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Power innovation and prepare for a rewarding research career with an online master of science in mechanical and aerospace engineering from the University of Missouri.
Mechanical engineering covers a broad spectrum of disciplines—from robotics and engines to air and space travel. The principles of energy, materials and mechanics compose its core. Understanding what’s considered as the oldest engineering field equips you with the skills to drive technology through designing, analyzing, optimizing and manufacturing devices and systems.
As someone with an engineering background looking to get ahead in your career, the online master’s in mechanical and aerospace engineering builds off what you’ve absorbed from your bachelor’s degree and years in the workforce. A rigorous multidisciplinary curriculum adds greater depth and nuance to your existing knowledge. Collectively, these aspects help you influence research and development initiatives and become a leader in your industry.
Mizzou’s Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology, Inc. (ABET)-accredited program factors in your long-term goals. Continue progressing in your career while exploring theories and the latest methodologies with a fully online structure that reflects the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering’s innovation- and education-emphasizing outlook. You’ll be guided and encouraged by research-productive faculty who seek to have you follow in their footsteps. At the same time, you’ll expand what you know about dynamics and control, design and manufacturing, materials and solids, and thermal and fluid science.
Quick facts
Official name
Master of science in mechanical and aerospace engineeringCampus
Program type
Master's degreeAcademic home
College of Engineering | Department of Mechanical and Aerospace EngineeringDelivery mode
100% onlineAccreditation
Higher Learning CommissionCredit hours
30Estimated cost
$19,500.00*This cost is for illustrative purposes only. Your hours and costs will differ, depending on your transfer hours, your course choices and your academic progress. See more about tuition and financial aid.
Career prospects
We aim to have our mechanical and engineering students impact the world, devising new or revising existing technologies in industry or government. Along with small- to large-scale applications, your targeted knowledge helps advance the field of aerospace, which encompasses aviation, defense and space exploration.
In all contexts, an online master’s in mechanical and aerospace engineering positions you for a role in research and development. Potential roles include:
- Senior mechanical engineer
- Lead engineer
- Research and development engineer
Indicating demand for professionals with this skill set, the Bureau of Labor Statistics identified 7% more positions for mechanical engineers and 8% more for aerospace engineers between 2019 and 2029.
Program structure
The typical online master’s in mechanical and aerospace engineering student takes one to two classes per semester to finish their degree in three years. Courses are 100% online, with asynchronous and synchronous formats used. No on-campus visits are required.
Courses covering the following four disciplines boost and refine your existing engineering background:
- Dynamics and control: Explore vibration theory, finite element methods in solid and fluid mechanics, advanced rigid body dynamics, nonlinear systems analysis techniques and continuous media mechanics in relation to mechanical systems applications.
- Thermal/fluids: Advance your understanding of conduction, convection and radiation, mathematical models of thermal systems, potential and viscous flow theory, thermal lagging and admissibility, heat transfer models, processes and mechanics of two-phase flows, classical and statistical thermodynamics and relevant analysis techniques.
- Design and manufacturing: Prepare to develop stronger, more efficient systems through courses covering the science and engineering of welding, mathematical programming techniques for mechanical systems, applications and capabilities of manufacturing methods, modular machine tool design and production applications, and the mathematical foundation of mechanical system modeling and optimization.
- Mechanics and materials: Compound what you know about material composition with subjects touching on plastic conditions and behavior; stress, strain and equations of elasticity; the mechanics of continuous media; and the mechanical patterns of metallic, ceramic, polymeric and composite materials.
Course work includes
- Thermal and fluid science
- Materials and solids
- Dynamics and control
- Design and manufacturing
Delivery
100% onlineCalendar system
Semester-basedTypical program length
3 yearsTypical course load
1 or 2 classes each semesterAccreditation
The University of Missouri is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, one of six regional institutional accreditors in the United States.
Faculty spotlight
Robert A. Winholtz is an associate professor in the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering at the University of Missouri. A longtime research scientist at the University of Missouri Research Reactor, Dr. Winholtz is also familiar with synchrotron x-ray experimental facilities. His work has been funded by the Office of Naval Research, the National Science Foundation and NASA. His research interests include: materials science, neutron imaging and residual stress.