Hampton University, a historically Black educational institution in Virginia, has recently launched a new bachelor of science degree in aviation management with a concentration in uncrewed aerial systems (AUSM).
Students who enroll in the new bachelor’s program will learn to operate and evaluate uncrewed aerial systems, earn their remote pilot licensure, and participate in campus and national research projects. As Hampton University is a member of the United States Air Force’s University Affiliated Research Center for Tactical Autonomy, many aviation students will have the opportunity to participate in federally funded projects in artificial intelligence, remote sensing, and autonomous flight.
According to the university, the UAS sector is expected to create 10,000 jobs and contribute over $82 billion to the U.S. economy in the next decade. Upon completing their degrees, aviation management students will be prepared for careers in Federal Aviation Administration regulations, flight operations, data collection, and systems integration.
Hampton University aims to establish several pipeline programs to recruit students to the new aviation management concentration. Going forward, the program plans prioritize outreach efforts to STEM-based public high schools in the local community, establish 2+2 articulation agreements with technical community colleges, and develop summer camps for uncrewed systems education.
“This new program reflects our commitment to preparing graduates for the future of flight,” said Betty H. Stewart, executive vice president and provost of Hampton University. “The AUSM concentration is built not just on theory, but on direct industry engagement and applied research, providing our students a competitive edge in a rapidly evolving global market.”