Graduate Programs

Top-Ranked Graduate Education

The Aerospace Engineering (ASE) graduate program at The University of Texas at Austin is a top-10 nationally ranked program where students perform world-class research under the supervision of distinguished faculty. Students have the opportunity to complete advanced study and research leading to the Master of Science degree and the Doctor of Philosophy degree. Our graduates go on to pursue careers as engineers, scientists, inventors, astronauts, administrators, and leaders in the field of aerospace engineering.

Degree Programs

We offer advanced study and research leading to the Master of Science in Engineering degree and the Doctor of Philosophy degree in aerospace engineering. The normal prerequisite for graduate study is a Bachelor of Science degree in aerospace engineering or in a related field of engineering. Graduate study is possible for those with degrees in science or mathematics, but some undergraduate coursework will be needed to make up any deficiencies.

M.S. PROGRAM

Ph.D. PROGRAM

ASE and EM Programs

There are two requirements for Ph.D. candidacy in the aerospace engineering and engineering mechanics programs:

• Passing the written qualifying exams.
• Passing the oral qualifying exam.

Further requirements to complete the PhD degree include:

1. Completing any required coursework.

2. Complete annual reviews (due April 15th).

3. Completing a dissertation and passing a final oral examination.

World-Class Graduate Education

The Engineering Mechanics (EM) graduate program at The University of Texas at Austin prepares Master of Science and Doctor of Philosophy students for continued work in academia and industry. Graduates are equipped to solve technical problems in a wide range of fields including aerospace, automotive, petroleum, manufacturing, and computer engineering to name a few. Our faculty possess a broad range of expertise in experimental, theoretical, and computational mechanics.

Degree Programs

We offer advanced study and research leading to the Master of Science in Engineering degree and the Doctor of Philosophy degree in engineering mechanics. The normal prerequisite for graduate study is a Bachelor of Science degree in engineering mechanics or in a related field of engineering. Graduate study is possible for those with degrees in science or mathematics, but some undergraduate coursework will be needed to make up any deficiencies.

M.S. PROGRAM

Ph.D. PROGRAM

All graduate school applications are considered for financial aid. Offers from faculty are typically funded by external grants, but please note not all faculty will be recruiting in a given recruiting cycle. We encourage you to include the faculty you are interested in working with in your personal statements and other inputs on the application. Financial aid comes in the form of GRA (Graduate Research Assistant), TA (Teaching Assistant), fellowships, or some combination. Please note that GRA/TA appointments are not guaranteed semester to semester as it depends on the changing needs of each faculty. 

Ph.D. students are typically offered a GRA assignment from faculty where M.S. students can apply to be a TA each semester. We encourage students to apply for a TA in our department as well as other departments (ex. Math, Physics, COE, etc.) to maximize the likelihood of receiving a TA assignment. Applications typically open Feb-April for the Fall semester for admitted students. Decisions are typically made mid-late May for the Fall Semester.

Students who receive a 20 hour GRA or TA will receive the Texas resident rate, Tuition Reduction Benefit (TRB), medical insurance, and a stipend. 

More information on fellowship opportunities is available on the Cockrell School's Graduate Funding page.

Other information on financial aid is available from Student Financial Services.

Graduate students have the opportunity to be involved with many activities at The University of Texas at Austin, in the Cockrell School of Engineering and the Department of Aerospace Engineering and Engineering Mechanics. We encourage students to get involved in graduate student organizations to help foster social and professional relationships with members of their community.

The Aerospace Engineering and Engineering Mechanics Graduate Student Organization (AEMGO)

AEMGO fosters relationships between graduate students, faculty, department officials, industry, UT Austin and the local community and encourages cross-disciplinary activities between graduate students to develop a sense of community and belonging.

The Graduate Ladies of Aerospace and Mechanics (GLAM)

GLAM supports women and non-binary individuals in the ASE/EM graduate programs. The group meets monthly for lunch or coffee (and chocolate!) to connect and discuss school, employment and life.

University Graduate Student Organizations

The Student Activities division of the Office of the Dean of Students offers services and assistance to the 1,300 student organizations on campus, including those especially for graduate students. Search for details about these organizations at HornsLink.

Vertical Flight Society at UT

A graduate student organization dedicated to vertical flight and competing in the annual "Design Build Vertical Fly" competition.

The Department of Aerospace Engineering and Engineering Mechanics offers two graduate programs – the Aerospace Engineering (ASE) Graduate Program and the Engineering Mechanics (EM) Graduate Program. Both programs offer advanced study and research leading to the Master of Science in Engineering degree and the Doctor of Philosophy degree.

Aerospace Engineering graduate program

ENGINEERING MECHANICS Graduate Program

ASE and EM Programs

Thesis/Report Option

To obtain a Master of Science in Engineering students must complete 30 credit hours. Students enrolled in the Thesis/Report option will complete either 24 hours of coursework plus 6 hours of supervised research thesis (ASE or EM 698A and 698B) or 27 hours of coursework plus 3 hours of supervised research report (ASE or EM 398R). Up to 6 hours of upper-division undergraduate coursework may be included in the required coursework. A faculty advisor is chosen by the student with the agreement of the advisor. The student’s advisor will approve the Program of Work (PoW) and supervise their research. In the case of the Master's thesis, the supervised research must be taken in two consecutive semesters. For both the Thesis and the Report, the final research course must be taken in the semester of graduation.

Coursework Option

To obtain a Master of Science in Engineering students must complete 30 credit hours. Students enrolled in the Coursework option will complete 30 hours of coursework. Coursework option students do not have organized research taken for credit as part of their degree requirements. Up to 6 hours of upper-division undergraduate coursework may be included in the required coursework. The student’s faculty advisor (normally the Area Coordinator) will approve their Program of Work (PoW).