Special Courses

The Institute of Agricultural Technology offers special courses periodically in partnership with community colleges and industry stakeholders.

These courses can help expand knowledge through hands-on experiences in specific areas of agriculture and technology. They are open to IAT students, MSU students and MSU Lifelong Education students.

Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) Training Program

Drones are increasingly becoming a part of precision agriculture practices. MSU IAT in partnership with Northwestern Michigan College (NMC) developed the UAS in Agriculture Training Program to offer students a hands-on way to:

  • Learn more about drones and the technology,
  • Apply and analyze drone images and data to different agricultural situations, and
  • Prepare students to become certified drone pilots.

During this 3 credit course, students will receive an FAA Commercial Drone Pilot Certificate and receive training on a wide range of drones that are currently being used in the agricultural industry.

Students will fly drones over local row crops, orchards, vineyards and hop farms in the Traverse City area, and will learn how to collect and interpret data that is important to farmers and fruit growers.

Location & Details

This course is divided into two parts. Each part is 5 days and takes place at NMC in Traverse City, Michigan.

  • Part 1: Commercial Drone Pilot Certification is in early January.
  • Part 2: UAS Flight Experience Training is in mid-May OR mid-August.

IAT students can complete this course without interfering with their regularly scheduled semester courses or required internship.

READ MORE: Drone course requirements, eligibility & how to apply

Certificate Programs

Enrollment

Academic Resources

Health & Wellness

Student Resources

  • follow us on youtube
  • follow us on instagram
  • follow us on linkedin
Michigan State University
  • Spartans Will.
  • © Michigan State University

MSU is an affirmative-action, equal-opportunity employer, committed to achieving excellence through a diverse workforce and inclusive culture that encourages all people to reach their full potential.

Michigan State University Extension programs and materials are open to all without regard to race, color, national origin, gender, gender identity, religion, age, height, weight, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, marital status, family status or veteran status. Issued in furtherance of MSU Extension work, acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914, in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Quentin Tyler, Director, MSU Extension, East Lansing, MI 48824. This information is for educational purposes only. Reference to commercial products or trade names does not imply endorsement by MSU Extension or bias against those not mentioned.

The 4-H Name and Emblem have special protections from Congress, protected by code 18 USC 707.

We comply with the Federal Trade Commission 1998 Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA).