Are you fascinated with all things space and science? Check out these 10 best online master’s in space studies and open the door to opportunities in space travel, history, and laws and ethics.
The emerging field of space travel, coupled with the escalating demand for sustainable methods of transportation and exploration, is creating an increasing need for professionals with advanced technical skills in aerospace engineering and similar fields. If you possess a bachelor’s degree in a technical engineering field and are interested in spacecraft design, satellites, space exploration, and space transportation, then you’re on the right track to earning a master’s degree in space studies.
What Is an Online Master’s in Space Studies?
The growing importance of space exploration to science, our economy, and national security elevates the need for skilled, trained specialists in space technology. A master’s in space studies offers students an opportunity to train in space technology and expand their potential into managerial, leadership, or systems engineering positions. Students focused on government research work, space industry occupations, or managerial positions with key development centers will have a leg up on the competition. Some of the central concentration areas for study include space dynamics, spacecraft propulsion, space system safety, and space applications.
How Much Can You Earn with an Online Master’s in Space Studies?
With a master’s degree in space studies, a professional can seek employment in both the private and government sectors as an aerospace engineering manager, spacecraft designer, operations engineer, or architectural designer, or they can hold a crucial position in the aerospace and defense industry. In 2019, the Bureau of Labor and Statistics reported that aerospace engineers holding only a bachelor’s degree saw annual salaries of $116,500. In aerospace research and development, professionals with the same level of education pulled in around $123,600 each year. Master’s holders in the managerial sectors of scientific research and development, on the other hand, saw significantly higher salaries, at $167,290 per year.
What Is Required for an Online Master’s in Space Studies?
To earn an online master’s degree in space studies, you’ll need a bachelor’s degree in physics, engineering, astronomy, or a similar technical specialty field. Two or three letters of recommendation from current professions or instructors, or from a job manager, are typically expected, and in some cases, an interview is required. A minimum bachelor’s degree GPA of 2.5 or greater is standard, but a 3.0 average is required for many programs. GRE exams may be required, and transfer credits must be pre-approved by admissions advisors. Because of the highly emerging nature of space travel and science, interactive project work and real-life problem-solving strategies are key components of the program coursework.
What Are the Best Online Master’s in Space Studies?
OSR uses six data points: three school-wide and three program-specific. For school-wide, OSR uses Student Satisfaction, Admission Rates, and the number of programs the school offers online. For program-specific, OSR checks the Median Debt of graduates from that program, how many degrees are offered within that program’s umbrella department, and what percentage of students at that school graduated from that department.
The six statistics are displayed by each school. The sliding bar under each statistic represents how that school compares to other US institutions. “Not reported” means a school did not release that information to the US Department of Education. A more detailed description of the OSR process can be found on the methodology page.
