South Louisiana Community College and Northwestern State University formalized an agreement in which students who earn an Associate of Applied Science degree in civil survey and mapping from SLCC can transfer into NSU’s bachelor’s degree program in Unified Public Safety Administration with a concentration in GEO Computation.
The agreement will help students fulfill requirements to become civil surveyors without having to go out-of-state for credentials. UPSA classes are offered online so students are not limited by time or location.
“Our students always benefit when the community college and its university partners align for student success and educational attainment,” said Dr. Natalie Harder, SLCC Chancellor. “Northwestern State University is a willing partner we're glad to continue to work with on these articulation agreements.”
Career opportunities for surveyors are rising, especially as land values increase and the need to use natural resources efficiently becomes more critical. The civil, survey and mapping program at SLCC prepares students to work at the forefront of acquiring, analyzing, and managing land information. The program provides invaluable hands-on training for students with one-on-one instruction from faculty who have worked in the field and bring years of experience to the classroom.
“This could not have happened without the hard work of faculty at both institutions,” said NSU President Dr. Chris Maggio. These agreements are for the end goal of helping our students.”
NSU was able to bundle several existing UPSA course offerings to create the GEO Computation concentration. Expertise in geomeasurement is important to public safety and fulfills needs in several fields, such as civil engineering, construction, architecture and real estate.
“This is an in-state opportunity for students,” said Jack Atherton, UPSA coordinator. “Louisiana state statute requires a bachelor’s degree for state licensure as a surveyor. This concentration meets an identified workforce need.”
“Geo Computation has a direct connection to safeguarding life, health and property and promoting the public welfare. Louisiana, especially in coastal areas, has a significant subterranean infrastructure with pipelines and cables and knowing where they are is crucial. Damage to petroleum fuel lines could be devastating,” Atherton continued. “Because a portion of the statutory mandate for surveying in Louisiana is grounded in public safety, this fits perfectly in a public safety administration program.”
Information on SLCC’s Civil, Survey, and Mapping program can be found here: https://www.solacc.edu/academics/programs-offered/civil-surveying-mapping/index
Information on NSU’s Unified Public Safety Administration program can be accessed at https://nsu.la/BSinUPSA.
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