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School of Science, Technology, Engineering & Math (STEM)

Space Studies

Online Undergraduate Certificate in Space Studies

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$0 Transfer Credit Evaluation
$0 Textbooks & eBooks

72%Have Graduated with No APUS-incurred Student Loan Debt2

About This Program

The space studies undergraduate certificate from American Military University (AMU) provides useful space studies skills and examines spaceflight history, space policy, and planetary exploration.

A former NASA astronaut designed the program’s curriculum. Your space studies courses in this online program also explore:

  • Orbital mechanics
  • Astronomy
  • Government and industry space race participants

You will also be able to participate in ongoing telescope research, such as our supernova research project. Faculty, including scientists and current engineers with NASA and aerospace firms, lead your learning.

What You Will Do

  1. Become familiar with the principles of manned and unmanned flight, both within and outside of Earth’s atmosphere
  2. Understand the history of space exploration from early rocketry efforts to the International Space Station and beyond
  3. Grow your knowledge of space policies, including the cooperation efforts and diplomatic relations between various spacefaring nations
  4. Study the history of planetary and space exploration, with an emphasis on the role of unmanned and manned spacecraft

Program at a Glance

Number of Credits
18
Transfer up to 9 credits1
Cost Per Credit
$350 | $250*
$315**
*with Preferred Military Rate
**with Veteran Grant or APUS Opportunity Grant
Courses Start Monthly
Online
and vary from 8 to 16 weeks

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Program Requirements Printable Catalog Version

Must take all courses for this section.

Course ID: 3283

|
This course in college trigonometry synthesizes topics from college algebra courses and is designed to extend students' knowledge of trigonometry. It covers a variety of mathematical concepts and techniques that are important to students planning to continue into more advanced math and math-related classes. The course concentrates on various trigonometric functions, identities, and equations as well as the practical application of trigonometry to real-life situations. The final part of the course includes polar coordinates and vectors. While there are no prerequisites for MATH111, it is very highly recommended that students complete MATH110 College Algebra or an equivalent college-level course prior to taking this course.
Registration Dates Course Dates Session Weeks
11/28/24 - 05/02/25 05/05/25 - 06/29/25 Spring 2025 Session I 8 Week session
12/30/24 - 05/30/25 06/02/25 - 07/27/25 Spring 2025 Session D 8 Week session
01/27/25 - 07/04/25 07/07/25 - 08/31/25 Summer 2025 Session B 8 Week session
02/24/25 - 08/01/25 08/04/25 - 09/28/25 Summer 2025 Session I 8 Week session
03/31/25 - 08/29/25 09/01/25 - 10/26/25 Summer 2025 Session D 8 Week session

Course ID: 4955

|
This course is designed to introduce the student to a variety of subjects, which together comprise the overall field of space studies. This includes the space environment, astrodynamics, launch vehicles, spacecraft, space operations, commerce, space law, policy, telecommunications, space navigations, remote sensing, space resources, astronomy, and space life sciences. All of these topics will be addressed with a very broad brush, as the student will study them more in-depth during later courses in the aerospace studies degree program. Instruction is primarily through readings (both textbook and online), along with weekly classroom discussions. As the first space studies course in the AS and BS degree in Space Studies program, this course also focuses on research and writing methods appropriate to space studies. The web readings listed under "Web Resources" will discuss critical elements of research, writing, style and formatting. The Turabian style (also known as the Chicago style) is required for all courses in this program. The course will introduce the student to a variety of research sources that will be useful in future space studies courses. (Prerequisite: MATH111)
Registration Dates Course Dates Session Weeks
11/28/24 - 05/02/25 05/05/25 - 06/29/25 Spring 2025 Session I 8 Week session
12/30/24 - 05/30/25 06/02/25 - 07/27/25 Spring 2025 Session D 8 Week session
01/27/25 - 07/04/25 07/07/25 - 08/31/25 Summer 2025 Session B 8 Week session
02/24/25 - 08/01/25 08/04/25 - 09/28/25 Summer 2025 Session I 8 Week session
03/31/25 - 08/29/25 09/01/25 - 10/26/25 Summer 2025 Session D 8 Week session

