Program Details

The 27-credit, online master’s degree program is completed on a part-time basis for six (6) semesters over the course of two years. As most students will be working as full-time professionals, this unique and accelerated program is designed to accommodate personal and professional commitments while also providing meaningful and consistent curricular experiences. 

Students should expect to be enrolled each semester over the course of two years (fall, winter, and spring/summer semesters) and take between 4-6 credits per semester. Students are expected to spend approximately 15-18 hours per week on course-related work, including watching recorded lectures, participating in online discussions, and working on assignments. 

To foster important industry-wide connections, students will progress through the program as a cohort, regularly interacting and taking courses with a consistent group of peers – from the program’s initial in-person orientation experience to the culminating capstone project and graduation!

Brand Promise

The Global Aerospace Leadership MEng program is committed to developing the next generation of visionary and agile leaders thriving in a rapidly evolving business environment, dedicated to improving industry and serving humanity as:

Throughout the program, students will create, refine, and practice their personal leadership brands, demonstrating commitment to serving as a leader with these important values.  

Curriculum

The 27-credit curriculum is broken down into three academic pillars plus an in-person experience component comprised of two on-site offerings:

In-Person Experiences

Students will visit the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, Michigan and INSEAD in Fontainebleau, France for two, short-duration in-person experiences during the program. Dates for in-person experiences TBA.

Students will need to make their own travel arrangements and book accommodations. Program organizers will provide recommendations on local lodging and transportation. See the tuition and fees section on the website for more information on possible out-of-pocket expenses. 

Note: International students will need to ensure that they have the appropriate documentation necessary for travel from their country of origin to the United States and France. These experiences are considered leisure activities and do not qualify for educational or student visas. Students from eligible countries may qualify for an ESTA or B2 visa for travel to the United States. 

In-Person Experience #1

University of Michigan – Ann Arbor, Michigan 

Prior to First Semester in Program 

Students will spend 3-4 days prior to the start of the first semester in the program on the University of Michigan’s campus in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Activities may include an orientation to the program, cohort and community building activities, workshops on relevant leadership and engineering topics, special guest speakers, and more! 

Fall 2023 Cohort: Please hold the week of August 21, 2023. Dates and itinerary to be announced soon. 

In-Person Experience #2

INSEAD – Fontainebleau, France 

Midway of Program – Third Semester (July) 

Midway through the program, the students will travel to Fontainebleau, France to spend 5-6 days on INSEAD’s European campus. Students will have the opportunity to participate in short-duration courses (not-for-credit) and interact with INSEAD’s Global Executive MBA students. There will also be time reserved for cohort-building and social activities, sightseeing, and an opportunity to forecast the team Capstone Project which will occur during the final semester of the program. 

Fall 2023 Cohort: July 2024, dates TBA

How Do I Apply?

The Global Aerospace Leadership MEng Program will accept applications for the fall 2023 semester. The University of Michigan Department of Aerospace Engineering welcomes applicants from diverse backgrounds and experiences. We are particularly interested in professionals with 3-7+ years of work experience, who have demonstrated excellent technical capabilities and are on the path to pursue technical leadership roles. Students who complete this program will do so on a part-time basis over the course of two academic years, equivalent to 6 semesters back-to-back, and many will also work full-time in their careers. 

Application Deadlines and Key Dates:

Priority Application Deadline: February 1, 2023 (receive decision by mid-March)

Final Application Deadline: May 1, 2023 (receive decision by mid-June)

Classes Begin: August 28, 2023

In-Person Experience #1 (Ann Arbor, Michigan): Week of August 21, 2023 (Dates TBA)

In-Person Experience #2 (Fontainebleau, France): July 2024 (Dates TBA)

Graduation (optional): December 2025 (dates TBA with academic calendar) 

Minimum Requirements for Admission

Completion of a bachelor’s degree or an international degree that is equivalent to a U.S. bachelor’s degree from a college or university recognized and approved by the higher education authority in the country where the degree is earned. Engineering or technical bachelor’s degrees are strongly preferred. 

Additionally, students should have at least three to seven years of professional work experience. 

Application Components

Transcripts

One scanned or electronic transcript uploaded to the online application for all undergraduate and/or graduate programs from which you have degree(s). We will accept unofficial transcripts for the application review but will require official transcripts if offered admission.

Resume

An up-to-date copy of your resume, highlighting professional work experience to-date. 

