Associate degree programs in railroad operations pittsburgh

Because UD is located on the Northeast Corridor, most of its students are used to seeing — if not riding — trains. Still, even engineering majors are unfamiliar with the myriad career opportunities that rail transportation offers, Zarembski says. In all my introductory lectures, I work on the assumption that students know nothing about railroads. Looking ahead, the university anticipates adding to its rail-education options online, a trend Zarembski and other educators say will continue.

The growth of rail education isn't occurring only at the four-year and graduate-level institutions: Some community colleges are being called on by the rail industry to offer two-year associate degrees. Gill was trying to figure out how Metro-North would find enough workers to replace experienced railroad staff that would qualify for retirement in the next few years.

Today, Gateway's railroad engineering division offers two programs: communications and signaling, and electromechanical equipment. Although the conversation began over Metro-North's brain drain, Gateway graduates are being prepared for jobs with Amtrak and commuter- and transit-rail agencies operating throughout the Northeast Corridor.

Moreover, Silberquit says he's been talking with a Class I about developing an educational option focused on freight railroads. He hopes to add rail-content class sections in the future, but first has to recruit faculty to teach them. Representatives of all the campuses interviewed for this article say enrollment in their rail education programs has been increasing, a trend they anticipate will continue into the foreseeable future. As a result, they expect other colleges and universities will start or add to rail-specific courses — both online and on campus.

Whether those academic endeavors will result in full-fledged majors or degrees in rail education remains to be seen. Penn State Altoona decision-makers took the full-fledged degree approach when they introduced a four-year bachelor's degree in rail transportation engineering three years ago. The degree was developed at the urging of railroad and transit industry executives.

Not all academic leaders agree that more railway-engineering degree programs — at least at the undergraduate level — are necessary to produce the next generation of rail experts. A versatile education within the engineering major combined with rail-focused courses, internships and research will get bachelor-degree candidates on the right track, those professors say.

Regardless of which path today's students take, professors do agree that higher education has come a long way in recent years toward stemming the brain drain of railway engineering professionals.

The following community colleges, four-year colleges and universities are among a growing list of campuses in the United States and Canada that offer courses or degree programs to undergraduate or graduate students interested in pursuing rail transportation careers.

Michigan Tech Rail Transportation Program www. Penn State Altoona www. Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology www. Transportation Technology Center Inc. University of British Columbia, Okanagan www. University of Delaware www.

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign cee. University of Kentucky www. University of South Carolina oat. University of Tennessee-Knoxville www. PHIL RRT PHYS BUS ECON SPD ACCT MKT BOT AUTO CET Here are the instructions on how to enable JavaScript in your web browser. If you think you are seeing this in error, please email the webmaster.

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Menu Search Login Enroll. Established in , NARS offers training to those seeking a job in the railroad industry. Before beginning our Railroad Science program, please remember: Our payment deadline is four weeks before class start date.

Learn more about the Six-week Railroad Conductor Certificate Five-Month Conductor Certificate Plan The five-month plan begins January 18, , and runs through July 22, , with an in-person field week being July , and is designed with the working professional in mind. Is Railroad Conductor career right for you? Here are some factors to consider: Conductors work in all weather conditions Railroad conductors are on call, unless they work a shift with set hours usually yard jobs.

They usually must report to work within two hours of receiving a call to work. Railroads usually operate days per year, even on holidays. Railroad conductors should be somewhat physically fit because they will experience some days with higher-than-normal physical exertion. Most railroads are seniority-based except for some short line railroads. As a new hire or an employee low on the seniority rosters, you could be furloughed or laid off from time to time.

Railroad conductors should be self-motivated. They will perform many aspects of their duties without supervision. Railroad conductors should be punctual, honest, and loyal to their employer. Other Important Aspects of Railroad Work Below are some of the general requirements of railroads, but you should consult specific railroads for their requirements.

You must pass a background check and an aptitude test as part of the railroad hiring process. This may include: Your Social Security Number Criminal and drug history Past employment Education Professional licenses and certifications Military history Driving record Credit history Any other information relevant to the job To judge whether you can perform the essential tasks of the position, you must complete a: Medical history questionnaire Color vision exam Physical ability test Urine drug test Medical screening You must also be able to prove that you are a U.

Preferred Qualifications Outside work experience Experience working on an on-call basis Experience working varying shift schedules Experience operating heavy equipment Mechanical experience Must be at least 18 years old Possess a high school or general education diploma GED Ability to lift 75 lbs.

Valid driver's license Pass hearing and vision requirements. Applicants cannot be color blind. New hires will work primarily nights, weekends and holidays. Membership is required. Must pass a post-offer medical examination, including drug and physical capabilities test that entails a 1.

You will be required to travel up to 4 hours to a testing center, at your expense. Choose a plan for conductor certificate or degree Five-Month Conductor Certificate Plan Major code The five-month plan begins January 18, , and runs through July 22, , with an in-person field week being July 17 - 22 , and is designed with the working professional in mind.

Learn more about using Canvas Six-Week Conductor Certificate Plan Major code There are two options for the Spring six-week plan: The Face-to Face is an in-person option that begins March 7 and runs through April 15 and is a fast-track version of the five-month plan.

Field week for each of these options is planned for April , You should be prepared to devote hours per day to your studies, just as you would have done in the classroom.

Timeline and Requirements. Selection Process and Requirements 10 weeks prior to class start date: Financial Aid must be submitted. You are responsible for checking your student account to ensure all documentation is submitted successfully.