AE: Capitol Makes a Smart Career Choice Even Stronger
With employer demand continuing to outpace the number of qualified candidates, Astronautical Engineering is a field that delivers robust job prospects.
Even more appealing to employers are candidates who can combine an engineering background with training in the increasingly crucial field of Information Assurance (IA).
Capitol College is enabling students to obtain that highly coveted combination of skills. Under a newly revamped curriculum to be launched in Fall 2014, graduate students enrolled in the AE program will also be able to choose an IA focus.
“They'll be able to do our program and come out with AE/IA master’s degree,” Associate Director of Graduate Admissions Xavier A. Richards (pictured) said. “That's very unique for the market. A lot of companies are looking for, yes, an AE major, but with a cybersecurity/network protection/network management kind of blend. So it makes the student really marketable in that industry, and it helps them to diversify their portfolio.”
To help get the word out, Richards and other Capitol representatives were on hand at the 52nd American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) Aerospace Sciences Meeting, held this year from January 13th through the 17th. The annual event is an important date on the aerospace industry calendar, bringing together emerging talents and top names in the field.
Online classes, reasonable price tag
Capitol is taking the lead not only when it comes to curriculum, but also with its course delivery system. “There are very few AE schools out there that are offering this degree online,” Richards said. “We provide an opportunity for students to attend school while they’re working.”
Online learning capabilities are especially attractive to the many professionals who come to the DC area, which is home to major aerospace firms, contractors and government agencies. In addition, Richards said, a Capitol degree comes with an attractive price tag.
While most AE masters’ programs cost upwards of $40,000 or $50,000, Capitol charges $550 per credit for a total of $16,500. “We’re one of the cheapest, not only regionally but nationally, in this particular field,” Richards said.
Capitol students make a splash
While Richards and her colleagues touted Capitol’s benefits to potential applicants who were attending the AIAA, current Capitol students were busy demonstrating their work to industry professionals.
Under the direction of Dr. Alex "Sandy" Antunes (pictured), the students presented a poster on combining 3-D printer capabilities with satellite development. Ryan Schrenk and Mikus Bormanis were the co-authors; Aaron Bush, who is working with high-altitude balloons, also attended the poster session.
The students “totally represented,” Antunes said.
“They were talking to the NASA staffers, the other experts, the university people, and the other students there, including the US Naval Academy,” he said.
About Capitol College
Capitol College is the only independent college in Maryland dedicated to education in engineering, computer science, information technology and business through practices of leadership and innovation. Founded in 1927, Capitol offers associate, bachelor’s and master's degrees, a Doctor of Science in Information Assurance, professional development training and certificates. Academic programs are grounded in centers of excellence; these include the Space Operations Institute, the Critical Infrastructures and Cyber Protection Center, the Innovation and Leadership Institute, and the Center for Space Science Education and Public Outreach. The college campus is located in Laurel, Maryland, a suburban setting midway between Baltimore and Washington, DC. www.capitol-college.edu.