Course ID: 4956

|
Students in this course assess the major aspects of space flight. The course covers space flight from early rocketry through the development of satellite navigation, meteorology, and telecommunications, up to human space flight. Course topics also include: rocket propulsion, basic orbital mechanics, the space environment, living and working in space, and an overview of non-U.S. space programs. Instruction is primarily through readings, along with weekly forums. There will be weekly quizzes, and a paper. (Prerequisite: SPST200)
Registration Dates Course Dates Session Weeks
11/28/24 - 05/02/25 05/05/25 - 06/29/25 Spring 2025 Session I 8 Week session
12/30/24 - 05/30/25 06/02/25 - 07/27/25 Spring 2025 Session D 8 Week session
01/27/25 - 07/04/25 07/07/25 - 08/31/25 Summer 2025 Session B 8 Week session
02/24/25 - 08/01/25 08/04/25 - 09/28/25 Summer 2025 Session I 8 Week session
03/31/25 - 08/29/25 09/01/25 - 10/26/25 Summer 2025 Session D 8 Week session

Course ID: 4957

|
This course is a history of human activity in space and includes rocketry, space associations, voluntary organizations, human flight, unmanned flight, satellites, science-fiction, and ballistic missiles. The History of Space is a survey of humanity’s quest to explore outer space, “the final frontier.” This course is a history of human activity concerning, about, and in space and includes early humanity’s fascination with the heavens, the quest for knowledge about what lay beyond the sky, human flight, unmanned flight, the development of rocketry and satellites, the role of early space associations and voluntary organizations, space exploration and ballistic missiles and the increased militarization of space, and science fiction. (Prerequisite: SPST201)
Registration Dates Course Dates Session Weeks
11/28/24 - 05/02/25 05/05/25 - 06/29/25 Spring 2025 Session I 8 Week session
12/30/24 - 05/30/25 06/02/25 - 07/27/25 Spring 2025 Session D 8 Week session
01/27/25 - 07/04/25 07/07/25 - 08/31/25 Summer 2025 Session B 8 Week session
03/31/25 - 08/29/25 09/01/25 - 10/26/25 Summer 2025 Session D 8 Week session

Course ID: 3154

|
This course assesses the various aspects of policy surrounding space activities and investigates how space policy evolves from historical contexts through policy outcomes, including law, commerce, the environment, international cooperation, and national security. (Prerequisites: SPST200)
Registration Dates Course Dates Session Weeks
12/30/24 - 05/30/25 06/02/25 - 07/27/25 Spring 2025 Session D 8 Week session

Course ID: 3163

|
This course is a summary of U.S. and international space programs. The student will assess the Earth and its space environment, to include methods of scientific exploration and spacecraft and payload criteria at the basic physics level. This course elaborates on Space Station flight operations, its supporting elements and planned systems. Students will study commercial applications, logistical support, maintenance and servicing design concepts. (Prerequisites: SPST200)
Registration Dates Course Dates Session Weeks
11/28/24 - 05/02/25 05/05/25 - 06/29/25 Spring 2025 Session I 8 Week session
02/24/25 - 08/01/25 08/04/25 - 09/28/25 Summer 2025 Session I 8 Week session

Courses Start Monthly

Next Courses Start May 5
Register by May 2
Apply Now Request Info

Admission Requirements

  • All AMU undergraduate programs require a minimum of a high school diploma or equivalent (i.e., GED). Please read all undergraduate admission requirements before applying to this program and be prepared to submit the required documentation.
  • There is no fee to complete the AMU admission application for this program. View steps to apply.

Need Help?

Selecting the right program to meet your educational goals is a key step in ensuring a successful outcome. If you are unsure of which program to choose, or need more information, please contact an AMU admissions representative at 877-755-2787 or [email protected].

Quality Education Should Be Affordable

So you can focus on the opportunities ahead, without the financial burden of more expensive schools who are not as invested in your success. Learn more about paying for school.

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Disclosures

Maryland Residents learn more about costs, completion rates, median debt, and more.

2Alumni Graduated with No APUS-incurred Student Loan Debt As of December 31, 2021

Includes alumni who graduated with an associate, bachelor's, or master's degree from APUS. Student loan debt is defined as student loans and private education loans used for tuition, fees, living expenses, and book costs associated with courses taken at APUS. Many APUS students receive military tuition assistance and veterans education benefits, which are not student loan debt.

1The University reserves the right to accept or deny credits according to policies outlined on our University website. Please see the University's transfer credit policy webpage for complete information.

*Cost Per Credit Hour

The Preferred Military Rate is $250 per credit hour for undergraduate and  master's-level courses. This rate is available to all U.S. active-duty servicemembers, National Guard members, Reservists, and military families, including parents, spouses, legal partners, siblings, and dependents.

See all military student benefits.

Cost of Attendance

Learn more about AMU’s cost components and full cost of attendance.