Program Overview

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Geographic Information Systems (Certificate)

Overview

The Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Graduate Certificate program provides professional, graduate-level academic preparation in the advanced application of GIS technologies to various disciplines, including economics, public health, emergency planning and response, land use planning, environmental resources, and more. This certificate is available as a standalone program and also to current NC State graduate students enrolled in other Masters and PhD programs.

Learning Outcomes and Degree Requirements

The Geographic Information Systems Graduate Certificate requires 12 credit hours, consisting of 6 core required courses and 6 hours of electives tailored to student interests. The focus is on theory and applications of GIS and fundamental skill building. A final GPA of 3.0 or greater is required at the time of graduation to receive the certificate.

Careers

The demand for geospatial scientists across various disciplines and employment sectors continues to increase, offering numerous career options for GIS professionals. Graduates of this program can enter positions as GIS technicians and analysts, consultants, and other disciplinary positions where GIS skills are highly sought.

Additional Information

Up to 12 credit hours of B or better grades from the Certificate can transfer into the MGIST program if a student applies and is accepted into that program.

Admissions Requirements

Admission to the certificate program requires a baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university with at least a 3.0 GPA. Students with less than a 3.0 undergraduate GPA may still be considered for admission based on other criteria or may be recommended to take a graduate course as a non-degree student first. All applicants must submit:

• Transcript showing Bachelor's degree conferred
• A clear and concise personal statement/statement of interest
• A resume/CV

Current NC State students in other degree programs may also be eligible to earn the certificate. These students should discuss the possibility with their program advisors and contact the Center for Geospatial Analytics to complete an internal application.

Applicant Information

• Delivery Method: On-Campus, Online, Hybrid
• Entrance Exam: None
• Interview Required: None

Application Deadlines

• Fall: April 15 (US); March 1 (Intl)
• Spring: October 15 (US); July 15 (Intl)

Plan Requirements

The program requires 12 credit hours, with 6 core required courses and 6 hours of electives. The core courses are:

• GIS 510: Fundamentals of Geospatial Information Science and Technology
• GIS 520: Geospatial Data Science and Analysis

Elective courses can be chosen from a list of available options, including:

• GIS 501: Geospatial Professionalism
• GIS 511: Coding for Geospatial Applications
• GIS 512: Introduction to Environmental Remote Sensing
• GIS 515: Cartographic Design
• GIS 517: GIS Applications in Landscape Architecture and Environmental Planning
• GIS 521: Surface Water Hydrology with GIS
• GIS 530: Spatial Data Foundations
• GIS 535: Web and Mobile GIS Protocols
• GIS 595: Special Topics in Geospatial Information Science
• GIS/MEA 582: Geospatial Modeling
• GIS 584: Mapping and Analysis Using UAS
• GIS 609: Geospatial Forum
• GIS 610: Special Topics in Geospatial Information Science
• SSC 540: Geographic Information Systems (GIS) in Soil Science and Agriculture
• BAE 535: Precision Agriculture Technology
• BAE 536: GIS Applications in Precision Agriculture
• LAR 517: GIS Applications in Landscape Architecture and Environmental Planning
• MEA 511: Introduction to Meteorological Remote Sensing
• HI 535: Spatial History
• ST 501: Fundamentals of Statistical Inference I
• ST 502: Fundamentals of Statistical Inference II
• ST 511: Statistical Methods For Researchers I
• ST 513: Statistics for Management and Social Sciences I
• ST 514: Statistics For Management and Social Sciences II
• ST 533: Applied Spatial Statistics
• ST 555: Statistical Programming I
• ST 556: Statistical Programming II

Other courses not listed can be approved as electives upon consultation with an advisor.

Faculty

The program is led by:

• Director: Eric Money
• Full Professors: Ross Meentemeyer, Helena Mitasova, Stacy Nelson, Gary Roberson
• Associate Professor: Jeffrey White
• Associate Teaching Professors: Eric Money, Stacy Supak, Laura Tateosian
• Lecturer: Katherine Jones
• Emeritus Faculty: Perver Baran, Heather Cheshire, Hugh Devine, Siamak Khorram