Unmanned Aircraft Systems
The Associate in Applied Science (AAS) in Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) prepares students for entry-level positions in the UAS industry. The program provides foundational knowledge and skills in mission planning, applications, maintenance, regulations, data analytics, and project management using UAS platforms. Students gain experience in UAS flight, history, avionics, sensors, and communication systems, with applications in emergency response, geographic information systems, precision agriculture, and commercial or government operations. Graduates are prepared to conduct flights that reflect current industry practices, comply with Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regulations, and pursue FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certification.
Details
Field of Interest
Applied Technology
Degree Type
Associate in Applied Science (AAS)
Academic Plan
Unmanned Aircraft Systems (DEG)
Academic Plan Code
3184
Total credits required
60-68
Catalog Year
2026-2027
Effective Term
Fall 2026
Notes
Students must earn a grade of C or better for all courses required within the program.
What You'll Learn
- Operate small unmanned aircraft systems (sUAS) proficiently in compliance with FAA rules and regulations.
- Demonstrate an understanding of the aviation environment and the emerging role of sUAS.
- Employ safety, legal, ethical, and professional standards in sUAS operations.
- Develop and execute flight and mission plans using software applications and operational processes.
- Perform basic inspection, maintenance, and repair of sUAS.
- Apply problem-solving and analytical skills to evaluate and report mission data.
- Identify, assess, and mitigate operational risks in sUAS environments.
- Prepare for FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certification.
- Apply relevant knowledge, skills, and habits of mind to seek career opportunities in the field.
Career Statistics
Successful completion of this degree may lead to employment in a variety of different occupations and industries. Below are examples of related occupations with associated Arizona-based wages* for this degree. Education requirements vary for the occupations listed below, so you may need further education or degrees in order to qualify for some of these jobs and earn the related salaries. Please visit with an academic advisor and/or program director for additional information. You can click on any occupation to view the detail regarding education level, wages, and employment information.
Career/Technical Education Teachers, Postsecondary
$56,550
Cartographers and Photogrammetrists
$63,420
Electro-Mechanical and Mechatronics Technologists and Technicians
$67,530
Film and Video Editors
$50,310
Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers
$68,060
Surveying and Mapping Technicians
$55,640
* Career and wage information provided by Pipeline AZ using data, reports, and forecasts which are generated using government data sources. Sources
Course Sequence by Term
The following is the suggested course sequence by term. Please keep in mind:
- Students should meet with an academic advisor to develop an individual education plan that meets their academic and career goals. Use the Degree Progress Report Tool in your Student Center to manage your plan.
- The course sequence is laid out by suggested term and may be affected when students enter the program at different times of the year.
- Initial course placement is determined by current district placement measures and/or completion of 100-200 level course and/or program requirements.
- Degree and transfer seeking students may be required to successfully complete a MCCCD First Year Experience Course (FYE) within the first two semesters at a MCCCD College. Courses include FYE101 and FYE103. Course offerings will vary by college. See an academic, program, or faculty advisor for details.
- Consult with your faculty mentor or academic advisor to determine educational requirements, including possible university transfer options, for your chosen career field.
Full-time Sequence
Full-time status is 12 credits to 18 credits per semester.
Term 1
| Course Number | Course Name | Requisites | Notes | Area | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| UAS101 or (UAS101AA and UAS101AB) |
Unmanned Aircraft Systems Ground School or (Unmanned Aircraft Systems Ground School and Unmanned Aircraft Systems Ground School) | Critical course Gateway course | 2–2 | ||
| UAS110 | Aviation Safety | 3 | |||
| ENG101 or ENG107 |
First-Year Composition or First-Year Composition for ESL | Critical course | FYC or FYC | 3 | |
| FYE101 or FYE103 |
Introduction to College, Career and Personal Success or Exploration of College, Career and Personal Success | 1–3 | |||
| MAT120 or MAT121 or MAT122 or MAT126 |
Intermediate Algebra or Intermediate Algebra or Intermediate Algebra or Intermediate Algebra with Review | Or higher level mathematics course | 3–6 |
Term 2
| Course Number | Course Name | Requisites | Notes | Area | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| UAS107 | Remote Pilot Certification and Flight Operations | Required for certification to fly sUAS. | 3 | ||
| UAS115 | Crew Resource Management | 1 | |||
| UAS210 | Mission Control and Air Traffic Control Systems | 2 | |||
| CRE101 | College Critical Reading and Critical Thinking | L | 0–3 | ||
| COM100 or COM110 or COM225 or COM230 |
Introduction to Human Communication or Interpersonal Communication or Public Speaking or Small Group Communication | SB or SB or L or SB | 3 | ||
| SQ or SG | Natural Sciences | PHY101 Introduction to Physics 4 (recommended but not required) | 4 |
Term 3
| Course Number | Course Name | Requisites | Notes | Area | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ENG102 or ENG108 |
First-Year Composition or First-Year Composition for ESL | FYC or FYC | 3 | ||
| UAS120 | Remote Sensing and Analysis | 1 | |||
| UAS130 | Design and 3D Printing Fundamentals | 3 | |||
| UAS125 | Sensors and Systems | 4 | |||
| UAS135 | Electricity Fundamentals | 5 |
Term 4
| Course Number | Course Name | Requisites | Notes | Area | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| HU | Humanities, Fine Arts & Design | 3 | |||
| SB | Social-Behavioral Sciences | 3 | |||
| UAS220 | Design and Operations | 5 | |||
| UAS230 | Maintenance Fundamentals | 3 | |||
| UAS240 | Unmanned Aircraft Systems Capstone | 4 |
Part-time Sequence
Part-time status is 11 credit hours or less.
