Aviation engineers have very specialized aviation engineering degrees. Most aeronautical engineers have the same basic training as a general engineer, but in addition to those requirements aeronautical engineers must also study all things pertaining to aircraft and vehicles designed for space exploration. Aeronautical engineering degrees, sometimes referred to as aviation engineering, are available beginning with the basic bachelor's degree.
Bachelor's Degree in Aeronautical Engineering
Typically, it can take about four years to complete the basic bachelor's degree for the aeronautical engineering student. Some schools do not offer the specialization for the bachelor's degree, however. Instead, they offer the basic engineering degree with a focus in aeronautics. Some students opt to pursue a Bachelor of Science degree with specialization in either aerodynamics or propulsion. Either of these is acceptable when applying for advanced degrees of study. If an advanced degree is not desired, or possible, the student can still work as an aeronautical engineer providing he or she can provide a background in this type of work (for example, in the military) and pass a State Board Examination.
Master's Degree in Aviation Engineering
Most aeronautical engineering students opt to continue their education by following their bachelor's degree with a graduate degree. The serious aeronautical engineering student needs to do some early planning as applying to various master's programs can become problematic. Some schools that offer degrees in aeronautical engineering require a specific pre-requisite degree. For example, some schools will only recognize the bachelor's degree in aeronautical engineering, while others will require the Bachelor of Science degree. Still others will accept either one. Waiting until graduation to determine which graduate programs require which degree is short sighted and can lead to disappointment. Likewise, those pursuing this advanced degree as part of their career path will need to also keep in mind that advanced courses in mathematics and science will be required.
Doctorate Degree in Aeronautical Engineering
Doctoral degrees in aeronautical engineering are often pursued by those wishing to teach in a college setting, work in research and development centers, or to work on highly classified projects for the United States government. Most colleges that offer this advanced degree often require their potential candidates to take a qualifying exam to determine eligibility. Upon acceptance the student will be required to determine whether he or she would like to obtain their Ph.D. or Doctor of Science degree. Both are doctoral degrees.
Often major universities offer interdisciplinary tracks of study which result in combination degrees. For example, one could receive a degree in aeronautical engineering with an emphasis on aerodynamics, while another could offer the basic degree with an area of concentration on materials composition.
Aeronautical Engineering Online Courses
Many universities offer some long distance and aeronautical engineering online classes. Most universities realize, especially when the students are pursuing advanced degrees that it may not be easy to travel into the school each day. Therefore, most universities convene classes only a few times a week, or they meet in a virtual classroom. Often, however, the potential student must request or specifically ask about these options as they are not always advertised. The potential student must exercise due diligence and make certain that the online aeronautical engineering degree is from a recognized course of study from an accredited school. Otherwise, the degree is essentially worthless to most employers.