With the launch of its new graduate degree programs in aerospace engineering, Florida A&M University (FAMU) will make a big splash in STEM education. Beginning fall 2025, students can enroll in a master’s degree and a Ph.D. program through the FAMU-FSU College of Engineering. The joint institution shared with Florida State University (FSU) is the only shared engineering school in the country. This effort aligns with FAMU’s larger goal of improving STEM education. The joint institution, located in Innovation Park, will leverage its existing faculty and resources to support these new programs.
Graduate Programs Overview
Students enrolled in the new graduate programs will receive an in-depth education in aerospace engineering. The studies will pay close attention to practical experience. According to FAMU-FSU College of Engineering Dean Suvranu De, the goal of these programs is to better prepare students for careers in aerospace engineering. The curricula will be far better able to handle this than a mechanical engineering degree with an aerospace specialization.
The Tallahassee Democrat reports that Suvranu De said, “With these particular master’s and Ph.D. programs, students are able to get their degree while being more qualified to get jobs in the aerospace engineering sector versus having a degree in mechanical engineering and only having done some aerospace work,” during a virtual Academic and Student Affairs Committee meeting.
The master’s program will focus on experiential learning and industry collaboration and require students to complete 30 credits. The doctoral program, emphasizing research excellence, will require 48 credits for those with a master’s degree or 60 credits for those entering with a bachelor’s degree.
Career Prospects and Industry Relevance
These degrees will prepare graduates for many fields. These sectors include aerospace and military, manufacturing, spaceship operations, architectural design, and space missions. Thanks to this program, students will have a leg up in the employment market, especially for niche aerospace positions.
Tuition for the programs is set at approximately $405 per credit hour for Florida residents. Non-residents will have to pay $1,022 per credit hour. FAMU aims to enroll 25 students in the program’s inaugural year and expand to 75 students by the fifth year.