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Studies & Degrees in Surveying Technology

Surveying is the measurement and mapping of land. Surveyors measure distances and angles between points on, above and below the Earth's surface, fix property boundaries and set out the position of roads, buildings and other works before construction starts. The wider field is often called geomatics: it adds satellite positioning, photogrammetry, remote sensing and geographic information systems (GIS) to traditional field measurement.

A surveying programme therefore mixes mathematics and measurement science with law and practice. The University of Maine describes its Surveying Engineering Technology programme as a combination of boundary surveying, GPS, GIS and photogrammetry with a foundation in business and project management. Boundary work also means searching legal records and land titles, so property law is part of the curriculum. Fieldwork is central: according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), surveying involves both fieldwork and office work.

Qualifications and levels

  • Technician level. Surveying and mapping technicians collect data and make maps under the direction of a surveyor. In the United States they typically need a high school diploma, and some employers prefer additional education or experience with GIS, according to the BLS. Colleges offer short programmes at this level: Ferris State University in Michigan, for example, lists an Associate of Applied Science in Surveying Technology and a surveying certificate alongside its bachelor's degree.
  • Bachelor's degree. The BLS states that surveyors typically need a bachelor's degree in land surveying or a related field, such as engineering or natural resources. The Bachelor of Science in Surveying Engineering at Ferris State University is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET and recognised by the Michigan State Board of Licensing for Professional Surveyors.
  • Spain. Ingeniero Técnico en Topografía is a regulated profession that requires an official bachelor's degree (grado). Under Order CIN/353/2009 the degree has 240 ECTS credits: 60 of basic training, 60 common to the surveying branch, 48 of specific technology and a final project of 12 credits. The stated aim is that graduates can design and develop geomatics and surveying projects.
  • Postgraduate study. The University of Maine offers its graduate programmes in surveying fully online: a Graduate Certificate in Surveying Engineering of 12 credits and a Professional Science Master's in Engineering and Business with a surveying concentration of 30 credits.

Licensing

In many countries a degree is not enough to sign surveys. In the United States surveyors must be licensed before they can certify legal documents and offer services to the public. According to NCEES, the body that prepares the licensing exams, state boards generally require a bachelor's degree from an ABET-accredited surveying programme, four years of work experience in most states, and passes in the Fundamentals of Surveying (FS) exam, the Principles and Practice of Surveying (PS) exam and a state-specific exam. Requirements vary by state. Students who intend to practise in another country should ask the school what recognition its qualification has there and check the rules of the licensing body.

Where to study surveying

SpainExchange lists 12 active schools for surveying technology. Six are in the United States and two in Zimbabwe; Nigeria, New Zealand, Argentina and Germany have one each.

The schools in the United States include Ferris State University, the University of Maine, Cleveland State Community College in Tennessee, Western Nevada College and Delaware Technical & Community College. Elsewhere the directory lists Midlands State University and the National University of Science and Technology in Zimbabwe, Obafemi Awolowo University in Nigeria, Otago Polytechnic in New Zealand, the Universidad Nacional de Córdoba in Argentina and the Universität Duisburg-Essen in Germany.

Teaching is in English in the United States, Zimbabwe, Nigeria and New Zealand, and in Spanish in Argentina, where the profession is known as agrimensura. Programme names vary: surveying, land surveying, geomatics, geospatial science, topografía.

Careers

Surveyors work for surveying and engineering firms, construction companies, mining operations and public mapping and land-registry bodies. The BLS counted 52,000 surveyors in the United States in 2025 and projects employment growth of 6 percent from 2025 to 2035, with about 3,100 openings a year. For surveying and mapping technicians it counted 58,800 jobs in 2025 and projects the same 6 percent growth.

Technology is changing the work but not removing it. The BLS notes that drones and other advances make some survey work more efficient, while surveyors are still needed to review and interpret the output. Demand is also tied to projects such as road repair and mining.

Frequently asked questions

Is surveying the same as geomatics?

Geomatics is the broader term. It covers land surveying together with satellite positioning, photogrammetry, remote sensing and GIS. Many degrees use both words in the title.

Do I need a licence to work as a surveyor?

In the United States, yes, to certify legal documents and offer surveying services to the public. Licensing usually takes a bachelor's degree from an ABET-accredited programme, about four years of experience and the FS, PS and state exams. Other countries have their own rules.

How long is the degree in Spain?

The official bachelor's degree that qualifies for the profession of Ingeniero Técnico en Topografía has 240 ECTS credits, which is four academic years.

Can I study surveying online?

Some postgraduate programmes are online, such as the graduate certificate and the professional master's of the University of Maine. Undergraduate programmes normally include fieldwork on site.