Drone Technology

Train With Purpose. Fly With Confidence.

Designed as an entry-level credential, this certificate will help prepare you if you need FAA certification for your current role or want to add commercial drone operations to your skill set.

Drone Technology at a Glance

Dallas College offers many different ways to reach your career goals. Whether you want to jump into the workforce quickly or spend more time building advanced skills, we have the programs that fit your needs and timeline.

Certificate Programs

Estimated total tuition cost²:

$448

Estimated time to complete¹:

4-8 weeks

Brookhaven
Mountain View³

Which Degrees and Certificates are Right for Me?

Workforce Training

Dallas College offers fast, flexible credentials designed with local employers to help you quickly start or advance your career.

Estimated tuition total: $448 for in-county residents
Estimated time to completion: 4-8 weeks for full-time students

Learn more about Drone Pilot Part 107 Preparation

Can I Get a Job?

Dallas College offers a variety of certificates and degrees to help you gain the skills you need to start working right away.

These credentials are often considered Career and Technical Education (CTE).
These credentials are established with the assistance and cooperation of representatives from local business, to meet local and regional employment needs.
Higher-level certificates and degrees will typically lead to a higher salary in the workforce.
Workforce (CE) certificates can often be completed faster than traditional credit certificates but typically do not offer college credit.
Level 1, Level 2, Enhanced Skills certificates and others offer college credit and are often stackable to help you build skills as you work toward an associate degree.
Workforce credentials may give you college credit at Dallas College, but they may not transfer to other colleges or universities.

If you're unsure if this is the right path for you, you can talk to a pathway specialist for advice.

Pathway Specialist

214-378-1560
AskMIT@DallasCollege.edu

Questions About Degrees and Certificates?

We know applying to college can be confusing. If you are not yet a Dallas College student, you have a whole team of recruitment coaches to help guide you through programs and the enrollment process.

Current students, contact your success coach (advisor) who can answer any questions you have about Drone Technology programs and your degree and certificate options.

Contact a Recruitment Coach

972-669-6400 (voice)
CollegeCoach@DallasCollege.edu

What Can I Earn? Will There Be Plenty of Jobs?

Drone technology continues to expand across construction, public safety, media, infrastructure and geospatial industries. Employers increasingly value professionals who can safely integrate unmanned aircraft systems into existing workflows.

This certificate is designed to enhance your current skill set by adding professional drone capabilities that support career growth. While this credential alone does not guarantee a specific job title, it can strengthen your qualifications in roles such as:

Construction and inspection technician
GIS and surveying professional
Media production specialist
Public safety professional
Facilities and maintenance staff
Real estate professional
Small business owner or entrepreneur

Graduates develop transferable skills including flight operations, safety compliance, risk assessment, mission planning, data awareness and professional documentation. These competencies support professional drone use and preparation for FAA Remote Pilot (Part 107) certification.

Explore projected job demand and salary information for related occupations below to better understand how drone skills can support your career pathway.

Professionals Across Industries Use Drones To:

Conduct visual inspections of structures and infrastructure
Capture aerial imagery and mapping data
Support emergency response and situational awareness
Document construction progress
Improve workplace safety by reducing manual inspections

Electro-Mechanical Technicians

$34/hr

Median Salary

Job Openings

+18%

Projected Outlook

Top Skills:

Operations Monitoring
Troubleshooting
Monitoring
Repairing
Quality Control Analysis
Critical Thinking
Operation and Control
Judgment and Decision Making
Reading Comprehension
Complex Problem Solving

Remote Sensing Technicians

$23/hr

Median Salary

282

Job Openings

+16%

Projected Outlook

Top Skills:

Critical Thinking
Reading Comprehension
Mathematics
Speaking
Active Listening
Monitoring
Judgment and Decision Making
Systems Analysis
Writing
Complex Problem Solving

Surveying and Mapping Technicians

$24/hr

Median Salary

248

Job Openings

+15%

Projected Outlook

Top Skills:

Reading Comprehension
Critical Thinking
Writing
Mathematics
Active Listening
Complex Problem Solving
Monitoring
Speaking
Active Learning
Coordination

Television, Video, and Motion Picture Camera Operators

$27/hr

Median Salary

Job Openings

+19%

Projected Outlook

Top Skills:

Active Listening
Coordination
Reading Comprehension
Speaking
Judgment and Decision Making
Critical Thinking
Social Perceptiveness
Monitoring
Time Management
Complex Problem Solving

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JavaScript is required to view jobs data from Dallas College Labor Market Intelligence and Lightcast. Please enable JavaScript in your browser settings to view them.

All jobs data gathered for Dallas/Fort Worth. Source: Dallas College Labor Market Intelligence and Lightcast⁴.

