Surveying and Mapping

Mostly Online Bachelor of Science Degree

 

Overview

Students in Surveying and Mapping Science at East Tennessee State University pursue coursework leading to professional land surveying practice and successful completion of the NCEES Fundamentals of Surveying exam. Graduates from this program are well prepared for future licensing in any state and for occupying professional level positions with surveying and engineering firms, government service, utility companies, and related industries.

Surveying is a rapidly developing profession that deals with spatial information - it answers the “where” question. As almost all information has some kind of location, the variety of information and applications which the Professional Surveyor deals with is extremely wide. The online Surveying and Mapping degree program at ETSU meets or exceeds the minimum educational requirements for surveying licensure in most states and many foreign jurisdictions.

ETSU's Online Bachelor of Science Degree in Surveying and Mapping is grounded in the sciences, notably the sciences of mathematics and measurement theory. And, perhaps to a greater extent than many other professions, surveying is being rapidly affected by new technological changes, such as GPS, GIS, computerized mapping, robotics, scanning, and wireless communications. The ETSU's Online Bachelor of Science degree in Surveying and Mapping Science program in the Engineering, Engineering Technology, and Surveying Department is accredited by the Applied and Natural Science Accreditation Commission of ABET and prepares students for licensing in any state. 

Program

This program is delivered primarily through synchronous online courses and is specifically designed to ensure successful completion for working professionals from all over the country. Please contact the department for information about synchronous courses. The lecture component of most online surveying courses is streamed, recorded, and made available to all students. 

Students who enroll in sections that have a live video streaming option also have the option of making arrangements to perform lab exercises off-campus. Those who exercise this option will need to make arrangements with a partner who will assist in administering exams and lab assignments at off-campus locations.

Program Educational Objective

The objective of the Surveying and Mapping Science program is to prepare graduates to successfully pursue their professional career objectives in a land surveying and mapping-related field. The program considers this objective to be realized if a majority of graduates: 


  • Are employed in a field within the geomatics disciplines.
  • Have successfully completed licensing for professional certification/registration, e.g. PS, CP, or GISP, as appropriate for their career path in a geomatics discipline.
  • Obtain membership in one or more professional organizations relevant to their career of choice.
  • Continue professional education by participating in professional development courses or sessions, or complete higher education courses.
  • Analyze, manage, and disseminate geospatial data utilizing industry-standard land surveying techniques.

The program will produce graduates who are prepared for a professional career in a land surveying and mapping-related field.

Program information including curriculum and graduation requirements can be found in the B.S. Surveying and Mapping Science entry of the ETSU Undergraduate Catalog.

Student Educational Outcomes

  • An ability to identify, formulate, and solve broadly-defined technical or scientific problems by applying knowledge of mathematics and science and/or technical topics to areas relevant to the discipline.


  • An ability to formulate or design a system, process, procedure, or program to meet desired needs.
  • An ability to develop and conduct experiments or test hypotheses, analyze and interpret data, and use scientific judgment to draw conclusions.

 

  • An ability to communicate effectively with a range of audiences.
  • An ability to understand ethical and professional responsibilities and the impact of technical and/or scientific solutions in global, economic, environmental, and societal contexts.
  • An ability to function effectively on teams that establish goals, plan tasks, meet deadlines, and analyze risk and uncertainty.
  • Successfully Complete the NCEES Fundamentals of Surveying (FS) exam.

Steps to Apply

  • Step 1 - Create your ETSU Application Account

    Step 1   Create your ETSU Application Account by choosing the "Sign Up" option

    Create your ETSU Application Account

  • Step 2 - Sign into the ETSU Application Portal

    Step 2  Sign into the ETSU Application Portal and select "Start a New Application"

    Sign in

  • Step 3 - Complete the Remaining Fields

    Step 3   Choose "Undergraduate," select your student type, select your start term, then choose  Surveying and Mapping and complete the remainder of the form.

    select domestic/international

    select certificate

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Cost

TN Residents *GA, KY, NC, SC, VA *Other USA States  eRate (Out of State, 100% online) All International
$441 per credit hour $469 per credit hour $569 per credit hour $507 per credit hour $1202 per credit hour

- Note, tuition discounts are available for border county students
- This amount may not include program-specific fees

*First-Time Freshman and Transfer Students only
**Currently enrolled students should visit the tuition and fees charts if considering a major change.

Read more about cost, paying for courses, scholarship options and financial aid, or use the Tuition and Fees estimator to see approximate costs.

The information presented in the Tuition and Fees estimator is only an estimate; it is not an actual statement of costs.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Why should a student pursue this program at ETSU? What makes it unique?
    The mostly-online B.S. in Surveying and Mapping Science is accredited through ABET, which is the premiere accreditation body for engineering/surveying and mapping.  ETSU's is one of about 20 programs throughout the United States!
  • What is an exciting aspect of this program?
    The job is never the same.  As a licensed land surveyor, there are challenges and opportunities to solve problems in a variety of ways, each of which is unique from the last. 
  • What accreditations apply to this program? 
    The program is accredited by the Applied and Natural Science Accreditation Commission (ABET).
  • What are the job prospects with this degree?
    Most of the students who graduate with this degree from ETSU have multiple job opportunities. The average age of a land surveyor in the United States is between 55-60 years old, and the need for land surveyors is growing at an alarming rate.
  • Do I need to have a background in this field? What are the prerequisites?
    There is no need for a background in the field, only an interest and desire to achieve. The program is designed to train students to pass the Fundamentals of Surveying (FS) examination and to teach the basic field techniques that will provide for success in entry level positions.
  • Are the courses for this program asynchronous or synchronous? 
    Two of the surveying program courses are offered as synchronous distance education classes, and there is no need for students to make campus time should they partake in these classes. However, as such students, the program requires that you have a mentor affiliate: a licensed land surveyor who oversees and mentors the student throughout the course of their laboratory requirements.
  • Does this program require an internship or field work? 
    Yes, the program has an internship element (ENTC 3989) in which students have to opportunity to fully explore the profession.
  • Is this program designed to meet the needs of adults who work full-time and/or have family obligations?
    About 60% are employed full-time and are working towards the degree. The program is designed as a four-year curriculum, but it can vary in time depending on the student. Each student can tailor the program to suit their individual needs.
  • How many spaces are available for each cohort?
    The traditional start time is the fall of an academic year, but there are students who start in the spring. There are no course limits in those respective semesters.
  • Does the college/department offer scholarships?
    Yes. Please visit the College of Business and Technology Scholarships page for more information. Many of the state associations in the United States also have scholarships available as well. Additionally, ETSU's Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships offers scholarship information for all student levels. By submitting the Universal Scholarship Application, students can be considered for a variety of university scholarships. Learn more on their website.