John D. Odegard School of Aerospace Sciences

Admissions and Applications FAQs

What undergraduate degrees are acceptable for admission to the Space Studies Master's program?

Admission is open to students with practically any background, as long as they have a strong interest in space.

What are the Space Studies Master's program admission requirements?

Please visit the program page for details.

Where do I apply for admission?

Only online applications are accepted. Students may apply through the Graduate School's online application portal.

What does it cost to apply?

The cost to submit the School of Graduate Studies application is $35. Credit card or e-checks are acceptable forms of payment.

Can recommendation letters be from anyone?

Applicants are encouraged to get their references from professors, supervisors, and other professionals, preferably in the space field. References from friends and family are not acceptable.

What additional requirements are needed of international applicants?

Please review the admissions information for international students.

Can I be admitted if I am missing prerequisites?

Admission to "Provisional" status may be granted to an applicant who has not met one or more of the general School of Graduate Studies or program-level admission requirements (e.g. low GPA, low test scores, lack of a required test, or other concerns about the applicant's ability to succeed in graduate study). Generally, students will not be admitted into provisional status with more than nine (9) credits of outstanding prerequisites. Students in a provisional status may be dismissed after one registration if their GPA is below 3.0 or if they have failed to meet other conditions specified at the time of admission.

The first obligation of students admitted to provisional status is to meet all of the conditions specified at the time of admission. Students in provisional status are eligible for graduate assistantships and tuition waivers at the discretion of the department.

How strong of a math background do I need to successfully complete this program?

According to the Department of Space Studies admission requirements, you need "one semester of course work in statistics, or algebra, or calculus, or computer science with a grade of B or better" to successfully complete the program requirements. The specific courses in a student's individual program of study will dictate the math background necessary to complete the program. For instance, students with a technical area emphasis which involves more space science and engineering courses will likely need more exposure to higher-level mathematics than students with a social area emphasis.

The courses listed below require the highest level of undergraduate math skills. Those levels of skill are indicated:

SPST 405: Space Mission Design - An educational background that includes trigonometry and vector algebra is strongly recommended
SPST 410: Life Support Systems - An educational background that includes algebra and probability & statistics is recommended
SPST 500: Introduction to Orbital Mechanics - An educational background that includes trigonometry and vector algebra is strongly recommended
SPST 506: Advanced Orbital Mechanics - Differential equations is a pre-requisite
SPST 570: Advanced Topics in Space Studies (Quality Engineering for the Space Industry) - An undergraduate course in probability & statistics is highly recommended

Will this degree enable me to become an astronaut?

In a simple answer, probably not. While we have many alumni working for NASA and various space industry jobs, none have ever gone on to become an astronaut, even though a few have made it to the final selection rounds. This program is not designed to train you to become an astronaut, but several of our courses will assist you in this endeavor. Please visit the NASA Astronaut Selection website for further recommendations and assistance in planning your education towards becoming an astronaut.

Our program is designed to prepare graduates to lead space exploration and the development of new space activities with an educational background necessary to understand the linkages between space science, engineering, and policy.

Can I be admitted if my overall GPA is below 3.0?

Students admitted to provisional status because of their previous GPA will be eligible for advancement to "Approved" status after the completion of nine semester hours of graduate-level coursework if their GPA for all work attempted is at least 3.0. Students in a provisional status may be dismissed after one registration if their GPA is below 3.0 or if they have failed to meet other conditions specified at the time of admission.

What are the deadlines for applying to the space studies program?

Unlike many graduate degree programs that process applications for admission once per year for the Fall Semester, the Department of Space Studies processes applications for admission throughout the year, allowing students who are accepted into the program to begin their studies in any semester. The deadlines for submitting completed applications for each semester are as follows:

March 1^st for the Fall Semester
October 31^st for the Spring Semester
February 28^th for the Summer Semester

All application materials, including transcripts, letters of recommendation, etc., must be received by the above deadlines.