“I recently completed the USI Dallas College Drone Workshop and gained valuable hands-on experience in just a few days. Mr. Hill’s expertise and passion made the training especially impactful.” Read Vassil Doudov's story.

Vassil Doudov

Coordinator, Client Relationship Management at Dallas College

Upon completion of this certificate, students will be able to:

Understand FAA Remote Pilot (Part 107) regulations, airspace, and operating requirements
Apply weather awareness, risk assessment, and safe operating practices
Perform preflight planning and conduct basic flight operations under supervision
Demonstrate situational awareness and professional decision-making
Prepare to pursue the FAA Remote Pilot (Part 107) knowledge exam

Program outcomes align with FAA Remote Pilot Airman Certification Standards (ACS), supporting preparation for safe and professional drone operations.

Program Format

This course is designed to provide both flexibility and hands-on experience, making it ideal for working adults and busy schedules:

Delivery: Hybrid (online instruction with in-person flight training)
Length: 4-week or 8-week options
Schedule Options: Morning, early evening, and Saturday classes
Locations: Brookhaven and Mountain View campuses

Additional UAS Opportunities

Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) technology is introduced at Dallas College through a combination of academic coursework and hands-on experiential learning opportunities. These experiences let you explore how drone technology is applied to real-world challenges, innovation initiatives and industry-driven projects.

Academic Learning Opportunities

Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Technology

Learn how to use aerial data and geospatial analysis concepts in mapping, planning and data visualization applications.

Land Surveying

Drone technology is used to support modern surveying practices, including aerial data collection and site analysis. In this program, you will gain exposure to how unmanned aircraft systems enhance efficiency and accuracy in land measurement and field operations.

Experiential and Applied Learning Opportunities

Community College Innovation Challenge (AACC)

Dallas College student teams have participated in the national Community College Innovation Challenge, where students collaborate across disciplines to develop innovative, real-world solutions. Through this experience, students explore emerging technologies and applied problem-solving, including the potential use of drone technology in research, design and innovation-focused projects.

mINiTERN Program (Industry Externships)

The MINiTERN program is a partnership between Dallas College and local companies that provides students with real-world business experience through a 10-week, project-based externship. One current externship opportunity includes a potential project that explores the use of drone technology to improve transmission line evaluation, offering students hands-on exposure to UAS applications in an industry setting.

Dallas College’s Drone Technology certificates are designed to complement a wide range of academic programs by developing applied drone skills aligned with industry needs. Since FAA Remote Pilot (Part 107) certification is required for professional drone operations, these certificates serve as workforce-aligned pathways to that credential.

Youth Opportunities

Dallas College offers opportunities for youth and high school students to explore drone technology and develop foundational skills in safe, responsible drone operations.

Drone Summer Camps
- Featured Summer 2026 Offering: Drone Exploration Camp (Ages 13–15)
- Drone Exploration Camp introduces students ages 13–15 to drone technology through hands-on flight exploration, creative challenges, and real-world applications. Participants build confidence and curiosity while discovering how drones are used across industries.
- Mountain View Campus
- July 6 – July 9
- $200

CESA Drone Pilot Part 107 Preparation Certificate
- Students ages 16–17 may enroll in the CESA Drone Pilot Part 107 Preparation Certificate alongside adult learners. A parent or legal guardian must complete a minor waiver and register the student with assistance from a Continuing Education Success Coach, either virtually or in person.
- Virtual Advising - Join a Virtual Session
- Online Hours:
  - Mon-Fri: 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
  - Sat-Sun: Closed
- Email Continuing Education for additional information or questions.

Start Your Journey

Ready to take the next step toward professional drone operations?

To get started with either certificate, the School of Manufacturing and Industrial Technology (MIT) is here to help.

Email AskMIT@DallasCollege.edu and include “Drone” in the subject line. A member of the MIT team will respond with program information, eligibility details and registration guidance to help you get enrolled.

¹Length of time is based on catalog degree plans. Prerequisites may be required, which are not included in this estimate. For most programs, full-time student status is assumed, a minimum of 12 credit hours per semester.

²Cost for credit courses is based on tuition rates for program hours for Dallas County residents. The price of most required learning materials (books, software, supplies, etc.) is included with the price of tuition. Certain programs may have additional costs above the standard tuition. Continuing Education and Ed2Go courses may vary by program. Please review the Area of Study Overview and/or the Health Information Packets for additional costs and details. Visit our Paying for College site to learn more about cost, financial aid, scholarships and more.

³Each location offers a unique combination of certificate and degree options. Not all degree and certificate offerings are available for admission/start at all campuses every semester.

⁴A portion of Lightcast’s data comes from O*NET Online by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. Lightcast has modified all or some of this information. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.

Updated June 25, 2026

Study Drone Technology At Dallas College

Train With Purpose. Fly With Confidence.