PhD Question

UF is one, there are a couple of others.

Try Oregon State University.

The Ohio State University

MS and PhD in Geodetic Engineering

http://ceg.osu.edu/graduate

Purdue University

MS and PhD in Geomatics Engineering

https://engineering.purdue.edu/CE/Academics/Groups/Geomatics

University of Florida

MS and PhD, concentration in Geomatics

http://sfrc.ufl.edu/geomatics/degreeprograms/graduate/

UF also has an online MS program

Texas A & M has a post graduate certificate in Geomatics

http://gisc.tamucc.edu/certificates/post_bac.html

Oregon State appears to concentrate on Geoscience and G.I.S.

Paul in PA

I have a friend going through it right now.
I don't recall the school specifically but I think he's in Reno. Don't hold me to that. I just emailed him to chime in.

PhD Question? For What Purpose ?

If you want to teach Surveying I would consider a JD as more appropriate.

Rutgers University has a joint MS in Municipal Planning and a Juris Doctorate which I would consider appropriate.

By recent research I would say there are at least three times as many colleges offering an MS in GIS over those with an MS in Geomatics. If you want to teach any new college program is going to want GIS literate faculty over strictly surveying, because it meets a larger student body market.

If you are not interested in a JD, consider topping off your education with a PhD in Adult Education. Penn State has one.

Penn State also has online Masters in Education in Adult Education or Earth Sciences and an online Masters in GIS. GIS can be a part of the ME specialty program.

Paul in PA

PhD Question? For What Purpose ?

Paul,

You could use it to work for NOAA, NGS, JPL, CIA, DOD, NASA, Loral Space, Bell Labs, Trimble, Leica, etc.

Otago NZ

http://www.otago.ac.nz/surveying/study/

PhD Question? For What Purpose ?

> Paul,
>
> You could use it to work for NOAA, NGS, JPL, CIA, DOD, NASA, Loral Space, Bell Labs, Trimble, Leica, etc.

Anything in the oil or gas industry. I hear they are hiring in ND and TX a dime a dozen. Well.. hopefully not for just a dime. 😀

PhD Question? For What Purpose ?

Never mind

University of New Brunswick

I would love to take any course that Dr. Langley teaches.

M

Thanks for posting this topic. I have been looking for a doctoral program for awhile. Problem is that I have to work to support myself and can't do a full time school program. In fact, almost all of my education has been done on a part-time basis. Paul has a good suggestion about adult education, which you can do online, but I am interested in research in geospatial/geomatics venues, not adult education.

I will be seeing what others come up with. I know there are advanced degrees in Turkey, Switzerland, and other places, but not sure who offers PhDs. Univ of New Brunswick is highly rated and is geomatics.

PhD ? You Have To Start Somewhere

University of Florida online Geomatics courses are at several levels.

Undergraduate
4 out of 10 3000 level courses are available online.
3 out of 11 4000 level courses are available online.
Graduate
4 out of 6 5000 level courses are available online.
5 out of 10 6000 level courses are available online.
No 7000 level courses are available online.

Based on some posted class hours it appears each or most courses are 3 credits but that is not specified.

30 credits are required for the Masters, no thesis is required, and only 15 credits must be in Geomatics. One course SUR 6934 is repeated 6 times with 6 different descriptions. That indicates it is probably a self study area.

From what I recall of other graduate programs, several 4000 level courses are probably acceptable for the MS, and I surmise several 6000 level courses could apply to the PhD.

Since you need a Masters prior to a PhD do not bemoan the point of no online PhD program before you are even qualified to apply.

UF has several graduate research/PhD candidate jobs (4 years) available for those with a Masters. Tuition is free but I doubt the $16,000-20,000 stipend could cover your living expenses much less anything else.

At best you might be able to do 1/4 of a PhD online.

PhDs are most often a self directed study program that you create for yourself. Therefore it is best to discuss a course of study with a PhD professor who is knowledgeable of your capabilities.

Paul in PA

PhD ? You Have To Start Somewhere

> Since you need a Masters prior to a PhD do not bemoan the point of no online PhD program before you are even qualified to apply.
>
> Paul in PA

Will a non-thesis Masters in engineering from Colorado School of Mines and a thesis based Masters in geospatial survyeing engineering from Texas A&M (GPA 4.0) qualify me for consideration in a PhD program?

BS - "Bull-S**"
MS - "More of the Same"
PhD- "Piled higher and Deeper"

Sorry, old joke. Just had to insert it here. Ni disrespect intended. 😀

PhD ? You Have To Start Somewhere

> Since you need a Masters prior to a PhD .......
>

I was informed yesterday that is not the case. My buddy going for his PhD says most of the PhDs he knows didn't get a masters. This is opposite to my experiences with those with PhDs.

I thought PhD was Post-hole Digger:-P

PhD ? You Have To Start Somewhere

I would think so.

I think the requirement for a master's degree is field-dependent. Many fields generally don't require a master's degree before commencing a Ph.D in the US. Once you pass the qualifying exam, many departments will give you a master's degree (or you can stop there).

There probably are some departments that require a master's first, but I would think it's more likely if you're changing fields. For either reason, you may need to do more coursework (changing fields, no master's).

University of Maine has a Ph.D in Spatial Information Science and Engineering. Here's the blurb about requirements:

"The program for the Ph.D. degree in Spatial Information Science and Engineering carries a minimum residency requirement of two academic years and a minimum of 42 credit hours in formal course work beyond the bachelor’s degree. Students normally hold a Masters degree, typically in engineering, computer science, mathematics, geography with a strong technical and analytical background or cognitive science. However, students with exceptional undergraduate performance may be admitted directly into the PhD program."

They currently have two MS programs. One is thesis-based while the other is all coursework. They have a third one under development which is planned to be online only.

Ohio State also has 2 geophysics-related degrees through the School of Earth Sciences. (OSU's geodetic science and surveying department split about 20 years ago. Professors ended up based in Engineering or Earth Sciences. One of the ES profs who was my advisor now has most of his advisees in the Engineering-side dept. )

Based on extensive perusal of Academia.SE, you should try to have an idea on what type of research you want to do, and look for a professor/dept that's doing it.

PhD ? You Have To Start Somewhere

Melita,
Thank you for that thorough response. My comment was purely sarcastic.

The Geodesist at the National Geodetic Survey, Dr. Giovanni Sella, who handles the nationwide CORS program received his Ph.D. here at LSU. Dr. Kurt Shinkle, formerly of NGS and now with NGA received his Ph.D. here at LSU. The first above was in "Geology," the second one in "Engineering Science."

Both are employed full-time as Geodesists. The title of your degree doesn't mean much of anything outside of academia; it's what's between your ears and the fire in your belly.