MS Aerospace Engineering

The Master of Science (M.S.) in Aerospace Engineering at the University of California, Los Angeles, provides advanced training for students who want to develop expertise in aircraft and spacecraft technologies, aerodynamic performance, propulsion systems, and aerospace structures. Offered through the UCLA Samueli School of Engineering, the program suits students with a strong engineering background who want to strengthen their analytical and design skills through graduate coursework, with options to pursue independent research through a thesis or demonstrate their expertise through a comprehensive examination.

Curriculum Structure

The traditional M.S. program requires at least nine courses totaling 36 units, including a minimum of five graduate-level courses. Students can choose between a thesis plan, which includes independent research, and a capstone or comprehensive examination plan, which assesses their mastery of aerospace engineering concepts. Students consult with a faculty adviser to develop an appropriate study plan based on their academic background and interests.

Year 1: Core Aerospace Engineering Knowledge

During the initial stage of study, students build a strong technical foundation through courses covering aerodynamics, combustion, aerospace structures, and space technology. Relevant course options include MECH&AE 150B: Aerodynamics, which examines the principles governing airflow and aerodynamic performance; MECH&AE 150C: Combustion and Energy Systems, which explores combustion processes and energy conversion; and MECH&AE 161B: Introduction to Space Technology, which introduces important concepts in space systems and technologies. These courses are illustrative options, and the exact sequence depends on the student's approved study plan.

Year 2: Advanced Specialization and Research or Comprehensive Assessment

As students progress, they can deepen their expertise through advanced graduate courses in fluid mechanics, computational aerodynamics, propulsion, structural design, and control systems. Options include MECH&AE 250B: Viscous and Turbulent Flows, which explores complex fluid behavior; MECH&AE 250D: Computational Aerodynamics, which focuses on computational methods for aerodynamic analysis; and MECH&AE C250P: Aircraft Propulsion Systems, which examines propulsion technologies for aircraft. Depending on the selected degree plan, students complete an approved research thesis or fulfill the comprehensive examination requirement; the program's typical completion time is five academic quarters.

Focus Areas

Students can develop expertise in several technical areas supported by UCLA's Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Department:

• Aerodynamics and Computational Fluid Dynamics: Analyzing airflow, compressible flows, turbulence, and aerodynamic performance through mathematical modeling and simulation.

• Propulsion and Combustion: Studying aircraft and rocket propulsion, combustion processes, energy systems, and propulsion efficiency.

• Space Technology: Exploring spacecraft systems, spaceflight technologies, and applications of aerospace engineering beyond Earth's atmosphere.

• Structures and Dynamics: Understanding aerospace structural design, structural behavior, stability, and dynamic response.

• Systems and Control: Developing knowledge of control systems, flight dynamics, optimization, and the analysis of complex engineering systems.

• Fluid Mechanics and Heat Transfer: Investigating fluid behavior, heat and mass transfer, and their applications in aerospace systems.

Learning Outcomes

Graduates can strengthen their ability to apply advanced engineering principles to aerospace problems, analyze fluid flow and propulsion systems, evaluate structural performance, and use computational techniques to solve complex technical challenges. They can also develop skills in mathematical modeling, systems analysis, control, and research methodology, depending on their chosen coursework and degree plan. The program's combination of advanced technical study and independent assessment prepares students to approach aerospace engineering challenges with analytical depth and practical problem-solving skills.

Professional Alignment (Accreditation)

The M.S. in Aerospace Engineering supports students pursuing advanced technical roles in aerospace engineering, aircraft and spacecraft design, propulsion development, computational fluid dynamics, structural analysis, and control systems. It may also provide a foundation for further research or doctoral study. UCLA's department explicitly identifies ABET accreditation for its undergraduate Aerospace Engineering and Mechanical Engineering degrees; however, its official materials do not identify separate ABET accreditation for the M.S. program. Applicants should confirm any specific accreditation requirements relevant to their intended professional pathway.

Reputation (Employability and Rankings)

UCLA's aerospace engineering graduate program has a strong academic and research reputation. In its announcement published on April 8, 2025, UCLA's Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering reported that the aerospace engineering graduate program ranked No. 9 nationally in the 2025 U.S. News & World Report Best Graduate Schools rankings, placing it among the top 10 aerospace engineering graduate programs in the United States. The department's research spans areas such as computational fluid dynamics, propulsion, spacecraft technology, and aerospace structures, giving students access to a broad engineering research environment. This ranking reflects academic reputation and does not guarantee a particular employment outcome.