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Aerospace engineers design, maintain, and improve aircrafts and spacecrafts. Their work is integral to many important organizations and private enterprises.

During a master's in aerospace engineering, you'll prepare yourself to enter the workforce by applying science-based coursework with instrumentation and laboratory studies. You'll be tasked with learning complex research and development techniques as they relate to fluids, materials, propulsion, and structures. Online aerospace engineering master's programs include both practical and theoretical studies alongside a variety of tools and techniques.

Curious to explore other engineering degrees at the master's level? Check out our best online programs in different engineering fields:

• Master's in Industrial Engineering
• Master's in Mechanical Engineering
• Master's in Electrical Engineering

Yes, of course. Some of the best master's programs in aerospace engineering can be found online. As long as the university is accredited by the , or another regional organization, you can rest assured that your online degree is respected among potential employers.

Research presented at the found that the shift to online and hybrid instruction limited hands-on lab experiences and experimental work in engineering courses, and the paper recommends that online instructors rebuild assessment methods and engagement strategies deliberately. For a discipline built on instrumentation and laboratory studies, that finding is a useful checklist: when you compare online aerospace engineering programs, look for how each one replaces hands-on lab work, whether through simulated labs, intensive residencies, or employer-based projects.

Keep in mind, most online degrees in this field will require some in-person learning. Engineering is an area of study that requires a lot of hands-on work with equipment. This is especially true for aerospace engineering, where you'll need to use special instruments to design complex systems.

You'll likely start your college experience by filling out an entrance exam and applying for student loans and scholarships. This process can take months in and of itself. But once you're accepted, it's good to have an idea of how long you'll be studying at the master's level.

While bachelor's degrees in aerospace engineering generally take four years to complete, master's programs can add another one to two years to your education. Each program may vary in length, but most require 30 to 60 credit hours. For aerospace engineering master's programs online, students can often take on a more flexible schedule than on-campus degrees allow. In this case, your degree may take longer, but it may also allow you to maintain a job while you study. For those who have the resources to attend class full-time, an online program can be completed in less than two years.

Each master's program in aerospace engineering may have different requirements. However, if you've completed a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, or computer engineering, you will likely be accepted into a master's program in aerospace engineering. Your chances will be increased if you've taken courses related to aerospace or aviation, such as Aerodynamics or Thermodynamics.

Ideally, you'll have achieved your bachelor's degree in aerospace engineering, however colleges may also accept other degrees. Bachelor's degrees in aviation, engineering specialties, and space studies are suitable to prepare you for master's-level coursework. When it comes to grade point average, most schools require a 3.0 GPA or higher from your previous degree, which must also come from an accredited engineering institution. A Graduate Record Examination (GRE) may also be required for some programs.

NSF's reported that full-time master's enrollment in science, engineering, and health fields hit 287,022 in 2021, an all-time high driven by a ~44% jump in first-time, full-time master's students between 2020 and 2021. That surge means admission to strong graduate engineering programs has grown more competitive precisely as more applicants arrive with prior graduate coursework, so a 3.0 GPA, aerospace-related electives, and a clear statement of purpose matter more than they did a few years ago.

Aerospace engineering coursework blends physics, mechanics, and a variety of technical and theoretical studies. You can take many of these classes online through your school's learning management system. Some courses, however, require hands-on learning in laboratory settings, where you'll be tasked with designing, assembling, and repairing mechanical equipment. Let's take a look at some of the most common courses in an aerospace engineering master's program.

• Applied Aerodynamics: This course looks at finite wing theory and the mechanisms surrounding it. This critical element of study provides you with an understanding of the aerodynamics related to surface design and other aircraft parts, such as the propeller and rotor.
• Orbital Mechanics: You'll also study spacecraft mechanics outside of Earth's atmosphere. Topics here will include rocket dynamics, gravitation fields, perturbations, and orbit transfer. Each section is meant to provide you with an understanding of how spacecrafts function in a gravity-free environment.
• Hypersonic Aerothermodynamics: Here, you'll study the different aspects of aerothermodynamics when it comes to the high-speed travel of spacecraft and missiles. You'll also learn how to test and model crafts in a hypersonic environment.
• Finite Element Fundamentals: This course explores two-dimensional problems and energy principles. You'll discover the Ritz method — which looks at resonant frequencies of spring mass systems, such as complex flywheels — along with finite element methods.
• Gas Turbines: This fundamental aspect of aircraft propulsion requires a deep understanding as an aerospace engineer. In this course, you'll look at the design methodologies and performance analysis of gas turbines, including their complex system of compressors, nozzles, and combustors.

Aerospace engineers often work for government agencies or military branches, where they design equipment, such as satellites, aircraft, or spacecraft. If you're asking yourself, "Where can I work with a masters in aerospace engineering?," the answer varies depending on job availability and your preferences as a professional. 

