Educational Needs and Problems within the National Cartographic System

Abstract

Relationships between education and other major components of the national cartographic system reveal a number of educational needs and problems. Recent conceptual and technological developments in cartography have created new and enlarged demands that call for attention. The education system is distinguished by a dominant association with the field of geography, secondary but important associations with several other disciplines, and a strong emphasis on introductory level course work. The degree of vertical or specialized program development is limited. Two major gaps are the near-absence of technician training programs and the paucity of programs of continuing education in cartography. Other problems associated with cartographic education are the development of an adequate data base for counseling and program planning, development of a variety of conceptual or program models, and the development and dissemination of information on careers in cartography. Professional societies need to address these problems as well as devote more attention to the development of human resource statistics and position classification standards.