Why Consider an Online Degree in Unmanned Systems at Embry-Riddle?

1) The Master of Science in Unmanned Systems (MSUS) degree is the first of its kind, a non-engineering graduate degree focused on the application, management, and development of unmanned systems

2) The unmanned systems industry, including development and operation of unmanned aerial systems (UAS), exo-atmospheric robotic systems, rovers, and remotely operated vehicles (ROV)s, is significantly expanding with an increasing number of positions, projects, and opportunities

• The FAA just announced the long-awaited proposed rules for small UAS, which is anticipated to have a significant impact on accessibility of airspace, use of the technology (applications), number of jobs, and economic growth 
• The unmanned systems industry  is anticipated to reach at least $13.6 billion with job creation exceeding 70,000 domestically by 2016 ($30B per year annual growth with 200,000 jobs by 2035)
• We are just starting to see the realization of the growth of UAS as ever increasing numbers of affordable, small UAS (e.g., quadcopters and multirotors) are made available on the market: Parrot, the maker of the A/R Drone and the new Bebop, has sold more than 750,000 aircraft since 2010; they expect to sell 200,000 units this year alone
• By 2035, more than 250,000 (175,000 civil) UAS are expected to be in operation in the U.S. National Airspace System 

3) Embry-Riddle provides a flexible, cost-effective means of pursuing higher education and graduate curricula

• With our interactive online classrooms there is no need to sacrifice your current career, you can succeed in both!
• ERAU is the world's largest, fully accredited university specializing in aviation and aerospace
• Interact with instructors and peers who bring their vast experience to the classroom; our terminally-credentialed faculty have significant experience and subject matter expertise from their various careers in the field (e.g., FAA representatives, DoD engineers and analysts, UAS/RPA pilots and sensor operators, and robotics researchers)

4) We work with industry stakeholders to understand their needs, which are incorporated into our interactive and comprehensive curriculum

• Provides an opportunity to explore the capabilities and foundational concepts underlying this transformative and rapidly evolving technology
• Build experience applying creative, problem-solving techniques to examine and address pressing challenges faced by industry today
• Learn to use tools and methods in practical, real world scenarios
• Pursue interesting and challenging research, collaboratively or independently

5) A career in unmanned systems is not just for pilots, the unmanned systems field and industry has need for analysts, researchers, marketing and business experts, developers, technicians, managers, subject matter experts, and support specialists

• Leverage your existing background and undergraduate education to build new knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs) connected to this exciting field
• Become leaders and bridge builders to connect, facilitate, and guide engineers, managers, policymakers, manufacturers, and other stakeholders in the pursuit of solutions
• Learn to develop ideas from conceptual constructs to realizable products; define, derive, and analyze requirements; and effectively develop, document, and communicate in an interactive setting
• Select from a wide variety of concentrations, including UAS, human factors, management, research, operations, safety/emergency response, and education

6) Gain access to a vast breadth of knowledge and published materials through the ERAU Hunt Library, including access to digital textbooks and databases 

Learn more about how to start down your own unique path to a career in unmanned systems today: http://worldwide.erau.edu/unmanned

Disclosure: I am a full time faculty member and the Program Chair of the Master of Science in Unmanned Systems (MSUS) degree for the Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (ERAU)-Worldwide campus. The postings on this site are my own and do not necessarily represent the positions, strategies or opinions of my employer, ERAU-Worldwide.