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Guide to College Majors in Aerospace Engineering

What is Aerospace Engineering?

The always-evolving field of aerospace engineering is one of the most challenging career paths in the world. Technology is advancing at a rate unparalleled since the Industrial Revolution. Aerospace engineers are at the forefront of that expansion, as they research, design, and develop high-speed transportation vehicles, such as:

• Aircraft
• Spacecraft
• Missiles
• Space stations
• Lunar vehicles

Aerospace engineering majors learn about the analysis, synthesis, and design of aeronautical and aerospace vehicles. Students can specialize in either aeronautics (aircraft design) or aerospace (spacecraft design) at an undergraduate level.

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What kinds of courses do aerospace engineers take?

The general academic program for aerospace engineers begins with two years of science and basic engineering coursework. After that, two more years of specialized courses allow students to hone their career paths. Specialized courses cover topics like:

• Propulsion
• Structure
• Thermodynamics
• Controls
• Avionics

What kinds of jobs can I expect as an aerospace engineer?

After earning their college degrees, aerospace engineering majors can choose from a wide array of careers, including positions in:

• Research
• Design & development
• Management
• Field service
• Marketing & sales
• Software development
• Teaching

Educational and career goals vary from program to program, centered on the two main branches of aerospace engineering, aircraft/missiles and spacecraft. Some institutions provide a curriculum that covers both areas. Other schools completely separate the two disciplines and offer degree programs in both aeronautics and aerospace engineering. A handful of universities offer only aeronautic or aerospace engineering. Thanks to advances in technology, several universities now offer online master's degrees in aerospace engineering, allowing working professionals to study without leaving their current jobs in this competitive field.

When considering an education in aerospace engineering, prepare to encounter a significant amount of actual design and implementation in addition to coursework. Career choices are nearly limitless, since the entire aerospace field grows at such a rapid pace.

Traits of Successful Aerospace Engineers

College admissions counselors have also identified some extracurricular activities and personality traits shared by the most successful aerospace engineering majors. These interests include:

• Model aircraft and rocketry
• Astronomy
• Piloting
• Space exploration
• Computer games
• Engine operation
• Computer programming
• General problem solving and people skills

Career Education in Aerospace Engineering

Undergraduate and graduate degree and certificate programs

To enter a bachelor's degree program in aerospace engineering, you must possess a high school diploma or a GED. In addition, admissions officers review an applicant's transcript to decide whether a student could be a successful aerospace engineering major. Prospective aerospace engineering majors should take as many science courses as possible. Understanding foreign languages, especially German and Japanese, also paves the way for success in this global specialty.

Associate's Degrees in Aerospace Engineering

Unlike other engineering specialties, which offer students the opportunity to qualify for apprentice positions by completing an associate's degree program, the aerospace engineering industry encourages job seekers to enroll directly into a four-year bachelor's degree program.

A handful of schools do offer associate's degrees in aerospace engineering, but they reserve those positions for engineers who have degrees in related fields. By allowing those engineers to catch up with their colleagues, associate's degree programs allow career changers to enter the profession while maintaining the consistency and quality of education for the benefit of public safety.

Bachelor's Degrees in Aerospace Engineering

Most aerospace engineering majors earn their bachelor's degree in four years. In an aerospace engineering degree program, students should expect to enroll in a series of specialized classes. These classes will often include subjects like:

Master's Degrees in Aerospace Engineering

For a successful career in the aerospace industry, a master's degree is generally the minimum requirement. Professionals who already possess a bachelor's degree can pursue a Master of Science in Aerospace Engineering. Aerospace engineering majors who transfer in from another career may be required to complete a series of undergraduate-level prerequisites in order to qualify for the more rigorous graduate level courses. At this level, online master's degree programs are available for students who've already completed hands-on training at the undergraduate level.

Master's students in aerospace engineering can specialize in one or more critical areas in their field. For example, many choose to focus on aerodynamics and propulsion, in order to prepare themselves for careers as engine designers. Students interested in aircraft or spacecraft design can specialize in flight vehicle structures and materials. Meanwhile, prospective safety specialists can concentrate on flight dynamics, safety and controls.

An online master's degree opens up a wealth of opportunities for experienced aerospace engineers. In addition to pursuing lucrative careers in the private sector, many master's degree holders serve as advisors or adjunct faculty at major universities and research institutions.

Doctorate Degrees in Aerospace Engineering

Experienced aerospace engineers who hold master's degrees in their specialty may choose to pursue a PhD. Doctoral programs in engineering are extremely research-intensive. Many PhD candidates work with veteran faculty members on highly innovative development programs, in conjunction with the U.S. government or with private industry.

Many of the innovations in aircraft design that we take for granted today started out as research projects for doctoral candidates. Once they earn their doctorates, these aerospace engineers not only share their passion for their field with future generations of students, but also spearhead the next wave of groundbreaking design for tomorrow's astronauts and travelers.

Doctorate programs vary by length, depending on the student's specialty and the amount of time s/he can devote to research. Though most research projects are extremely hands-on, online courses and other distance learning tools have opened up these programs significantly in the last few years. Many working professionals can participate in worldwide research programs by connecting over the Internet. Instead of working on design models in a studio, they can run simulations online.

Doctoral candidates can participate in advanced research opportunities by competing for fellowships at colleges and universities nationwide. Fellows often enjoy significant benefits, such as priority access to equipment like supercomputers and wind tunnels. They also benefit from close connections with the institutions that fund the fellowships, such as corporations or influential family foundations.

