man operating a drone in the air

Drone Pilot and Technician Program

Drone Programming at Atlantic Cape

Soar Higher, Reach for New Heights

Atlantic Cape offers students the opportunity to study, learn and be a part of the burgeoning small Unmanned Aircraft Systems (Drones) industry with associate degree, certificate and professional series programs, which have the ability to provide stable, well-paying, year-round careers in this innovative and vibrant field.

Our workforce-ready programs as a drone data collection technician and field technician are geared towards preparing you for a career in your desired field, while our certificate and professional series programs can give you the entry-level skills needed for immediate employment.

Atlantic Cape has also been awarded a $551,818 grant for its Preparing Small Uncrewed Aircraft Systems (sUAS) Data Technicians project by the National Science Foundation, which will address the evolving technology landscape in the field of small unmanned aircraft systems.

Get Started Today

Classes Are Taking Off Soon

Registration open now. If you’re new to Atlantic Cape, apply today. It’s free and easy, and your acceptance is guaranteed. If you’re a current student, visit the registration page for information and to view available courses.

Register today for the Aviation and Drones program
Aviation pathway icon

Learn More About Aviation & Drones Guided Pathway

Take flight with training programs that prepare you for careers in aviation and related industries. Build skills that can get you soaring.

Explore Pathway

Exciting Degree Options

A drone on the take off/landing pad in the Quad.
Associate in Applied Science, Option

sUAS Data Collection Technician

Train as a small UAS technician with AI-powered data analysis, earn your FAA Remote Pilot Certificate, and gain hands-on experience in sUAS operations, maintenance, and data collection.

Learn More

Students operating drones in the Quad.
Associate in Applied Science, Option

sUAS (Drones) Field Technician

Prepare for a career as a small UAS technician by showing proficiency in small UAS operations, maintenance & repair, collection and processing of images, videos & geospatial data collection.

Learn More

Certificate & Professional Series Programs

Photo of drone flying in the sky.Atlantic Cape’s Drone Program offers two certificate programs that may be completed in only one year! These certificates are the perfect alternative if you want to gain the basic knowledge and skills needed to enter the workforce quickly. Students that register for these certificate programs must also complete two (2) general education classes to become certified. Each certificate earned may serve as the foundation towards earning an Associate in Applied Science Degree in your respective field of study.

Learn more about Commercial sUAS Data Collection Certificate

Learn more about Commercial sUAS Field Technician Certificate

Learn more about sUAS Aerial Data Collection Specialist Professional Series

Learn more about sUAS Repair Specialist Professional Series

Learn more about sUAS Specialist Professional Series

Steps to Enrollment

Financial Aid and Scholarships are available

We encourage everyone to apply for financial aid – it’s free to do so and could save you money. Please fill out the FAFSA application and fill out the state aid section as well. Our school code is 002596. Scholarships are not just based on academic performance. New students will automatically be considered for scholarships.

Student Testimonial

Thomas Gleason
Class of 2018 - A.A.S. sUAS (Drones) Field Technician

“Atlantic Cape's Aviation and Drone program has knowledgeable professors, one-on-one personalized instruction, modern facilities and it was very close to my home, which made it very convenient.”

Thomas Gleason headshot

nsf 4 color bitmap logo     Unmanned Aircraft Systems logo. Federal Aviation Administration- Collegiate Training Initiative

This material is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation under Grant No. 1801014.

Have Questions?

We're here to help.

For more information contact department chair, Dr. Otto Hernandez, at (609) 343-4978.

Atlantic Cape Community College does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex or disability in its programs and activities.
Atlantic Cape will take steps to assure that the lack of English language skills will not be a barrier to admission and participation in vocational education programs.