Program Overview

Master of Science in Geospatial Engineering

The world runs on location. From autonomous vehicles navigating city streets to satellites monitoring climate change, from precision agriculture feeding millions to defense systems protecting nations — geospatial technology powers the innovations shaping our future.

Demand for skilled professionals is far outpacing supply. Industry leaders and government agencies are urgently seeking graduates who can harness GPS, remote sensing, GIS, and autonomous systems to solve real-world problems.

Careers that matter

• Geospatial Engineer: Design spatial data solutions for government, tech companies, and private industry
• Remote Sensing Analyst: Apply satellite imagery to agriculture, defense, disaster response, and urban planning
• GIS Specialist: Support smart city development, environmental protection, and infrastructure projects
• Geospatial Intelligence Analyst: Analyze spatial data for defense and national security operations
• Robotics Developer: Create navigation systems for autonomous vehicles, integrating GPS, LiDAR, sensors, and AI for real-world deployment

Program Structure

This program is 100% online: no campus visits required.

• Delivery: 100% online
• Calendar system: Semester-based
• Typical program length: About 3 years
• Typical course load: 1–2 courses a semester

Required Course Work – 30 credit hours

Missouri S&T's online master's in geospatial engineering requires 30 credit hours (10 courses) to complete the non-thesis track.

Program Core Courses

Must take all 5 (15 credit hours) core courses.

• GEO ENG 5144 Remote Sensing Technology
• GEO ENG 5146 Applications Of Geographic Information Systems
• GEO ENG 6150 Capstone Project in Geospatial Engineering
• GEOPHYS 6401 Introduction to Positioning, Navigation, and Timing
• GEOPHYS 6403 Advanced Positioning, Navigation, and Timing

Emphasis Area Courses

Specialty Elective Courses: In consultation with their advisor(s), students take 6 credit hours (choose two courses out of three) for their specialty area of interest.

Navigation and Autonomous Systems Interest Area:

• ELEC ENG 5680 Introduction to Radar Systems
• COMP ENG 5880 Introduction to Robotics
• GEO ENG 6321 Advanced Mapping with Drones

Remote Sensing and Earth Observation Interest Area:

• GEO ENG 6146 Advanced Remote Sensing And Image Processing
• GEOPHYS 6232 Introduction to Satellite Geodesy
• GEO ENG 6321 Advanced Mapping with Drones

Geodetic Systems Interest Area:

• GEOLOGY 6211 Geodynamics
• GEOPHYS 6232 Introduction to Satellite Geodesy
• GEOPHYS 5432 Potential Field Theory

Lecture Courses

Complete at least 9 credit hours of 6xxx lecture courses

Elective Courses

Complete at least 9 credit hours of elective courses from the approved list

Accreditation

Missouri University of Science & Technology is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, one of six regional institutional accreditors in the United States.

Nondegree-seeking enrollment

Prior to acceptance into the program, you may enroll in up to 6 credit hours as a nondegree-seeking (in some cases, post-baccalaureate) student. Enrollment does not guarantee acceptance.

Licensure and disclosures

If you live outside of Missouri and are thinking about enrolling in a program that leads to professional licensure, the University of Missouri System strongly recommends that you check with the relevant licensing board in your state or the state where you plan to work.

State authorization

States require that Missouri University of Science and Technology be authorized to deliver university-level distance/online education to their residents.

• Authorized: Students residing in all states are eligible to enroll in this program.

Internships

Internships are encouraged to explore real-life applications of geospatial engineering.

Faculty

Our academic leaders are experts in their respective disciplines, bringing extensive experience in higher education, industry, and departmental management.