Revised–June 2024
Engineering Career Cluster
The Engineering career cluster focuses on planning, designing, testing, building, and maintaining of machines,
structures, materials, systems, and processes using empirical evidence and science, technology, and math principles.
This career cluster includes occupations ranging from mechanical engineer and drafter to electrical engineer and to
mapping technician.
Regional Program of Study: Drone (Unmanned Vehicle)
Approved in ESC Regions 2, 4, 5, 6, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 16, 17, 18, 19, and 20
*The list of approved ESC regions is updated every school year. Be sure to check the CTE regional program of study website for updates.
The Drone (Unmanned Vehicle) regional program of study focuses on the occupational and educational opportunities associated with
operating or designing an unmanned aircraft using a ground-based controller. This program of study includes understanding and designing
systems of communications between the controller and the aircraft to ensure compliance with federal aviation safety regulations.
Secondary Courses for High School Credit
Level 1 • Introduction to Aerospace and Aviation
Level 2 • Introduction to Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV)
• Robotics I
Level 3 • Engineering Science
• Digital Electronics
• Robotics II
Level 4 • Career and Technical Education Project-Based Capstone
• Practicum in Manufacturing
• Practicum in Manufacturing + Extended
Practicum in Manufacturing
• Career Preparation for Programs of Study
• Career Preparation for Programs of Study + Extended Career
Preparation
• Scientific Research and Design
Aligned Advanced Academic Courses
Dual Credit
Dual credit offerings will vary by local education agency.
Drone (Unmanned Vehicle)
Students should be advised to consider these course opportunities to enrich their preparation. AP or
IB courses not listed under the Secondary Courses for High School Credit section of this framework
document do not count towards concentrator/completer status for this program of study.
Work-Based Learning and Expanded Learning Opportunities
Work-Based
Learning Activities
• Intern with a public service, engineering, construction, or
transportation firm
• Practice drone operations with an industry professional
at a work site
Expanded Learning
Opportunities
• Participate in an aerial drone competition
• Participate in SkillsUSA or TSA
Aligned Industry-Based Certifications
• FAA Part 107 Remote Drone Pilot
Example Postsecondary Opportunities
Associate Degrees
• Airline/Commercial/Professional Pilot and
Flight Crew
• Manufacturing Engineering
Technology/Technician
Bachelor’s Degrees
• Aviation Science
• Aeronautical/Aerospace Engineering
Technology
Master’s, Doctoral, and Professional Degrees
• Aerospace, Aeronautical, and
Astronautical/Space Engineering, General
Additional Stackable IBCs/License
• Aerial Mapping and 3D Modeling Certification
Example Aligned Occupations
Aerospace Engineering and
Operations Technicians
Median Wage: $48,204
Annual Openings: 192
10-Year Growth: 21%
Median Wage: $72,461
Annual Openings: 255
10-Year Growth: 16%
Avionics Technicians
Successful completion of the Drone (Unmanned Vehicle) regional program of study will fulfill
requirements of the Business and Industry endorsement.
Data Source: TexasWages, Texas Workforce Commission. Retrieved 3/8/2024.
For more information visit:
https://tea.texas.gov/academics/college-career-and-military-
prep/career-and-technical-education/programs-of-study-additional-
resources
Drone (Unmanned Vehicle)
Engineering Career Cluster
Regional Program of Study: Drone (Unmanned Vehicle)
Course Information
Level 1
Course Prerequisites | Corequisites Career Clusters
Introduction to
Aerospace and Aviation*
N1304672 (1 credit)
Prerequisites: None
Corequisites: None
Recommended Prerequisite: None
Recommended Corequisites: None
2 leveL
Course Prerequisites | Corequisites Career Clusters
Introduction to
Unmanned Aerial
Vehicles (UAV)
N1304670 (1 credit)
Prerequisites: None
Corequisites: None
Recommended Prerequisite: Principles
of Transportation Systems
Recommended Corequisites: None
Robotics I*
13037000 (1 credit)
Prerequisites: None
Corequisites: None
Recommended Prerequisite: Principles
of Applied Engineering
Recommended Corequisites: None
3 leveL
Course Prerequisites | Corequisites Career Clusters
Engineering Science*
13037500 (1 credit)
Prerequisites: Algebra I, one credit in
Biology, and at least one credit in a
course from the STEM career cluster
Corequisites: None
Recommended Prerequisite: Geometry,
Integrated Physics and Chemistry (IPC),
one credit in chemistry, or one credit in
physics
Recommended Corequisites: None
Digital Electronics*
13037600 (1 credit)
Prerequisites: Algebra I and Geometry
Corequisites: None
Recommended Prerequisite: None
Recommended Corequisites: None
Robotics II*
13037050 (1 credit)
Prerequisites: Robotics l
Corequisites: None
Recommended Prerequisite: None
Recommended Corequisites: None
* Indicates course is included in more than one program of study.
For additional information on the Engineering career cluster,
contact [email protected]xas.gov or visit https://tea.texas.gov/cte
[LEA name] does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, or disability in its programs or activities and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth
groups. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding the nondiscrimination policies: [title], [address], [telephone number], [email]. Further nondiscrimination information
can be found at Notification of Nondiscrimination in Career and Technical Education Programs.
Drone (Unmanned Vehicle)
Engineering Career Cluster
Regional Program of Study: Drone (Unmanned Vehicle)
Course Information
Level 4
Course Prerequisites | Corequisites Career Clusters
Career and Technical
Education Project-Based
Capstone*
First Time Taken:
12701101 (1 credit)
Prerequisites: None
Corequisites: None
Recommended Prerequisite: None
Recommended Corequisites: None
Practicum in
Manufacturing
First Time Taken:
13033000 (2 credits)
Second Time Taken:
13033010 (2 credits)
Prerequisites: None
Corequisites: None
Recommended Prerequisite: None
Recommended Corequisites: None
Practicum in
Manufacturing +
Extended Practicum in
Manufacturing
First Time Taken:
13033005 (3 credits)
Second Time Taken:
13033015 (3 credits)
Prerequisites: None
Corequisites: None
Recommended Prerequisite: None
Recommended Corequisites: None
Career Preparation for
Programs of Study*
First Time Taken:
12701121 (2 credits)
Prerequisites: At least one Level 2
or higher CTE course
Corequisites: None
Recommended Prerequisite: None
Recommended Corequisites: None
Career Preparation for
Programs of Study +
Extended Career
Preparation*
First Time Taken:
12701141 (3 credits)
Prerequisites: At least one Level 2
or higher CTE course
Corequisites: Career Preparation for
Programs of Study
Recommended Prerequisite: None
Recommended Corequisites: None
Scientific Research and
Design*
13037200 (1 credit)
Prerequisites: Biology, Chemistry,
Integrated Physics and Chemistry (IPC), or
Physics
Corequisites: None
Recommended Prerequisite: None
Recommended Corequisites: None
* Indicates course is included in more than one program of study.
For additional information on the Engineering career cluster,
contact [email protected]xas.gov or visit https://tea.texas.gov/cte
[LEA name] does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, or disability in its programs or activities and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth
groups. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding the nondiscrimination policies: [title], [address], [telephone number], [email]. Further nondiscrimination information
can be found at Notification of Nondiscrimination in Career and Technical Education Programs.