In order to retain qualified aerospace engineers, many major employers offer their staff tuition reimbursement programs that cover the cost of online degree programs. Some companies take this dedication to professional development even further by providing their engineers with space and resources to conduct research in-house. The company benefits by retaining the rights to the discoveries, while the engineers benefit from an accelerated path to a higher degree and, ultimately, more income from salary and patent royalties.

What Can You Do with a College Major in Aerospace Engineering?

Career options for aspiring aerospace engineers

Most careers in aerospace engineering involve designing and developing flight-worthy aircraft. Your education level determines your eligibility for various types of job opportunities. The higher the degree you earn, the more positions you may pursue, and the higher the salary you can expect.

Most aerospace engineers work directly within the aerospace industry. This sector comprises many organizations, such as aerospace prime contractors (and major suppliers), the propulsion industry, academia, NASA, the Department of Defense (and other government agencies) and the airlines. Aerospace industry professionals work in research and development, marketing, computer applications and more.

In order to have an effective career in the research and development industry, a master's degree is recommended. A doctorate is usually required for individuals wishing to teach at a university level or in advanced research.

Other Aerospace Careers

Not limited to aerospace engineering alone, students have used a bachelor's degree in the field to go on to graduate degrees in medicine, law, and business. Here are a few of the different career paths available to aerospace engineering majors.

• Commercial Aerospace Engineers - A quick check of any travel website will prove that the airline business remains one of America's most competitive industries. With rising fuel costs, increased pressure to reduce CO2 emissions, and growing passenger demand for improved amenities, airlines rely on commercial aerospace engineers to develop innovative, efficient new forms of air travel.
  
  Although many commercial aerospace engineers build aircraft that can stand the test of time, the threat of climate change and increased delay at airports (both problems stemming from too many planes in the sky) are forcing designers back to the drawing board. Therefore, expert design firms invest significant resources into developing new aircraft that meet these needs while allowing for creative repurposing in the future.
• Military Aerospace Engineers - It's no secret that the U.S. military is stretched thin. As they attempt to do more with less money, military aerospace engineers work hard to develop innovative new tools to combat our enemies effectively while minimizing civilian casualties.
  
  In recent years, military aerospace engineers have developed astonishing devices like remote control surveillance aircraft and laser-guided weapons systems. Tools like these allow soldiers to fight wars with less collateral damage on both sides of a conflict.
• Spacecraft Designers - Job opportunities in this field used to be limited to a handful of potential employers. But advances in technology and worldwide competitions like the X-Prize have revolutionized the space industry. More than ever before, private companies are making plans to send tourists, researchers, and business professionals into space - even if the flights only last a few hours.
  
  Companies like Virgin Atlantic and dozens of smaller countries just launching their own space exploration programs demand more qualified aerospace engineers to (literally) help their ideas get off the ground. Because of the tremendous risks involved, many spacecraft designers spend most of their time working on supercomputer simulations. This new technology significantly reduces expenses for their employers, while assuring the safety for a craft's eventual passengers.
• Engineering, Science and Data Processing Managers - As aerospace engineering shifts more of its research and development to simulations running on supercomputers, a new breed of data processing managers has emerged to make these simulations more efficient and more effective. By analyzing data flow and deploying state-of-the-art solutions, these specialists can help significantly reduce the amount of time it takes for a new product to reach the market.
  
  In addition, many data processing managers serve as another fail-safe system in major manufacturing operations. They can monitor and report on data that indicate problems with a project, and their background in aerospace engineering provides the skill to participate in the search for effective solutions.
• Inspectors and Compliance Officers - The safety of passengers and people on the ground depends on the quality work of aerospace engineers and their teams. Therefore, many experienced aerospace engineers serve as inspectors and compliance officers, who enforce a wide range of laws and regulations.
  
  Inspectors work for government safety boards as well as for private companies. In fact, aerospace manufacturers employ many in-house inspectors in order to detect potential faults or violations before an official inspection takes place. A growing number of inspectors work as consultants for smaller companies who want to spread their innovation to the public, but have not yet grown the resources to maintain large, in-house compliance staffs.
• Mechanical Engineers - Mechanical engineers design, research, and develop tools, engines, and machines, including many of the main and peripheral systems used in aerospace engineering. These systems can be as enormous as a rocket propulsion engine or as small as a warning sensor in a space shuttle.
• Drafters - Drafters prepare the technical drawings and specification sheets that are used by production and manufacturing personnel to build spacecraft, aircraft, and more. These drawings must be incredibly detailed, encompassing every facet of the craft and including views from all sides.

Salary Expectations for Aerospace Engineers

The U.S. Department of Labor reports that the median annual earnings of aerospace engineers were $87,610 in 2004. According to a 2003 salary survey by the National Association of Colleges and Employers, bachelor's degree graduates in aerospace engineering received starting salary offers averaging $48,028 a year, master's degree holders were offered $61,162, and doctoral graduates were offered $68,406.

Certification and Licensure

State and federal governments do not require any specific licenses for aerospace engineers. Most employers rely on the solid foundation of a job seeker's academic credentials. Licensing and certification is reserved for the products designed and developed by aerospace engineers. These certifications, for the most part, come from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and, in the realm of space travel, are self-imposed by NASA (National Aeronautics and Space Administration).

Other Aerospace Engineering Associations

• Aerospace Industries Association
• American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Inc.