I recently read Professional Surveyor's Red Pages issue. The focus of this issues was education. I want to increase my knowledge of surveying but I cannot up and leave to go attend a traditional in class degree program. I was wondering if anyone knew a good online certificate/associates program that they would recommend.
Does my location (downstate ny)affect which program that i chose? Thanks for any input.
I would recommend the Univerrsity of Wyoming. I have earned numerous credits from the University and the classes are always great.
What Is Your Background?
Based on where you are, I would recommend 2 options, either/both.
Mohawk Valley Community College (Utica, NY) has a Surveying Technology, AAS program, is ABET accredited and has online courses.
http://www.mvcc.edu/academic-programs/degrees/surveying-technology
Essex County College (Newark, NJ) has a 2 year program, with tie in to NJIT's BSET program. Essex County and NJIT provide evening courses geared to those working in the surveying field. Both are commutable by train from Long Island. NJIT had a program in the past where New York metropolitan area residents get the in state tuition rate. That saved me quite a few bucks.
http://www.essex.edu/academics/programs/pdfs/civil.const.eng.land.program.pdf
http://engineeringtech.njit.edu/academics/set.php
Paul in PA
What Is Your Background?
> Based on where you are, I would recommend 2 options, either/both.
>
> Mohawk Valley Community College (Utica, NY) has a Surveying Technology, AAS program, is ABET accredited and has online courses.
>
>> http://www.mvcc.edu/academic-programs/degrees/surveying-technology
>
> Essex County College (Newark, NJ) has a 2 year program, with tie in to NJIT's BSET program. Essex County and NJIT provide evening courses geared to those working in the surveying field. Both are commutable by train from Long Island. NJIT had a program in the past where New York metropolitan area residents get the in state tuition rate. That saved me quite a few bucks.
>
>> http://www.essex.edu/academics/programs/pdfs/civil.const.eng.land.program.pdf
>
>> http://engineeringtech.njit.edu/academics/set.php
>
> Paul in PA
I think NJIT is all set to go online soon. I know the adjustment classes are now distance courses since Greenfeld is in Israel. I wish they would since Dr. Potts added a couple of Graduate Courses I'm interested in.
Ralph
Whatever you find, verify that it is ABET acredited. That way, your efforts will not be in vain with respect to recognition. Whatever you learn they can never take that away from you, but try to also guarantee professional credit. Some day it may make a great deal of difference to your career.
Ralph, What Graduate Courses?
Almost all college websites no longer allow you to cruise through the course catalog or class schedule. NJIT's is less informative than when Josh was in charge. Some time ago I was searching the online MS CE program and wanted more information. To get it I had to give them a lot of my information, now I get bombarded with requests to register. Why would I want to register when some of my initial questions still do not have answer. I wanted to give James a definitive answer on the evening class scheduling, but info is not easy to find.
I have yet to find SET 600+ course information, where is it hidden?
Paul in PA
What Is Your Background?
Paul,
I have a BA in math from SUNY Albany, and I have about 6 years of field experience (3 of them as an instrument operator). Our primamry work is light construction, small (usually <10 lot sub divisions)residential and light commercial boundry & title, and topography. I also do a fair amount of drafting and analysis (under guidance of a licesened LS of course). All of my expereince is on long island. I am looking to increase my knowledge base as well as increase my value to my employer.
What Is Your Background?
The University of Florida has an online certificate program in Geomatics, but since you already have an undergraduate degree, they also offer an online masters degree with a concentration in Geomatics.
James, Start With Local Community Colleges?
Having a bachelors degree already puts less emphasis on getting an AAS, though you can't go wrong in New York with it. So check out MVCC but also look at NJIT's requirements for transfer into the final 2 year program.
I had a BS CE from Lehigh University with 6 survey credits. I picked up 6 more Survey Credits from County College of Morris, NJ (no longer do surveying), Legal credits from Middlesex County College, Nj, Real Estate Law from Warren County Community College, NJ, AutoCAD and Business Law from Northampton County Community College, PA. That compilation of courses got me into NJIT. If you are looking for a degree most colleges want the courses at their location, but if you are looking for an education your choices expand greatly.
Whatever you do, do not consider an AAS after a BA as a backwards step. Even an AAS after a BS is a step forward in a different direction.
Paul in PA
What Is Your Background?
As Paul mentioned, we have online courses at MVCC. There is a two course sequence, Legal Principles 1 and 2. These would get you some real background knowledge on land boundaries, PLSS, the profession, and development issues. Send me an email at dfrymire@mvcc.edu and I will send you back a detailed syllabus. These are 3 credit courses and would take about 8 hours per week of your time.
ABET Accreditation Is An Easy Out For State Boards
If you look at most state laws ABET is a given acceptable degree. But should you have a non ABET degree the board is supposed to evaluate your individual record. Most boards don't care to go to the trouble. As I read it, NY is more lenient, looking for education rather than a degree. As I recall only 1 of 4 surveying programs in NY State is ABET accedited.
As a comparison PA has 2 ABET associate surveying programs, An associate degree is allowed for licensing. NJ has 2 non ABET associate surveying programs, but they are set up acceptable for licensings pre NJIT bachelor programs. NJ is strictly a BS required for licensing.
Paul in PA
Thank you all for your feedback. Its been great to hear that there are so many other options out there. It's very difficult to find all of these on your own without the help of others. I know that I need a stronger knowledge base to be a true professional. I enjoy the profession very much but without advancing myself I won't be able to afford to stay in this profession much longer.
Duane I will email you shortly.
Ralph, What Graduate Courses?
> Almost all college websites no longer allow you to cruise through the course catalog or class schedule. NJIT's is less informative than when Josh was in charge. Some time ago I was searching the online MS CE program and wanted more information. To get it I had to give them a lot of my information, now I get bombarded with requests to register. Why would I want to register when some of my initial questions still do not have answer. I wanted to give James a definitive answer on the evening class scheduling, but info is not easy to find.
>
> I have yet to find SET 600+ course information, where is it hidden?
>
> Paul in PA
Paul,
I can't remember the courses but it was related to LIDAR and Satellite Geodesy. Maybe Andy Kubiak can chime in, he was there when it started. If not I'll give you Laramie's email.
Ralph
Correction
Yesterday I wrote:
"If you look at most state laws ABET is a given acceptable degree. But should you have a non ABET degree the board is supposed to evaluate your individual record. Most boards don't care to go to the trouble. As I read it, NY is more lenient, looking for education rather than a degree. As I recall only 1 of 4 surveying programs in NY State is ABET accedited."
"As a comparison PA has 2 ABET associate surveying programs, An associate degree is allowed for licensing. NJ has 2 non ABET associate surveying programs, but they are set up acceptable for licensings pre NJIT bachelor programs. NJ is strictly a BS required for licensing."
"licensings" did not belong at the strikeout.
Paul in PA
