Program Overview

Geographic Information Systems Program

The Geographic Information Systems (GIS) program is designed to prepare students for a variety of careers in this fast-growing field. GIS and related geospatial techniques are increasingly used across disciplines and in areas such as environmental mapping, public resource management, and urban planning.

Program Details

• Program Type: Certificate
• Academic Unit: School of Science and Engineering
• Standard credit hours: 17-20
• Delivery Mode: In-person
• Typical Program Length: 1-2 years
• Typical Course Load: 1-2 per semester
• Estimated Program Cost: $10,760
  • All rates or costs are for illustrative purposes only. Estimated cost is calculated by multiplying the appropriate 2025/2026 UMKC academic year resident rate by standard credit hours. Fees are NOT included in the calculation. Your hours and total costs may differ, depending on transfer hours, course choices, academic progress, program- and university-specific fees, and your qualified tuition rate.

Career Opportunities

GIS certification can be used to prepare students for positions in surveying and mapping or as a complement to careers in fields such as economics, urban planning, urban policy, resource management, supply chain management, transportation, and more.

Potential Careers

• Urban and regional planner
• Geographer
• Economist
• Median salary/year: $83,723 (based on data from Lightcast.io for Urban and Regional Planners)

Courses

Potential Courses

• GIS Fundamentals for Research Applications: This course addresses fundamental Geographic Information Systems concepts and techniques, drawing on content from the department’s introductory GIS course while also allowing students to pursue their research interests.
• Biogeography and Landscape Ecology: This course covers principles and applications of biogeography and landscape ecology, emphasizing distribution of major ecosystems and related plants and animal species on earth, biodiversity, landscape patterns, and processes.
• Advanced GIS for Urban Planning: This course exposes students to high-level GIS techniques and geospatial analysis in the urban planning context. Students learn data management skills in GIS and advanced geoprocessing tools.

Related Programs and Pathways

• Geographic Information Systems (Certificate)
• Environmental and Urban Geosciences (Master's)
• Urban Planning and Design (Major)
• Earth and Environmental Science — Geology (Major)

Application Process

How to Apply

1. Gather your materials:
   • Official transcripts
   • Names and locations of previous college(s) and dates you attended
   • Citizenship, residency, and visa information (if applicable)
2. Complete the online application:
   • $45 for domestic graduate students or $75 for international graduate students
3. Check admissions requirements:
   • Some programs have specific admission requirements or may require minimum scores on graduate admissions tests.

Application Dates

• To Start Classes in Fall: Apply by June 15, Classes begin in August
• To Start Classes in Spring: Apply by Nov. 15, Classes begin in January

Tuition and Financial Aid

Estimated Tuition Per Semester

• Resident Rate: $4,842 (per semester)
• Midwest Student Exchange Program: $7,263 (per semester)
• Nonresident Rate: $12,155 (per semester)
• All rates or costs are for illustrative purposes only. Estimated cost is calculated by multiplying the appropriate 2025/2026 UMKC academic year resident rate by standard credit hours. Fees are NOT included in the calculation. Your hours and total costs may differ, depending on transfer hours, course choices, academic progress, program- and university-specific fees, and your qualified tuition rate.

Financial Aid Opportunities

• An amazing education shouldn’t break the bank, which is why we offer a number of automatic and competitive scholarships, grants, and other financial aid opportunities — plus financial guidance from our expert advisors.
• 80% of first-year students seeking a master's degree or graduate certificate received financial aid
• 92% of first-year students seeking a doctoral degree received financial aid
• 77% of all degree- and certificate-seeking graduate students received financial aid