Fullerton College, the oldest continuously operating community college in California, has just announced the launch of its first-ever Bachelor of Science in Drones and Autonomous Systems, starting in Fall 2026. This initiative is the first program of its kind on the West Coast. It positions Fullerton College as a leader in preparing the next generation of professionals for one of the most rapidly evolving sectors of the global economy.
The program got its start in 2018 when Professor Jay Seidel, an army veteran and drone pilot offered the college’s first course on drone media to address industry needs in a rapidly burgeoning field. With strong support from the administration, the initial class has grown into a comprehensive Drone Technology program offering associate degrees and specialized certificates. It will soon complete the next phase of its evolution as it expands into a full-fledged bachelor’s degree. The program has been careful to adopt a skills-first approach that ensures alignment between the curriculum and the real-world applications needed by industry. The focus was initially on certificates and an associate’s degree.
A Bachelor’s Degree In Drones From A Community College
One of the program’s innovative aspects is that it will be a full-fledged bachelor’s degree offered by a community college. In 2017-18, California began allowing community colleges to offer bachelor’s degrees in areas not served by the state’s university systems. The drone program is an example of this policy in action. Once the college approved it in principle, it needed to be reviewed by the University of California and California State University systems. Neither of these systems raised objections due to the program’s unique focus.
Final accreditation is expected in January 2025, paving the way for the first cohort to enroll in Fall 2026. The program will follow a 2+2 model, allowing students to transition from associate degrees into the bachelor’s program seamlessly. This will allow current students slated to finish their associate degrees in June 2026 to join the first bachelor’s degree cohort.
Drones And Autonomous Systems: Skills For The Future
The Bachelor of Science in Drone and Autonomous Systems curriculum goes well beyond simple flying. Lower-division courses focus on foundational drone maintenance, operations, and programming skills. The bachelor’s degree builds on this foundation, emphasizing mission-critical areas like logistics, safety, and autonomous and semi-autonomous systems management.
This focus on systems management is particularly significant as industries move toward greater automation. The program prepares students for roles beyond operating individual drones, equipping them to manage fleets, oversee package delivery systems, and work with advanced air mobility solutions like air taxis. These skills have applications across diverse sectors, from logistics and agriculture to public safety and urban planning.
The program also keeps pace with industry trends. As the technology evolves, Fullerton prepares students to manage increasingly complex systems, from drone swarms to autonomous delivery fleets. By understanding how to operate and oversee these systems, graduates will emerge ready to tackle challenges in industries that are only beginning to realize the potential of autonomous technologies.
Drones: An Elite And Growing Field
The Fullerton program is entering an elite but growing field. While similar programs exist at institutions like Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University and Utah State University, Fullerton College’s offering stands out for its affordability and for being the only program of its kind on the West Coast. By offering a bachelor’s degree at a community college price point, the program opens doors for students who may not have been on a traditional university track. The college has also engaged in significant outreach, drawing students from across California, including areas as far as San Jose and Northern California. Local partnerships further enhance accessibility. Fullerton College collaborates with six area high schools through dual enrollment programs and works with Orange County’s Department of Education to create K-16 pathways. Future efforts should include reaching out to specialty high schools with an aviation focus.
Fullerton College’s Bachelor of Science in Drone and Autonomous Systems provides a shining example of how community colleges can meet the demands of a changing workforce. By combining affordability, accessibility, and cutting-edge training, that starts with discrete skills and continues through complex systems, the program addresses immediate needs while laying the groundwork for future careers.
As industries continue to embrace automation, the demand for professionals skilled in managing drones and autonomous systems will only grow. Fullerton College is ensuring that its graduates will not only meet this demand but will also shape the future of these transformative technologies.