Thanks for your interest and the excellent questions, Darya. Your questions are copied in italics below with my responses in ordinary font.
Is Navigation Engineering intended to become a distinct engineering discipline in its own right, or remain a specialization within civil/coastal engineering?
Navigation Engineering is recognized as a distinct discipline by the Academy of Coastal, Oceans, Ports, and Navigation Engineers (ACOPNE). It is related to Civil Engineering, thus its place within ASCE's Civil Engineering Certification.
To what extent is the proposed curriculum based on documented workforce demand (such as job postings or agency hiring needs) versus expert judgment from practitioners and institutions?
The curriculum is based on both workforce demand and practitioner judgement. The 17 members of the Task Committee from the Corps of Engineers, Coast Guard, and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, private sector, and academia considered ACOPNE's Navigation Engineering Body of Knowledge (BOK), published position descriptions used in recruitment, and the expert opinions from practitioners to compile a detailed list of knowledge topics. The topics list was reviewed here before being revised and finally organized into logical graduate-course-type units as shown here. A Forum article submitted to the ASCE Journal of Waterway, Port, Coastal and Ocean Engineering earlier this month seeks additional reviews from the profession.
Which components of the Body of Knowledge represent core competencies required for all navigation engineers, and which are considered elective or emerging areas?
That's beyond the scope of the Task Committee's charter. ACOPNE states, "Navigation Engineering certification requires the same levels as the ASCE BOK plus mastery of at least one advanced technical outcome in navigation engineering under ASCE BOK Outcomes 5 through 21."
How do you see the role of AI, automation, and digital systems evolving in this field over the next 10–15 years?
Automation of locks and dams and digital services (as in Automatic Identification Services, Aids to Navigation, and Electronic Charts) is well advanced and proceeding rapidly. We may see similar AI applications growth. The recommended model courses include an Advanced Topics course with content to be continually updated to reflect those and other new technologies.
Finally, what are the most common entry pathways for engineers who want to transition into this field without a formal academic background in navigation engineering?
The most common previous pathway in the past has been for graduates in civil or mechanical engineering to take an entry level job with one of the government agencies named above or a consulting firm performing similar work. Graduates then acquire the necessary knowledge through an ad hoc mixture of scattered college courses, short courses, and on-the-job training that takes several years. The Task Committee's intent is to enable creation of focused masters and doctoral level degree programs that will produce navigation engineers able to make significant contributions on day one of their employment.
Bill Mc
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William McAnally Ph.D., P.E., BC.CE, BC.NE, F.ASCE
ENGINEER
Columbus MS
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Original Message:
Sent: 04-19-2026 03:08 PM
From: Darya Stanskova
Subject: Revised Navigation Education
Thank you for sharing this Navigation Engineering Graduate Education Guide. I find the concept very interesting, especially as it attempts to formalize a field that combines ports, waterways, dredging, infrastructure systems, and emerging digital technologies.
I have a few questions regarding the practical and industry perspective behind this framework:
Is Navigation Engineering intended to become a distinct engineering discipline in its own right, or remain a specialization within civil/coastal engineering?
To what extent is the proposed curriculum based on documented workforce demand (such as job postings or agency hiring needs) versus expert judgment from practitioners and institutions?
Which components of the Body of Knowledge represent core competencies required for all navigation engineers, and which are considered elective or emerging areas?
How do you see the role of AI, automation, and digital systems evolving in this field over the next 10–15 years?
Finally, what are the most common entry pathways for engineers who want to transition into this field without a formal academic background in navigation engineering?
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Darya Stanskova M.ASCE
Cost Estimator, Construction Engineer, Power Engineer, Project Manager
Fort Myers FL
Original Message:
Sent: 04-17-2026 10:27 AM
From: William McAnally
Subject: Revised Navigation Education
Latest version.
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William McAnally Ph.D., P.E., BC.CE, BC.NE, F.ASCE
ENGINEER
Columbus MS
Original Message:
Sent: 03-30-2026 10:25 AM
From: William McAnally
Subject: Revised Navigation Education
Thanks for the comments and suggestions on the Navigation Engineering Education Plan. The Task Committee has revised the Plan based on your comments and a new version is posted here.
Bill Mc
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William McAnally Ph.D., P.E., BC.CE, BC.NE, F.ASCE
ENGINEER
Columbus MS
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