Drone Regulations, Operations, and Applications
Undergraduate Certificate
Earn a drone certificate at CMU
Are you interested in flying drones for professional use? Drones, or unmanned aerial vehicles, UAVs, are versatile tools used for data capture, aerial photography, mapping, surveying and much more.
Explore drone use in media, geography, engineering, meteorology and logistics with our undergraduate certificate program. You'll learn how to operate drones and prepare for the Federal Aviation Administration Part 107 commercial drone license. It’s a short program that pairs well with any major and you don’t need any experience—just curiosity and focus.
Program Snapshot
What you'll learn while earning a drone certificate
Our drone certificate program teaches you how to use drones effectively in your field—covering everything from planning safe flight paths to analyzing aerial data. You'll build hands-on skills in drone operation while completing coursework in:
- FAA Part 107 certification preparation
- Drone operation and safety protocols
- Legal, ethical, and regulatory considerations
- Real-world applications across fields like Geographic Information Systems, Media, Logistics and Parks & Recreation
Our program concludes with a final project applying drone technology to your major or chosen area of interest.
Drone certificate highlights
- Get certified to fly: Prepare for and take the FAA Part 107 commercial drone license exam.
- Use drones in your major: Create a drone project that fits your field of study.
- Join any time: Open to students in any major, no prior drone experience needed.
- Work with real experts: Collaborate with faculty who use drones in research and teaching.
CMU is a Certified FAA testing site, allowing you to complete your certification conveniently on campus.
Elevate your skills with CMU's drone lab
Our drone lab offers hands-on training with over 30 different drones, preparing you for the FAA Part 107 commercial drone pilot certification. Engage in both indoor and outdoor flight experiences, applying drones to fields like media, engineering and meteorology.
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