Drone Technology
A.S. Degree Business Applications & Technology · Santa Ana College · 2026-2027 Catalog
Program Code: SAC.BADRT.AS
Program Code: 45643
The Drone Technology AS Degree program provides training in using drones legally and safely for commercial and recreational use. Topics include types of drones, taking and editing photos and videos, live stream video for social media, first-person view (FPV) goggles, motion controller, FAA regulations, drone registration, preflight, and problem-solving flight situations. Learn about the many careers and industries using drones (public safety, investigations, construction, engineering, inspections, real estate, marketing, media, delivery, insurance). This program prepares students for the Adobe Certified Professional (ACP) exams for Photoshop, Premiere Pro, and After Effects to earn industry recognized certifications. This program prepares students for the FAA Recreational UAS Safety Test TRUST and FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Exam Certifications.
Learning Outcome(s):
- Understand the difference between using drones for commercial and recreational purposes.
- Understand Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regulations for commercial and recreational drone usage including drone registration.
- Understand how to fly a drone safely and legally based on federal, state, and local regulations.
- Understand how different careers and industries use drones.
- Demonstrate proficiency in using drones to take photos and record videos.
- Demonstrate proficiency in using Adobe applications to edit photos and videos taken by drones.
| Course | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses | 13.5-15.5 | |
| BA 158 | Introduction to Drones | 1.5 |
| DM 170 | Drone Pilot License Test Prep | 0.5 |
| Drones & the Law | 0.5 | |
| BA 161 | Drones & The Law | 0.5 |
| orCJA 050 | Introduction to Drone Laws | 0.5 |
| BA 164 | Adobe Photoshop | 3 |
| BA 171 | Adobe Premiere Pro | 3 |
| BA 172 | Adobe After Effects | 3 |
| BA 101 | Work Experience - Business Applications & Technology | 1-4 |
| (Must complete a minimum of 2 units of BA 101) | ||
| Elective Courses: Select 1 Emphasis | 5-9 | |
| Mapping, Surveying & Geographic Analysis Emphasis | 5 | |
| BA 159 | Drones for Mapping | 2 |
| GEOG 155 | Introduction to Geographic Information Systems | 3 |
| Business & Reporting Emphasis | 6-9 | |
| BA 102 | Professional Skills & Career Readiness | 3 |
| Microsoft Office Applications | 3-6 | |
| BA 179 | Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) | 3 |
| BA 125, BA 190, BA 188 | 6 | |
| orBA 125 | Microsoft Word | 2 |
| BA 190 | Microsoft PowerPoint | 2 |
| BA 188 | Microsoft Excel | 2 |
| Marketing & Digital Publishing Emphasis | 8.5 | |
| BA 153 | Social Media Apps for Employment and Business | 1.5 |
| Business Writing for Social Media | 1 | |
| MKTG 130 | Business Writing for Social Media | 1 |
| orENTR 130 | Business Writing for Social Media | 1 |
| MKTG 123 | Marketing and Technology - Trends and Cutting Edges | 1 |
| BA 165 | Adobe Express | 3 |
| BA 168 | Adobe Firefly - Generative AI Images | 2 |
| Total | 18.5-24.5 | |