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      • About Cypress
        • Who We Are
        • Dr. Joanna Schilling, President
        • Foundation
        • Contact Us
        • Campus Directory
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      • Departments & Programs
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            • Administration of Justice
              • Administration of Justice
              • Homeland Security
            • Air Conditioning & Refrigeration
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            • Automotive Collision Repair
            • Aviation & Travel Careers
              • Airline/Airport Agent, & Aviation Management
              • Commercial Pilot
              • Flight Attendant
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              • Cisco Networking
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            • Dental Hygiene
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              • Hospitality Management
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    Aviation & Travel Careers

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    • UAS / UAV Drones

    Build Your Future as a UAS / UAV Drones Operator

    Cypress College was the first California community college to offer the Unmanned Aerial Vehicle/ Unmanned Aircraft Systems (Drone) Associate in Science Degree. Unmanned Aircraft Systems offer new business and career opportunities for remote pilots. You will learn about drone operations, the emerging unmanned field, innovative developments, and effective use of the unmanned system on land, in the air, and in space. Courses will examine such challenges as communications, education, and training; propulsion and power; teaming; and FAA regulations. Leading technology businesses, news channels, sports franchises, and commercial enterprises all over the world are beginning to use unmanned systems for critical aspects of their operations. In short, we have three primary goals:

    • To prepare you to be successful in the competitive hiring process
    • To prepare you to pass the rigorous training requirements
    • To provide college credit toward certificates, degrees, and transfer to a bachelor’s degree program that will prepare you for career advancement opportunities

    Frequently Asked Questions

    The UAV/UAS Drone program options include the UAV/UAS Basic and Advanced Certificates and an Associate in Science Degree. Current pilots seeking to earn a UAV/UAS certificate or degree may also receive credit for up to 12 units toward an advanced certificate or degree. Contact the department coordinator for additional information. All courses are degree applicable and transferable to a four-year university.

    You may attend full-time or part-time. Full-time students typically take between 12 to 18 units per semester. The basic certificate (16 units) typically takes 1-2 semesters while the advanced certificate takes 2-3 semesters and an AS Degrees (60 units) can be earned in two years. Courses are offered on campus, online, during the day and in the evenings.

    The program is $46 per unit for California residents, not including books, fees, and supplies. Units vary by course, but the average is three units per course. Unit fees for an Aviation Certificate 1 or 18-units would be $828; a 35-unit Commercial Pilot Certificate would be $1,610; and a 60-unit Commercial Pilot Associate in Science Degree would be $2,760. Most students also qualify for some form of financial aid.

    UAV Operator, $37,083 average salary

    Drone operators, $59,793 average salary

    Electro-mechanical (drone) technicians $55,610 median salary

    Graduates of the program may find employment at leading technology businesses, news channels, sports franchises, and commercial enterprises.

    • Degree & Certificate
    • Additional Requirments
    • Faculty

    Degree & Certificate

    Basic UAV/UAS Certificate = 16 units (1 semester)

    Advanced UAV/UAS Certificate (2-3 semesters)

    UAV / UAS Associate is Science Degree = 60 units (2 years)

    Additional Requirments

    Please know that there are no academic prerequisites to begin this program; however, there are job requirements that you should review before you begin your coursework. Some of the job requirements are specific and limiting. We want to make sure you are aware of some of these requirements before you devote time and money to the career, so we have listed SAMPLE job announcements, below. While some companies will have different requirements, you may want to investigate your options and talk privately to your instructor if you have any concerns or questions.

    Commercial Drone (Heavy Payload) Operator

    Minimum Qualifications:

    • FAA Private Pilot Certificate, Single Engine Land privileges with Instrument Rating
    • Current Class II or higher FAA medical certificate
    • 500 flight hours as pilot-in-command of an unmanned or manned aircraft
    • Ability to deploy OCONUS
    • Secret Clearance

    Preferred Qualifications:

    • Experienced with radio controlled aircraft and Piccolo-based UAVs
    • Currently Qualified UAS Pilot
    • 200 hours of pilot-in-command time with UAS

    Drone Engineering

    Required Skills:

    • Obtained or currently pursuing a degree in Aeronautical, Mechanical, or Electrical Engineering.
    • Familiarity with computer programming (specifically Python, JavaScript, and C++).
    • Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
    • Ability to work efficiently and meet deadlines.
    • Unquestionable ethics and commitment to excellence.

    Desired Skills:

    • Experience with robotics and basic electronics.
    • Experience with UAVs and/or RC piloting.
    • Keen understanding of civilian airspace and aeronautical charts.
    • FAA Remote Pilot Operator license.

    Drone/Unmanned Aircraft/Pilot/Airport Inspector

    Three years professional experience in the following areas:

    • Aviation safety and legal compliance inspector for a governmental agency; OR Manager of a fixed base operation; OR Instructor or professor of aviation management or aviation sciences at an accredited university/college; OR Aviation program administrator for a large education, business or governmental organization.
    • Experience with Model or other unmanned aircraft operations.
    • Extensive knowledge of Federal Aviation Regulations sufficient to research, ensure compliance, educate and train pilots and unmanned aircraft operators and other airport operations.
    • Computer knowledge and experience sufficient to create training materials, manage database of airport information, analyze reports and issue data to stakeholders.
    • Written and oral communication skills sufficient to write, prepare and present technical information.

    Required Certifications:

    • FAA Remote Pilot – small unmanned aircraft systems certificate;
    • Commercial Pilot Certificate with Instrument rating or Airline Transport Pilot Certificate;
    • Single Engine Land rating with FAA certification to operate high performance and complex aircraft;
    • 1,000 hours pilot time and 500 hours as pilot-in-command; and
    • Current First Class Medical Certificate by the time of appointment.

