Geographic Information Science
The online Geographic Information Science Certificate at Kent State University provides specialized knowledge in GIS technology, focusing on spatial analysis and geographic data applications. This program is ideal for professionals and students looking to enhance their skills in fields like environmental studies, public health, and disaster management. Graduates gain practical expertise in GIS tools, preparing them for impactful roles that leverage geographic information.
Program Overview
The Geographic Information Science graduate certificate prepares 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. Examples of such employers are local, state and federal government agencies; business that focus on logistics, marketing and engineering; and non-profit agencies in health services and environmental management.
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You know that you need to keep up with the latest technology and advances to stay competitive in your career. But between work and family obligations, it can be hard to fit in the time to take GIS courses.
Earn your online GIS certificate from Kent State in as little as one year. Our flexible, 100% online courses make it easy to schedule your studies around your life. With two different certificate options, you can choose the program that fits your needs and interests.
Learn the Technology and the Science Behind It
Like the online MGISc, our two GIS certificate programs give you a strong conceptual grounding to help you master current and future technology, plus instruction on today’s widely used tools.
Learn from award-winning professors who embody the idea of engaged science and collaborate with other working professionals in small-cohort classes. Build your professional network as you build your credentials.
The skills you hone with a GIS graduate certificate from Kent State can open up career possibilities across industries, ranging from marketing and logistics to environmental science, government and non-profit agencies. As industries across the spectrum increasingly rely on data and technology, your professional GIS skills will be in high demand.
Average geoscientist salary1
Post-graduation salaries average from $68,900 to $104,100 depending on the job title and sector.2 The industry-spanning GIS discipline and related geospatial industry contribute $350 billion to the global economy each year, and the demand for GIS professionals is still growing.3, 4
The salary and security, along with the high levels of personal satisfaction and work-life balance that GISc professionals report, can repay your investment of time, money and effort in the GIS certificate many times over.
Learn more about potential careers in
What are the benefits of an Environmental GISc Graduate Certificate?
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
What skills will I develop with an Environmental GISc Graduate Certificate?
As a student in the Environmental GISc certificate program you can choose courses that suit your interests. Through your coursework, 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
A basic knowledge of GIS is required. Otherwise, the student will need to take an additional introductory GIS course (GEOG 59071 Fundamentals of GIS).
When you enroll, your Admissions Outreach Advisor can help you design the optimal course list.
What are the benefits of a General GISc Graduate Certificate?
Our General GISc certificate program helps you prepare for interesting, impactful roles in both the public and private sectors. Use your expertise in geospatial technology to manage large systems and work with large data sets to map and analyze conditions and resources.
Our graduates often work in:
- Local, state and federal government agencies
- Logistics-focused businesses
- Marketing and engineering companies
- Nonprofit agencies in health services and environmental management
What skills will I develop with a General GISc Certificate?
As a student in the General GISc Certificate program, your core courses will cover GIS data management, analysis, modeling, programming tools and cartographic design.
Electives shape the curriculum to suit your interest and hone your skills in your choice of these areas:
- Data science, algorithms and programming
- Quantitative methods and spatiotemporal analytics
- Cyber applications of GIS
- Health applications of GIS
- Urban and economic applications of GIS
- The use of GIS in hazard research and management
- The basic principles of environmental remote sensing
No prior GIS experience required. Learn the basics to get up and running.
Program Courses
Program Requirements
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate Requirements | ||
| GEOG 59071 | FUNDAMENTALS OF GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SCIENCE I | 3 |
| GEOG 59081 | FUNDAMENTALS OF GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SCIENCE II | 3 |
| GEOG 69164 | CARTOGRAPHIC DESIGN | 3 |
| Certificate Electives, choose from the following: | 6 | |
| CS 61002 | ALGORITHMS AND PROGRAMMING I | |
| GEOG 69004 | QUANTITATIVE METHODS IN GEOGRAPHY | |
| GEOG 59072 | GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SCIENCE AND HEALTH | |
| GEOG 59075 | GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SCIENCE: APPLICATIONS FOR SOCIAL PROBLEMS | |
| GEOG 59076 | SPATIAL PROGRAMMING | |
| GEOG 59078 | GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SCIENCE AND ENVIRONMENTAL HAZARDS | |
| GEOG 69004 | QUANTITATIVE METHODS IN GEOGRAPHY | |
| GEOG 69007 | SPATIOTEMPORAL ANALYTICS | |
| GEOG 69073 | GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SCIENCE: GLOBAL HEALTH | |
| GEOG 69074 | GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SCIENCE: SPATIAL ANALYSIS FOR HEALTH GEOGRAPHY | |
| GEOG 69079 | ENVIRONMENTAL GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SCIENCE | |
| GEOG 69082 | CYBERGIS | |
| GEOG 69083 | GEODATABASES | |
| GEOG 69231 | ENVIRONMENTAL REMOTE SENSING | |
| Minimum Total Credit Hours: | 15 | |
| Ohio Residents | Out of State | |
| Per Credit Hour | $695 | $705 |
| Approximate Program Cost | $10,425 | $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 Outreach 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 Outreach Advisor for more information on tuition and fees either by email at online@kent.edu or call us at +1 330-672-8671
For more information about graduate admissions, visit the graduate admission website. For more information on international admissions, visit the international admission website.
- Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in geography or a related field1
- Minimum 2.750 undergraduate GPA on a 4.000-point scale
- Official transcript(s)
- Goal statement
- Two letters of recommendation
- English language proficiency - all international students must provide proof of English language proficiency (unless they meet specific exceptions to waive)) by earning one of the following:2
- Minimum 79 TOEFL iBT score
- Minimum 6.5 IELTS score
- Minimum 58 PTE score
- Minimum 110 DET score
1Requirement that undergraduate degree be in geography or related field may be waived with evidence of professional experience using geospatial technologies or alternative evidence of ability to excel in a geographic information science graduate program.
2International applicants who do not meet the above test scores will not be considered for admission.
The online GIS program application process is simple and we’re here to guide you through it.
Our Admissions Outreach Advisors are available to answer your questions regarding admissions requirements for the program. If you have questions, please email us at online@kent.edu or call us at +1 330-672-8671.
Application FAQs
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
Cartwright Hall
P.O. Box 5190
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.
Technology Requirements
Courses are delivered through our course management system, Canvas. Course content consists of text, narrated PowerPoint presentations, video and audio, live chats, discussion groups, and other learning enhancements.
Course requires access to GIS software to complete coursework. Ensure that your computer meets ArcGIS Pro requirements.
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 Outreach Advisor at online@kent.edu or at +1 330-672-8671.
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