The M.S. in mechanical and aerospace engineering provides a pathway for students to further develop skills to advance their careers in industry or pursue a doctoral degree. Students will find a collaborative and collegiate community of faculty, staff, and students.
The program offers four specialization tracks:
- Thermal/Fluids
- Solids/Structure
- Design/Manufacturing
- General
Admission Requirements
Prospective students must have a bachelor of science in mechanical/aerospace engineering or a closely related field. Additional coursework may be required for students without a BS degree in engineering or those who lack adequate preparation.
Admission is granted on the basis of undergraduate preparation and performance, GRE scores, and letters of recommendation documenting the recent technical proficiency of the applicant. A grade-point average of 3.0/4.0 or equivalent, and a GRE-Quantitative score of 700 (155 on the new scale) are typically expected.
Degree Requirements
The MS in Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering is a 30 credit-hour program, including a capstone project.
For more information visit the Syracuse University Course Catalog, and the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering webpage.
Employment Outcomes
- Companies that hire our graduates:
ACCO Engineered Systems, ACTuate Facility Technologies, ADG Artisan Design Group, Air Force Research Laboratory, Alta Dynamics, Inc, Altec Northeast LLC, Amazon, Americold Logistics, Aqua Products, Association of Chinese Americans, BAE Systems, Inc, Ball Aerospace, Bechtel, Beijing Benz Automotive Co. Ltd, Bekaert Corporation, Brookville Equipment Corporation, Cahani Energyt Corp, Carrier Corp, Corning Inc., Constellation Nuclear, CPDC, Cryomech, Cummins Inc., Daikin, Delos, Dominican Academy, Duro UAS, Exelon Corp, Faurecia Clean Mobility, Fulton Companies, Fuyao Glass America Inc., GE Aerospace, General Atomics, General Dynamics Electric Boat, Gfi Informatique, HealthWay Inc., IMI Critical Engineering, Inifcon, Inc., Intertek, Lockheed Martin, JMA Wireless, Kearfott Corporation, MD Anderson Cancer Center, MSC Software, Munich RE, NASA, National Aerospace Solutions, Our Ability, Paslin, Pratt and Whitney, Quest Defense, Resource Innovation, Sevo Systems, SMART Scholar – DoD, SRC Inc, Syracuse University, Turner & Townsend, United Imaging Healthcare Technology Co., Ltd., United Parcel Service (UPS), VLF Automotive, WTB, Xylem Inc., Whitcraft, ZYNP Group - Job location: 85% in the US, 15% outside of the US
- Job location within the US: 29% Syracuse/Central New York, 12% Metropolitan New York City, 3% Metropolitan Boston, 3% Metropolitan Los Angeles, 3% San Francisco Bay Area, 3% Texas (Austin/Dallas/Houston), 47% Other
- Job titles: Aero/Mechanical Engineer, Assistant Engineer, Building Environment Research Intern, Compliance Engineer, Composite Engineer, Consultant, Consulting Engineer, Control Engineer, Engineering Coordinator, Engineering Intern, Flight Controller, Incoming systems engineer, Information Management Reporting Analyst, Logistics Manager Assistant, Mechanical Design Engineer: Structural, Mechanical Designer, Mechanical Engineer, Modeling & Simulation Engineer, Project Manager, Postdoc Research Assistant, Process Engineer, Process Improvement Specialist, Product Design Engineer, Product Development Engineer, Product Engineer, Project Coordinator, Project Engineer, Research and Development Engineer, Research Assistant Radiation Physics, Senior Mechanical Engineer, Series Q Release Engineer, Sourcing Analyst, Tooling Coordinator, Variable Refrigerant Volume Application Engineer, Vehicle Shock and Vibration Engineer
- Base salary range: less than $50,000 – $120,000 or more
- Median base salary range: $80,000 – $84,999
Student Profile
Rui Gomes G’20, Wappingers Falls, NY
Rui’s interest in mechanical and aerospace engineering started during his years as a physics and astronomy major at SUNY New Paltz. He was fascinated by thermophysics and wanted to learn more about its applications, especially in the area of sustainability. Participating in the New York State CSTEP program helped him prepare competitive graduate school applications and switch to engineering. He chose Syracuse’s mechanical and aerospace engineering program for its flexible curriculum and the range of electives in the areas of energy conversion and sustainability. One of his favorite classes at Syracuse so far has been Wind Turbines.
Outside of class, Rui is an active member of the Graduate Student Organization, the Black Graduate Student Association, and the University Senate. At the national level, he was recently elected as director for communications and outreach for the National Association of Graduate and Professional Students for the northeast region. As a Latin American student, Rui is dedicated to introducing diversity in STEM and would like to help people of color feel comfortable as students and professionals. He welcomes inquiries from current and prospective students and would love to connect.
As he reflects on his success in graduate school, he is grateful to his professors and mentors and the resources at his undergraduate college, as well as to the CSTEP program for helping him advance his career.
Charles Keppler ’18, G’19, Bennington, VT
As an undergrad, Charles Keppler ’18, G’19 was a triple major, completing the requirements of Syracuse University’s aerospace engineering, physics, and applied mathematics programs. His aspiration to become a propulsion development engineer in the private space sector motivated him to pursue a master’s degree in mechanical and aerospace engineering. One of his favorite graduate courses was fluid mechanics because it provided a more in-depth exploration of what he studied as an undergrad. Outside the classroom, Charles participated in a wide range of activities. He developed a product in the Invent@SU invention accelerator program that was selected as one of 20 best inventions worldwide in the 2017 James Dyson Award Competition. Charles was a student representative on the college’s Inclusive Excellence Council and became a trained Dialogue Circle facilitator. In his free time, he plays Dungeons & Dragons with friends, plays the guitar, and writes poetry.
His advice to new students is to “be curious, allow yourself to be uncomfortable, and grow by being open to new experiences.”