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UA Catalog Listing Graduate School Listing Degree WorksThe Department of Aerospace Engineering and Mechanics offers a Master of Science in aerospace engineering and mechanics degree via an on-campus program and an off-campus (distance learning) program through OTIDE.
An MSAEM can be earned by coursework only or by a combination of coursework and an approved thesis. Most distance learning students elect to complete the coursework only degree option. On-campus students supported by assistantships are expected to complete an approved thesis. Students have six years to complete either the Plan I or Plan II programs.
Official program requirements are documented in the graduate catalog. A summary is presented here.
A total of 30 semester credit hours is required for a Masters of Science in aerospace engineering and mechanics degree. For the MSAEM Plan I option, these credit hours consist of:
Elective coursework must be approved by the student’s advisor. Of the 12 Elective coursework credit hours, at least 6 hours must have an AEM designation.
All students must complete a minimum of one (1) class from the Aerospace Core listing of classes and one (1) class from the Mechanics Core listing of classes.
Aerospace Core
Mechanics Core
For more information about when courses are offered, see the 2023-2027 Course Rotation.
A total of six credit hours of mathematics is required. Consult with your advisor regarding approved math courses. The most commonly taken courses are GES 551, GES 554, ME 501 and ST 560.
A student must complete at least 12 hours of elective coursework. These courses are typically AEM courses, but other approved courses are acceptable. The specific courses must be approved by the student’s advisor.
The student is required to submit a written thesis and defend in front of a thesis committee for approval by the committee and the graduate school.
With approval of the UA Graduate School, a maximum of 12 hours of graduate credit for coursework completed at another institution may be applied toward the 24 credit hour coursework requirement for the MSAEM Plan I degree. The maximum of 12 hours of graduate transfer credit includes the six hours of credit transferred from Test Pilot School, if applicable. Transferred courses must be relevant to the program and earned during the six years (18 fall, spring and summer semesters) prior to the admission into the MSAEM program. A grade of B or higher is required. Students who have earned post-baccalaureate course credit are encouraged to explore transfer credit opportunities. For additional information, visit the transfer credit policy at the UA Graduate School website.
A total of 30 semester credit hours is required for a Master of Science in aerospace engineering and mechanics degree. For the MSAEM Plan II option, these credit hours consist of:
Elective coursework must be approved by the student’s advisor. Of the 18 Elective coursework credit hours, at least 12 hours must have an AEM designation.
All students must complete a minimum of one (1) class from the Aerospace Core listing of classes and one (1) class from the Mechanics Core listing of classes.
Aerospace Core
Mechanics Core
A total of six credit hours of mathematics is required. Consult with your advisor regarding approved math courses. The most commonly taken courses are GES 551, GES 554, ME 501 and ST 560.
A student must complete a least 18 hours of elective coursework. These courses are typically AEM courses, but other approved courses are acceptable. The specific courses must be approved by student’s advisor.
Students pursuing the MSAEM Plan II degree option have the choice of completing one of the following options to satisfy the requirement of a comprehensive examination or culminating experience:
The student must have completed at least 18 hours of coursework prior to submitting the written report for the culminating experience. The approved written report for the culminating experience must be submitted no later than the thesis deadline date during the semester in which the student intends to graduate. The comprehensive examination option may only be attempted once. In the event of a failure, the student can then pursue the culminating experience report option.
With approval of the UA Graduate School, a maximum of 12 hours of graduate credit for coursework completed at another institution may be applied toward the 30 credit hour coursework requirement for the MSAEM Plan II degree. The maximum of 12 hours of graduate transfer credit includes the six hours of credit transferred from Test Pilot School, if applicable. Transferred courses must be relevant to the program and earned during the six years (18 fall, spring and summer semesters) prior to the admission into the MSAEM program. A grade of B or higher is required. Students who have earned post-baccalaureate course credit are encouraged to explore transfer credit opportunities. For additional information, visit the transfer credit policy at the UA Graduate School website.