    Faculty

    Captain Ed Valdez, Department Coordinator
    Technical Education 1-210
    (714) 484-7253
    evaldez@cypresscollege.edu

    Part-time Faculty:

    Curt Castagna: ccastagna@cypresscollege.edu

    Jeff Co: jco@cypresscollege.edu

    Elizabeth “Beth” Ennis: eennis@cypresscollege.edu

    Chuck Gifford: cgifford@cypresscollege.edu

    Jacqueline Aguet Graham: jaguetgraham@cypresscollege.edu

    Sherry Groff: sgroff@cypresscollege.edu

    Larry Hack: lhack@cypresscollege.edu

    Michael “Mike” Hannah: mhannah@cypresscollege.edu

    Marilyn “Mimi” Ivey: mivey@cypresscollege.edu

    Jane Jepson: jjepson@cypresscollege.edu

    Charmaine Kaimikaua: ckaimikaua@cypresscollege.edu

    Steve McCormick: smccormick@cypresscollege.edu

    Tommy Mellana: tmellana@cypresscollege.edu

    Cira Oropeza: coropeza@cypresscollege.edu

    Nancy Matsui: nmatsui@cypresscollege.edu

    Iwalani “Evie” Palicz: epalicz@cypresscollege.edu

    Kathleen Reiland: kreiland@cypresscollege.edu

    Mary Ann Saunders: masaunders@cypresscollege.edu

    Katy Straughan: kstraughan@cypresscollege.edu

    Thomas Sutfin: tsutfin@cypresscollege.edu

    James Wilcox: jwilcox@cypresscollege.edu

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    California Community College Strong Workforce Program Bronze Star Recipient.

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    CONTACT THE DEPARTMENT:

    Ed Valdez

    Department Coordinator

    Email: evaldez@cypresscollege.edu
    Phone: (714) 484-7253

    CONTACT THE DEPARTMENT:

    Jane Jepson

    CTE Division Counselor

    Email: jjepson@cypresscollege.edu
    Phone: (714) 484-7074

    CONTACT THE DEPARTMENT:

    Cindy Cao

    Division Office Manager

    Email: ccao@cypresscollege.edu
    Phone: (714) 484-7231

    Average Salary in this Field

    $24,000-$55,000 Per Year

    Careers in this Field

    Drone Pilot
    UVA Pilot
    Electro-mechanical Technicians

    Like what you're learning?

    Get Started Today!

    Cypress College was the first California community college to offer the Unmanned Aerial Vehicle/ Unmanned Aircraft Systems (Drone) Associate in Science Degree.
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    What People Say

     
    Katy, United Airlines Flight Attendant
    Katy, United Airlines Flight Attendant
    “People ask me all the time about school and when I say that I attended the Cypress College Aviation & Travel Careers Program, they’re shocked that there is actually a program that specializes in airline jobs like flight attendant, pilot, agent, and aviation manager. They’re so interested in knowing what it’s about and if it helped me. I explain to them that it was the best decision I’ve ever made because it helped guide me in the right direction to become what I’ve always wanted. Thank you!”
    - Katy, United Airline Flight Attendant
     
    Scott, NetJets, Pilot
    Scott, NetJets, Pilot

    "Before Ohio State, I was at Cypress College. Loved it! I am now a Falcon 2000 Captain with NetJets."

    - Scott, NetJets, Pilot

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    ©2018 Cypress College. 9200 Valley View Street, Cypress, CA 90630. (714) 484-7000.
    Cypress College is part of the North Orange County Community College District and is accredited by the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges.

    GREAT JOBS

    U.S. Department of Labor lists Marketing Managers and related careers as Bright Outlook occupations, which are expected to grow rapidly in the next several years, or will have large numbers of job openings.

    CRB & NCRA

     
    This program is accredited by the Court Reporters Board of California (CRB) and the National Court Reporting Association (NCRA).

    Silver Star Program

     
    California Community College Strong Workforce Program Silver Star Recipient. Silver Stars are granted when a program attains outcomes in two metrics of these three. Either a substantial increase in earnings, the attainment of a living wage, and / or a job closely matched with the field of study.

    Silver Star Recipients
    • Diagnostic Medical Sonography: 322% increase in earnings and 89% of students attained the regional living wage
    • Psychiatric Technology: 203% increase in earnings and 100% of students are employed in a job similar to their field of study

    Bronze Star Program

     
    California Community College Strong Workforce Program Bronze Star Recipient. Bronze Stars are granted when a program attains outcomes in one metric of these three. Either a substantial increase in earnings, the attainment of a living wage, and / or a job closely matched with the field of study.

    Bronze Star Recipients
    • Automotive Technology: 89% increase in earnings
    • Automotive Collision Repair: 58% increase in earnings
    • Accounting: 60% increase in earnings
    • Business Management: 58% increase in earnings
    • Mortuary Science: 175% increase in earnings
    • Environmental Control Technology: 73% of students attained the regional living wage
    • Health Information Technology: 51% increase in earnings
    • Radiologic Technology: 60% increase in earnings
    • Dental Assistant: 419% increase in earnings
    • Alcohol and Controlled Substances: 62% increase in earnings
    • Computer Graphics and Digital Imagery: 94% increase in earnings
    • Computer Networking: 100% of students are employed in a job similar to their field of study
    • Culinary Arts: 101% increase in earnings
    • Hospitality: 106% increase in earnings
    • Flight Attendant: 104% increase in earnings
    • Technical Theater: 84% increase in earnings
    • Human Services: 53% increase in earnings

    AS-T

     
    Students Completing AS Degrees for Transfer (AS-T) are Guaranteed Admission to the California State University (CSU) System.

    The US Department of Labor projects a 15% growth in employment by 2026 for Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers. Cypress College reports that 93% of its recent program graduates, got jobs according to the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges job placement rate.