Note: Applicants are only offered admission for the term that they indicate on the application. Applicants who identify an error on their application, or need to delay their intended term start date, must contact the School of Graduate Studies to request a change.

Must I apply for the fall semester, or do you accept admissions for spring or summer?

Although it is beneficial to apply for the fall semester, students can begin the program each semester - fall, spring, or summer. The introductory core course, SPST 501: Survey of Space Studies I, is offered only in the fall semester, making a fall admission the best option.

I submitted my online application and now realize that I need to make a change; what do I do?

The Application Change Request form may be used to request certain changes to the information provided on a submitted application. This form can only be used before an admission decision has been reached. Any requests to change information not detailed on this form may be sent, via email, to the Director of Graduate Admissions for your department. This form cannot be used to change your application from non-degree seeking to degree-seeking or vice versa.

May I register for a single class and not commit to the entire degree?

Yes, you can apply for admission to the School of Graduate Studies as a "Non-Degree" status student. You can take as many courses as you like as a non-degree student. Be aware that you may only apply up to 9 credit hours of course work towards a degree, should you decide at a later time to pursue the M.S. Degree.

What scores do I need on the GRE and GMAT to be accepted to the program?

The GRE and GMAT are not required for this program. However, the GRE is required if you are seeking funding (graduate teaching, research assistantships, or tuition waivers) from the department or a faculty member.

I have questions regarding my online application; who do I contact?

Please contact the School of Graduate Studies regarding any application questions.

When will I know if I've been accepted?

All admissions information, including decisions, are sent via email and posted in your Admissions Account. You will receive emails throughout the process keeping you up-to-date on the status of your application. It's your responsibility to ensure that all submitted materials were received and attached to your application. Please monitor your application and email to know when our decision is ready.

I've been accepted; what do I do next?

Most importantly, you need to accept your offer of admission. The admission letter clearly states the date (semester) of admission and any other conditions of admission. Applicants accepting an offer of admission are expected to fulfill any associated conditions of admission. Review this document for more information.

I can't start school in the semester I originally applied for; can I change that?

If you have not yet received an application decision letter published in your Admission Account, you have the right to make a change to your start date by submitting the Application Change Request form. You do not need departmental approval for this form. Please download the form and return it directly to the School of Graduate Studies. Remember, your application can only be considered for the program and term indicated on the application, or changed by this procedure.

If you have already accepted admission and not yet registered for courses, but realize you need to change your start date from what is indicated on your admission letter, you may submit the Move Admission Request form. You would need departmental approval to move your admit term with this procedure. Please download the form and send it to the graduate program director for approval. Applicants who have accepted an offer of admission to the School of Graduate Studies are required to enroll in program-specific coursework according to the terms of their admission letter. Applicants who do not enroll in the semester that they are admitted and do not gain approval to move admission will have their admission offer rescinded. Admission may be moved for one enrollment cycle only.

Failure to enroll in the term admitted voids the admission offer. Once an admission offer is voided, individuals wishing to be considered for a later date must submit a new application and associated application materials.

Where can I find more information for international students?

Please visit UND International Student Admissions for assistance concerning immigration, employment, taxes, health insurance, etc.

Is there an orientation I can attend?

Yes, the Space Studies Department offers an annual Orientation Week prior to fall semester. This conference provides an opportunity to visit the UND campus, meet professors and other students, and tour the UND Campus, space studies labs, and the School of Aerospace facilities.

There will also be sessions with the Space Studies Graduate Director and Chester Fritz Library, as well as training for using Blackboard and Campus Connection, and understanding the School of Graduate Studies forms process. Orientation Week is open to all newly-admitted students in the program and those already part-way through their program. Attendance is not required, but strongly recommended for your benefit. Please submit the registration form to reserve your spot.

The School of Graduate Studies also has a webpage for the benefit of online students who are not able to attend the Space Studies Orientation Week.