Aerospace Engineering (Astronautics) ,BSE
Aeronautics, Aerospace, Aerospace Engineer, Aircraft, Astronautics, Exploration, Spacecraft, approved for STEM-OPT extension
Have you often looked up at the night sky and pondered what's possible? Now is the time to turn your fascination into real-world spacecraft design. You'll learn to develop technologies that launch humans into orbit, explore distant planets and expand the boundaries of what's possible in space exploration.
Students in the Bachelor of Science in Engineering program in aerospace engineering gain expertise in technological areas critical to the design and development of aerospace vehicles and systems.
The astronautics concentration curriculum covers:
- attitude determination and control
- elective topics in aeronautics
- gas dynamics
- orbital mechanics
- rocket propulsion
- space environment
- space structures
- telecommunications
Students in the astronautics concentration culminate their major study with a two-semester capstone design project that incorporates the multiple disciplines involved in the creation of a space-going vehicle. Capstone courses AEE 445 and AEE 480 are taken in consecutive semesters.
Students are expected to attain the ability to:
- identify, formulate and solve complex engineering problems by applying principles of engineering, science and mathematics
- apply engineering design to produce solutions that meet specified needs, with consideration of public health, safety and welfare, as well as global, cultural, social, environmental and economic factors
- communicate effectively with a variety of audiences
- recognize ethical and professional responsibilities in engineering situations and make informed judgments, which must consider the impact of engineering solutions in global, economic, environmental and societal contexts
- function effectively on a team whose members together provide leadership, create a collaborative and inclusive environment, establish goals, plan tasks and meet objectives
- develop and conduct appropriate experimentation, analyze and interpret data, and use engineering judgment to draw conclusions
- acquire and apply new knowledge as needed, using appropriate learning strategies
Accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET, https://www.abet.org, under the General Criteria and the Aerospace Engineering Program Criteria.
This program may be eligible for an Optional Practical Training extension for up to 24 months. This OPT work authorization period may help international students gain skills and experience in the U.S. Those interested in an OPT extension should review ASU degrees that qualify for the STEM-OPT extension at ASU's International Students and Scholars Center website.
The OPT extension only applies to students on an F-1 visa and does not apply to students completing a degree through ASU Online.
- College/school:
Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering
- Location: Tempe
- Second language requirement: No
- STEM-OPT extension eligible: Yes
- First required math course: MAT 265 - Calculus for Engineers I
- Math
intensity: Substantial
This program allows students to obtain both a bachelor's and a master's degree in as little as five years. Accelerated bachelor's plus master's degree programs are designed for high-achieving students who want the opportunity to share undergraduate coursework with graduate coursework to accelerate completion of their master's degree. These programs feature the same high quality curriculum taught by ASU's world-renowned faculty.
This program is offered as an accelerated bachelor's plus master's degree with:
Students typically receive approval to pursue the accelerated master's during the junior year of their bachelor's degree program. Interested students can learn about eligibility requirements and how to apply.
General university admission requirements:
All students are required to meet general
university admission requirements.
First-year | Transfer | International | Readmission
Additional requirements:
The admission standards for majors in the Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering, shown below, are higher than minimum university admission standards. International students must meet the same admission standards, with the possible additional requirement of a minimum English language proficiency test score. If the university requires an English proficiency test score from the applicant, then admission to engineering requires requires a minimum total TOEFL iBT® score of 4 with a minimum section score of 3.5 (Reading: 3.5, Writing: 3.5, Listening: 3.5, Speaking: 3.5), or a score of 79 (taken at a testing center) if taken before Jan. 21, 2026; or a minimum IELTS score of 6.5; a minimum PTE score of 58; a minimum Duolingo English score of 105; or a minimum Cambridge English exam score of 176.
First-year admission:
- minimum 1210 SAT combined evidence-based reading and writing plus math score or minimum 24 ACT combined score, or a minimum high school cumulative GPA of 3.00 in ASU competency courses, or class ranking in top 25% of high school class, and
- no high school math or science competency deficiencies
Transfer admission requirements:
Transfer students with fewer than 24 transferable college credit hours: Transfer students with 24 or more transferable college credit hours must meet either the primary or the secondary criteria (not both): Primary criteria Secondary criteria
Admission requirements for many majors in the Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering are higher than university admission standards.
