Aerospace Engineering Major: What It Includes, Classes and Careers

An Aerospace Engineering major designs aircraft, spacecraft, satellites and missiles. Aerospace engineering majors study aerodynamics, propulsion, structures, flight mechanics and control systems.

An Aerospace Engineering major includes coursework in aerodynamics, propulsion, aerospace structures, flight dynamics and control, and orbital mechanics and more. You build skills such as engineering analysis, CAD and simulation, testing, and programming. Programs often include team projects. Typical degrees: bachelor's, master's and doctoral degrees.

Typical courses include aerodynamics, propulsion, aerospace structures, flight dynamics and control, orbital mechanics, and design projects. Exact course names and requirements vary by college, and most degrees also include general education courses.

It depends on the level. Aerospace Engineering is offered as certificate, bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral awards at U.S. colleges; certificates take from a few months to about two years, a bachelor’s degree usually takes about four years of full-time study, a master’s degree usually takes one to two years after a bachelor’s, and a doctoral or professional degree takes several more years beyond that. Part-time study takes longer.

Bachelor's, master's and doctoral degrees. In the latest federal data, 11 colleges reported certificate awards, 73 colleges reported bachelor’s awards, 67 colleges reported master’s awards, and 45 colleges reported doctoral awards.

Career paths connected to aerospace engineering include aerospace engineer, aerospace engineering technician, avionics technician, aircraft mechanic, and mechanical engineer. Some roles need additional training, experience, certification or a license.

Examples include aerospace engineer (typical training: 4-year engineering degree), aerospace engineering technician (typical training: 2-year degree), avionics technician (typical training: 12–24 months), aircraft mechanic (typical training: 18–30 months), and mechanical engineer (typical training: 4 years).

Aerospace Engineering majors build skills such as engineering analysis, CAD and simulation, testing, programming, and teamwork.

Good pairings include Mathematics (supports aerodynamics and control analysis), Computer Science (adds programming for simulation and flight software), and Physics (deepens your understanding of flight and space).

Often, yes. Programs commonly include team projects. Ask each college how its program arranges hands-on work.

It can be a good fit if you are interested in the work it leads to, such as aerospace engineer, aerospace engineering technician, and avionics technician, and enjoy subjects like aerodynamics and propulsion. No major guarantees a job, so compare the coursework, the careers and the education each career requires before deciding.

How hard it feels depends on your strengths. Core coursework includes aerodynamics, propulsion, and aerospace structures; if those subjects interest you, the major is likely to feel more manageable. Reviewing a college’s course list and talking to current students helps you judge.

90 U.S. colleges reported awarding degrees or certificates in this field in the latest federal (IPEDS) data. Programs can have different names at different schools.

California (13), Florida (7), Ohio (7), Texas (7), and New York (5), based on the colleges that reported awards in this field.

82 of the colleges that offer aerospace engineering also report offering at least one program entirely online, though not necessarily this one. Use the college search with this major and “Offers fully online programs”, then confirm with the school.

Aerospace Engineering designs aircraft, spacecraft, satellites and missiles. Mechanical Engineering designs machines, engines, tools and mechanical systems. Aerospace Engineering leads to careers such as aerospace engineer and aerospace engineering technician, while Mechanical Engineering leads to careers such as mechanical engineer and mechanical engineering technician.

Aerospace Engineering designs aircraft, spacecraft, satellites and missiles. Electrical Engineering designs electrical systems, electronics, power and communications equipment. Aerospace Engineering leads to careers such as aerospace engineer and aerospace engineering technician, while Electrical Engineering leads to careers such as electrical engineer and electronics engineer.

Yes. Short online career training can help you understand a specific job and build practical knowledge alongside your classes. It does not replace your degree or any required license.

No. Career Education Institute is not a college and does not award degrees. It offers short, non-credit online trainings about jobs connected to aerospace engineering, such as Aerospace Engineer Training.