The Oldest Surveying Program in Texas
Our Surveying program is the longest-running program in Texas, and our graduates go into high-paying jobs working in a vast array of industries.
Surveying and Geomatics
The Surveying and Geomatics program teaches you the basic elements of surveying required of a land surveyor as well as part of the formal training required for a professional license.
Our program emphasizes boundary surveying and includes history, legal principles of boundary location, evaluating property corners, describing the land, calculating land areas, and using the Texas Coordinate System, computer mapping and geographic information systems. You will also study mapping, route surveying, control surveying, the Global Positioning System (GPS), electronic data collection and an introduction to 3D laser scanning.
Students who wish to earn a Bachelor's degree: The Tyler Junior College Surveying and Geomatics Program has articulated agreements with The University of Texas at Tyler and Stephen F. Austin University for students interested in continuing their surveying education. Students interested in these opportunities should work closing with advisors from each institution to ensure they are following the degree plan requirements. A Bachelor’s degree in surveying remains one of the most efficient routes to becoming a Registered Professional Land Surveyor in the State of Texas. Information related to the qualifications required to become a Registered Professional Land Surveyor is provided by the Texas Board of Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors.
- Stephen F. Austin State University
- University of Texas at Tyler
- Texas Board of Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors
For students who wish to advance their career: Some students only wish to only obtain a Certificate of Proficiency or an Associates degree from TJC and do not intend to get a bachelor's degree. This option will provide a great career as a Crew Chief or a Survey Office Technician.
Program Educational Objectives
Program educational objectives are broad statements that describe what graduates are expected to attain within a few years after graduation. They are based on the needs of the program’s constituencies. The educational objectives for graduates of the Surveying and Geomatics program are to attain:
- Skills and knowledge to successfully manage increased responsibility as a surveyor.
- Competence in an expanding variety of geospatial data-handling skills and procedures in the field and office.
- Progression in level of interaction within a project team environment.
- The ability to progress towards higher education, professional licensure, and/or recognized leadership in technical and business activities.
- A broader ability to integrate ethics in professional practice.
Program Student Outcomes
Student outcomes describe what students are expected to know and are able to do by the time of graduation. These relate to the knowledge, skills, and behaviors that students acquire as they progress through the program. The AAS Surveying and Geomatics program graduates will:
- Identify, formulate, design and solve broadly defined surveying and geomatics problems by applying knowledge of mathematics and science as well historical and legal precedent, if applicable, relevant to the discipline
- Conduct experiments or test theories and analyze and interpret the resulting data
- Function effectively on teams
- Integrate professional and ethical responsibility in their work
- Communicate effectively
- Pass the National Society of Professional Surveyors (NSPS) CST Level I exam.
Program Advisory Committee:
A dedicated group of industry professionals serve as advisors to the Surveying and Geomatics program at Tyler Junior College. The Advisory Committee meets at least once annually to suggest and review changes to the curriculum and to discuss other important developments within the program. For further information or to inquire about joining the Advisory Committee contact department chair, Willace Johnson (wjoh@tjc.edu).
Student Enrollment & Graduation Data
Associate of Applied Science
| Academic Year | Total Enrollment | Graduates |
|---|---|---|
| 2019-2020 | 62 | 19 |
| 2020-2021 | 48 | 23 |
| 2021-2022 | 44 | 15 |
| 2022-2023 | 74 | 14 |
| 2023-2024 | 73 | 30 |
Next Steps
For students in this program who may have a criminal background, please be advised that the background could keep you from being licensed by the State of Texas. If you have a question about your background and licensure, please speak with your faculty member or the department chair. You also have the right to request a criminal history evaluation letter from the applicable licensing agency.