Program Overview

Geospatial Information Sciences (online) (GISO)

Overview

The Master of Science in Geospatial Information Sciences Program is dedicated to providing the most up-to-date education on geospatial technology, theory, and applications. The courses cover spatial analysis, statistics, programming, databases, modeling, remote sensing, Web GIS, Mobile GIS, big data analytics, drones for data collection, and Open Source GIS.

Program Details

• Both MS degree (30 Credits) and Graduate Certificate (12 Credits) in GIS are offered.
• The program does not offer funding at this time.

Financial Assistance

This program does not offer funding at this time. Please refer to the Graduate School Assistantship Information for educational, professional, and financial opportunities.

General Requirements

• Statement of Purpose
• Transcript(s)
• TOEFL/IELTS/PTE (international graduate students)

Program-Specific Requirements

• Letters of Recommendation (2)
• CV/Resume
• Supplementary Application

Application Deadlines

• Domestic Applicants:
  • US Citizens and Permanent Residents: July 1, 2026 (Fall), January 21, 2026 (Spring), N/A (Summer)
• International Applicants:
  • F (student) or J (exchange visitor) visas; A, E, G, H, I, and L visas and immigrants: July 1, 2026 (Fall), January 21, 2026 (Spring), N/A (Summer)

Faculty

• Last Name | First/Middle Name | Graduate Faculty Status | Academic Credentials | Positions
  • Graham | Lain | Graduate Teaching | B.A., University of North Carolina at Greensboro, 2008; M.A., Georgia State University, 2014; PhD, University of Central Florida, 2020 | n/a, Geospatial Information Sciences
  • Ma | Jianguo | Full Member | B.Eng., University of Science and Technology in Beijing, 1994; M.A., Peking University, 1997; Ph.D., Cornell University, 2005 | n/a, Geospatial Information Sciences, Director, Geospatial Information Science (with Nanjing Normal University), Director, Geospatial Information Sciences
  • Resop | Jonathan | Full Member | B.S., University of Maryland, 2004; B.S., University of Maryland, 2004; M.S., University of Maryland, 2006; Ph.D., Virginia Tech, 2010 | Lecturer, Geospatial Information Science (with Nanjing Normal University), Lecturer, Geospatial Information Sciences, University Affiliate, Geospatial Information Sciences, Senior Lecturer, Geospatial Information Sciences
  • Tao | Xin | Full Member | B.S., Peking University, 2006; B.S., Peking University, 2006; M.E., Peking University, 2009; Ph.D., University of Maryland, 2015 | n/a, Geospatial Information Sciences

College

College: Behavioral and Social Sciences

Abstract

The Master of Science in Geospatial Information Sciences Program is dedicated to providing the most up-to-date education on geospatial technology, theory, and applications. The courses cover spatial analysis, statistics, programming, databases, modeling, remote sensing, Web GIS, Mobile GIS, big data analytics, drones for data collection, and Open Source GIS. Both MS degree (30 Credits) and Graduate Certificate (12 Credits) in GIS are offered.