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The first DCAS cohort (pictured above) started classes in Fall 2025 |
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A new graduate certificate focused on autonomous systems is now approved by the Maryland Higher Education Commission and available through University of Maryland Extended Studies.
The Graduate Certificate in Development and Certification of Autonomous Systems (DCAS) was spearheaded by Dr. Donald "Bucket" Costello, an assistant professor in the Department of Aerospace Engineering and the MATRIX Lab Director for Test and Evaluation of Autonomous Systems. The program equips participants with the knowledge and skills needed to evaluate the safety, performance, and readiness of autonomous and AI-enabled systems.
“The future of transportation and defense is uncrewed, and ultimately autonomous. But you can't field autonomous platforms safely without rigorous evaluation. Right now, most professionals learn how to assess these high-stakes systems through on-the-job trial and error. This program - the first of its kind in the world - fills a critical gap by giving the workforce the baseline knowledge and hands-on tools needed to evaluate risk, verify autonomous behavior, and ensure these systems are truly ready for real-world deployment,” said Dr. Costello.
This educational gap was identified by the Office of Naval Research (ONR), and the Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division (NAWCAD). ONR is funding the program, and NAWCAD helped the MATRIX Lab develop the curriculum with their real-world, firsthand insight into what skills would be helpful and relevant to this task. The courses are open to both enrolled students and working professionals and are held in the SMART Building in St. Mary’s County.
The certificate includes four courses that cover topics surrounding the development, test & evaluation, and verification & validation of autonomous systems, including autonomy and AI, perception evaluation, computer vision, and human-robotics teaming. The curriculum blends classroom learning with hands-on application, giving participants unparalleled knowledge of testing processes, lifecycle risk assessment, and the technical challenges of evaluating complex autonomous systems.
The first cohort started last year as part of a pilot program and will receive their certificates in May 2027 upon successful completion of the requirements. The second cohort begins classes in Fall 2026. To learn more and apply, visit the program web page or contact Dr. Costello at dhcost@umd.edu.
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July 23, 2026
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