Master of Science in
Aerospace Engineering
The Master of Science in Aerospace Engineering program uses theoretical and practical training to help graduates learn spacecraft and aircraft design.
About the Master of Science in Aerospace Engineering
As a recognized leader in aviation and aerospace education, Embry‑Riddle offers a Master of Science in Aerospace Engineering program that prepares graduates for a successful career in satellite and aircraft design, space exploration and more.
This graduate degree is designed for students who already have a degree in Aerospace Engineering or a related engineering field. The curriculum provides a favorable balance of practical and theoretical training. Students augment their engineering and science background with studies in computational fluid dynamics, aeroacoustics modeling, rotorcraft aerodynamics, flow control, air-breathing hypersonic and rocket propulsion and autonomous unmanned aircraft, as well as other topics in aerospace engineering.
Student Learning Outcomes
Opportunities available to you while receiving a M.S. in Aerospace Engineering:
- Flexibility and rigor to accommodate both full-time students and working professionals' needs
- Specialty course and research opportunities for graduate students to shape their degree
- Gain first-hand knowledge, enthusiasm and guidance from industry-leading faculty
- Research areas including computational fluid dynamics, aeroacoustic modeling, guidance, navigation and control, computational structural mechanics and design optimization
- Assist in paving the way in aerospace research and development
Aerospace Engineering Career Opportunities
Careers and Employers
Master’s students graduating from Embry-Riddle’s Aerospace Engineering degree program enjoy an extremely high 93% placement rate within one year of graduation. Many graduates transition into careers with companies such as SpaceX, NASA, the U.S. Department of Defense, Delta Air Lines and Gulfstream Aerospace.
Aerospace Engineering graduates tend to enter into the aerospace industry in positions such as avionics engineering, aeronautical engineering, aerospace system analysis and performance engineering.
Aerospace Engineering Salary Information
As of 2023, students graduating with a Master of Science in Aerospace Engineering tend to receive competitive salaries, with an average income of $95,000 annually.
DETAILS
About Aerospace Engineering at the Daytona Beach, FL Campus
Housed in the Department of Aerospace Engineering in the College of Engineering at the Daytona Beach Campus, the Master of Science in Aerospace Engineering prepares students for careers in the aerospace industry, space exploration or research and development.
Embry-Riddle has the world’s largest Aerospace Engineering student enrollment and provides up-to-date technology and laboratories, including labs such as Advanced Dynamics and Controls, Advanced Materials, Composites Laboratory, Large Systems, Structures and Wind Tunnel.
Our nearby Eagle Flight Research Center has a 10,000-square-foot hangar with convenient runway access at the international airport.
Aerospace Engineering Information
- Credits: 30
- Online or In-Person: In-Person
- Thesis: Thesis & Non-Thesis Option
Helpful Links
- Tour our Daytona Beach, Florida campus
- Discover the Department's Faculty
- Explore the Fields of Study: Aviation & Space & Engineering
- Find Related Clubs & Organizations
Degree Requirements
Non-Thesis Option
| AE Core courses | 6 | |
| Graduate Mathematics course * | 3 | |
| Graduate Electives (at most six hours of non-AE courses in EP, other Engineering, Math, or BA 511, with Program Coordinator approval) | 21 | |
| Total Credits | 30 | |
Thesis Option
| AE Core courses | 6 | |
| Graduate Mathematics course * | 3 | |
| Graduate Electives (at most six hours of non-AE courses in EP, other Engineering, Math, or BA 511, with Advisor and Program Coordinator approval) | 12 | |
| Thesis (AE 700) ** | 9 | |
| To remain on track for Thesis work: upon completion of the first 3 credit hours of Thesis, the student is required to submit a Topic Statement. Upon completion of the second 3 credit hours of Thesis, the student is required to conduct a pre-defense. Consult with the graduate program coordinator for additional information. | ||
| Total Credits | 30 | |
- *
Recommended Graduate Mathematics Courses:
MA 502 or EP 501 for both the Aerodynamics and Propulsion and the Structures and Materials Concentrations, and MA 532, MA 502 or MA 510 for the Dynamics and Control Concentration. Students are encouraged to consult an advisor within their respective areas.
- **
Thesis Advisor must be AE Department faculty.
