Land Surveying Program at Renton Technical College

Program Scope

This is a one or two year program leading to a certificate after the first year and a certificate or associate degree of applied science after the second year.  The student attends for six and one half quarters, entering in September, finishing the first year in the following August, returning in September and completing the second year in June.  The course is a mix of lecture and lab activities, with the goal of making the student exceptionally well qualified for entry level work in the field or in the office.  All students who take the 2-year program must take the first year "Field Survey Technician" first except in unusual cases where work experience pre-qualifies them for the second year.  Those who stop after the first year are most qualified to work in outdoor "field" jobs.  Those who also take the second year "Land Survey Technician" are additionally qualified for some office positions.  Those persons seeking a professional license (8-year experience requirement) are encouraged to earn the Associate Degree.  The Washington Board of Registration for Engineers and Land Surveyors accepts RTC's degree as two years of the eight. 

Entry requirements for the full-time program

There are no formal entry requirements in the program, but a high school education with competence in basic math and spoken and written English is recommended.  It is not absolutely necessary to be fluent in algebra and trigonometry as these items are covered rigorously in the program.  A score of 40 in the Numerical Skills portion of the Compass Test (required when you enroll) is an entry guideline for needing remedial math courses before entry.  Students may register anytime to begin the next September.  If the roster is full they may be placed on the waiting list.  Please put yourself on the waiting list anyway, even if the class is full and even if it's the day classes start!  There may still end up being a spot.

School day

The course has sixty-day (12 to 13 weeks) quarters, five-day weeks and six hours in class daily.  Class starts at 8:00 AM and ends at 2:30 PM (including a 40-minute lunch break).

Course progression

The structure of the program is different from most other colleges in that all students take the same courses at the same time from the same instructors.  Students do not mix and match courses when they register, and all students take a full load.  This is not an "open-entry, work at your own pace" program as is fairly common in technical schools; rather, all students progress at the same rate.  Students must enter in September.

Textbooks, Tools and Equipment

There are several textbooks and several pieces of equipment required.  It is recommended that students not purchase any of these items until after attending class.  A list may be obtained from Registration or the Bookstore.  An unofficial list follows as a planning guide: