sUAS Pilot Safety Certificate
At a Glance
Carroll’s certificate in sUAS (drones) Pilot Safety program prepares you for a career as a Commercial Drone Pilot, providing both the theoretical knowledge and practical skills necessary to safely operate a small unmanned aircraft system.
Total Credits:
18
Certificate Length:
18 Months
Helpful Resources
About the Certificate
Prepare for an exciting career as a Commercial Drone Pilot!
Our certificate in sUAS (drones) Pilot Safety program trains you as a professional Remote Pilot, delivering the knowledge required for industry safety certification in order to build the learner’s competency in the field of sUAS aviation safety per National Airspace System regulations.
As part of this certificate, students will prepare to earn their FAA Remote Pilot in Command Certificate and the sUAS Safety Certification. The Pilot Safety certificate signifies an individual that can commercially fly unmanned aircraft systems and holds Unmanned Safety Institute’s sUAS Safety Certification.
Certification is not guaranteed. Some of the coursework may require fieldwork and flight laboratories.
Advisory Board
Our curriculum is designed and continuously reviewed by an advisory board of industry experts and business leaders, ensuring it meets all current skill and knowledge requirements. You can visit our Advisory Boards page to see the list of sUAS Advisory Board members, as well as advisory board members for our other programs.
Curriculum
Transfers & Careers
Discover Your Passion
Find out what your interests are and how they relate to the world of work.
Transfer
Carroll has transfer agreements with virtually every public college and university in Maryland, as well as many other schools throughout the state and across the country.
Learn more about transferring your courses to a different institution or explore Transfer Agreements by Area of Study.
Career
By 2023, the FAA predicts that the commercial drone market will consist of 835,000 aircraft—three times the number in 2018. Subsequently, demand for certified pilots will grow significantly, offering a wide variety of jobs as well as opportunities for students to start their own businesses in this rapidly evolving field.
The Association for Unmanned Vehicle Systems International (AUVSI) forecasts more than 100,000 drone-related jobs will be created by 2025 in such important industries as:
- Infrastructure & Construction
- Agriculture
- Real Estate
- Insurance
- Media & Entertainment
- Law Enforcement & Military
Starting pay for entry-level drone operator jobs (e.g., shooting photos/videos for realtors, hotel and resort ads) is about $35,000 per year, while more advanced applications such as power line inspections, aerial surveillance and disaster relief can earn individuals as much as $200,000 annually.
“I enjoyed having input from a variety of instructors giving real-life applications to the drone world of business. Being a concurrent high schooler, it was great to take classes. I enjoyed learning with people who were dedicated to being there.”
Faculty
Carroll’s faculty are scholars, researchers, distinguished leaders and industry professionals selected based on their experience, academic excellence and passion for teaching. They possess a wealth of skills and knowledge to share with you throughout your pursuit of a sUAS Pilot Safety Certificate.
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