Carroll Announces New Majors in Aviation Science and Video Game Design

Author: Carroll University

Published Date: 5/23/2023

Categories: Aviation Science University News


Carroll University student flying a drone.
Carroll University is proud to unveil two new undergraduate majors that both provide an innovative education in emerging fields: the bachelor’s degree in Aviation Science and Drone Technologies and the bachelor’s degree in Video Game Design.

“Carroll is thrilled to be offering these two new academic programs,” said President Cindy Gnadinger. “These programs demonstrate Carroll’s longstanding commitment to developing majors that meet the needs of an ever-changing society. In keeping with our pioneering reputation, Carroll has a long history of innovation in education; Aviation Science/Drone Technologies and Video Game Design continue that proud tradition.”

The Aviation Science and Drone Technologies major will provide students with the skills and knowledge needed to become industry leaders in a variety of drone-related fields, including small drone piloting, remote sensing system design and operations, mission planning and data analytics.
Carroll has been a pioneer in this emerging field, first offering a minor in Aviation Science and Unmanned Aircraft Systems in 2021. Carroll is now one of the few universities nationally to offer a bachelor’s degree in the field. The new major program was created under the director of Mike Mortensen, director of Carroll’s aviation science program and clinical associate professor of graphic design and interactive arts. The program will offer students a broad understanding of drone operations, including law enforcement operations and surveillance, government and aviation regulations, data acquisition and visualization and counter-drone systems.

“Drones are quickly becoming a significant part of everyday life,” said Dr. Kareem Muhammad, dean of Carroll’s College of Arts and Sciences. “Companies that adopt drone technologies will need experts to guide those efforts, and Carroll’s new major in Aviation Science and Drone Technologies will equip our students to be leaders in this new career field.”

The Video Game Design major prepares students for a career in game design and development. Students learn design thinking as it applies to the game design process, developing skills in creating graphics and sound, writing for games, and basic coding principles. The Video Game Design major, under the direction of B.J. Best, associate professor of English and interactive arts, has been developed to pair with a second major in a related field so students can create their own personalized path and receive a double major in just four years. The demand for video game designers is expected to reach near double digit growth over the next several years, as the number of gamers is approaching three billion worldwide.

“Carroll has brought together experts from our computer science, creative writing, design, business and music programs to create this unique undergraduate program in video game design,” said Muhammad. “Students in the program will be provided with the full set of skills needed to succeed in video game design, which has become one of the world’s fastest growing industries.”


Carroll University
Carroll University was incorporated in 1846, making it Wisconsin’s first four-year institution of higher learning. Situated in Waukesha, the independent, co-educational comprehensive university is grounded in the liberal arts tradition, and offers more than 95 areas of study, multiple graduate programs and a clinical doctorate in physical therapy. For more information, visit www.carrollu.edu, and follow us on Twitter and Facebook.
Panoramic View of campus