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Pursuing education in geomatics or geographic information systems (GIS) leads to a rewarding career building communities, while working on different projects throughout the state. A degree in geomatics is on the path to becoming a licensed land surveyor. Both geomatics and GIS graduates can start their career as a land survey technician.

Oregon Tech*

Bachelor's Degree

Oregon Tech will give you the skills to be a land surveyor and/or geospatial professional by learning through using high performance geographical equipment and systems to analyze the great outdoors of Klamath Falls. The Geomatics program has two options for students to specialize in: Surveying or Geographical Information Systems.

Students who choose the Surveying Option will:

Use computer systems and equipment to find and define property lines in the city of sunshine
Plan out subdivisions to make creative and effective designs
Map boundary limits and learn how to write deed descriptions relative to property boundaries and more.

The land surveying option prepares students to pass the Fundamentals of Surveying (FS) examination and pursue licensure as a registered Professional Land Surveyor (PLS).

Students who choose the GIS Option will:

Map and geodatabase topology
Learn how to program functions and procedures into geographic information systems
Study the Earth's shape and how to project 2D and 3D maps onto its surface and more.

The GIS option will prepare students to become certified geographic information systems professionals.

All students learn the professional responsibility of protecting the health, safety and welfare of the public, and become aware of global and cultural issues related to their discipline. [Click for More]

Clark College

Associate Degree

Clark’s program uses state-of-the-art land surveying equipment and techniques to prepare students for entry-level work in government and private sector roles. The course curriculum prepares a student for entry-level work or transfer to Oregon Tech for a bachelor’s degree in Geomatics.

The program offers an AAS degree along with two related one-year certificates. All of the surveying and geomatics courses are offered in the evening and weekends. This affords those that are currently working an opportunity to change careers while still providing for their immediate needs. [Click for More]

Oregon State University*

Bachelor's Degree and Graduate Studies

Obtain a BS in Civil Engineering or Forest Engineering (or both) that includes 16 credit hours of survey electives.

Civil engineering is the design, construction, and maintenance of public works, including roads, bridges, harbors, etc. [Click for More]

Forest engineers are the technical backbone of all forest operations, providing the skills and knowledge required to implement complex forest and natural resource operations. [Click for More]

Graduate study in Civil Engineering Geomatics at Oregon State University integrates fundamental spatial data and boundary law theoretical knowledge with practical applications. Students gain exposure to the latest in geomatics technologies and boundary theory. [Click for More]

Umpqua Community College

Associate Degree

This Associate of Science, Geomatics & Surveying degree prepares students to be a technician or for transfer to the bachelor’s degree program at Oregon Tech. Students interested in a 2-year AAS degree with focus in Surveying & Geomatics may want to consider an AAS in Civil Engineering and Surveying Technology. [Click for More]

GIS Certifications

Clackamas Community College

This certificate offers instruction in GIS software, geography, data analysis, cartography, remote sensing, data collection, database theory, and programming. Upon successful completion of this program, students should be able to:

Apply geographic knowledge and GIS software techniques to create high quality analysis, data, applications, and maps;
Design and create geodatabases;
Automate geoprocessing tools to manipulate, generate, display, and analyze GIS data;
Analyze and interpret remotely sensed data including aerial and satellite imagery, LIDAR and GPS data;
Apply programming skills to create and customize applications and tools. [Click for More]

Portland Community College

Associate Degree

Portland Community College’s GIS & Geospatial programs prepare students for entry-level jobs in GIS, Remote Sensing, Surveying and/or other related geospatial industries. Our programs provide a comprehensive foundation to the tools, technologies, and methods used in the geospatial industry.

Our coursework is designed to be project-based, collaborative, and focused on real-world applications of geospatial tools, using industry-standard software. Students engage with community partners to complete projects focused on local issues. [Click for More]

Portland State Univeristy

The PSU GIS certificate and the individual courses offered as part of the PSU GIS certificate will count towards the national GIS certification programs. These programs include the GISP (Certified GIS Professional) certification administered by the GIS Certification Institute and the ASPRS Certification programs by the American Society for Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing (ASPRS). [Click for More]

Southern Oregon University

The Micro-credential in Geographic Information Systems (GIS) equips learners with the concepts and skills necessary to advance careers in the geospatial sciences. This micro-credential is designed both for working practitioners and traditional students desiring to develop and demonstrate proficiency in GIS. The micro-credential is designed to nest within a proposed certificate in geospatial technology. [Click fore More]

Find Other ABET Approved Programs

If taking the college route to licensure, current statute (820-010-2000) requires classes be accredited by Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET) or approved by The National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying (NCEES).

*Oregon Schools that are ABET accredited.

The following combinations of education and experience may be used to satisfy subsection (4) of OAR 820-010-2000 (Qualifications for Registration as a Professional Land Surveyor):

Accredited Four Year Baccalaureate Degree in Land Surveying and Three Years of Experience.
NCEES Credential Evaulation Equivalent and Three Years of Experience
Graduate Degree in Land Surveying and Three Years of Experience.
Accredited Four Year Baccalaureate Degree in Engineering, Additional Course Work, and Six Years of Experience.
Accredited Two Year Degree in Land Surveying Meeting Specific Criteria, with Six Years of Experience.
Accredited Two Year Degree in Engineering Meeting Specific Criteria, with Six Years of Experience.
Accredited Baccalaureate Degree with “Core Requirements” or Non-accredited Baccalaureate Degree with “Core Requirements,” and Six Years of Experience.
Military Experience and Training.
Nine Years of Experience Only.