Bachelor's Degree


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UVU’s Surveying and Mapping Bachelor’s Degree program is accredited by the Applied and Natural Science Accreditation Commission of ABET, the global accreditor of college and university programs in applied and natural science, computing, engineering, and engineering technology.  

ABET accreditation assures that programs meet standards to produce graduates ready to enter critical technical fields that are leading the way in innovation and emerging technologies and anticipating the welfare and safety needs of the public.

Sought worldwide, ABET’s voluntary peer-review process is highly respected because it adds critical value to academic programs in the technical disciplines, where quality, precision and safety are of the utmost importance.

Developed by technical professionals from ABET’s member societies, ABET criteria focus on what students experience and learn. ABET accreditation reviews look at program curricula, faculty, facilities, and institutional support and are conducted by teams of highly skilled professionals from industry, academia and government, with expertise in the ABET disciplines.

ABET is a nonprofit, non-governmental organization with ISO 9001:2015 certification. It currently accredits 4,564 programs at 895 colleges and universities in 40 countries and areas.

More information about ABET, its member societies and the accreditation criteria used to evaluate programs can be found at www.abet.org. 

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2023 Course Flow Chart

State of Utah Education Requirements for Survey Licensure

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Bachelor of Science in Surveying and Mapping

Meets State of Utah educational requirements for licensure as a Professional Land Surveyor (PLS) if the student pursues the PLS focus (see R156-22-302c2). Also provides the graduate with entry and mid-level positions in the Surveying, Civil Engineering, and Geospatial professions.

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Program Mission Statement

Provide a strong foundation of principles and practices of the surveying profession to prepare competent surveyors, mappers, and civil designers who serve the regional and global community.

Program Educational Objectives

Within three to five years of graduation alumni of the program are expected to have:

  1. Demonstrated critical thinking ability in performing surveying, mapping, or civil design duties and responsibilities at a professionally competent level and to communicate technical information effectively in a professional team environment.
  2. Exercised prudent ethical judgement in professional decisions while protecting the land rights, title, and interest of the public.
  3. Advanced professionally by being given more responsibilities; or have successfully completed a graduate level degree.
  4. Demonstrated professional development through continuing education or earning certifications or professional licensure.
  5. Served in their professional organizations and/or local communities.

 

ABET Program Student Outcomes

The Surveying and Mapping Program at UVU has adopted student outcomes (1) through (6) as listed in the ABET Criterion 3 and are considered appropriate at the time of graduation with the Bachelor of Science degree:

  1. 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 surveying and mapping disciplines.
  2. An ability to formulate or design a system, process, procedure or program to meet desired needs.
  3. An ability to develop and conduct experiments or test hypotheses, analyze and interpret data and use scientific judgment to draw conclusions.
  4. An ability to communicate effectively with a range of audiences.
  5. An ability to understand ethical and professional responsibilities and the impact of technical and/or scientific solutions in global, economic, environmental, and societal contexts.
  6. An ability to function effectively on teams that establish goals, plan tasks, meet deadlines, and analyze risk and uncertainty.

 

 

 

Surveying and Mapping Major 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021
Enrollment 15 18 22 25 30 35 40 35 30
Graduates 2 4 3 12 0 10 5 5 8

Associate Degrees (not ABET accredited)


Whats the difference between an AS degree and an AAS degree?

An Associate of Science (AS) degree is designed to "stack" or transfer directly into its associated Bachelor's degree.  While the Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree is a terminal two-year degree designed to meet the minium State of Utah requirement for licensure as a Professional Land Surveyor (PLS).  The AAS degree may not prepare you to pass the national NCEES Fundamentals of Surveying  (FS) Exam because the exam continues to be designed for takers who hold a 4-year degree in Surveying or Geomatics.   The AAS degree has some courses that transfer into the Bachelor of Science (BS) degree in Surveying and Mapping many courses will not transfer.  This is why it is called a terminal degree.  The AAS degree does not go into the depth nor does it cover the breadth of the BS degree.   We highly recommend seeking the AS degree first followed by the completion of the BS degree in Surveying and Mapping. 

 

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AS in Surveying and Mapping

Includes all GE requirements and Surveying and Mapping Foundation Core requirements towards the BS degree. Does NOT meet State of Utah educational requirements for Surveying licensure. This degree is designed to be a stepping stone to the BS degree in Surveying and Mapping and in fact is an exact duplicate of the first two years of the BS degree in Surveying and Mapping.

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AAS in Surveying Technology

Meets State of Utah minimum educational requirements for licensure as a Professional Land Surveyor (PLS) by completing an AAS degree in Surveying (see R156-22-302c1). This is a terminal degree which means it does not transfer well into the BS degree in Surveying and Mapping but is intended to stand-alone. All courses in this degree, with the exception of a few, are offered in the evenings and via remote access to the classroom during regularly scheduled day-time courses. It is not a purely online program.

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AS 2-year Degree (flows to BS degree)

AAS 2-year Degree (Stand-Alone degree)

State of Utah Education Requirements for Survey Licensure

Certificates (not ABET accredited)


Geographic Information Systems

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Offered through the Earth Science department to any interested students, but Surveying and Mapping students may obtain this certificate in the process of obtaining their BS degree in Surveying and Mapping.

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Surveying Technology

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Designed to meet the State of Utah Surveying licensure education requirements IF the candidate holds or will hold a BS degree in a related discipline to Surveying such as Civil Engineering, Construction Management, Geology, or Geography (see R156-22-302c3).  Contact State of Utah DOPL office for a specific definitions of "related degrees".

This is a good option for those who already have a degree in a similar field but want to get a State Surveying License

Also, intended as a first career step towards entry into the Surveying and Mapping profession. 


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Civil Design and Surveying Technology

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Provides a first career step into the Civil Engineering, Surveying. and GIS professions. Qualifies a student to work in an entry level Civil Engineering Design/Technician position. This certificate may also appeal to students pursuing a BS degree in Construction Management with a Heavy Civil Emphasis because many of the same courses are required for both.

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Scholarships


Eligibility:

In many of the industry specific scholarships listed below applicants must be pursuing a degree in Surveying or Geomatics with the intention of taking the national Fundamentals of Surveying (FS) exam and continuing in their career to eventually become a licensed Professional Land Surveyor (PLS). Some of these scholarships also require Utah state residency. Visit the website links provided to obtain specific details and answers to your particular questions.

Utah Council of Land Surveyors (UCLS)

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National Society of Professional Surveyors (NSPS)

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Western Federation of Professional Surveyors

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Utah Valley University

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