Public Transit Social Service Transportation Certificate

RLS & Associates, Inc. has served as an advisor to the Ohio Department of Transportation and Wright State University to develop and offer a Public Transportation Certification and Intern Program open to all students.

The Certification Program requires successful completion of twenty-four (24) hours of coursework, twelve (12) hours in three (3) required transit courses and twelve (12) hours in other selected classes, and an internship at a transit system, Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO), or human service agency. To date, approximately 450 students have taken one or all of the classes that comprise the Program, and an estimated 11 interns have been placed in the transit field for hands on experience. Four of those 11 are currently working fulltime in the transit field. In addition, RLS & Associates, Inc. has taught a one-credit hour transit course in ADA and transit, as well as a course in transit security and emergency preparedness as part of the Certificate Program. More classes are to be added in the future.

• Click here for information proved by Wright State University.
  
  

In 2004, RLS & Associates, Inc. worked with the Wright State University (WSU) and the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) to develop the Public and Social Service Transportation Certification Program, the first certification program offered at an Ohio university which is dedicated to social services and public transit. Classes are offered each year in fall, winter, and spring quarters. At WSU, the certificate program is offered through the Department of Urban Affairs and Geography.

Across the country, the public and social services transportation field needs talented and skilled individuals to lead the industry into the future. The need will grow as baby boomers retire and become consumers of public transit and social service transportation. In Ohio, as well as across the country, the transportation industry is continually challenged to attract and retain quality personnel. Because of the lack of transportation specific education and training opportunities, there is no ready supply of transportation-trained individuals. Traditionally, transit managers 'rise through the ranks' and learn transportation from on the job training, not from a formal education or training program. In fact, many transit managers will tell you that their career in transportation was luck, not design. These facts combined with a high turnover of transit managers, particularly in Ohio's rural areas, led ODOT to pursue its current partnership with WSU to both train and recruit transportation managers.

Rather than just offer an introductory course or two in transportation, the Public and Social Services Transportation Certificate Program offers transportation as a career track. For both undergraduate and graduate students, the certificate program provides the opportunity for an enhanced education and experience in the transportation field, leading the way to employment opportunities in the federal, state and local government, public transportation systems, consulting firms, private non-profit organizations, and private for profit organizations.