Master’s Program

Our Master of Science program is based on the completion of lecture courses focused on a theme within the discipline of Aeronautics and Astronautics engineering. No thesis is required. No research is required.

The Master’s (M.S.) degree program requires 45 units of course work, all of which must be completed at Stanford.  The course work is divided into 4 categories: A/A Core Breadth courses, Advanced A/A Core Breadth Courses, Mathematics Courses, Technical Electives, and Other Electives.

A/A Core Breadth Courses

M.S. candidates must select five courses as follows:

Five courses in the basic areas of Aeronautics and Astronautics (one from each area)

Advanced A/A Core Breadth Courses 

Three courses of A/A 200+ with 3 or more units each (excluding AA 290)

See the list of Advanced A/A courses below for suggestions, including all 200+ level courses for 3 or more units in A/A. These units may not be the same units counted for Core Breadth Courses.

Students who believe they have satisfied Basic Course requirements previously may request a waiver of one or more courses.

Mathematics courses

M.S. candidates are expected to exhibit competence in applied mathematics. Students meet this requirement by taking two courses - a minimum of six units – of either advanced mathematics offered by the Mathematics department or technical electives which strongly emphasize methods of applied mathematics. Approved mathematics courses offered by the Aero/Astro department include:

• AA 201A - Fundamentals of Acoustics
• AA 203 - Optimal and Learning-Based Control
• AA 212 - Advanced Feedback Control Design
• AA 214 - Numerical Methods for Compressible Flows
• AA 216 - Model Reduction
• AA 222 - Engineering Design Optimization
• AA 228/CS 238 - Decision Making under Uncertainty
• AA 242B - Mechanical Vibrations
• AA 273 - State Estimation and Filtering for Robotic Perception
• AA 276 - Principles of Safety-Critical Autonomy
• AA 277 - Multi-Robot Control and Distributed Optimization

The list of mathematics courses in the department's handbook (PDF) has additional pre-approved mathematics courses. Additionally, 200+ level or higher lecture courses in MATH taken for 3 or more units will fulfill this requirement. In order to use applied mathematics courses not on the list to fulfill this requirement, prior approval should be obtained from the student's advisor and the Director of Graduate Studies. (Note: Calculus, ordinary differential equations, and vector analysis are fundamental math prerequisites and will not satisfy the mathematics requirement; they may be counted only as a free elective.)

A maximum of six AA290 units (or research/independent study in another department) may count toward the M.S. program. These units may be used to satisfy the technical elective, free elective, and the experimentation/design requirements. If used to satisfy the experimentation/design requirement, an instructor’s signature certifying the experimentation/design content is required.

Technical electives

Students, in consultation with their advisor, select at least four courses (totaling at least 12 units) from among the graduate-level courses offered by departments of the School of Engineering and related science departments. This requirement increases by one course [3 units] for each basic course requirement that is waived. Up to three seminar units may count toward a technical elective requirement (equivalent to one technical elective course). With advisor approval, one 100-level course may be included. All courses should be taken for a letter grade.

Other electives

Choose any course at the 100 level or above to fulfill 3 units. It is recommended that all candidates enroll in a humanities or social sciences course to meet the total 45-unit requirement. Please note that practicing courses in fields such as art, music, and physical education do not qualify. With advisor approval, language courses will qualify. Courses fulfilling this requirement may be taken as credit/no credit. 

Waivers and transfers of credit

Waivers of the Basic Courses required in the M.S. program can only be granted by the instructor of that course. Students who believe that they have had a substantially equivalent course at another institution should consult with the course instructor to determine if they are eligible for a waiver, and with their advisor to judge the effect on their overall program plans. To request a waiver, students should fill out a Petition for Waiver form (reverse side of the department's program proposal) and have it approved by the instructor. One additional technical elective must be added for each basic course that is waived. The advisor must sign the front of the program proposal acknowledging the waiver and approving the additional technical elective.

