Railroad Education

The AARS has partnered and supports a number of educational instituions that provide excellent programs for those interested in beginning or expanding their careers in the rail industry.

List of AARS Approved Universities for Student Membership application.

Dakota County Technical College Railroad Conductor Program- Seven-week program includes classroom and on-campus field exercises; Rosemount, Minnesota

Institute of Railway Training - Develops pre-employment training programs for the rail industry, part of the Railway Association of Canada

Johnson County Community College - Offers associate degrees in railroad operations; Overland Park, Kansas

Michigan State University - offers a Rail Management Certificate Course over four weeks

Michigan Tech University - Offers a five-week international program in railway engineering, including three weeks with Tampere University of Technology and Finnish Railways; Houghton, Michigan

Modoc Railroad Academy - Railroad industry educational programs including conductor, engineer, and brakeman training; Pleasant Grove, California
 
National Academy of Railroad Sciences - Training programs for many positions in the railroad industry including locomotive engineer, conductor, yard crew, mechanical, engineering, maintenance, signal systems, telecom, dispatcher, yardmaster, and trainmaster; Overland Park, Kansas

Okefenokee Technical College Freight Conductor Program - Five-week training program in Waycross, Georgia

Okefenokee Technical College Locomotive Electrical Systems Certificate - Prepares individuals to work as electrical technicians in the rail industry specifically focusing on diesel and electric locomotives; Waycross, Georgia

Okefenokee Technical College Locomotive Mechanical Systems Certificate - Prepares individuals to work as mechanical technicians in the rail industry specifically focusing on diesel and electric locomotives; Waycross, Georgia

Rail Sciences, Inc - Specializing in derailment investigation, track/train dynamics, and operations planning & analysis

Sacramento City College - Offers a six-course career certificate program in railroad operations; Sacramento, California

University of Denver Intermodal Transportation Institute - Offers an Executive Master's Program that awards a Master of Science in Intermodal Transportation; Denver, Colorado

University of Illinois Railroad Engineering Program - Offers railroad engineering classes and hosts industry conferences and research programs; Urbana, Illinois

University of North Florida's Railroad Institute - 200-hour classroom course and three days of field training introduce aspiring freight train conductors to the fundamentals of safety, operations, and signals; Jacksonville, Florida

University of Tennessee - Offers courses on railroad safety and construction in Knoxville, Tennessee

University of Wisconsin at Superior - Offers Undergraduate and Graduate programs in Transportation & Logistics.