You may wind up working for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) or the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), two popular organizations for aerospace graduates. Research facilities and academic institutions also hire aerospace engineers, allowing graduates to conduct studies in their field of interest.

Many aerospace engineering degrees require you to choose an area of specialization, otherwise known as a concentration.

One of the most common concentrations is aerodynamics and fluid dynamics. The former covers the movement of an object through the air while the latter looks at the movement of gasses and liquids.

Or, you may be interested in aerospace structures. In that case, you may want to choose a concentration focusing on how structures behave in high performance scenarios while flying at high speeds through air and space.

Propulsion is another specialization on offer from aerospace master's degrees, wherein you'll learn how to design and test propulsion components from both spacecraft and aircraft.

Below, you'll find some potential engineering careers for those who graduate with a master's in aerospace engineering. 

Becoming an is the most common aspiration coming from aerospace engineering students. In this role, you'll get the opportunity to design a number of different systems, including missiles, satellites, aircraft, and spacecraft. Roles often emerge within the federal government and military, or a handful of private companies. 

, sometimes known as operations technologists, run the systems that test the mechanical structures and capabilities of aircraft and spacecraft. They play a vital role in the safety and performance of these structures. Typically, this role may have you working in manufacturing plants or laboratories.

Maybe you'd like to stay within the academic world and become a ? With your background in aerospace engineering you'll be able to teach students the fundamentals of the underlying technologies, physics, and mechanics that drive your field while giving speeches and symposiums. You may also participate in academic research to move forward the field of aerospace technology.

work directly on the maintenance and testing of aircrafts. They use their knowledge of mechanical and aerospace engineering to ensure systems are functioning properly and that they're capable of high-speed air travel. You'll install machinery, maintain parts, and test electrical equipment.

Most entry-level roles in the field of aerospace engineering do not require licensure. Beyond these roles, you'll likely be required to possess a license by either your employer or the state.

The two most common licenses come from the Professional Engineering (PE) and Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exams. The (NCEES) administers these exams, which — upon completion — makes you an officially licensed engineer in your state.

SpaceX, one of the most prominent private enterprises in space travel, offers aerospace engineers a little more than  per year, according to anonymous employee submissions on Glassdoor. NASA also , with aerospace being one of the most common fields from which they choose candidates. 

Earning a master's degree in aerospace engineering will prepare you for a lifelong career in a highly competitive industry. If you enjoy solving complex problems and learning both theoretical and practical engineering skills, then earning a master's degree will be worth it. Engineers enjoy high-paying salaries, fulfilling work, and abundant job opportunities in various fields. Let's look at the potential benefits, and possible drawbacks, of studying aerospace engineering:

Potential Benefits

• The average engineering salary is higher than most other jobs. Aerospace engineers generally make over $134,830 per year, as per the .
• Aerospace engineers usually receive excellent benefits. In general, roles in aerospace engineering offer employees both health and life insurance, along with retirement plans and time-off for vacation.
• Aerospace engineers enjoy fulfilling work. According to CareerExplorer's , they are in the top 34% of careers. As a professional, you'll get the opportunity to work on exciting crafts meant for space travel or develop sustainable systems that are designed to cut back on deadly carbon emissions. 

Potential Drawbacks

• Aerospace engineers may travel often for work. One of the cons of working on large spacecraft and aircraft is that they're often located off-site in large facilities. This means you may be required to travel, or even relocate for a certain job role. 
• Remote work is uncommon for aerospace engineers. Another livability factor to consider is that most roles in this field will require you to work in an office, manufacturing facility, research lab. 
• Aerospace engineers spend a lot of time in front of a computer. Although some hands-on work for maintenance is often required, a lot of the design work is done through computer-aided design programs. Even during flight testing scenarios in a live airfield, much of the work is done behind a computer screen. 

Aerospace engineering degrees require a thorough understanding of scientific fields, equations, theories, and mechanics. This means you'll need to be educated in complex mathematics, physics, and technologies. If you plan on leading a team or running a department, employers may ask that you have expertise in communication, business, analytics, and even project management. These factors make aerospace engineering a difficult field to study.

Earning an engineering degree is difficult — regardless of what level you're at. If you're able to complete an online master's degree in aerospace engineering you'll be put in a lucrative, albeit competitive, field. Professionals often consider this a fulfilling role because you'll have the opportunity to work on exciting projects, like building crafts or satellites that are sent to space to collect vital data, or work on aircraft and other technologies used by the military. Furthermore, salaries for aerospace engineers are higher than average and include solid benefits for employees. If you have the dedication and determination, master's degree holders in this field will see benefits long after graduation.