Students taking Aero/Astro qualifying exams are strongly encouraged to take specific classes, and there is a separate waiver process for Qualifying Examination core courses (described in “Ph.D. Qualifying Procedures in Aero/Astro”). Students should consult with their advisor before waiving courses.

Program proposal for master’s degree

Each M.S. student is required to submit a Master’s Program Proposal by the last day of classes in their first quarter of study. This proposal must be signed by your advisor before it is submitted to the Aero/Astro Student Services Office for the Director of Graduate Studies’ approval signature. The initial submission serves as a planning document to ensure that the student has identified at least one plan of study that meets all department and University requirements while also aligning with the student’s abilities and interests. Examples of a completed Program Sheet can be found in the appendix of this Handbook.

Any changes to your program of study should be made in consultation with your advisor. These modifications can be made multiple times; however, the final program proposal must be filed early in the quarter in which you intend to confer your degree. The revised program of study should be clearly summarized on a Program Proposal labeled "Revised," signed by your advisor, and submitted to the Aero/Astro Student Services Office for the Director of Graduate Studies’ approval signature. Please note that the M.S. degree cannot be conferred unless all courses listed on the most recent fully approved Program Proposal have been successfully completed.

International students should consult with the Bechtel International Center, but typically must be enrolled in at least 8 units per quarter to maintain legal status.

Research opportunities

No thesis is required, but there is an opportunity for students to become involved in research projects during their master’s year(s). Students interested in this opportunity should make arrangements with a faculty member to supervise their research and enroll in AA 290 to receive academic credit. Students can count up to 6 units of research towards their M.S. degree.

Coterminal master's program

This program allows Stanford undergraduates an opportunity to work simultaneously toward a B.S. degree and an M.S. in Aeronautics and Astronautics. Stanford undergraduates who wish to continue their studies for the master of science degree in the coterminal program must have earned a minimum of 120 units towards graduation. This includes allowable Advanced Placement (AP) and transfer credit.

Application information for the Aero/Astro coterminal program, including details and deadlines, as well as the application itself, can be found on the Coterminal Admissions page. A completed application (including letters of recommendation and transcripts) must be received no later than the quarter prior to the expected completion of the undergraduate degree. Admission is granted or denied through the departmental faculty admissions committee. Stanford undergraduates interested in learning more about receiving an Aero/Astro master's degree as a coterm student should review the information on the University Registrar's website and are encouraged to visit the Aero/Astro Student Services Office.

University Coterminal Requirements

Coterminal master’s degree candidates are expected to complete all master’s degree requirements as described in this bulletin. University requirements for the coterminal master’s degree are described in the "Coterminal Master's Degrees" section. University requirements for the master’s degree are described in the "Graduate Degrees" section of this bulletin.

After accepting admission to this coterminal master’s degree program, students may request transfer of courses from the undergraduate to the graduate career to satisfy requirements for the master’s degree. Transfer of courses to the graduate career requires review and approval of both the undergraduate and graduate programs on a case-by-case basis.

In this master’s program, courses taken during or after the first quarter of the sophomore year are eligible for consideration for transfer to the graduate career; the timing of the first graduate quarter is not a factor. No courses taken prior to the first quarter of the sophomore year may be used to meet master’s degree requirements.

Course transfers are not possible after the bachelor’s degree has been conferred.

The University requires that the graduate advisor be assigned in the student’s first graduate quarter even though the undergraduate career may still be open. The University also requires that the Master’s Degree Program Proposal be completed by the student and approved by the department by the end of the student’s first graduate quarter.

Part-time master’s degree program

Only applicants for the part-time master’s degree program for working professionals (HCP) are considered quarterly. Prospective HCP students follow the same admissions process and must meet the same admissions requirements as full-time graduate students.

Honors cooperative program

The Honors Cooperative Program (HCP) makes it possible for academically qualified engineers and scientists in nearby companies to be part-time master's students in Aeronautics and Astronautics while continuing nearly full-time professional employment. For more information regarding the Honors Cooperative Program, see the Stanford Center for Professional Development web site.

