

Department of Geography
Postbaccalaureate Certificates in Geographic Information Science
Course Delivery
Total Credits
Approximate Cost per Credit
$705 out of state
Time to Completion
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.

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
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.
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
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
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
- Two 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.
Important Dates
Application Resources

Our step-by-step application checklist will help ensure the success of your application submission.
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?
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?
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)
GEOG 59078 Geographic Information Science and Environmental Hazards (3 Credits)
GEOG 69004 Quantitative Methods in Geography (3 Credits)
GEOG 69079 Environmental Geographic Information Science (3 Credits)
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)
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)
GEOG 69231 Environmental Remote Sensing (3 Credits)
*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)
GEOG 59080 Advanced Geographic Information Science (3 Credits)
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)
CS 61003 Algorithms and Programming II (4 Credits)
EMAT 64210 Data Science (3 Credits)
GEOG 59072 GIS and Health (3 Credits)
GEOG 59075 Urban and Economic GIS (3 Credits)
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)
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)
GEOG 69004 Quantitative Methods in Geography (3 Credits)
GEOG 69007 Spatiotemporal Analytics (3 Credits)
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)
GEOG 69074 Geographic Information Science: Spatial Analysis for Health Geography (3 Credits)
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)
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 69082 Cyber GIS (3 Credits)
GEOG 69083 Geodatabases (3 Credits)
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 69231 Environmental Remote Setting (3 Credits)
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 $15 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.