# Commercial Drone Imaging (Certificate of Achievement)

College of the Desert · 2026-2027 Catalog · Department: Programs of Study

Source: https://catalog.collegeofthedesert.edu/programs/digital-design-production-commercial-drone-imaging-certificate-of-achievement/

The Commercial Drone Imaging program provides skills in digital imaging, video editing, colorization, and photo editing. Students will participate in hands-on and virtual flight activities to develop, practice, and optimize UAV (Unmanned Aircraft Vehicle) flight and photography skills with high-end photo equipment, drones, and drone simulators. This program provides media management, image editing for drone operators and focuses on developing careers in digital media, capturing and editing images for a variety of industries across multiple sectors. This certificate also provides students with a strong foundation and employable skills needed to safely flying drones in the commercial unmanned aerial industry. The training within this program will develop a student's understanding of proper and safe piloting, weather effects on aircraft, federal airspace, and regulations, as well as ethical issues regarding drones.

### Learning Outcomes

#### Learning Outcomes

Upon satisfactory completion of this program students will be able to:

1.  Safely operate common Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) (drones).
2.  Capture still and video images from a UAS.
3.  Prepare to take the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) UAS commercial pilot license exam.
4.  Explain the varied uses of unmanned vehicles in multiple disciplines and careers.

### Program Requirements

#### Program Requirements

| Course | Title | Units |
| --- | --- | --- |
| DDP 101 | Digital Imaging | 3 |
| DDP 120 | Video Post Production | 3 |
| DDP 130 | Digital Darkroom | 1.5 |
| DDP 132 | Commercial Photography | 3 |
| DDP 136 | Introduction to Drone Imaging | 3 |
| CJ 001 | Introduction to Criminal Justice | 3 |
| CM 001 | Introduction to Construction Management | 2 |
| GIS 021 | Introduction to GIS | 3 |
| DDP 095A | Digital Design & Production Work Experience | 1 |
| **CERTIFICATE** | | 22.5 |

Pending Financial Aid Approval. Currently, does not qualify for Title IV Federal Funding.