Oct 12, 2024  
2024-2025 Academic Catalog 
    
2024-2025 Academic Catalog

Surveying, AAS


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Surveyors, tasked with measuring and recording property boundaries and topography for construction and engineering projects, utilize surveys to establish legal boundaries, prepare maps and exhibits, and draft land tract descriptions that meet legal criteria. Approved by the Montana Board of Professional Engineers and Professional Land Surveyors, the FVCC Surveying AAS degree fulfills the educational prerequisites for aspiring licensed surveyors in Montana.

Specifically, the program develops fundamental principles of land surveying and mapping along with an introduction to collecting, manipulation, formatting, and mapping geospatial data. In the first year, students focus on introductory technical surveying skills that prepare them for employment as a Survey Technician. In year two, the focus expands to understanding and applying the legal and regulatory aspects of the profession. This combination of hands-on skill development training with legal and regulatory coursework prepares students for the Land Surveying Intern exam.

The program is delivered fully online with practical labs facilitated by licensed surveyors, providing comprehensive preparation for entry-level positions in the field of land surveying.

Program Outcomes


Upon completion of the program, students will be able to

  • Operate current instrumentation to search for field evidence, take and reduce field notes, and stake construction projects and boundary monumentation;
  • Function in office activities including calculator operations, computer data entry and analysis, manual and computer drafting of various survey-related drawings, and records research;
  • Enter a geographic information system entry-level position; and
  • Possess sufficient theoretical and practical surveying knowledge to sit for the Land Surveyor Intern exam.

Required Courses


First Year


Second Year


Total Credits: 70-72


1Another math sequence, which includes coursework through Calculus, may be substituted.

2Another physical science class may be substituted with advisor approval.

3 For students who place into M 121  Intermediate Algebra (a score of 67% or better on test 3B), this requirement can be waived.

R Indicates Related Instruction requirement.

*Indicates prerequisite and/or corequisite needed. Check course description.

Recommended Course Offering:


Students receiving financial aid or veteran’s benefits should check with the Financial Aid Office before registering for recommended courses.

Program Information


  • To be successful in this online program, students will need access to a computer equipped to handle ArcGIS Pro and CAD as well as reliable, high-speed internet connectivity. 
  • Success in the surveying program requires an above average proficiency in math and strong English skills.  A minimum grade of “C-” must be achieved in all required surveying and math courses.
  • Students lacking a proficient background in algebra, geometry, trigonometry, and/or English, will be advised to complete the survey degree program in three, rather than two, years. 

Opportunities After Graduation


  • Upon completion of this degree, the Land Surveyor Intern (LSI) exam can be taken.  In Montana, an additional six years of experience under the supervision of a licensed surveyor is required before the actual licensing (LS) exam can be taken. Students seeking to become licensed in other states should verify specific state educational and experience requirements.

Advising Information:


For more information about this program, contact the advisor.

Academic Advisor Program Advisor
Russ Lamson Abbie Steffan
LRC 129 RH 164
(406) 756-3885  
rlamson@fvcc.edu asteffan@fvcc.edu

 

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