Land Surveying

Overview

The land surveying specialization provides the knowledge and skills necessary for entering the surveying profession. Graduates are eligible to sit for surveyor-in-training examinations administered by state boards of professional certification.

Coursework includes significant hands-on laboratory work with conventional and advanced survey systems. The program of study consists of 24 hours of surveying courses, including 18 hours of core courses and six hours of electives.

What can I do with a specialization in land surveying?

Land surveyors are uniquely qualified to provide fundamental professional services to the engineering, construction, geographic information systems (GIS) and real estate industries. Land surveyors are employed by:

Utility companies
Government agencies
Engineering firms
Construction companies.

Land surveyors often operate as the owners and principals of professional service firms, offering cadastral, engineering, forensic and construction services. The median annual salary for surveyors in 2020 was $65,590 according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Non-degree Seeking Students

Working professionals who possess a previous bachelor’s degree in a related science and are interested in land surveying courses may apply as visiting (non degree-seeking) students.

For more information on the educational requirements for becoming a land surveyor in training in Illinois, review the Illinois statutory requirements or contact the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation.

Visiting students may take up to 30 hours of SIUE courses for credit in visiting status. To apply for admission:

Complete the application by the appropriate deadline.
Submit the $40 application fee either online; to the SIUE Service Center (Rendleman Hall, Room 1309); or by mailing to:
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville
Application Processing
Office of the Bursar, Box 1042
Rendleman Hall, Room 1101
Edwardsville, IL 62026-1042
Upon admission, contact the Department of Construction, Surveying Coordinator at 618-650-2088 to register for appropriate courses, or for questions regarding course offerings and availability.
For questions regarding the application for admission, please contact the Office of Admissions at 618-650-3705.

Students of Other Majors

SIUE students in related fields such as civil engineering or geography may take the surveying coursework with consent of the instructor. The prerequisite for 300-level courses is SURV 264 Construction Surveying. Students currently pursuing a bachelor's degree in a major other than construction management are encouraged to examine the educational requirements for becoming a land surveyor in training in Illinois by reviewing the Illinois statutory requirements or contacting the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation.