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Geospatial Technologies

Overview
Curriculum
Outcomes
Faculty
Cost
Scholarships
Requirements
Accreditation

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Overview

careers

  • GPS Technician

  • Survey Field Technician

  • GIS Specialist

  • Spatial Analyst

  • Mapping Technician

0 %
Job Placement Rate*
$ 0
Average Salary**
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Eligible Program

The demand for new employees in GPS, GIS, geospatial mapping and data management is expanding in many industries. A skilled workforce to support the growing industry of mapping technology is needed. This one-year program includes courses in computers, GPS (Global Positioning Systems), data collection, CAD and GIS applications and analysis. Combining aspects of engineering, business, agriculture, energy, and technology, this program will meet current and future industry needs.

Career opportunities will include positions like GPS technician, survey technician, field technician, mapping technician, GIS specialist and more. Knowledge of this equipment and data is vital to people in mining; oil and gas extraction; utilities and communication; construction; manufacturing; transportation; land, water and wildlife management; and personnel who work with data transfer and map production.  

Students in this program may combine one year of Geospatial Technologies with one year of Power Line Construction and Maintenance, and with additional general education courses, will earn an AAS degree.

Graduates with skills produced in the program would find employment in a variety of fields and positions; the occupational code does not fully represent all job titles where graduates would find employment so provides an incomplete picture of the job outlook. Mitchell Tech has consistently heard from its advisory boards across many industries that there are not enough technicians skilled in GPS/GIS and mapping technologies. Their companies are increasingly relying on these technologies for planning, development, and maintenance activities within their respective industries. We anticipate graduates of the Geospatial Technologies program to be employed in a variety of industries: mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction; utilities and communication; construction; manufacturing; transportation; and forestry and water resources.

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Curriculum

Award: Diploma

0
Semesters
First Semester

MAP101Introduction to GIS4 credits
MAP102Principles of GPS2 credits
MAP105UAS Operation2 credits
MAP110CAD I2 credits
SD100Introduction to Programming2 credits
SSS100Student Success1 credit
Communications Elective3 credits
Total Semester Hours16 credits

Second Semester

MAP120CAD II2 credits
MAP121Cloud-based GPS GIS Applications2 credits
MAP125GIS Problems Analysis4 credits
MAP128Remote Sensing3 credits
CIS107Spreadsheet Concepts3 credits
Math Elective3 credits
Total Semester Hours17 credits

Requirements

Computer Requirements: This program requires a laptop computer so that you can effectively integrate computing skills with your technical education. Many resources that instructors assign are online or require specialty software. To address these needs, Mitchell Tech requires that students entering this program purchase their laptops from Mitchell Tech. The cost for an Mitchell Tech laptop averages about $1,400 for this program. Please be aware that our machines come fully loaded with the software required for this program. 

Whether it’s Microsoft Office, or a specialty software for a technical program, your needs will be met by your Mitchell Tech laptop. And our laptops are serviced for free by our Technology office. You will not be able to bring a laptop from home into an Mitchell Tech laptop program as we cannot provide support services for every make and model of laptop. Please consider this carefully before making any laptop purchase and check with the Admissions office for more details.

Outcomes

At the completion of the program, graduates will be able to:

  • Demonstrate organizational skills in file and database management
  • Apply GIS analysis to address geospatial problems and/or research questions
  • Use geospatial tools to collect, organize, analyze, and synthesize information
  • Obtain UAV Remote Pilot Certification
  • Use GPS and UAVs to attain and process original data
Annual Program Review

Check out the 2021-22 Annual Program Review for information on how this program assures that its students are attaining learning outcomes.

Faculty

Devon Russell

Program Director / Instructor

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Cost

$ 4000
Program Tuition & Fees*

Other Required Costs

Laptop/Software$1,150
Books / Tools (estimated)$691

Scholarships

$750

1 AVAIL.

SD Municipal Electric Association Energy Production & Transmission Scholarship

SD Municipal Electric Association

All programs eligible.
Must be a resident of the SD Municipal Electric Association service area.

$1000

2 AVAIL.

South Dakota Wheat Commission

South Dakota Wheat Commission

The South Dakota Wheat Commission began offering scholarships for Culinary Academy of South Dakota, Animal Science, Ag Business, Agronomy, Precision Technology, and SD Center for Farm and Ranch Management program students in 2014. The Commission has been an active supporter of several Mitchell Technical College programs for several years and has provided financial support for equipment and program development.
Agricultural Business
Agronomy
Animal Science
Culinary Academy of South Dakota
Precision Ag Technology
Applicants must be currently enrolled as first year full-time students in the Culinary Academy of South Dakota or Agronomy programs, with second choice being Ag Business, Animal Science or Precision Technology Applicants must complete the MTC current student online application during the open enrollment period as instructed to be eligible for this scholarship Applicant must maintain a GPA of 2.5 or higher Award considerations include academic performance, financial need, responses to essay questions and recommendations from instructors. Ag award preference would be to someone who comes from or has plans to go into production agriculture, specifically wheat production Culinary Academy of South Dakota award preference would be students interested in the baking side of the program

$1000

4 AVAIL.

Osterhaus Endowed Scholarships

Martin and Maude Osterhaus established this endowed scholarship in 1995 to provide financial support for at least four deserving Mitchell Tech students each year. The scholarships will be awarded in January each year and applied to the recipient's account the following Fall semester.
Accounting
Agricultural Business
Agronomy
Animal Science
Architectural Design and Building Construction
Automation Controls/SCADA
Business Management
Culinary Academy of South Dakota
Diesel Power - Ag Power Technology
Electrical Construction & Maintenance
Electrical Utilities & Substation Technology
Heating & Cooling Technology
Human Services Technician
Information Systems Technology
Machining and Manufacturing
Medical Assistant
Medical Laboratory Technology
Medical Office Professional
Medical Office Professional
Power Line Construction & Maintenance
Power Sports & Marine Technology
Precision Ag Technology
Radiation Therapy
Radiologic Technology
Small Business Management
Speech-Language Pathology Assistant
Speech-Language Pathology Assistant
Utilities Technology
Wi-Fi & Broadband Technologies
Wind Turbine Technology
Applicant must be a currently enrolled first year full-time student in any two year program Applicant must demonstrate financial need as determined by the FAFSA (universal financial aid application form) Applicant must maintain a GPA of 3.0 or higher Applicant must complete the MTC online application during the open application period as instructed to be eligible for this scholarship Applicant must have good leadership skills

$1000

1 AVAIL.

Mitchell Tech Retiree Endowed Scholarship

The scholarship was established by the former faculty and staff of Mitchell Tech.
Accounting
Agricultural Business
Agronomy
Animal Science
Architectural Design and Building Construction
Automation Controls/SCADA
Business Management
Culinary Academy of South Dakota
Diesel Power - Ag Power Technology
Electrical Construction & Maintenance
Electrical Utilities & Substation Technology
Geospatial Technologies
Heating & Cooling Technology
Human Services Technician
Information Systems Technology
Licensed Practical Nursing (LPN)
Machining and Manufacturing
Medical Assistant
Medical Laboratory Technology
Medical Office Professional
Medical Office Professional
Natural Gas Technology
Office Technology Specialist
Power Line Construction & Maintenance
Power Sports & Marine Technology
Precision Ag Technology
Radiation Therapy
Radiologic Technology
Small Business Management
Speech-Language Pathology Assistant
Speech-Language Pathology Assistant
Utilities Technology
Wi-Fi & Broadband Technologies
Wind Turbine Technology
Applicant must be enrolled full time at MTC. Applicant must have a GPA of 2.5 or greater. Applicant must complete the MTC Online application during the open application period to be eligible to receive this scholarship.

$1000

2 AVAIL.

Laverne & Nell Tollefson Memorial Scholarship

Charlene Bainbridge

The LaVerne and Nell Tollefson Memorial Scholarship is eligible for any program at Mitchell Technical College. Also the recipient must have a current GPA of 2.5 or higher and be a current student.
Accounting
Administrative Office Specialist
Agricultural Business
Agronomy
Animal Science
Architectural Design and Building Construction
Automation Engineering Technology
Automation Controls/SCADA
Business Management
Culinary Academy of South Dakota
Diesel Power - Ag Power Technology
Diesel Power - Light Truck Technology
Electrical Construction & Maintenance
Electrical Utilities & Substation Technology
Geospatial Technologies
Heating & Cooling Technology
Human Services Technician
Information Systems Technology
Licensed Practical Nursing (LPN)
Machining and Manufacturing
Medical Assistant
Medical Laboratory Technology
Medical Office Professional
Medical Office Professional
Natural Gas Technology
On Campus
Power Line Construction & Maintenance
Power Sports & Marine Technology
Precision Ag Technology
Progressive Welding Technology
Radiation Therapy
Radiologic Technology
Registered Nursing (LPN to RN)
Small Business Management
Speech-Language Pathology Assistant
Speech-Language Pathology Assistant
Utilities Technology
Wi-Fi & Broadband Technologies
Wind Turbine Technology
Applicant must be accepted or currently enrolled as a full-time student in any program at Mitchell Technical College. Applicant must maintain a GPA of 2.5 or higher Applicant must complete the MTC online application during the open application period as instructed to be eligible for this scholarship

$500

2 AVAIL.

John And Diane Weber “Career Change” Endowed Scholarship

John and Diane Weber Family and Friends

This scholarship was established in 2015 by the daughters of Diane Weber, wife of former Culinary Academy of South Dakota instructor and Mitchell Tech alum, John Weber. Diane's early adult years were spent in the Peace Corp, working at Bell Telephone and teaching German and English after college. The scholarship honors Diane's desire in 1974 to change her career and her enrollment at Mitchell Tech to become a Clinical Lab Technician. While attending Mitchell Tech she met John, completed her education, and then spent several years working as a Clinical Lab Technician. The scholarships will be awarded in January each year and applied to the recipient's account the following Fall semester.
Accounting
Agricultural Business
Agronomy
Animal Science
Architectural Design and Building Construction
Automation Controls/SCADA
Culinary Academy of South Dakota
Diesel Power - Ag Power Technology
Electrical Construction & Maintenance
Electrical Utilities & Substation Technology
Geospatial Technologies
Heating & Cooling Technology
Human Services Technician
Information Systems Technology
Machining and Manufacturing
Medical Assistant
Medical Laboratory Technology
Medical Office Professional
Power Line Construction & Maintenance
Power Sports & Marine Technology
Precision Ag Technology
Radiation Therapy
Radiologic Technology
Speech-Language Pathology Assistant
Utilities Technology
Wi-Fi & Broadband Technologies
Wind Turbine Technology
Full time enrollment in a program at Mitchell Technical College to prepare for a career change GPA of 3.0 or higher Program instructor recommendation Documented employment of 10 hours or more per week Completion of current online scholarship application during the open application period time frame
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Mitchell Technical College

1800 East Spruce Street
Mitchell, South Dakota 57301
Toll-Free: 1.800.684.1969
605.995.3025
Fax: 605.995.3083
[email protected]

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For information about any of our programs, application, or any of our other student services please contact us:

Admissions Office
Mitchell Technical College
1800 E. Spruce St.
Mitchell, SD 57301

800.684.1969
605.995.3025
fax: 605.995.3067
[email protected]

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