(NORTH CAROLINA) North Carolina A&T State University will launch the state’s first standalone bachelor’s degree in aerospace engineering in Fall 2025, a move university leaders say aligns higher education with a booming regional industry and a fast-growing national demand for skilled talent.
The new B.S. in Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering—approved by the UNC System Board of Governors in May 2025—shifts A&T’s long-running aerospace concentration into a full degree path and places the university at the center of North Carolina’s rising aerospace hub.
Regional timing and industry alignment
Officials say the program’s timing is deliberate. Greensboro and the wider Piedmont Triad are in the midst of major aerospace growth, including JetZero’s planned $4.7 billion investment expected to bring more than 14,500 jobs to the area.
University leaders say A&T will work directly with JetZero and other employers to build a pipeline of engineers ready for aircraft and spacecraft projects. VisaVerge.com reports that the program’s start date gives high school seniors and transfer students a clear runway to join the first cohort in Fall 2025 while companies ramp up hiring.
Program placement and curriculum focus
The degree sits in A&T’s Department of Mechanical Engineering within the College of Engineering and will train students in:
- Aircraft and spacecraft design
- Propulsion
- Avionics
- Materials
- Flight mechanics
- Control systems
University statements stress hands-on labs and project work. Students are expected to build and test flying machines, run simulations, and learn manufacturing methods used in industry. The university highlights modern facilities for robotics, drone testing, and aerospace manufacturing that will anchor lab courses and student research.
Partnerships, internships, and research opportunities
Partnerships take center stage. A&T points to collaboration with:
- NASA
- Department of Defense
- Private firms including JetZero, Boom Supersonic, Honda Aircraft, Haeco, and Collins Aerospace
Regional employers say they need engineers who can move from design concepts to production quickly. Students will have access to:
- Internships
- Co-ops
- Research tied to active programs across defense, commercial aviation, and space
The university also cites opportunities linked to Boeing’s drone work, giving students exposure to unmanned systems and autonomy—skills employers increasingly request.
A state first — access and diversity
For North Carolina, the program marks a first. Until now, students interested in aerospace typically pursued mechanical engineering with an aerospace focus or looked out of state. A&T’s shift to a full bachelor’s degree signals a long-term commitment to the industry.
It also supports A&T’s broader vision to expand STEM offerings and place graduates in high-impact fields, from national defense to commercial space operations. The College of Engineering, already a national leader in producing African American engineers, expects the new program to strengthen diversity across the aerospace workforce.
Policy context for international students
The degree also carries weight for international students who plan to study in the United States 🇺🇸. A&T enrolls students from around the world, and the new aerospace engineering program is expected to draw strong interest from abroad in Fall 2025.
Prospective international students will need a Form I-20 from the university to apply for an F-1 student visa. They must then complete the online nonimmigrant visa application, the DS-160 form, available on the U.S. Department of State’s website at DS-160: Online Nonimmigrant Visa Application.
Important steps and tips for international applicants:
- Pay the required SEVIS I-901 fee.
- Complete the DS-160 and schedule an embassy/consulate interview.
- Prepare documentation showing funding, English ability, and academic readiness.
- Book visa appointments early — processing times can be lengthy in some countries.
- Early filing improves the odds of arriving before orientation and secures time for housing and internship planning (VisaVerge.com analysis).
Transfer pathways and access
Transfer pathways remain important for many applicants. A&T notes co-admission options with Guilford Technical Community College (GTCC) for students who start with an Associate in Engineering and then move into the aerospace degree.
University and community college leaders say this pathway will help North Carolina residents — including active-duty military families and returning adult learners — enter the aerospace pipeline without leaving the state.
Industry and community impact
The Piedmont Triad has worked to position itself as a national aerospace center. Regional leaders point to a cluster of employers, airport infrastructure, and a workforce pipeline that can scale quickly.
A&T’s program—backed by its track record as the nation’s top producer of African American engineering graduates and the largest HBCU for 11 years—adds a strong diversity dimension to employer recruiting. Companies seeking to build inclusive teams will find a steady stream of candidates trained on current tools, materials, and systems.
Faculty say the curriculum will balance theory and practice. Typical progression includes:
- Early years: study aerodynamics, structures, and propulsion
- Later years: advance to spacecraft systems, avionics, guidance and control, and design-build-test sequences
- Capstone and research: employer-linked projects designed to ease transition to full-time roles
Team projects will mirror industry tasks: designing control surfaces, tuning propulsion models, and integrating avionics with onboard sensors.
Career pathways and value proposition
For families weighing cost and value, the university argues the degree offers a clear return. Entry-level aerospace roles often provide strong wages and benefits, and the region’s new projects increase internship access.
Key career benefits:
- Early internship experience increases competitiveness for post-graduation roles, including positions that may qualify for STEM Optional Practical Training (OPT).
- Students interested in defense will gain exposure to systems used across military aircraft and spacecraft programs.
- Those drawn to commercial aviation can learn certification paths, quality standards, and production methods common to large-scale assembly lines.
- Space-focused students will see systems engineering applied to satellites, launch support, and deep-space missions.
Advisers recommend planning for internships beginning in the first year so students build the experience employers expect by junior year.
Curriculum emphases and employer-informed design
The degree’s launch follows months of consultation with employers, alumni, and faculty. Leaders say courses were tailored to match roles companies need filled in the next five to ten years. Emphases include:
- Autonomy
- Digital engineering
- Composites
- Safety, ethics, and teamwork
These areas are now standard across design and manufacturing and reflect employer priorities.
The program aims to prepare students to move from concept to production quickly while emphasizing safety, ethics, and teamwork—skills companies often cite as must-haves for new engineers.
Admissions, contact, and next steps
Prospective students and parents can contact the Mechanical Engineering Department for details on admissions timelines, lab access, and internship support.
- Interim chair: Dr. John Kizito
- Phone: 336-285-3747
University staff say they expect high interest for the first cohort and encourage early applications to secure advising and scholarship consideration.
North Carolina A&T State University frames the new aerospace engineering degree as both an academic step and an economic one. By aligning coursework with real-world projects and deep employer ties, the university aims to supply talent as the region adds facilities and ramps up production. With Fall 2025 on the horizon, A&T’s message to students—local and international—is simple: there’s a seat at the table, and the work ahead is ready for you to join.
This Article in a Nutshell
North Carolina A&T State University will launch the state’s first standalone B.S. in Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering in Fall 2025 after UNC Board approval in May 2025. Housed in the Department of Mechanical Engineering, the program focuses on aircraft and spacecraft design, propulsion, avionics, materials, flight mechanics and control systems with strong emphasis on hands-on labs, robotics, drone testing and aerospace manufacturing. Industry partnerships with JetZero, NASA, the Department of Defense and private firms will supply internships, co-ops and employer-informed research. Transfer pathways with GTCC and guidance for international applicants (F-1 visa, SEVIS I-901, DS-160) aim to expand access and support the regional aerospace workforce growth tied to major investments.
