirm the applicant’s identity before the application can be completed.
  3. Statement of Purpose
  4. Three letters of recommendation
    • You will be asked to submit three names and three email addresses of individuals you are using as references. Once you click submit, these individuals will be sent an email from MSU, which will provide a link to an online form for completing their recommendations.
  5. TOEFL or IELTS scores are required for international students
  6. One official transcript showing bachelor’s degree or progress toward degree. (For international students, please submit a copy in native language along with translated copies, if appropriate.)
  7. One official transcript showing ALL work after bachelor’s degree. (For international students, please submit a copy in native language along with translated copies, if appropriate.)
    • Electronic transcripts should be sent to: gradapps@grad.msstate.edu Mississippi State University, Graduate School. Only one copy of an electronic transcript is required.
    • Paper transcripts should be mailed to: Mississippi State University
      The Office of the Graduate School
      P.O. Box G
      Mississippi State, MS 39762
    • Physical Street Address (for DHL, Fed Ex, UPS, DHS, etc.):
      Mississippi State University
      Office of the Graduate School
      255 Lee Blvd
      Mississippi State, MS 39762
  8. Payment of $60 non-refundable application processing fee for domestic students.
    Payment of $80 non-refundable application processing fee for international students.
  9. Once you are admitted, you will receive an email with complete instructions on registering for classes and contacting your advisor
YOUR NEXT STEP

Ready to apply?

Your next chapter starts at MSU.

REQUIRED APPLICATION STEP

Identity Verification

Complete Stripe Identity verification to confirm your identity before your application can be completed.


Start Application

Attention International Students

Applicants whose native language is not English must submit an approved English language proficiency test score. Mississippi State University accepts scores from the TOEFL, TOEFL Essentials, IELTS, or Duolingo English Test (DET). Prospective students should consult the appropriate testing organization for information about test registration and administration.

The Graduate School maintains a list of countries exempt from English language requirements. Please consult the Graduate Catalog for specific English language test score requirements and additional information regarding English language proficiency.

Accessing Online Courses

Accessing Course Videos

Videos recorded during our on campus class sessions are uploaded for online students to view within our online course repository.  Online students will have access to course videos within 24 hours of the on campus course completion. Students should visit Engage to access the course videos. Instructions for viewing the recordings and downloading the recordings are offered below.

View and Download Videos

Instructions for viewing classes live or downloading videos, use our video download instructions.

If you experience technical difficulties or have any questions regarding the recording or format of our lecture capture, please contact:

IT Support & Staff
Bagley College of Engineering
Mississippi State University
dist-support@engr.msstate.edu
662.325.7794

Student Resources

Thesis and Dissertation

Research Guide


Contact Information

Tyranni Outlaw Portrait

Tyranni Outlaw

Online Enrollment Services Coordinator

General Program Questions

Assistance with Admissions Process & Requirements

to283@msstate.edu

662-325-8545

Anusha

Anusha Rijal

Retention & Engagement Coach

Current Student Inquires

Academic & Support Services Assistance

a.rijal@msstate.edu

662-325-8876

Adrian Sescu Headshot

Dr. Adrian Sescu

Aerospace Engineering

Graduate Coordinator

sescu@ae.msstate.edu

662-325-2911

Olivia Lane Headshot

Olivia Lane

Engineering

Online Education Coordinator

olane@bagley.msstate.edu

662-325-3786

Updated Filler card

Department of Aerospace Engineering

See department page

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