Program Overview

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Geographic Information Science Graduate Certificate Program

The Geographic Information Science (GIS) graduate certificate program is designed to provide students with in-demand professional skills in the field of geographic information science. The program is intended as either a specialization within an existing master's degree or a stand-alone non-degree program for practicing professionals who previously earned a graduate degree.

Program Description

Geographic information scientists have the ability to not only map out information but to provide a deeper understanding of the world and the human interactions in it. By combining the disciplines of computer science, statistics, and geography, geographic information sciences experts can help answer the questions of what, where, why, and how in many areas of interest in many industries.

The geographic information sciences graduate certificate program teaches students the theoretical aspects of GIS, the technical side of the discipline, and applications of the science. Students learn how to analyze policy problems and research questions from a spatial lens, acquire and analyze remotely sensed data, and model spatial phenomena.

At a Glance

• College/School: The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
• Location: Tempe
• STEM-OPT extension eligible: No

Degree Requirements

The program requires 15 credit hours, including:

• Required Core (3 credit hours): PAF 571 Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and Analysis (3) or PUP 576 GIS Workshop for Planners (3)
• Electives (6 credit hours): Students select two three-credit-hour elective courses for a total of six credit hours in consultation with the program director.
• Other Requirements (6 credit hours): Students select two of the other requirement courses from the list below for a total of six credit hours:
  • ABS 485 GIS in Natural Resources (3)
  • GIS 521 Geographic Information Science Programming (3)
  • GIS 561 Fundamentals of Spatial Optimization (3)
  • GIS 562 Location Analysis and Modeling (3)
  • GIS 563 Local Statistical Modeling (3)
  • GIS 571 Spatial Statistics for Geography and Planning (3)
  • GIS 591 Seminar: Data Mining and Data Driven Geography (3)

Admission Requirements

• General university admission requirements: All students are required to meet general university admission requirements.
• Applicants must fulfill the requirements of both the Graduate College and The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences.
• Applicants are eligible to apply to the program if they are currently pursuing a master's degree at ASU or have earned a master's degree and are currently practicing professionals.
• Applicants must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in an applicable master's degree program.
• All applicants must submit:
  • Graduate admission application and application fee
  • Official transcripts
  • Personal statement
  • Proof of English proficiency

Tuition Information

When it comes to paying for higher education, everyone's situation is different. Students can learn about ASU tuition and financial aid options to find out which will work best for them.

Career Opportunities

Professionals with expertise in geospatial information science are in high demand across sectors and industries, including consulting firms, government agencies, and community organizations. Skills in geographical data science, mapping, and geospatial analysis are valuable to businesses and institutions relying on data-driven approaches to solve complex real-world problems.

Career examples include:

• Cartographer or photogrammetrist
• Geographic information systems technician
• Geospatial information scientist or technologist
• Geospatial intelligence analyst
• Mapping technician
• Remote sensing scientist or technologist

Additional Curriculum Information

Students select one of the required core courses for a total of three credit hours. Two of the other requirement courses are selected from the list above for a total of six credit hours; other courses may be substituted with approval from the program director. The program recognizes that other graduate-level courses on GIS are offered at ASU. Advanced courses are often taught in omnibus courses, courses that have rotating content and whose content is not reflected in their titles. Students may include these courses in their certificate curriculum with approval of the program director.