DEGREE PROGRAM SET FOR A.V. ENGINEERS USC TO OFFER SCIENCE MASTER'S ONLINE

PALMDALE - Working engineers in the Antelope Valley aerospaceindustry will be earning master of science degrees from theUniversity of Southern California next semester - without steppingfoot on campus.

The Aerospace Education Research and Operations (AERO) Institutein Palmdale will announce a strategic partnership with the USCViterbi School of Engineering Distance Education Network at aspecial daylong event starting at 10 a.m. Tuesday.

Regular campus courses will be transmitted from studio classroomsat the USC campus via an extensive Internet-delivery system toenable students to access their classes anytime, from anywhere.

Engineers from organizations such as Boeing, Lockheed Martin, BAESystems, NASA Dryden, Edwards Air Force Base, Northrop Grumman, andChina Lake Naval Air Warfare Center will be offered the opportunityto advance their education while balancing work and family,organizers said.

The USI program now enrolls more than 1,200 advanced degreecandidates at companies across the nation, offering 28 master ofscience degrees, five graduate certificates, and professionaldevelopment short courses.

"Engineering has long been a pillar of strength for theUniversity of Southern California," said Yannis Yortsos, dean of theViterbi School of Engineering. "When Southern California maturedinto an economic and industrial giant, we played a leading role inthe explosive growth of the aerospace and communications industries.We are excited to continue this growth to the engineers of theAntelope Valley."

The USC DEN program offers degrees from several engineeringdisciplines but Tuesday's event will emphasize astronauticalengineering.

"We have a lot to offer Antelope Valley engineers," said programdirector Mike Gruntman. "Astronautics at USC encompasses the dynamicand cutting-edge field of advanced space technology, with a uniquefocus on spacecraft engineering. It is exceptionally relevant todaydue to the growing importance of space to both national security andthe economy."

DEN executive director Kelly Goulis said USC's system is designedto cater to engineers who are working full time.

"We know how to work with employers by streamlining processes;and we know how to support our remote students to make sure theyhave everything they need to succeed," Goulis said.

Goulis said that current students of the program would be on handTuesday to share their online learning experiences. Engineers whomeet the USC Viterbi School of Engineering qualifications foradmission to its graduate programs can enroll in classes as soon asJan. 9, when spring semester begins.

Kevin L. Petersen, director of NASA's Dryden Flight ResearchCenter, is also enthusiastic about the addition of USC as a partnerto the AERO Institute.

"We are excited about the opportunities for furthercollaborations," Petersen said.

Housed in a former courthouse at the Palmdale Civic Center, theAERO Institute is a partnership that includes NASA Dryden FlightResearch Center at Edwards Air Force Base; the city, and otherorganizations. Among its efforts are expanding higher educationalopportunities in the Antelope Valley.

For more information on the USC program go to den.usc.edu,contact info(at)den.usc.edu or call (213) 821-1475.