Train With Purpose. Fly With Confidence.
The Drone Pilot Part 107 Preparation Continuing Education Skills Award (CESA) provides focused training for FAA Remote Pilot (Part 107) certification. This workforce-aligned program combines regulatory instruction with supervised flight experience to help you develop safe, compliant and professional drone operating skills.
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
4-8 weeks to complete1
$448 tuition2
- Brookhaven
- Mountain View3
What Can I Study?
I Want to Go to Work
Dallas College offers fast, flexible credentials designed with local employers to help you quickly start or advance your career.
Length of time is based on catalog degree plans1. Credit tuition rates are based on program hours for Dallas County residents. Continuing education and Ed2Go tuition may vary by program2.
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
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
20
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
98
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
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.
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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
Learn how to use aerial data and geospatial analysis concepts in mapping, planning and data visualization applications.
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
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.
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.
Find Out More About Drone Technology
Sign up to receive additional information about Drone Technology or call 972-669-6400.
School of Manufacturing and Industrial Technology
- 214-378-1560
- AskMIT@DallasCollege.edu
Dallas College
- 972-669-6400
- Text College to 214-978-6457
- StudentHelp@DallasCollege.edu
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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.