Degree completion

Every student should be familiar with the University’s requirements for minimal progress as outlined in the Graduate Academic Policies and Procedures GAP. A minimum grade point average (GPA) of 2.75 is required to fulfill the department's M.S. degree requirements. Students must also meet the University’s quarterly academic requirements for graduate students, as described in the Bulletin. All units must be in courses at or above the 100 level, and all courses used to satisfy the degree requirements must be taken for a letter grade (excluding seminars and the free elective).

Students are expected to complete the M.S. program within four to five quarters. For international students, the certificate of eligibility (I-20 or DS-2019) is issued for a timeframe of two years. The date of degree conferral occurs early in the quarter following your final quarter of study. Students who have no outstanding financial or academic obligations to Stanford may obtain an official "certificate of completion" from the Graduate Degree Progress Office after their degree has been conferred. Diplomas are mailed after degree conferral.

The University has set the following time limits for the M.S. degree:

• Honors Cooperative Students (HCP): Five years from the first quarter of enrollment in the M.S. program.
• Co-terminal students: Three years after the quarter in which 180 units are completed or the first graduate course is taken.
• All other students: Three years from the first quarter of enrollment in the M.S. program, or 60 units completed.

Please note that this time frame is not extended by Leaves of Absence. Extensions of time limits are subject to the approval of the Department and the School of Engineering. Students having difficulty meeting the above time limits should consult their advisor and/or the Director of Student and Academic Services.

Study after the Master’s degree

Students wishing to continue at Stanford after receiving the M.S. degree must be approved for further study during their final master's quarter. (This includes approval for the Engineer's degree or Ph.D. in Aero/Astro, or for a degree in another department.) In order to stay here, a graduate program authorization form should be fully approved and filed at the Registrar’s Office before the M.S. is conferred.

Students who are not citizens or permanent residents of the U.S. will need to verify their funding for the new degree and update their visa documentation as part of the Graduate Program Authorization procedure. Appropriate forms are available from the Bechtel International Center. Support from research assistantships can be verified by the professor providing support, and the Student Services Office can verify course assistantships. For personal funding or other support, inquire at the Bechtel International Center about the proper source for verification.

Students (admitted for Autumn 2024-25) wishing to continue to the Ph.D. program

The M.S. program is designed for students who intend to proceed directly to a professional career in aeronautics and astronautics. However, in rare cases, an M.S. student may be able to transition into the Ph.D. program. To do so, the student must have commitment from a professor willing to fund and advise the student throughout their Ph.D. Such students may submit an application for the Ph.D. program in the Autumn Quarter (October 14, 2025 deadline) of their second year in the M.S. program.

Required Application Materials:

• Statement of purpose describing the area of study and topic for thesis research
• Letter of Recommendation from Ph.D. advisor
  • If the proposed Ph.D. advisor is not in the Aero/Astro Department, consult with the Aero/Astro Student Services Office in advance to ensure eligibility
• Confirmation of funding form signed by Ph.D. Advisor

Note: Students must be in good standing, and eligible to take the departmental qualifying examination (quals) in Spring Quarter of year two (see Ph.D. Qualifying Procedures in Aero/Astro, below).

The Admissions Committee will review the required application material, including previous application and current Stanford transcript, and make admission decisions by the end of the Autumn Quarter. If a student is approved for the Ph.D. program, a Graduate Program Authorization petition ($125 fee) must be submitted online through AXESS and fully approved before the M.S. is conferred (see Changes of Degree, above). Enrollment as a Ph.D. student, including funding, will begin in the Winter Quarter of year two.

Students who are not citizens or permanent residents of the U.S. will need to verify their funding for the new degree, and update their visa documentation, as part of the Graduate Program Authorization procedure. These forms are available from the Bechtel International Center. Support from research assistantships can be verified by the professor providing support and the Aero/Astro Student Services Office.

If you leave Stanford for employment or study at another institution and later wish to return for further degree work, you will need to submit a standard admission application to the department. Check with the Aero/Astro Student Services Office to verify deadlines and required credentials. International students will be subject to visa requirements when they are considered for admission.