The University of Wyoming announced on Apr. 28 that its Cadastral Land Surveying Certificate program is now eligible for federal financial aid under Title IV, beginning with the summer session starting Tuesday, May 26.
This development means students enrolled in the program may qualify to receive federal support, which could help them accelerate their education and pursue professional licensure in land surveying. The change is expected to make the program more accessible and increase its capacity.
“Many of the students in our program are self-pay, and being eligible for federal aid would allow them to accelerate their timelines and increase their education for pursuit of professional licensure in their respective jurisdictions,” said Shelley Macy, professor of practice in the Department of Civil and Architectural Engineering and Construction Management.
The online certificate can accommodate between 100-120 students per semester, with about 200-230 seats currently filled each term. Students from Wyoming and across the United States participate in the program, which requires at least 30 semester hours—21 of which must be completed at UW. Participants include high school students earning dual credit, college students seeking a minor or additional qualifications for licensure, as well as nontraditional remote learners with extensive industry experience.
Macy said that formal education is required to become a professional surveyor in all states: “Professionals must have mastery, which is derived from education, experience and proven benchmark exams.” She also noted that land surveying involves both fieldwork and office work. According to Macy: “This can change people’s lives and the trajectory of those living both urban and rurally, as the program is 100 percent remote.”
The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects a four percent growth rate for surveyors by 2034 from 2024; median annual salary was $72,740 or $34.97 per hour as of this year. The university’s distance learning surveying programs offer certificates or minors entirely online so working professionals can maintain employment while studying.
