Online Postbaccalaureate Certificates in GISc

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Course Delivery

100% online

Total Credits

Approximate Cost per Credit

$695 in state
$705 out of state

Time to Completion

Graduate in as few as 12 months

Program Overview

Admissions Requirements

Courses

Tuition and Financial Aid

Postbaccalaureate Certificate Program Overview

The online Postbaccalaureate Certificates in Geographic Information Science (GISc) from Kent State combine the quality and flexibility of our MGISc degree with the agility of a short-term, targeted professional skills-development program. In just 15 courses that can be completed in as few as 12 months, you can prepare for analytical and managerial roles utilizing geospatial technologies.

Complete the Postbaccalaureate Certificate in as little as a year
Choose from two certificates: Environmental GISc or General GISc
15 credits
No GRE requirement

Completing your coursework for the certificate program could be just the beginning of your GISc education. Twelve credits from the Postbaccalaureate Certificates can be transferred to the Master of Geographic Information Science degree. Petition of transfer credits must be submitted to the Department of Geography after acceptance to the Master of Geographic Information Science program.

Please note that in order to enroll in the certificate courses below, you must possess a bachelor's degree.

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Certificate Program Outcomes

These certificate programs aim to expand your knowledge and skills in the geographic information science specialization of your choosing. You may explore the use of spatial programming analysis and web-enabled mapping technologies; master geospatial technologies used for planning, response, mitigation and recovery activities in the fields of emergency management, public safety and homeland security; or learn to manage large systems and big geospatial data.

Three of the Best Geographic Information Science Jobs

Check out our latest article about careers in GISc.

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Career Outcomes with a Postbaccalaureate Certificate in GISc

The Geographic Information Science certificate programs prepare graduates to work in the geospatial technology industry, as well as in allied industries that rely on employees who are highly trained in this technology. Prospective employers are private and public sector entities that need to manage large systems and big geospatial data, map and analyze health data, and map and analyze environmental conditions and resources.

Our graduates often pursue careers with:

Local, state and federal government agencies
Businesses that focus on logistics, marketing and engineering
Non-profit agencies in health services and environmental management

Learn more about potential careers in geographic information science.

Environmental Certificate in GISc
General Certificate in GISc

Postbaccalaureate Certificate in Environmental GISc

Students in the Environmental GISc certificate program will focus their work on the use of GIS to understand environmental resources, changes and hazards. Experts in the fields of emergency management, public safety and homeland security depend on geospatial technologies and mapping for planning, response, mitigation and recovery activities.

Graduates will be prepared for a wide range of government and private sector consulting positions that assist with these activities.

Our graduates often pursue careers with:

Local, state and federal government agencies
Logistics-focused businesses
Nonprofit agencies in health services and environmental management

Program Outcomes

As a student in the Environmental GISc certificate program, you’ll choose several of your courses from among diverse options. Through the program, you can gain fluency in:

Standard mapping and spatial analysis procedures
Forms of data dissemination
Methods and applications of some of common statistics found in geographic work
Techniques used to process, manage, visualize and analyze environmental data using GISc
Essential concepts and skills needed to create and develop a geodatabase
Map design and the art of map construction
The basic principles of environmental remote sensing

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Postbaccalaureate Certificate in General GISc

The General GISc certificate program helps prepare students for careers in geospatial technology, including positions in private and public sector entities, helping to manage large systems and big geospatial data, as well as mapping and analyzing health data and environmental conditions and resources.

Our graduates often pursue careers with:

Local, state and federal government agencies
Logistics-focused businesses
Marketing and engineering companies
Nonprofit agencies in health services and environmental management

Program Outcomes

Between the required courses and the electives that comprise the General GISc certificate program, you’ll graduate with new skills in many of these areas:

Advanced theories and techniques for handling geographic information systems
Principles of map design and the art of map construction
Algorithms and tools used in computer science
Emerging media and technology industries; basic programming concepts
Urban and economic applications and analyses of spatial data
The use of GISc in hazard research and management
Essential spatiotemporal thinking and technical skills
The geospatial methods and approaches used to understand and combat disease
Essential concepts and skills needed to create and develop a geodatabase
The basic principles of environmental remote sensing

View Courses

Admissions Requirements

Completed online application
Complete bachelor’s degree, with a GPA of 3.0 or higher (on a 4.0 scale), from an accredited university
Three letters of recommendation from professors and/or employers
Application fee: $45
Official transcripts
Goal statement
Resume/CV
No GRE required for admission

The application process is simple and we’re here to guide you through it.

Our Admissions Advisors are available to answer your questions regarding admissions requirements for the program. If you have questions, please email us at onlinedegrees@kent.edu or call us toll-free at +1 844-234-4073.

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Important Dates

Jul

Priority Application Deadline

Fall 2021 Semester

Aug

Application Deadline

Fall 2021 Semester

Aug

First Day of Class

Fall 2021 Semester

Application Resources

Our step-by-step application checklist will help ensure the success of your application submission.

