Courses

Courses

OUR INSTRUCTORS

Our instructors are working professionals with extensive knowledge in the survey industry.

65 Years Experience

Expert instructors, dedicated to your success.
All our instructors are program graduates, vetted by Santiago Canyon College, and trained in teaching techniques. With an average of 25+ years of experience, many hold LSIT or PLS credentials and all are dedicated to helping apprentices succeed in land surveying.

SC Survey JAC classroom

All instruction programs and courses are open to indentured apprentices only.

SEMESTER COURSE SUMMARIES

CHAINMAN APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAM

Chainman Apprenticeship classes run on a 16-week semester basis, with final grades awarded each term. Sessions may be held two nights a week, on select Saturdays, or Saturdays only. College credit toward an Associate’s Degree is available for successful completion.

1

Surveying Equipment & Techniques

  • Overview of the Survey Industry
  • Basic Field Operations & Setting Survey Points
  • Basic Measurement Techniques in Surveying
  • Introduction to Angle Measuring & Field Instruments
  • Introduction to Leveling
  • Introduction to Topographic Surveys
  • First Aid
  • Computer Literacy
2

Survey Procedures

  • Apprentice Responsibilities & Public Relations
  • Field Notes
  • Identification of Monuments
  • Linear Measurements
  • Introduction to Station & Location Systems
  • Review of Angles, Bearings, & Instruments
  • Leveling Methods
  • Global Positioning Systems (GPS)
  • Plan Reading & Grade Sheets
  • Introduction to Construction Surveys
3

Surveying Practices

  • Review of Measuring Systems
  • Review of Angles, Bearings & Location Systems
  • Trigonometry
  • Slope Staking
  • Electronic Distance Measuring & Recording
4

Surveying Computations

  • Coordinate Geometry
  • Horizontal & Vertical Curves
  • Traverse Surveys
5

Surveying Projects

  • Safety Procedures
  • U.S. Public Land Surveys
  • Property Surveys
  • Subdivision Surveys
  • Topographic & Photogrammetric Surveys
  • Staking Procedures for Various Projects
  • Heavy Construction Surveys
  • ALTA Surveys
  • Total Stations
  • Public Relations
  • Scope of Profession
6,000 HOURS
PROGRAM
6,000
HOURS
PROGRAM
30 SKILLS 
MASTERED
30
SKILLS
MASTERED
100% DEBT-FREE
EDUCATION
100%
DEBT-FREE
EDUCATION
100K+ EARNING
POTENTIAL
100K+
EARNING
POTENTIAL

QUARTER COURSE SUMMARIES

CHIEF OF PARTY APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAM

Chief of party apprenticeship requires the prerequisite completion of our chainman program, or its equivalent. All classes are scheduled on a quarterly basis. Each quarter is an independent, nine-week session, and apprentices receive a final grade for each quarter. Classes may be held two nights a week with some scheduled Saturdays, or held on Saturdays only. College credit toward an Associate’s Degree is available for each successfully completed quarter.

Note: Must Have Completed Chainman Program and be a Journeyman Chainman to take Chief of Party Classes

1

Plane Surveying & Coordinate Geometry

  • Surveying Mathematics & Coordinate Geometry
  • Modern Field Methods & Measuring Systems
  • Locating/Eliminating Plan, Calculation & Staking Errors
2

Advanced Coordinate Geometry

  • Advanced Coordinate Geometry & Curve Calculations
  • Complex Field Problems & Accuracy Requirements
  • Field & Office Calculating Techniques
3

Laptop Surveying/Aerial Photogrammetry

  • Laptop Surveying Using TBC (TRIMBLE BUSINESS CENTER) Software
  • Topographic Surveying Methods & Techniques
  • Topographic Surveying Analysis & Review
  • Performing Topographic Surveys
  • Plotting Field Data & Surveys for Quantities
  • Photogrammetry, Ground Control, & Topo Analysis
4

Plan Reading & Subdivision Surveying

  • Types of Plans, Plan Reading, & Locating Errors
  • Grading Plans & Control for Construction Projects
  • Staking Procedures & Improvement Plans
5

Major Project Plans & Survey Layout

  • Construction Plan Reading, Survey Control, & Layout
  • Case Study of Multistory Building—Structural
  • Plans & Layout for Other Major Construction Projects
6

Control & Geodetic Surveying

  • Triangulation & State Plane Coordinate Systems
  • Astronomy & Global Positioning Systems
  • Performing GPS Surveys
  • Dredging & Hydrographic Surveys
7

US Public Land & Property Description

  • Public Land System & Subdivision of Sections
  • Retracement Surveys & Restoration of Corners
  • Reading & Interpreting Property Descriptions
8

Property Surveys & Legal Descriptions

  • Property Surveys & Legal Descriptions
  • Laws Affecting Surveyors
  • Supervision & Public Relations
4,000 HOURS
PROGRAM
4,000
HOURS
PROGRAM
16 SKILLS 
MASTERED
16
SKILLS
MASTERED
100% DEBT-FREE
EDUCATION
100%
DEBT-FREE
EDUCATION
12.7% SALARY
INCREASE
12.7%
SALARY
INCREASE
SC SURVEY JAC WAGES & BENEFITS