Commercial Drone Imaging

The Commercial Drone Imaging program provides skills in digital imaging, video editing, colorization, and photo editing. Students will participate in hands-on and virtual flight activities to develop, practice, and optimize UAV (Unmanned Aircraft Vehicle) flight and photography skills with high-end photo equipment, drones, and drone simulators. This program provides media management, image editing for drone operators and focuses on developing careers in digital media, capturing and editing images for a variety of industries across multiple sectors. This certificate also provides students with a strong foundation and employable skills needed to safely flying drones in the commercial unmanned aerial industry. The training within this program will develop a student's understanding of proper and safe piloting, weather effects on aircraft, federal airspace, and regulations, as well as ethical issues regarding drones.

The program meets a need in the geographic area and does not cause undue competition with an existing program at another college. Need was determined by Labor Market Analysis, Advisory Committee (see Advisory Committee meeting minutes attached), Enrollment and Completer Projections (see chart below).

Enrollmentand Completer Projections

The Drone Technology Certificate program provides training in using drones legally and safely for commercial and recreational use. Topics include types of drones, taking and editing photos and videos, live stream video for social media, FAA regulations, Part 107 remote pilot license and exam information, drone registration, preflight, and problem solving flight situations. 

Learn about the many careers and industries using drones including public safety, investigations, construction, engineering, inspections, real estate, marketing, media, delivery, and insurance. This program prepares students for the Adobe Certified Professional (ACP) exams for Photoshop, Premiere Pro, and After Effects to earn industry recognized certifications.

The Commercial DroneImaging program provides skills in digital imaging, video editing,colorization, and photo editing. The program also includes introductory coursesin Criminal Justice, Construction Management, and Geographic Imaging Systems. Studentswill participate in hands-on and virtual flight activities to develop,practice, and optimize UAV (Unmanned Aircraft Vehicle) flight and photographyskills with high-end photo equipment, drones, and drone simulators. Thisprogram provides media management, image editing for drone operators andfocuses on developing careers in digital media, capturing and editing imagesfor a variety of industries across multiple sectors. This certificate programprovides training in using drones legally and safely for commercial andrecreational use. Topics include types of drones, taking and editing photos andvideos, live stream video for social media, FAA regulations, Part 107 remotepilot license and exam preparation, drone registration, preflight, andproblem-solving flight situations. 

Careers

The use of drones is an expanding area of growth inmany different careers and industries including agriculture, cinematography,constructio​​n, engineering, inspections, insurance, mapping, manufacturing,media, photography, public safety, real estate, sports, surveying, utilities,and many more.

• Digital Marketing Specialist
• Inspector (roof, insurance, cell tower)
• Drone Attorney
• Photographer / Videographer (weddings, special events)
• Graphic Designer
• Social Media Specialist
• Mobile App Developer
• Warehouse Inventory
• Digital Forensics Investigator​
• Real Estate Agent
• Surveying & Mapping
• Drone Repair
• Law Enforcement
• Lifeguard & Marine Safety
• Fire & First Responders
• Search & Rescue​
• Site Surveyor
• Real Estate Photographer
• Drone Pilot
• Solar Site Surveyor
• Land Survey Manager
• Survey Party Chief
• Videographer & Photographer
• Remote Sensing and UAS Advisor (On-Site)
• Media Production Manager
• Field Operations Technician
• Digital Journalist
• Avionics Technician
• Tower Technician
• Solutions Engineer – Imagery & Remote Sensing

According to the Center ofExcellence Labor Market Information report, job opportunities as a drone orunmanned aerial systems (UAS) pilot are rapidly popping up throughout theregion and state. These cutting-edge skills will launch students into versatilecareers in several industries, all the while commanding an entry-level annualsalary of about $60,000.