Download Checklist

Application FAQs

Each applicant is required to create an account in the online application system, which allows people to save their applications and track the progress of materials submitted via the application system.

I am a U.S. citizen. Where should I send my application materials?

If you are a U.S. citizen or permanent U.S. resident, all required application materials should be sent to the Division of Graduate Studies at gradapps@kent.edu or by mail to:

Division of Graduate Studies
Kent State University
650 Hilltop Drive
Kent, OH 44242

Please be sure to include your full name and Kent State ID (9-digit number starting with 8) on all submitted documents. For questions, contact Graduate Admissions at +1 330-672-2661 or gradapps@kent.edu.

I am not a U.S. citizen. Where should I send my application materials?

If you are not a U.S. citizen or permanent U.S. resident, all required documents should be submitted to the Office of Global Education at intladm@kent.edu or by mail to:

Office of Global Education
Kent State University
106 Van Campen Hall
625 Loop Rd.
Kent, OH 44242
USA

For questions, contact International Admissions at +1 330-672-7970 or intladm@kent.edu.

Courses

Please note that, in order to enroll in the certificate courses below, a student must possess a bachelor’s degree. Full course descriptions for each can be seen above.

Postbaccalaureate Certificate in Environmental GISc

Choose a minimum of 15 credits from the following courses:*

GEOG 59072 GIS and Health (3 Credits)

Geographic theory and methods serve as the connection among disparate disciplines focused on how and why “health” varies between regions, cities and neighborhoods. Students examine how geospatial technologies, especially GIS, have become an important health analysis tool.

GEOG 59078 Geographic Information Science and Environmental Hazards (3 Credits)

The study and management of natural hazards are inherently reliant on both physical and human processes and spatial patterns. Given the many variables involved and the variety of scales at which they operate, use of geographic information system (GIS) has become standard practice in research on hazards and in their management by government agencies at all levels. Students are exposed to a wide array of spatial data that is used in these activities, as well as standard mapping and spatial analysis procedures and forms of data dissemination.

GEOG 69004 Quantitative Methods in Geography (3 Credits)

Explores the methods and applications of some of the most common statistics found in geographic work. It explores probability theory, spatial statistics, estimation procedures, hypothesis testing, spatial sampling, methods of areal association, correlation and regression analysis, and principal components analysis. Theory and execution of these methods are equally emphasized, and applications to geographic problems are examined within each theme.

GEOG 69079 Environmental Geographic Information Science (3 Credits)

Prerequisite: GEOG 59070

GPS and environmental spatial data are commonly used in a variety of management and assessment plans in fields related to environmental science to achieve effective decision-making and environmental resource management. This course will focus on techniques used to process, manage, visualize and analyze environmental data using GIS. Students will learn how to collect and process GPS and online sources of geospatial data and how to employ techniques such as suitability modeling, measuring distributions and calculating landscape metrics.

GEOG 69083 Geodatabases (3 Credits)

Prerequisite: GEOG 59070

Essential concepts and skills needed to efficiently create a geodatabase, add data to it and realistically model the real-world spatial relationships inherent to the data. Students will learn about geodatabase features that help ensure data integrity over time and about storing and managing geographic data.

GEOG 69164 Cartographic Design (3 Credits)

Introduces students to the principles of map design and the art of map construction. Students will become familiar with the cartographic process, especially as they apply basic mapping concepts such as scale, projections, typography, generalization, symbols, color scheme and classification to the design and production of thematic maps. Students will also learn how to describe and manipulate spatial data and how to select an appropriate map type for a given task and data set. This course builds on students’ experiences with GIS to focus on the design needed to disseminate information beyond users of the software and produce effective print and web maps. Class exercises will provide hands-on experience in using GIS and graphic software packages. Principles and experiences learned in class will equip students with the fundamental skills necessary to effectively communicate graphic information through maps.

GEOG 69231 Environmental Remote Sensing (3 Credits)

Introduction to the basic principles of environmental remote sensing, including the electromagnetic spectrum, spectral properties of Earth objects, aerial photograph analysis and interpretation, and satellite image analysis and interpretation. Special focus will be on environmental applications, especially as they pertain to understanding vegetation, water and land use mapping and impacts.

*Additional course options may be available at the department’s discretion.

Postbaccalaureate Certificate in General GISc

The Postbaccalaureate Certificate in General GISc requires a minimum of 15 credits. The following three courses (9 credits) are required as listed.

GEOG 59070 Geographic Information Science (3 Credits)

Introduction to theories and methods for geographic data processing, including data capture and input, data storage and management, and data analysis and displays. Emphasis is on laboratory exercises using GIS software packages for real-world applications.

GEOG 59080 Advanced Geographic Information Science (3 Credits)

Prerequisite: GEOG 49070 or 59070.

Advanced theories and techniques for handling geographic information systems, including 2D and 3D processing of geographic information, detection and analysis of geographic patterns, 2D and 3D mapping of geographic information, modeling of geographic processes and an overview of GIS programming tools.

GEOG 69164 Cartographic Design (3 Credits)

Additionally, a choice of two courses (6 credits) from the following courses are required.

