The drone industry has expanded dramatically over the past few years, and drone training and education programs have grown right along with it.
More high schools and community colleges are offering Part 107 preparation courses, four-year schools are creating targeted UAV study tracks, and top universities are adding drone-focused classes in robotics and autonomy to their core science curriculum.
In the past year alone, drone education leader WarrenUAS (Warren County Community College) expanded its offerings to include coursework in UAV maintenance, heavy drone operations, and counter-UAS. Also, California’s Fullerton College announced that it will offer a Bachelor of Science degree in Drone and Autonomous Systems starting in 2026, and the Sonoran Desert Institute launched its new Associate of Science in Uncrewed Technology (ASUT) online program.
These and other recent developments clearly show that the training and academic world is responding to student demand and the needs of industry by developing practical and forward-thinking areas of study centered around uncrewed systems. This growth in drone training and education options was on full display at the recent Commercial UAV Expo.
At the show, attendees could visit with a wide range of training providers and educational institutions. The Fullerton Drone Lab at Fullerton College and the Sonoran Desert Institute were on hand, and a dedicated University section of the show floor brought together representatives from WarrenUAS, the University of Maryland’s UMD UAS Research and Operations Center, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Sinclair Community College, and the University of North Dakota.
In addition, a special University & Education roundtable discussion gave attendees involved in academic roles the chance to discuss program and curriculum development, workforce preparation, student recruitment, and more. And, throughout the entire three-day Commercial UAV Expo, official event partner the Pilot Institute presented a comprehensive training program, ranging from sessions on building a drone program, drone mapping, modeling, and surveying, and how to prepare for Part 108.
For those involved in education and training, Commercial UAV Expo provided an important opportunity to meet with their colleagues from other institutions and training programs. The event also allowed educators to hear from industry leaders about their needs and interests.
“Being an operator, I personally got a lot out of the Expo,” Scott Keane, UAS Chief Pilot, University of North Dakota, told Commercial UAV News. “I got a better of understanding new technology in the world of drones—what’s up and coming and what we need to prepare for.”
A first timer at Commercial UAV Expo, Keane appreciated the chance to meet with drone business leaders. “I’ve been talking a lot to the different industry partners here to help us understand how we need to start tailoring some of our different programs to keep up with the demand in the UAV world,” he reported. “A lot is on the piloting side. Companies want graduates coming out with experience and an understanding of how to actually fly.”
Reflecting on his role as an educator, Keane said that events like Commercial UAV Expo help him and his colleagues find new ways to serve both the drone industry at large and the particular needs and interests of their students. He said that lessons learned from their interactions have led to critical changes in their offerings.
“We have been allowing our students to gain more access to different types of platforms, to fly everything, and we do a lot of scanning operations, as well,” Keane said. “This allows for more adaptability, and understanding complex workflows allows them to gain an edge in the industry.”
Reflecting on his time at Commercial UAV Expo 2025, Keane expressed enthusiasm for the future of drone-focused education. Looking around the show floor, Keane remarked, “It’s always difficult keeping students interested, but it’s really hard not to be interested in an industry like this!”
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