Students should visit the Change of Major form for information about how to change a major to this program.
ASU is committed to helping students thrive by offering tools that allow personalization of the transfer path to ASU. Students may use MyPath2ASU® to outline a list of recommended courses to take prior to transfer.
ASU has transfer partnerships in Arizona and across the country to create a simplified transfer experience for students. These pathway programs include exclusive benefits, tools and resources, and they help students save time and money in their college journey.
Program learning outcomes identify what a student will learn or be able to do upon completion of their program. This program’s learning outcomes include the following:
- Apply principles of mathematics and science to solve complex engineering problems (ABET Outcome)
- Apply engineering design to a student project with consideration of public welfare/other factors (ABET Outcome)
- Develop and conduct engineering experiments, and analyze and interpret data (ABET Outcome).
With more than 300 Global Education program opportunities available to them, aerospace engineering students are able to tailor their experience to their specific interests and skill sets. Whether in a foreign country, in the U.S. or online, students build communication skills, learn to adapt and persevere, and are exposed to research and internships across the world, increasing their professional network.
The Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering recommends these programs for students majoring in aerospace engineering.
The majority of students who enter the field of aerospace engineering desire to work on the design and analysis of aerospace vehicles. Most graduates are employed in the aerospace industry or in government positions related to aerospace. Specific careers in aerospace engineering include:
- aeronautical and space systems integration
- configuration development
- material and structural design
- propulsion engineering
- space mission design and analysis
- vehicle and component analysis using computer-aided tools
- vehicle design and performance
- wind tunnel and flight testing
The aerospace engineering program has the following educational objectives:
Through volunteering, entrepreneurial endeavors, community service and their employment, graduates demonstrate commitment to the Sun Devil ideals of global engagement, social embeddedness, social transformation and sustainability.
Graduates should attain one or more of the following objectives within a few years of degree completion:
- admission to a graduate degree program in aerospace engineering or another technical field
- admission to a professional degree program, such as law or business, in accordance with the graduate's specific interests and abilities
- employment in aerospace or other field in a position that capitalizes on the skills and abilities gained through the degree program in aerospace engineering, leading to positions of increasing responsibility and leadership within their organization
Example job titles and salaries listed below are not necessarily entry level, and students should take into consideration how years of experience and geographical location may affect pay scales. Some jobs also may require advanced degrees, certifications or state-specific licensure.
| Career | *Growth | *Median salary |
|---|---|---|
|
6.1%
|
$134,960
|
|
|
2.1%
|
$122,930
|
|
|
3.8%
|
$171,270
|
ASU programs that may lead to professional licensure or certification are intended to prepare students for potential licensure or certification in Arizona. Completion of an ASU program may not meet educational requirements for licensure or certification in another state. For more information, students should visit the ASU professional licensure webpage.
Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Program
|
USE 138
semte@asu.edu
480-965-2335
Program term definitions
Accelerated programs allow students the opportunity to expedite the completion of their degree.
Accelerated master's
These programs allow students to accelerate their studies to earn a bachelor's plus a master's degree in as few as five years (for some programs).
Each program has requirements students must meet to be eligible for consideration. Students typically receive approval to pursue the accelerated master's during the junior year of their bachelor's degree program. Interested students can learn about eligibility requirements and how to apply.
Concurrent degrees allow students to pursue their own personal or professional interests, earn two distinct degrees and receive two diplomas. To add a concurrent degree to your existing degree, work with your academic advisor.
Joint programs, or jointly conferred degrees, are offered by more than one college and provide opportunities for students to take advantage of the academic strengths of two academic units. Upon graduation, students are awarded one degree and one diploma conferred by two colleges.
ASU adds new programs to Degree Search frequently. Come back often and look for the "New Programs" option.
ASU Online offers programs in an entirely online format with multiple enrollment sessions throughout the year. See https://asuonline.asu.edu/ for more information.
