Overview

The objective of this special program is to provide an opportunity for graduates of the U.S. Naval Test Pilot School (USNTPS), who are trained in aircraft, rotorcraft, and airborne systems flight test, to obtain a Master of Science in Engineering Science with a major in Aerospace Engineering – MSES(AE). This is a distance learning program building upon the USNTPS academic and flight test instruction, with the student's USNTPS final flight test project and report serving in lieu of a thesis, and will provide advanced aerospace engineering knowledge to the test pilot and flight test engineer. NPS instruction will include advanced aerodynamics, aircraft structures, stability and control, and propulsion, and may also include systems engineering, autonomous vehicles, and air vehicle survivability. Instruction in flight system testing from the USNTPS as well as advanced graduate education in aerospace engineering topics from the NPS will qualify graduates of this program to participate in all technical aspects of naval air weapon systems acquisition.

Entry Date

Students will typically enter this program 3 months following their graduation from USNTPS. Application for entry is to be made through the program coordinator and primary consultant for USNTPS. For further information, please contact the POC at the top of this page.

Degree Requirements for Aerospace Engineering

The student must complete 24 credit hours of advanced graduate level NPS (AE/ME/MS/SE 3000- and 4000-level) courses, with a minimum of 12 of the 24 hours at the 4000-level. This requirement may be met by completing a sequence of six courses via Distance Learning in a program approved by the Chairman of the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering. This Master of Science in Engineering Science (Major in Aerospace Engineering) program may be completed in six academic quarters following USNTPS graduation.

Credit for Completion of U.S. Naval Test Pilot School

This program is designed to build upon the USNTPS academic instruction and final flight test project and report. The following USNTPS courses are considered as integral to this program and equivalent to 6 credit hours of ME/AE 3000- level and 8 credit hours of ME/AE 4000- level NPS courses:

In addition, the USNTPS DT-II flight test project and report is considered in lieu of a thesis. The NPS transcript will include 14 credits for the USNTPS program. The Quality Point Rating (QPR) for the NPS transcript will be computed based only on the NPS courses completed by the student.

Subspecialty

Graduates of USNTPS earn a Navy Subspecialty Code of 5403 which applies to their flight test training. Completion of this curriculum qualifies an officer as an Aerospace Engineering Specialist with a subspecialty code of 5402P. The curriculum sponsor is Naval Air Systems Command.

Typical Course of Study

Upon entry into the program students will typically enroll in one course per quarter to be taken via distance learning. All requirements must be completed within three calendar years from entry. The program of study for each student will be submitted for approval by the Chairman of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering.

Courses Required

Requirements for Entry

• Successful completion of the U.S. Naval Test Pilot School (USNTPS) Main Curriculum
• Academic Profile Code of 323
• Nomination for the program by the designated program coordinator and the primary consultant for USNTPS. The nomination to the Director of Admissions must include official transcripts from all undergraduate and graduate institutions attended plus USNTPS records. The Director of Admissions will provide copies of all records to the Academic Associate in Aerospace Engineering.

Application Information

Applications are handled by the NPS Admissions Office. Please visit the admissions website or contact them at admissions@nps.edu.

Tuition & Service Obligation

For information regarding tuition, please contact the NPS Tuition office at tuition@nps.edu, or contact this offering’s POC at caadams@nps.edu.

For information regarding service obligation, please visit the Admissions Office’s Eligibility/Service Obligation page.