Ever wanted to be able to reach new heights in your career? Well now you can with the best online master's degrees in aeronautics and aviation.
Aeronautics is a scientific field that is concerned with things that fly; it is often a concentration in aerospace engineering degrees. Aviation is the actual practice of flying those things. Both fields of study are interconnected and will train students in the necessary engineering principles, mathematics, aircraft design, security issues, and aviation law. As most jobs in this field will require an advanced degree and training, an online master's degree in this study is an ideal choice for many experienced, working professionals.
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What type of master's in aeronautics & aviation should you get?
The most common degree in aeronautics and aviation will either be a master's of science or a master's of engineering in aerospace engineering. While an MS will typically be more research-focused and most likely require a thesis, an ME is considered more "hands-on" and focuses on developing the hard skills needed for the job. Students interested in pursuing a PhD should aim for an MS degree.
An online degree may be the ideal option for those who wish to continue to work while pursuing their degree. Many online programs are meant to only be taken part-time, or with only a few courses taken per semester. Courses may be held synchronously, where everyone in the class meets at certain times, or asynchronously where coursework/tests can be completed on one's own time by a specific deadline. Online master's programs may also have a thesis or non-thesis track, allowing students to fit their degree to their career plans.
You can cross-reference this list with College Choice's overall ranking of the Best Online Colleges and Universities.
How much money do people make with an online master's in aeronautics & aviation?
According toPayScale, the average salary for someone who has an MS in aerospace engineering is $85,000. Here are some of the average salaries for aeronautics jobs:
Aerospace engineering: $110,570
Mechanical engineer: $84,726
Propulsion engineer: $78,374
Manufacturing engineer: $69,073
The top employer in this field is The Boeing Company. Although aerospace engineers are expected to make a six figure salary, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that these jobs are actually declining, with a two percent decline from the years of 2014 to 2024. However, there are several alternative careers that those with a master's in aeronautics and aviation prepare you for. Other careers include industrial engineering, computer hardware engineering, or other jobs within the STEM field.
What can you do with an online master's in aeronautics & aviation?
An advanced degree in aeronautics and aviation prepares graduates for careers in manufacturing, designing, or operating airplanes or other machinery that fly. Although the most common job is an engineer, graduates can also become pilots or professors with additional job requirements. Aircraft pilots typically work for commercial airlines and must receive extensive training and certification. Professors must obtain their PhD and have some job experience under their belt.
Another career that is often not talked about is to become an aviation manager. These jobs oversee departments of airlines and airports. Managers must have a high level of technical knowledge as well as a solid understanding of aviation laws. Some common jobs in this field include air traffic controller, freight and cargo manager, or airline manager.
What are the requirements for an online master's in aeronautics & aviation?
Because this program is a highly competitive one, applicants should aim to have a GPA of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale. Although most schools do not require a bachelor's degree directly in aeronautics and aviation, they do require a related field in engineering. Students should take advanced mathematics and engineering courses to prepare them for this master's degree. In addition, students should submit any graduate test exam scores, letters of recommendation, and supplemental essays as needed.
During the actual program, students will be required to take a variety of major and elective courses. Depending on if the program offers specific concentrations, students will have to take additional coursework in those areas. Although most programs do not have a required internship or residency, many schools have opportunities at the graduate level for gaining work experience in the field. Students should meet with a counselor or talk with a major representative about making the most out of their online learning experience.
What are the best online master's in aeronautics & aviation?
College Choice has compiled a list of the 20 best online programs for this major. These schools were chosen based on a variety of data points where we measured overall school excellence and student success. School excellence was measured based on things such as graduation rate, student-to-faculty ratio, and school reputation. Student success was measured based on average student indebtedness after graduation, average financial aid received, and early starting career for graduates. Data comes from the U.S. News & World Report, PayScale, individual college websites, and the National Education Statistics Center's IPEDs database.
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