Colorado Technical University

If I get a BS in Exercise Science and a DS in Psychoneurology, will NASA accept me?

The plan would be to become a part time CPT (Certified Personal Trainer) and a full time research scientist in the field of Psychoneurology. I already know a ton of information on exercise science anyways, so it would be pretty easy for me to major in it, and I read books on psychology simply because I'm interested, so it seems like a good fit. I also want to be a pilot, so flight school would be cool, but the ultimate for me would to be a NASA Astronaut. I might just get two AS degrees (one in physical sciences and the other in behavioral sciences), but I wouldn't know what to get a Bachelor's in? I'll get my pilot's license at community college along with my GE or AS degree(s), and will get a commercial jet certification and 1000+ flight hours after completing college. "Basic requirements for an Astronaut Pilot include the following: 1. Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution in engineering, biological science, physical science, or mathematics. An advanced degree is desirable. Quality of academic preparation is important. 2. At least 1,000 hours pilot-in-command time in jet aircraft. Flight test experience is highly desirable. 3. Ability to pass a NASA space physical which is similar to a military or civilian flight physical and includes the following specific standards: Distant visual acuity: 20/100 or better uncorrected, correctable to 20/20 each eye. Blood pressure: 140/90 measured in a sitting position. Height between 64 and 76 inches." If I can't get in as a pilot, I might try to get in as a Mission Specialist: "Basic requirements for a Mission Specialist include the following: 1. Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution in engineering, biological science, physical science, or mathematics. Degree must be followed by at least three years of related, progressively responsible, professional experience. An advanced degree is desirable and may be substituted for part or all of the experience requirement (master's degree = 1 year of experience, doctoral degree = 3 years of experience). Quality of academic preparation is important. 2. Ability to pass a NASA space physical, which is similar to a military or civilian flight physical and includes the following specific standards: Distance visual acuity: 20/200 or better uncorrected, correctable to 20/20, each eye. Blood pressure: 140/90 measured in a sitting position. 3. Height between 58.5 and 76 inches. I would also have a special ops military background as an officer, so hopefully I'd get picked over all the other candidates? Is this a plan to succeed, or am I asking to be rejected by NASA? Also, does the BS to DS have good carryover or will I be taking a lot of extra units to complete my DS degree? (I'll get a minor in Psychology with my BS if that's neccesary preperation)

Public Comments

1. Typically NASA wants someone with a hard science background: mathematics, physics, chemistry, geoscience, biology or engineering. Now, I don't know what Exercise Science involves because they don't have that program at my University. If it has a significant amount of math and science from the fields above, then it is probably good. They will want advanced courses in those fields, so upper undergrad-graduate level physics, chemistry, etc. A pilot's license will help too. They seem to prefer military training, but that's not a prerequisite. I'm not sure what a DS will entail in terms of course load and BS transfer. You should probably talk to an advisor about your plans, but also keep in mind that you can talk to someone at NASA's Human Resources department, or even someone in the field you want to go to. Occasionally they will mentor someone who they feel displays the qualities that they are seeking. Good luck, and keep at it. If that's your dream, then don't give up and you'll find your way. :)