Does anyone know of any online degree programs for land surveying? (or geomatics, whatever)
After 30 years in the profession I'm thinking of completing a degree program but colleges are scarce out here on the sand bar.
I have 4 years of credits, history and civil engineering, but that was back in the 70's...
ideas and suggestions are welcome!
Don
Don,
Congrats on your decision. I am contemplating the same thing.
Here are a few programs off the top of my head:
East Tennessee State University
Dr. Jerry Taylor (great guy, serve on the TAPS BOD with him)
Great Basin College
Dr. Elithorp (I think)
Metro State College at Denver
University of Wyoming
There are others, but those are the one I can think of right now.
Please post any additional programs that you find. I am looking also, but on my way out to the field right now.
Good luck,
Jimmy
From the metro state website:
The Surveying and Mapping Program
Distance Delivery Courses for Surveyors
Beginning with the Fall 2010 semester, the Bachelor of Science in Surveying and Mapping will no longer be offered for new students.
The Surveying courses have been moved to the department of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, as an area of interest under the Geographic Information Systems Area of Concentration, Land Use Major . These courses may also be taken for Surveying professional development.
Thanks for note Jimmy. I've sent an email to ETSU. Funny because my first experience was in TN as was my first license to survey! 1982!!!
I am thinking about doing the same thing.
Please let us know the results of your inquiry.
I've been told that my old Alma-matter OIT.edu is working towards many online classes but im not sure of the timeline. All Geomatics, surveying programs are struggling right now with enrollment and the basic justification of their existence so be sure to get some up to date info.
By the nature of our profession, I understand how a degree may not be offered totally online. Additionally I don't think ABET looks favorably at programs offering a large chuck of the teaching via distance learning.
Good luck with your search.
Grab a plane and head to the University of New Brunswick;-)
I think NC A & T has or is working on one. They have a Geomatics Degree.
NCAT.edu
> Does anyone know of any online degree programs for land surveying? (or geomatics, whatever)
>
> After 30 years in the profession I'm thinking of completing a degree program but colleges are scarce out here on the sand bar.
>
> I have 4 years of credits, history and civil engineering, but that was back in the 70's...
>
> ideas and suggestions are welcome!
>
> Don
Hey Don, good luck man, do you mind me asking what is prompting this decision?
Denver Metro in Colorado! Good Luck! I have been in the field 30 years as well and need to finish my degree and have applied at Denver Metro
Odessa College is about to roll out their online program for an associates, I believe. Some classes are online now with more coming online shortly. Paul Wilson is doing a lot of work towards getting the online program online.
http://www.odessa.edu/dept/surveying/index.htm
Kind of wish they would use a modern mascot, tho.
Don, I am enrolled in the online program at Great Basin College in Elko, NV. I live in WV. Feel free to email me with any questions you may have about it. Dr. Elithorp was a big help in getting my plan lined out.
I'm an alum of Purdue University Calumet and they were beginning distance learning for the survey courses. Some where at the campus others were online. I do not know if they continued with the online classes though. I believe the program is ABET accredited bachelors as well.
Personal curiosity and my usual willingness to learn.
I am curious about several aspects of Surveying that I'm not very familiar with such as GIS and I'd like to learn more about GPS.
Don
Look into the University of Wyoming. Although they don’t offer a degree they are in discussions with several states to create state specific certificates automatically acceptable to the boards. Their classes are geared toward people who already have significant surveying experience. I think they offer 32 credits of surveying classes now and are adding more every year, although the legal classes may have to much emphasis on the PLSS for your liking.
I took the adjustments and analysis class from Great Basin College. Dr Elithorp was a great help and very fair to the students willing to put in the effort.
Yeah,its just a matter of personal opinon. Dr. Elithorp is definitly willing to work with people and his program is a good resorce, but I felt he was comming at the subject matter from a more academic prospective then I wanted.
Another factor to consider is that Great Basin classes are cheaper then UW.
Jim Ellithorp and Great Basin College have a completely online BS Degree. I am enrolled now. I expect they will get ABET accredited before I graduate. Good program and pretty decent costs.
CAVEAT EMPTOR for some programs
watch out, as some programs are not ABET certified, or not transferable, etc.
penn state and old dominion have online programs as well.
CAVEAT EMPTOR for some programs
Great Basin College is not ABET accredited, but it is transferable. Although ABET accreditation ensures automatic acceptance by every state. Every state I have looked into is willing to except non-ABET coursework as long as it is from an accredited institution. It is a little more work proving you meet the state requirements, but I think there are only a few states that won’t work with you.
I know the following states will consider non-ABET education:
Alaska, Arizona, California, Georgia, Nevada, New Mexico (only in some circumstances), Oregon, Tennessee, Utah, Washington, Wyoming
Oklahoma State has an online associates and is in the process of changing it over to a 4 year degree program. The two distance campus' are the ones offering it. Roger Taylor at OSU-Okmulgee and Danny Swain at OSU-Okc would be the contacts.
Good Luck in your search,
Denver