Railroads often provide paid on-the-job training and certification for new employees. However, individuals can also find rail-related educational opportunities at institutions across the country. A number of colleges and universities, including those listed below, offer degrees and other programs for those interested in gaining specialized rail industry knowledge. These programs range from certificates to graduate degrees and cover topics like railroad operations, engineering, logistics, safety and management.
Having a degree or certificate can enhance a person's job prospects, offering specialized knowledge that may lead to career advancement and increasing earning potential within the rail industry. Such credentials can also provide a competitive edge for those looking to advance their careers or transition into the railroad sector.
The universities and technical schools listed below advertise that they provide rail-related degrees and certifications. Use the links to go to their program sites.
Clicking these links will take you directly to the website of these educational institutions. This list only contains programs that ASLRRA is aware of and may not be exhaustive. ASLRRA does not manage these external links and is not responsible for the websites themselves or the information contained therein.
Railroad Education Providers
The NURail CoE is a nine-university consortium. It is the first academic research and education center to be supported by the U.S. Department of Transportation's Federal Railroad Administration. Click here to view the NURail CoE brochure or click the logo to go to the group's website.
The University of Delaware Railroad Safety, Civil and Environmental Engineering
Sample Courses and Programs:
- The Railroad Engineering and Safety Program
Click Here
The University of Illinois Rail Transportation and Engineering Center
Sample Courses and Programs:
- Track Engineering Fundamentals
- Railroad Project Design
Click Here
Johnson County Community College and the National Academy of Railroad Sciences
Sample Courses and Programs:
- The Railroad Conductor Certificate Program
Click Here
Kansas State University
Sample Courses and Programs:
- The civil engineering track –
- construction
- environmental
- geotechnical
- structural
- transportation and materials
- water resources
Click Here
The Michigan State University Center for Railway Research and Education
Sample Courses and Programs:
- The Railway Management Certificate Program
Click Here
The Michigan Tech Transportation Institute
Sample Courses and Programs:
- Rail Transportation Programs –
- Sustainable Rail Transportation
- Railroad Engineering
- Transportation Design
- Logistics and Transportation Management
Click Here
Penn State Altoona
Sample Courses and Programs:
- The Rail Transportation Engineering Program –
- Civil Engineering Proficiency
- Wheel and Track Dynamics
- Railroad Communications and Signals
Click Here
Spoon River College and the National Academy of Railroad Sciences
Sample Courses and Programs:
- The Locomotive Mechanical Certificate (Locomotive Service Technician)
Click Here
The University of Texas at Austin
Sample Courses and Programs:
- Railway Project Design and Construction
- Civil Engineering and Systems
- Engineering Professionalism
- Transportation Systems
Click Here
Tuskegee University
Sample Courses and Programs:
- The mechanical engineering program
Click Here