Areas of Concentration
Aerodynamics and Propulsion
This area includes Aerodynamics, Propulsion, Computational Aero and Fluid Dynamics, Transition and Turbulence, Aeroacoustics, Heat Transfer, and Combustion.
| Core Courses for Aerodynamic and Propulsion Concentration ** | ||
| AE 504 | Advanced Compressible Flow | 3 |
| AE 521 | Viscous Flow | 3 |
| AE 528 | Advanced Incompressible Aerodynamics | 3 |
| Electives for Aerodynamics and Propulsion Concentration *** | ||
| AE 507 | Design, Build and Test | 3 |
| AE 508 | Intermediate Heat Transfer | 3 |
| AE 512 | Combustion I | 3 |
| AE 516 | Computational Aeronautical Fluid Dynamics | 3 |
| AE 524 | Rocket Engine Propulsion Systems | 3 |
| AE 536 | Rotorcraft Aerodynamics | 3 |
| AE 550 | Thermodynamics: Classic and Modern Perspectives | 3 |
| AE 554 | Applied Engineering Analysis | 3 |
| AE 596 | Graduate Internship in Aerospace Engineering ** | 1-3 |
| AE 610 | Advanced Computational Fluid Dynamics | 3 |
| AE 625 | Hypersonic Aerospace Propulsive Flows | 3 |
| AE 631 | Aeroacoustics | 3 |
| AE 635 | Flow Stability and Control | 3 |
| AE 640 | Turbine Engine Propulsion Systems | 3 |
| AE 652 | Turbulent Flows | 3 |
| AE 699 Special Topics in Aerospace Engineering *** | 1-3 | |
Dynamics and Control
This area includes the six degrees of freedom rigid body dynamics of aerospace vehicles, linear and nonlinear modeling and simulation of the dynamics, state and parameter estimation and the control of aerospace vehicles.
| Core Courses for Dynamics and Control Concentration ** | ||
| AE 523 | Linear Systems | 3 |
| AE 527 | Modern Control Systems | 3 |
| AE 544 | Analytical Dynamics | 3 |
| Electives for Dynamics and Control *** | ||
| AE 505 | Spacecraft Dynamics and Control | 3 |
| AE 506 | Airplane Dynamic Stability | 3 |
| AE 526 | Engineering Optimization | 3 |
| AE 531 | Orbital Mechanics | 3 |
| AE 552 | Unconventional Aircraft Design | 3 |
| AE 553 | Hybrid and Urban Air Mobility | 3 |
| AE 554 | Applied Engineering Analysis | 3 |
| AE 596 | Graduate Internship in Aerospace Engineering ** | 1-3 |
| AE 623 | Navigation, Guidance and Control | 3 |
| AE 626 | Advanced Topics in Discrete Control Theory | 3 |
| AE 627 | Adaptive Control | 3 |
| AE 629 | Robust Control Systems | 3 |
| AE 633 | Optimal Control | 3 |
| AE 646 | Nonlinear Systems | 3 |
| AE 654 | Geometric Mechanics and Control of Rigid Body Motions | 3 |
| AE 678 | Estimation of Dynamic Systems | 3 |
| AE 699 Special Topics in Aerospace Engineering *** | 1-3 | |
Structures and Materials
This area includes Structural Analysis, Vibration, Nondestructive Testing, Composite Materials, Elasticity, and Design Optimization.
| Core Courses for the MSAE Program in the Structures and Materials Concentration ** | ||
| AE 502 | Strength and Fatigue of Materials | 3 |
| AE 510 | Aircraft Structural Dynamics | 3 |
| AE 522 | Analysis of Aircraft Composite Materials | 3 |
| Core Courses for the PhD Program in the Structures and Materials Concentration *** | ||
| AE 514 | Introduction to the Finite Element Method | 3 |
| AE 522 | Analysis of Aircraft Composite Materials | 3 |
| AE 548 | Introduction to Continuum Mechanics | 3 |
| Electives for Structures Concentration | ||
| AE 511 | Engineering Materials Selection | 3 |
| AE 514 | Introduction to the Finite Element Method | 3 |
| AE 520 | Perturbation Methods in Engineering | 3 |
| AE 525 | Structural Design Optimization | 3 |
| AE 532 | Failure Analysis of Materials | 3 |
| AE 534 | Smart Materials in Engineering | 3 |
| AE 538 | Theory of Elasticity | 3 |
| AE 540 | Structural Health Monitoring | 3 |
| AE 542 | Mechanics of Structures: Variational and Computational Methods | 3 |
| AE 554 | Applied Engineering Analysis | 3 |
| AE 596 | Graduate Internship in Aerospace Engineering ** | 1-3 |
| AE 606 | Finite Element Aerospace Applications | 3 |
| AE 612 | Analysis of Aircraft Plate and Shell Structures | 3 |
| AE 616 | Advanced Aircraft Structural Dynamics | 3 |
| AE 618 | Aeroelasticity | 3 |
| AE 648 | Thermal Stresses in Aerospace Engineering | 3 |
| AE 699 Special Topics in Aerospace Engineering *** | 1-3 | |
- **
A maximum of 3 hours of AE 596, Graduate Internship in Aerospace Engineering, may be counted toward Graduate Electives degree requirement for the non-thesis option only. A maximum of 3 hours of AE 699, Special Topics in Aerospace Engineering, may be counted toward Graduate Electives degree requirement for the non-thesis option only. AE 699 advisors must be AE Department faculty.
- **
Please note, the third core course may also be taken as an Elective
- ***
Courses from the other AOC may also be counted as elective courses
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Summary
30 Credits
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