CS 61002 Algorithms and Programming I (4 Credits)

An introduction to the algorithms and tools used in computer science; includes programming in a high-level language.

CS 61003 Algorithms and Programming II (4 Credits)

Further exploration into the tools used in computer science.

EMAT 64210 Data Science (3 Credits)

Through this course students will explore the emerging media and technology industries, receive an introduction to basic programming concepts, and develop their own emerging media project plan. Additionally, students will learn about the impact of emerging media and technology on culture and society. Topics include an introduction to ethical technology design, emerging media and globalization, and how technology relates to relationship and identity formation and maintenance.

GEOG 59072 GIS and Health (3 Credits)

GEOG 59075 Urban and Economic GIS (3 Credits)

Prerequisites: GEOG 49070 or 59070

Urban and economic applications and analyses of spatial data, especially theoretical and conceptual issues, including the possibilities and concerns associated with GIS, ethical considerations, and the various forms of data collection, visualization, analysis and dissemination.

GEOG 59076 Spatial Programming (3 Credits)

Prerequisite: GEOG 59070

Examination of the design, development and use of geographic information technologies with computer programming to model, process and visualize geographic phenomena.

GEOG 59078 Geographic Information Science and Environmental Hazards (3 Credits)

The study and management of natural hazards are inherently reliant on both physical and human processes and spatial patterns. Given the many variables involved and the variety of scales at which they operate, use of geographic information science (GIS) has become standard practice in research on hazards and in their management by government agencies at all levels. Students are exposed to a wide array of spatial data that is used in these activities, as well as standard mapping and spatial analysis procedures and forms of data dissemination.

GEOG 69004 Quantitative Methods in Geography (3 Credits)

GEOG 69007 Spatiotemporal Analytics (3 Credits)

Prerequisite: GEOG 59070

Equips students with essential spatiotemporal thinking and technical skills in mapping, analyzing, visualizing, communicating and simulating the spatiotemporal data. ArcGIS and free packages in R and Netlogo will be used in the instruction.

GEOG 69073 Geographic Information Science: Global Health (3 Credits)

Emerging and re-emerging diseases in non-developed countries pose one of the greatest health challenges of current times. Geospatial approaches often provide one of the only information sources in data poor and challenging environments. This course will expose students to these health issues and disease environments through varied case studies, while simultaneously highlighting the geospatial methods and approaches used to understand and combat disease.

GEOG 69074 Geographic Information Science: Spatial Analysis for Health Geography (3 Credits)

Prerequisites: GEOG 59070 or GEOG 59072

Spatial analysis is used to verify patterns and associations in health data maps. These results can then be used to further hone the scientific question or help design an intervention strategy. This course will introduce spatial analytical approaches used by health researchers and practitioners in the exploratory investigation of health data. Students will also be exposed to new mobile technologies that can be used to enrich more traditional spatial data sources.

GEOG 69079 Environmental Geographic Information Science (3 Credits)

GEOG 69082 Cyber GIS (3 Credits)

Explores cyberinfrastructure-enabled geographic information systems (i.e. cyber GIS) and related technologies, including a broad introduction to the use, design and development of cyberinfrastructure, spatial data infrastructures, geographic information services and web-enabled mapping technologies. Situates cyber GIS in the broader context of geographic information science, focusing on how synthesizing computational thinking and spatial thinking influence methodological approaches.

GEOG 69083 Geodatabases (3 Credits)

GEOG 69231 Environmental Remote Setting (3 Credits)

Introduction to the basic principles of environmental remote sensing, including the electromagnetic spectrum, spectral properties of Earth objects, aerial photograph analysis and interpretation and satellite image analysis and interpretation. Special focus will be on environmental applications, especially as they pertain to understanding vegetation, water, and land use mapping and impacts.

Technology Requirements

Courses are delivered through our course management system, Blackboard Learn. Course content consists of text, narrated PowerPoint presentations, video and audio, live chats, discussion groups, and other learning enhancements.

To participate in this online program, you will need a computer and broadband Internet connection. Your program may have further requirements that include the ability to record video and audio. If you have questions regarding technology requirements for the program, please contact your Admissions Advisor at onlinedegrees@kent.edu or toll-free at +1 844-234-4073.

Tuition and Financial Aid

Ohio Residents		Out of State
Per Credit Hour	Approximate Program Cost	Per Credit Hour	Approximate Program Cost
$695	$10,425	$705	$10,575

An additional distance learning fee for all students enrolled in a distance learning course is $12 per credit hour. Program tuition and costs are estimated and subject to change. For comprehensive tuition information, please refer to the tuition rates posted on the Bursar’s website.

We recognize that pursuing a graduate degree is a significant investment. Your Admissions Advisor can answer your questions on program costs, discuss how a Kent State degree compares to others and connect you with financial aid representatives when you are ready to discuss your financial options.

Please contact an Admissions Advisor for more information on tuition and fees either by email at onlinedegrees@kent.edu or toll-free at +1 844‑234‑4073.

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