Jon,
I suggest you look around close to home. You might be surprised to find that a lot of universities offer PhD in Engineering Science or Engineering and Applied Sciences. If you get a good major professor, he/she can help you figure out a program that will fit what you need. You can even take some of your courses at other universities in some instances. I took some at Univ. of Arizona which is a long way from the Louisiana system. All I had to do was get them pre-approved.
In the PhD program you will probably also find that you can take a lot of special topics classes, and it will just be you and your professor.
I found the master's in engineering to be more difficult from a test-taking standpoint. But the work involved in a PhD is far more detailed and time-consuming, at least in my opinion. PhD is supposed to contribute something toward the science field you are studying.
There is nothing more enjoyable than concentrating study in a specific field and simply beating it to death and learning everything that you possibly can. The experience is almost indescribable. If you are thinking about doing it, stop what you are doing, and go for it. Look for it to take about 4 years. It takes some longer, and some finish quicker. Dissertation might take at least a year.
My $0.02 worth. 🙂
Thanks for all of the replies. That helps a great deal.
Paul
I figured you would have a pretty full list.
Your charting of the surveying programs and reporting on here is very helpful.
Thanks