I am aware of just a few schools that offer any programs in surveying. At least I believe they still offer them.
Paul Smiths & Alfred State these two offer 2 year programs.
Then there is what remains of Southern TechSouthern Poly which has become Kennesaw State and I believe they only offer a 4 year degree. I know this program is on life support and probably will not be able to survive.
If you know of any school that offers a 2 year AAS or one of those certificate programs please list it.
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Honestly I'm not concerned about a 4 year program as I feel like that is too much for a survey program simply because if someone is going to attend 4 years of intensive study they will likely enter the engineering field and make more money for far less work.
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Denver Institute of Technology became Westwood and has since closed down.
Flathead Valley Community College in Kalispell, Montana has a 2 year AAS program.
The "Land Surveyor Reference Page" lists schools with surveying programs by state at http://www.lsrp.com/college.html.
Tyler Junior College, Tyler, Texas
I am aware of just a few schools that offer any programs in surveying. At least I believe they still offer them.
Paul Smiths & Alfred State these two offer 2 year programs.
Then there is what remains of Southern TechSouthern Poly which has become Kennesaw State and I believe they only offer a 4 year degree. I know this program is on life support and probably will not be able to survive.
If you know of any school that offers a 2 year AAS or one of those certificate programs please list it.
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Honestly I'm not concerned about a 4 year program as I feel like that is too much for a survey program simply because if someone is going to attend 4 years of intensive study they will likely enter the engineering field and make more money for far less work.
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My take is the opposite.?ÿ Alfred state BS graduates seem to be in demand for starting salary upwards of 50k.?ÿ AAS graduates don't seem to have much demand or salary offers above grabbing someone off the street for 12 per hour.?ÿ Many AAS tech type programs are having a hard time staying alive, including surveying.?ÿ In NY, MVCC program on the list is no longer operating, Paul Smith's having trouble staying open, ESF having trouble, Alfred as well.?ÿ Tough to keep a program going without 15-20 new students per year that also stick with the program all the way through.?ÿ Tough to sell to prospective students when the return on investment is so low.?ÿ Still, some of our AAS grads have done really well, running their own businesses, working pipeline, making a good living.?ÿ Must be willing to relocate to where things are happening, which under new funding paradigms in NY (state schools) means the program doesn't get much funding or support.?ÿ Funding is tied to how many grads you put to work in the local community.
Tip for those aspiring to a quick career path: AAS in welding is packed and students in demand for really good wages.?ÿ HVAC and solar are also good bets.?ÿ
Penn State offers a 2 year program at their Wilkes Barre Campus.
Pennsylvania College of Technology offers a 2 year program.
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In my experience, the grads from Penn College of Technology's 2 year make great technicians, they generally have a solid background in the technical aspects without delving too deep into theory.
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A side note, the grads I have worked with from Alfred State are top notch and if you have the opportunity to hire one, do so!
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I heard that UNH/Thompson School did away with their surveying program.
Thanks to the changes in the education requirements to obtain your LS in Georgia, University of North Georgia (UNG) has added a Certificate program in Surveying:?ÿ?ÿ https://ung.edu/institute-environmental-spatial-analysis/cert-land-surveying.php
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Unless NYS makes a 4 year degree mandatory for a license I don't see the benefit in a 4 year degree.?ÿ And last I heard Alfred wasn't doing to great with there 4yr survey program.?ÿ And I wouldn't point students towards that mainly because of cost and return.?ÿ By the time you get done at Alfred with a 4yr you could be $160,000 in debt... for a surveying degree.?ÿ Yes, unfortunately we lost MVCC as a community college with an affordably survey degree due to low enrollment.?ÿ Last I heard Wanakena Ranger School (SUNY-ESF) was going well, although not growing much.?ÿ They can get an AAS.?ÿ Take one year at a community college for the basics, then one year at Wanakena for survey specific courses and degree.?ÿ And still relatively affordable, $23,000 for the year there + the community college.
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I've worked for, with, and supervised many people.?ÿ And I will say, a college degree is helpful.?ÿ 4yr or 2yr it seems like they come out with the same basics, its the training in the field once they start makes all the difference.?ÿ Personally I've never noticed a difference in salary in a 2 or 4yr college grad, most of the time they start off around the same until you prove yourself.?ÿ And if I can get someone that is smart, with a willingness to work and learn those are the ones that succeed and get the higher pay.
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Wentworth Institute of Technology has a Certificate in Professional Land Surveying. It is Massachusetts-focused. Wanna be a Yankee someday?
https://wit.edu/continuing-ed/programs/certificate/land-surveying
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The University of Maine Surveying Engineering Technology program may have a 2 year option. They also have online courses, now.
As an Alfred State grad and proponent of the Surveying program I think that the 4 year program is well worth the money for anyone who intends to become a licensed land surveyor. Total on-campus costs from the college website are $21,140 per year for NY residents and $30,920 per year out of state. Employment rates are well over 100% and most student are spoken for after their freshman year.?ÿ
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Idaho State University has a 4 year program. If you look at the jobs being offered right now, the 'it isnt worth it' argument no longer holds water.
As an Alfred State grad and proponent of the Surveying program I think that the 4 year program is well worth the money for anyone who intends to become a licensed land surveyor. Total on-campus costs from the college website are $21,140 per year for NY residents and $30,920 per year out of state. Employment rates are well over 100% and most student are spoken for after their freshman year.?ÿ
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Sorry, I do apologize and made a mistake.?ÿ I accidentally went to the Alfred University website and grabbed there rates.?ÿ I thought that was alot of money for the degree.?ÿ I do agree that Alfred is a good college and have worked with many Alfred graduates.?ÿ Not quite on board with the thinking a 4 year degree is necessary though.
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I do have a question though, how can there employment rates be well over 100%?
