Embark on a journey of discovery and innovation in aerospace engineering with our Ph.D. degree, where you will be challenged to push boundaries, uncover new knowledge and contribute to the advancement of this exhilarating field.
Aerospace Engineering - Ph.D.
Contact Us
- Program Coordinator: Ali Abdul-Aziz, Ph.D., P.E. | CAEgraduatestudies@kent.edu |
330-672-1032 - Connect with an Admissions Counselor: U.S. Student | International Student
Program Information
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Program Description
Full Description
The Ph.D. degree in Aerospace Engineering provides an advanced theoretical and/or research-oriented curriculum with significant depth in aerospace-specific disciplines, beyond the general fundamentals of the engineering bachelor’s degree.
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Admissions
For more information about graduate admissions, visit the graduate admission website. For more information on international admissions, visit the international admission website.
Admission Requirements
- Bachelor's degree in aerospace engineering or a closely related area from an accredited college or university
- Minimum 2.750 undergraduate or graduate GPA on a 4.000 point scale
- Official transcript(s)
- Goal Statement
- Three letters of recommendation
- English language proficiency - all international students must provide proof of English language proficiency (unless they meet specific exceptions) by earning one of the following:
- Minimum 550 TOEFL PBT score (paper-based version)
- Minimum 79 TOEFL IBT score (internet-based version)
- Minimum 77 MELAB score
- Minimum 6.5 IELTS score
- Minimum 58 PTE score
- Minimum 100 Duolingo test score
For more information about graduate admissions, visit the graduate admission website. For more information on international admission, visit the Office of Global Education website.
Application Deadlines
- Fall Semester
- Application deadline: November 1
Applications submitted after this deadline will be considered on a space-available basis.
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Learning Outcomes
Program Learning Outcomes
Graduates of this program will be able to:
- Conduct literature searches, comprehend advanced research materials and uncover connections between related work.
- Perform research, discovery and integration by applying advanced knowledge of aerospace engineering.
- Communicate clearly problems and solutions in aerospace engineering, both verbally and in writing.
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Coursework
Program Requirements
Major Requirements
Course List Code Title Credit Hours Major Requirements ENGR 81091 GRADUATE SEMINAR (taken three times) 3 Advisor-approved courses 1 0-30 Engineering-Focus Electives, choose from the following: 18 ENGR 72410ENGINEERING OPTIMIZATION AstronauticsENGR 78001ORBITAL MECHANICS ENGR 78002SPACECRAFT ATTITUDE DYNAMICS, DETERMINATION AND CONTROL ENGR 78004OPTIMAL CONTROL THEORY Dynamics and ControlENGR 78005LINEAR SYSTEM ANALYSIS AND CONTROL ENGR 78006NONLINEAR SYSTEMS AND CONTROL ENGR 78007DIGITAL CONTROL SYSTEMS ENGR 78008INTRODUCTION TO ROBUST CONTROL ENGR 78101AUTONOMOUS UNMANNED AERIAL SYSTEMS Structure and MaterialsENGR 72111STRENGTH OF MATERIALS FOR ENGINEERS ENGR 72363MATERIALS SELECTION IN DESIGN AND APPLICATIONS ENGR 75901INTRODUCTION TO FINITE ELEMENT METHOD AND APPLICATIONS Systems and DesignENGR 78003SPACECRAFT DESIGN ENGR 78102INTELLIGENT SENSING AND PLANNING OF UNMANNED AERIAL SYSTEMS Additional courses as approved by advisorCulminating Requirements ENGR 85098 RESEARCH (repeated for 9 credit hours total) 9 ENGR 85199 DISSERTATION I 2 30 Minimum Total Credit Hours for Post-Baccalaureate Students: 90 Minimum Total Credit Hours for Post-Master’s Students: 60 - 1
Post-baccalaureate students may apply toward the 30 credit hours a maximum 15 credit hours of coursework outside the College of Aeronautics and Engineering and 9 credit hours of research (maximum 18 credit hours total of research toward the degree).
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Doctoral candidates, upon admission to candidacy, must register for ENGR 85199 for a total of 30 hours. It is expected that doctoral candidates will continuously register for ENGR 85199—and, thereafter, ENGR 85299—each semester until all requirements for the degree have been met. The doctoral candidate must successfully propose and defend their research dissertation in a public setting before the dissertation committee.
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Program Delivery
- Delivery:
- In person
- Location:
- Kent Campus
- Delivery:
Examples of Possible Careers and Salaries
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Aerospace engineers
2.8%
slower than the average
66,400
number of jobs
$118,610
potential earnings
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Architectural and engineering managers
2.6%
slower than the average
198,100
number of jobs
$149,530
potential earnings
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Avionics technicians
4.4%
about as fast as the average
22,800
number of jobs
$67,840
potential earnings
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Engineering teachers, postsecondary
8.6%
much faster than the average
44,600
number of jobs
$103,600
potential earnings
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Notice: Career Information Source
* Source of occupation titles and labor data comes from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics' Occupational Outlook Handbook. Data comprises projected percent change in employment over the next 10 years; nation-wide employment numbers; and the yearly median wage at which half of the workers in the occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less.