Personal Statement

The Personal Statement (approximately 750-1000 words) is required and should answer the following questions: 

• Why are you interested in the online Global Aerospace Leadership MEng program at this time in your life, and how do you believe it will help fulfill your professional and personal goals? 
• How have your background and life experiences, including cultural, geographical, financial, educational or other opportunities or challenges, motivated your decision to pursue this global leadership graduate degree at the University of Michigan? 
• How will you contribute to the program’s cohort-based community, whether during online courses or the required in-person residential experiences, and why is building a network of industry peers important to your personal and career goals? 

Short Essay Questions

Three Short Essay questions (approximately 350 words per essay): 

• Describe a time when your ethics and moral compass were challenged. Describe the situation (without divulging identifying information about anyone else), how you handled it, the outcome, and what you learned.
• Describe a recent project you led or were instrumental in which advanced the greater good of society or the environment. What was the project, what was your role, and what was the societal and/or environmental impact?
• Describe a teaming situation at work or in an extracurricular activity where the makeup of the team was diverse, and there were challenges in meshing cultures. What was your role on the team, what did you do to promote inclusivity and cohesion, and what were the results?

Two Letters of Recommendation

Two letters of recommendation are required from individuals who can address your leadership behaviors and advancement potential. Up to three letters of recommendation may be submitted. Application reviewers like to see letters on official letterhead along with a full signature including the writer’s company or professional affiliation, job title, and contact information.

Non-Native English Speaker Assessment

Applicants whose native language is not English must demonstrate English language proficiency through language test scores or qualify for an exemption. 

• TOEFL or IELTS
  • Applicants who must demonstrate English language proficiency through test scores can do so through either TOEFL or IELTS. Minimum scores for admission are below.
    • The minimum TOEFL score is 84.
    • The minimum IELTS score is 6.5.
      • Scores are valid for two years.

Standardized Test Scores are Not Required!

We do not require the GRE or any other standardized tests as part of our admissions process.

Application Fee

• $75 for U.S. citizens and permanent residents
• $90 for international applicants

Application fees are non-refundable.

International Students

Special Note for International Online Students: Academic units cannot provide services, including online education, to individuals located in comprehensively sanctioned countries or regions as administered by the U.S. Department of Treasury, Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC). Additionally, the university or its partners may block access to additional countries and regions where there are near-comprehensive sanctions and a perception of increased risk for export control violations. The list of countries and regions where the university does not currently offer services, which may be subject to change, is as follows: Crimea, Cuba, Donetsk, Iran, Luhansk, North Korea, Sudan, Syria, and Venezuela.

All conditionally admitted online students, regardless of their location, will need to complete a certification form as a condition of enrollment. In this form, conditionally admitted students will certify that they will not access course content or any U-M services from a country or region on the “blocked” list described above.

Educational Disclosures

Online students should be familiar with the University’s Distance Educational Disclosures.

Tuition and Fees

The Board of Regents for the University of Michigan set and approve tuition rates for each year near the beginning of the fall term. Updated tuition and fees are posted on the Registrar’s website.

As the University of Michigan is a partially state-funded institution, state of Michigan residents pay a slightly lower rate.

2022/2023 Academic Year

$2,055 per credit for State of Michigan residents
$2,235 per credit for non-residents

Plus additional fees per term: $185 (infrastructure maintenance fee)  + $166.19 (separately assessed mandatory fees) 

The average total cost of the 27-credit degree is approximately $55,485 for in-state students and $60,345 for out-of-state students, given this year’s estimated rates before fees.

2023/2024 Academic Year

We anticipate that tuition rates/fees for the 2023/2024 academic year will be similar to 2022/2023. However, future tuition rates are pending U-M Regental approval. 

Out-of-Pocket Expenses

Students should expect to pay for their own travel, lodging, some meals, and miscellaneous personal expenses when traveling to the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, Michigan and INSEAD in Fontainebleau, France for the in-person experiences during the program. Examples of estimated out-of-pocket expenses include:

Travel/Lodging/Miscellaneous – Ann Arbor, Michigan

• Flight from to Ann Arbor (round trip) – $1,000 
• Hotel (3 nights) – $200 per night
• Meals – $175
• Local Transportation -$100-$400 (costs vary based on rideshare/taxis, car rental, parking, etc.)
• Miscellaneous discretionary – $0-$100+

Travel/Lodging/Miscellaneous – Fontainebleau, France

• Flight to Paris, France (round trip) – $2,500 
• Train from Paris to Fontainebleau, France (round trip) – $100-$150
• Hotel (5 nights) – $250 per night
• Meals – $500
• Local transportation – $0-$100
• Miscellaneous discretionary – $0-$100+

Contact Us

For more information about the program or general questions, please contact the Global Aerospace Leadership MEng team at globalaerolead@umich.edu.