Aerospace Engineering

Program Description [back to top]

The USC Master of Science degree in Aerospace Engineering is designed to give students exposure to at least two different areas of Aerospace Engineering through concentration and breadth requirements, at the same time allowing students to pursue their interests through flexibility in the selection of technical electives.  Six specialization tracks are available for the DEN student to choose from: aerodynamics/fluid dynamics, aerospace control, aerospace design, aerospace structures, computational fluid dynamics, and propulsion.

Application Criteria [back to top]

• A B.S. degree in engineering, math or hard science from a regionally-accredied university
  
  
• Cumulative undergraduate GPA of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale
  
  
• Satisfactory scores on the general portion of the Graduate Record Examinations (GRE) with a minimum score of 650 on the quantitative portion and 350 on the verbal portion
  
  
• Two Letters of Recommendation (optional)
  
  
• Statement of Purpose
  
  
• For international students whose first language is not English, in order to be excused from the mandatory International Standard English (ISE) placement exam, applicants must score at least:
  
  
  • 250 or higher on the computer-based TOEFL
  • 600 or higher on the paper-based TOEFL
  • 100 or higher on the Internet-based TOEFL (iBT) with no less than 20 on each of the four individual sections

Graduation Requirements [back to top]

• Required Engineering Analyses Courses: 6 units
  
  
• Core Requirements from your Specialization Track: 3, 6, or 9 units
  
  
• Breadth Requirement - select one core course from a specialization track other than yours: 3 units
  
  
• Recommended technical elective from your selected program of study (at least one course): 3 units
  
  
• Remaining units can be courses from technical electives within your selected program of study.  Please consult and receive approval from an MSAE graduate advisor before enrolling in these courses.
  
  
• A minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 is required for graduation.

Course Descriptions [back to top]

Specialization Tracks [back to top]

Please note that the courses listed above are those available via DEN. Additional course choices are available on campus. Please consult the department website for the complete list of options.

How To Apply [back to top]

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

June 1st 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
  • 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 (optional)
• 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 USC Aerospace & Mechanical Engineering Department:

Samantha Graves
Student Services Advisor
Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering
Tel: 213-740-1735
Fax: 213-740-7774

Email: smgraves@usc.edu

Professor J.A. Domaradzki
Program Director, M.S. in Aerospace Engineering

Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering
Tel: (213) 740-5357

Fax: 213-740-7774
Email: jad@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