BS Aero Unmanned Aircraft Systems Operations at University of North Dakota

Programme overview

With airspace to conduct large and small UAS operations, come to Grand Forks and you’ll join a robust UAS ecosystem that puts you on the cutting edge of what’s next in the industry. Unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) have gone from strictly military use, to a wide variety of life-saving and commercial applications. Now rapidly growing as an industry and taking a foothold in North Dakota, you’ll learn to fly unmanned aircraft and find solutions to tomorrow’s problems alongside innovative start-ups, established industry giants, and government agencies.

Faculty: John D. Odegard School of Aerospace Sciences | Duration: 4 years (120 credit hours) | Study mode: full-time | Intake: Fall (Aug. 15), Spring (Dec. 15), Summer (May 1) | Location: Grand Forks, ND, United States

What you will study

Required courses include ENGL 110 College Composition I; ENGL 130 Composition II: Writing for Public Audiences; COMM 110 Fundamentals of Public Speaking; ATSC 110 Meteorology I; ATSC 110L Meteorology I Laboratory; MATH 103 College Algebra.

Career pathways

Unmanned Aircraft System Operations alumni have gone on to a variety of successful careers with: Project Management, Strategic Planning, Operations Management, Commercial Operations, Aviation Safety, Cargill, Customs Border Protection, General Atomics.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

University-wide undergraduate admission (not specific to this major): complete 14 units of high school core courses (English 4, math 3 of Algebra I or above, lab science 3, social studies 3, plus 1 additional unit from those areas or a world language); a high school GPA of 2.75 or higher is recommended (3.25 for Aviation Management and Commercial Aviation); ACT/SAT scores are not required. Source: UND Freshmen admissions page.

Domestic applicants: USD 12,320 a year (2026-27). North Dakota resident rate. On-campus tuition for 2026/2027 as shown in the programme's tuition table (fall and spring semesters, rate band 'Aviation (including Airport Management, Aviation Management and UAS)'); excludes mandatory student fees, housing a Source

International applicants: USD 39,426 a year (2026-27). International student rate. On-campus tuition for 2026/2027 as shown in the programme's tuition table (fall and spring semesters, rate band 'Aviation (including Airport Management, Aviation Management and UAS)'); excludes mandatory student fees, housing a Source

Entry terms: Fall, Spring and Summer. Applications are accepted up to one year before the start term.

Terms run Fall (August-December), Spring (January-May) and Summer (May-August).

First-year applicants: Fall priority deadline Feb. 1, Fall final deadline Aug. 15, Spring Dec. 15, Summer May 1. The Feb. 1 priority deadline applies to automatic freshman scholarships. ACT/SAT scores are not required. Application fee $35 (non-refundable, no waivers), submitted through the UND admissions application.

Transfer applicants: Fall Aug. 15, Spring Dec. 15, Summer May 1. Application fee $35 (non-refundable, no waivers).

Aviation Management and Commercial Aviation: applications for fall 2027 opened Aug. 1, 2026 and close Oct. 31, 2026; these degrees are not available on the Common App and require the UND application. Minimum unweighted high school GPA 3.25 (2.60 college GPA for transfers).

International undergraduate applicants (outside Canada): Fall June 15, Spring Nov. 15, Summer March 15. Canadian applicants and international students transferring from another US institution: Fall July 15, Spring Dec. 15, Summer April 15. Application fee $35 (US funds), non-refundable.

Apply through the official page: https://und.edu/admissions/apply.html

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