About this Program
Old Dominion University offers a graduate degree in Aerospace Engineering through the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering in the Batten College of Engineering and Technology, available online and on campus in Norfolk, Virginia. Students work with aircraft, spacecraft, rockets, uncrewed aerial and space platforms, and the systems that control them, across aerodynamics, propulsion, structures, flight dynamics, and space systems.
The program is located about 20 minutes from NASA Langley Research Center and maintains active ties to NASA Langley, the Air Force Research Laboratory, and the Naval Research Laboratory, giving graduate students access to one of the densest concentrations of aerospace research employers in the country.
Program Highlights
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Research ties to NASA Langley, the Air Force Research Laboratory, and the Naval Research Laboratory. The department works directly with federal research labs and regional aerospace employers across Hampton Roads.
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About 20 minutes from NASA Langley Research Center, inside one of the strongest aerospace research corridors in the country.
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Coursework across the core of the field: aerodynamics and fluid dynamics, computational fluid dynamics, and space flight dynamics and control, among others.
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Graduate research assistantships.
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A $134,830 median salary for aerospace engineers (source: O*NET and the Bureau of Labor Statistics), with projected job growth.
Featured Courses
Requirements
The applicant must have earned an undergraduate degree from an accredited university in aerospace engineering, mechanical engineering, engineering mechanics, or a closely related discipline, such as physics or mathematics, and must also meet Old Dominion University’s general requirements for admission. Applicants with degrees in disciplines other than aerospace engineering or mechanical engineering are required to complete up to three leveling courses. A remedial study plan will be designed for the applicant by the GPD in order to prepare the student for graduate work in the shortest possible time. The selected courses are subject to satisfying the prerequisites listed in the catalog. If an applicant already has a minor in aerospace engineering or mechanical engineering, then no leveling courses are necessary.
Careers
Check out these ideas from ODU's Center for Career & Leadership Development and the Occupational Information Network (O*NET). A median salary is a midpoint of what people typically earn—half of those surveyed earned above the median salary, and half earned below.
Assemble, fit, fasten, and install parts of airplanes, space vehicles, or missiles, such as tails, wings, fuselage, bulkheads, stabilizers, landing gear, rigging and control equipment, or heating and ventilating systems.
Perform engineering duties in designing, constructing, and testing aircraft, missiles, and spacecraft. May conduct basic and applied research to evaluate adaptability of materials and equipment to aircraft design and manufacture. May recommend improvements in testing equipment and techniques.
Inspect aircraft, maintenance procedures, air navigational aids, air traffic controls, and communications equipment to ensure conformance with Federal safety regulations.
Operate, install, calibrate, and maintain integrated computer/communications systems, consoles, simulators, and other data acquisition, test, and measurement instruments and equipment, which are used to launch, track, position, and evaluate air and space vehicles. May record and interpret test data.
Cost of Attendance
Tuition is charged per credit hour. Amounts shown are tuition only and do not include mandatory fees, technology-delivered course fees, course-specific fees, books, housing, meal plans, or other costs. Campus-based students may take technology-delivered or online courses. Tuition is based on student classification. Fees for technology-delivered courses and other costs are listed on the ODU tuition and fees page.
Ways to Fund Your Degree
There are a few ways for you to save on the cost of attending Old Dominion University, including scholarships, assistantships, and student loans. For more details about financial aid at Old Dominion, visit the Financial Aid Office page.
Frequently Asked Questions
ODU offers the Aerospace Engineering degree as both an M.S. and M.E. An M.S. is research-oriented and often includes a thesis; an M.E. is coursework-oriented for practicing engineers. Both are available online and on campus.
Yes. The degree is offered fully online through ODUGlobal and on campus in Norfolk.
The GRE can be waived for applicants with high GPAs from an ABET-accredited engineering degree.
An undergraduate degree in aerospace engineering, mechanical engineering, engineering mechanics, or a closely related field such as physics or mathematics. Applicants from other fields may complete up to three leveling courses, with a study plan set by the Graduate Program Director.
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