Unmanned Aircraft Systems

The Certificate of Completion (CCL) 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
Certificate of Completion (CCL)
Academic Plan
Unmanned Aircraft Systems (CER)
Academic Plan Code
5982
Total credits required
37
Catalog Year
2026-2027
Effective Term
Fall 2026
Notes

Students must earn a grade of C or better in all courses 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 certificate 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 certificate. 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 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.

Full-time Sequence

Full-time status is 12 credits to 18 credits per semester.

Term 1

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 1
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes 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
UAS107 Remote Pilot Certification and Flight Operations Required for certification to fly sUAS. 3
UAS110 Operational and Flight Safety 3
UAS115 Remote Operations Resource Management 1
UAS210 Mission Control and Air Traffic Control Systems 3

Term 2

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 2
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Credits
UAS120 Remote Sensing and Analysis 1
UAS125 Sensors and Systems 4
UAS130 Design and 3D Printing Fundamentals 3
UAS135 Electricity Fundamentals 5

Term 3

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 3
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Credits
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

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 1
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes 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
UAS107 Remote Pilot Certification and Flight Operations Required for certification to fly sUAS. 3
UAS110 Operational and Flight Safety 3

Term 2

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 2
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Credits
UAS115 Remote Operations Resource Management 1
UAS120 Remote Sensing and Analysis 1
UAS125 Sensors and Systems 4
UAS210 Mission Control and Air Traffic Control Systems 3

Term 3

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 3
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Credits
UAS130 Design and 3D Printing Fundamentals 3
UAS135 Electricity Fundamentals 5

Term 4

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 4
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Credits
UAS220 Design and Operations 5
UAS230 Maintenance Fundamentals 3

Term 5

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 5
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes 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.

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/freeForm11?id=16459198.

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 Certificate of Completion (CCL) in Unmanned Aircraft Systems