Planetary Science, Certificate
Study alongside faculty who lead NASA planetary missions and the instruments behind them, and earn a certificate grounded in real space exploration. Turn your fascination with other worlds into rigorous, hands-on expertise in planetary science.
Quick facts
Locations
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Additional facts
Accreditation
Accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Certificate description
Planetary Science undergraduate certificate description
In the certificate program in planetary science, you examine the formation and evolution of planetary bodies and the remote sensing technologies used to study them. You receive specific training in the origins of planetary systems, tectonics, volcanism, geomorphology, and remote mapping of surficial geology, using data from spacecraft and land-based observations. You also develop an understanding of planetary atmospheres, astrobiology, geodynamics and cosmochemistry.
This interdisciplinary program prepares you for technical career paths and to pursue exciting opportunities at the frontier of planetary exploration.
Why earn a planetary science undergraduate certificate at ASU?
The School of Earth and Space Exploration is a national leader in planetary science, with faculty who lead NASA missions, and instruments and researchers who map other worlds using spacecraft data. As one of the few schools anywhere to unite scientists and engineers under one roof, SESE faculty lead NASA and NSF missions, build flight instruments, and run field campaigns on all seven continents.
Additional details
As an SESE undergraduate, you'll be based largely in ISTB4 on ASU's Tempe campus, where research labs sit steps from a meteorite collection and the Marston Exploration Theater, a state-of-the-art 3D theater and planetarium.
Beyond your coursework, you can join clubs and student chapters, work in faculty research labs, attend the SESE colloquium and public astronomy nights and head out on field trips across the Southwest.
Courses
This undergraduate certificate includes courses focused on a specialized topic, so you can advance your skills for further professional opportunities. Explore all courses below:
2026-2027 Catalog Year
The certificate requires 18 credit hours. A "C" minimum is required for all courses in the certificate, although students must maintain a 3.00 GPA in the post-baccalaureate certificate program.
| Requirement | Minimum grade | Credit hours |
|---|---|---|
|
The certificate in planetary science requires a minimum of 18 credit hours, of which at least 12 credit hours must be upper division. A minimum of six upper-division credit hours must be taken from The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. When selecting courses, the college offering the course can be identified by viewing the course details in Class Search. Only courses completed with a grade of "C" (2.00 on a scale of 4.00) or better can be used to satisfy certificate requirements. |
||
|
AST 111 Introduction to Solar Systems Astronomy
(SCIT)
or
GLG 101 Introduction to Geology I (Physical)
(SCIT)
or
SES 100 Introduction to Exploration
(QTRS)
or
SES 106 Habitable Worlds
(SCIT)
or
SES 107 A Solar System Journey
(SCIT)
or
SES 121 Earth, Solar System and Universe
(SCIT)
3 - 4 credit hours
Minimum
grade:C
|
C | 3 - 4 |
|
GLG 404 Fundamentals of Planetary Geology
3 credit hours
Minimum
grade:C
|
C | 3 |
|
SES 421 Foundations of Planetary Science
3 credit hours
Minimum
grade:C
|
C | 3 |
|
6 credit hours
Minimum
grade:C
|
C | 6 |
|
3 credit hours
Minimum
grade:C
|
C | 3 |
|
Prerequisite courses may be needed in order to complete the requirements of this certificate.
|
What you'll learn
The following learning outcomes highlight some of the knowledge and skills you'll develop to support your future success.
- Synthesize core concepts of Earth and planetary sciences to analyze and communicate the formation and evolution of planetary bodies in our Solar System and beyond.
- Design a research hypothesis by applying domain knowledge and prepare a report on their independent research testing their hypothesis.
Synthesize core concepts of Earth and planetary sciences to analyze and communicate the formation and evolution of planetary bodies in our Solar System and beyond.Enrollment requirements
Certificate courses may have prerequisites, and the most common are listed below. Additional enrollment requirements may include completion of these courses or their equivalents with a "C" or higher:
- GLG 101: Introduction to Geology I (Physical) and GLG 103: Laboratory; or SES 121: Earth, Solar System and Universe, and SES 123: Laboratory
- a math course at the level of MAT 266: Calculus for Engineers II or higher
- a chemistry course at the level of CHM 113: General Chemistry I or higher
- a physics course at the level of PHY 121: University Physics I: Mechanics and PHY 122: Laboratory or higher
A student pursuing an undergraduate certificate must be enrolled as a degree-seeking student at ASU. Undergraduate certificates are not awarded before the completion of an undergraduate degree. A student who already holds an undergraduate degree may pursue an undergraduate certificate as a nondegree-seeking graduate student.
Here are the admission and application details
Paying for college
Use our calculator to estimate your full-time or part-time tuition fees for this program prior to any financial aid. Keep in mind that most of our students receive financial aid, which can reduce out-of-pocket costs.
Get an estimateCareer opportunities
Careers this planetary science undergraduate certificate prepares you for
The employment prospects for graduates who complete the planetary science certificate are enhanced by the potential for opportunities at the intersection of these fields. Opportunities include these positions:
- community college or university educator teaching earth science or astronomy classes
- docent at a science museum or planetarium
- faculty member or researcher at a university, working on federally funded planetary science research, instruments or missions
- K-12 educator in a program with an earth science or astronomy curriculum
- researcher at an aerospace company contracted to build subsystems, instruments or missions for federally funded planetary science research
In Arizona, such opportunities are offered at institutions that include the public universities, Mesa Community College, the United States Geological Survey, Lowell Observatory and the Planetary Science Institute. Arizona companies that employ people in these fields include World View, Paragon, FreeFall Aerospace, General Dynamics, Qwaltec and KinetX. National companies include Lockheed Martin, Honeywell, Ball, SpaceX, Blue Origin, Virgin Galactic, Intuitive Machines, Firefly Aerospace, Northrop Grumman, Axiom, Planet Labs, Blue Canyon Technologies, Astrobotic and ispace.
Graduates may also find employment in federal labs or as congressional staff.
Contact information
Use the contact information below to get in touch if you're a current student or have general questions.
School of Earth and Space Exploration
|
ISTB4 795
sese-advising@asu.edu
480-965-5081
Frequently asked questions about degree programs
Accelerated programs allow students the opportunity to expedite the completion of their degree.
Accelerated master's
These programs allow students to accelerate their studies to earn a bachelor's plus a master's degree in as few as five years (for some programs).
Each program has requirements students must meet to be eligible for consideration. Students typically receive approval to pursue the accelerated master's during the junior year of their bachelor's degree program. Interested students can learn about eligibility requirements and how to apply.
Concurrent degrees allow students to pursue their own personal or professional interests, earn two distinct degrees and receive two diplomas. To add a concurrent degree to your existing degree, work with your academic advisor.
Joint programs, or jointly conferred degrees, are offered by more than one college and provide opportunities for students to take advantage of the academic strengths of two academic units. Upon graduation, students are awarded one degree and one diploma conferred by two colleges.
ASU adds new programs to Degree Search frequently. Come back often and look for the "New Programs" option.
ASU Online offers programs in an entirely online format with multiple enrollment sessions throughout the year. See https://asuonline.asu.edu/ for more information.
