Astronautical Engineering

Program Description [back to top]

The USC Master of Science in Astronautical Engineering program encompasses the dynamic and cutting-edge field of advanced space technology, with a unique focus on spacecraft engineering.  It is exceptionally relevant today due to the growing importance of space to both national security and the economy.  This program exposes students to the most current industry practices by offering specialized courses in the program taught by adjunct faculty who are leading specialists in the space industry.  This degree will enable you to enhance your career by acquiring knowledge in your chosen area of space technology, while improving your potential for advancement into systems engineering or other leadership positions.  This program is especially suited for you if you intend to work in the space industry or in government research and development centers.

Application Criteria [back to top]

• Bachelor of Science degree in engineering or science
  
  
• Cumulative undergraduate GPA of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale
  
  
• General portion of the Graduate Record Examination (GRE)
  
  
• Two Letters of Recommendation
  
  
• Statement of Purpose (optional)
  
  
• For international students whose first language is not English, a minimum score of 600 on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) is required to be excused from English language course requirements
  
  Note:  If the applicant's degree is in a field of science or engineering other than aerospace engineering, he or she may be required to take 1-3 upper-division undergraduate classes to make up the deficiency.
  

Graduation Requirements [back to top]

A minimum number of 27 units is required for the M.S. in Astronautical Engineering degree:

• Core Course Requirement: 6 units
  
  
• Core Elective Requirement: 3 units
  
  
• Technical Elective Requirement: 12 units
  -It is advisable to select these four elective courses from either the list of core electives or from the list of recommended technical electives.
  
  
• Engineering Mathematics Requirement: 6 units
  
  
• No more than 3 units of directed research (ASTE 590) can be applied to the 27-unit degree requirement.
  
  
• At least 21 units must be at the 500 or 600 level
  
  
• A minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 is required for graduation.

Course Descriptions [back to top]

How To Apply [back to top]

In order to evaluate any application for admission, application materials must be submitted by the deadlines listed:

June 15th Fall admission
October 1st Spring admission
February 15th Summer admission

Please submit the following to the USC Office of Graduate Admission via the online application system by clicking here.

• Statement of Purpose (optional)
  • The statement of purpose should describe succinctly your reasons for applying to the proposed program at the Viterbi School of Engineering, your preparation for this field of study, study interests, future career plans, and other aspects of your background and interests which may aid the admissions committee in evaluating your aptitude and motivation for graduate study.




• Two Letters of Recommendation
• Letters of recommendation should be from faculty or others (supervisors, professional colleagues, etc.) qualified to evaluate your potential for graduate study. They should be written on official letterhead.

Please arrange to have the following sent to the USC Office of Admission as a hard copy (USC Graduate Office of Admission, University Park Campus, Los Angeles, CA  90089-0915):

• Official Transcript(s) from all post-secondary schools you have attended, and official translations if they are not in English.
  
  
• General GRE scores (no older than 5 years). Official scores must be sent through ETS to the University of Southern California, ETS code 4852)
  
  
• TOEFL scores (required for international students)

NOTE:  If you meet our minimum qualifications, you can get started BEFORE you are formally admitted to USC, as a "LIMITED" student! Click here for more information.

Contact Information [back to top]

For the Astronautics & Space Technology Division:

Dell Cuason
Student Services Advisor
Astronautics & Space Technology Division
Tel: (213) 821-5817
Fax: (213) 821-5819

Email: cuason@usc.edu

Professor Daniel Erwin
Chair

Astronautics & Space Technology Division
Tel: (213) 740-5358
Fax: (213) 821-5819

Email: erwin@usc.edu

For the USC Distance Education Network (DEN):

Ray Fujioka
Master's and Professional Programs [MAPP]
Tel: (213) 740-4488
Fax: (213) 821-0851
Email: info@den.usc.edu