Term 1
| Course Number | Course Name | Requisites | Notes | Area | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| UAS101 or (UAS101AA and UAS101AB) |
Unmanned Aircraft Systems Ground School or (Unmanned Aircraft Systems Ground School and Unmanned Aircraft Systems Ground School) | Critical course Gateway course | 2–2 | ||
| UAS110 | Aviation Safety | 3 | |||
| ENG101 or ENG107 |
First-Year Composition or First-Year Composition for ESL | Critical course | FYC or FYC | 3 | |
| FYE101 or FYE103 |
Introduction to College, Career and Personal Success or Exploration of College, Career and Personal Success | 1–3 |
Term 2
| Course Number | Course Name | Requisites | Notes | Area | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| UAS107 | Remote Pilot Certification and Flight Operations | Required for certification to fly sUAS. | 3 | ||
| UAS210 | Mission Control and Air Traffic Control Systems | 2 | |||
| CRE101 | College Critical Reading and Critical Thinking | L | 0–3 |
Term 3
| Course Number | Course Name | Requisites | Notes | Area | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MAT120 or MAT121 or MAT122 or MAT126 |
Intermediate Algebra or Intermediate Algebra or Intermediate Algebra or Intermediate Algebra with Review | Or higher level mathematics course | 3–6 | ||
| UAS115 | Crew Resource Management | 1 | |||
| ENG102 or ENG108 |
First-Year Composition or First-Year Composition for ESL | FYC or FYC | 3 |
Term 4
| Course Number | Course Name | Requisites | Notes | Area | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| COM100 or COM110 or COM225 or COM230 |
Introduction to Human Communication or Interpersonal Communication or Public Speaking or Small Group Communication | SB or SB or L or SB | 3 | ||
| UAS120 | Remote Sensing and Analysis | 1 | |||
| UAS125 | Sensors and Systems | 4 |
Term 5
| Course Number | Course Name | Requisites | Notes | Area | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| HU | Humanities, Fine Arts & Design | 3 | |||
| UAS220 | Design and Operations | 5 |
Term 6
| Course Number | Course Name | Requisites | Notes | Area | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SQ or SG | Natural Sciences | PHY101 Introduction to Physics 4 (recommended but not required) | 4 | ||
| UAS135 | Electricity Fundamentals | 5 |
Term 7
| Course Number | Course Name | Requisites | Notes | Area | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| UAS130 | Design and 3D Printing Fundamentals | 3 | |||
| SB | Social-Behavioral Sciences | 3 | |||
| UAS230 | Maintenance Fundamentals | 3 |
Term 8
| Course Number | Course Name | Requisites | Notes | Area | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| UAS240 | Unmanned Aircraft Systems Capstone | 4 |
Course Area Key
Gateway Course = Generally the first major-specific course in a pathway.
Critical Course = A course that is highly predictive of future success in a pathway.
- FYC = First-Year Composition
- L = Literacy & Critical Inquiry
- SB = Social-Behavioral Sciences
Disclaimer
Students must earn a grade of C or better for all courses required within the program.
Course Sequence total credits may differ from the program information located on the MCCCD curriculum website due to program and system design.
View MCCCD’s official curriculum documentation for additional details regarding the requirements of this award at https://aztransmac2.asu.edu/cgi-bin/WebObjects/MCCCD.woa/wa/freeForm13?id=16458914.
At Maricopa, we strive to provide you with accurate and current information about our degree and certificate offerings. Due to the dynamic nature of the curriculum process, course and program information is subject to change. As a result, the course list associated with this degree or certificate on this site does not represent a contract, nor does it guarantee course availability. If you are interested in pursuing this degree or certificate, we encourage you to meet with an advisor to discuss the requirements at your college for the appropriate catalog year.
Previous Catalog Years
The pathway map presented above is for the current catalog year and is the intended pathway map for new students. All previous catalog years for this pathway map are available at the link below.
Previous catalog years for Associate in Applied Science (AAS) in Unmanned Aircraft Systems