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Program Overview
Why our 100% online geographic information science certificate stands out
Cultivate your knowledge in the innovative and rising scientific discipline of GIScience with the Graduate Certificate in Geographic Information Science program from Northwest Missouri State University. Delivered 100% online, this five-course program offers you the wide-ranging scientific exposure and cutting-edge tools that can propel your career forward in this exciting, up-and-coming field.
The geographic information science certificate online program is ideal for GIS professionals who want to broaden their expertise quickly, as well as professionals in other fields who aspire to learn more about GIScience and transition into that specialty area. A GRE score is not required for admission into this certificate program.
In the online GIS certificate program, you will explore hardware and software technology systems that are used for data-mapping; learn to capture, process, analyze and represent data in real-world settings; and gain a foundation of remotely sensed information in a GIS landscape. Upon program completion, students may apply their earned credit hours toward the Master of Science in Geographic Information Science online and meet the GRE waiver requirements.
Our highly qualified GIScience faculty are committed to your success. They have years of experience working as specialized geographers in sectors such as academia, public and private agencies and GIScience research; and they maintain strong ties with industries that seek to employ well-trained GIS candidates.
In this geographic information science certificate online program, you will be able to:
- Explore the use of remotely sensed information in a geographic information science environment, with emphasis on understanding data sources, tools and techniques in remote sensing
- Understand the analysis and statistical tools used by geographers and uncover the fundamentals of geostatistics that are used in research and business
- Study advanced vector data models and analytical methods using vector data
- Comprehend the process of GIS database design, including user needs assessment and conceptual, logical and physical database design, with an emphasis on the design of spatial components in GIS data
- Explore the use of remotely sensed information in a geographic information science environment, with emphasis on understanding data sources, tools and techniques in remote sensing
- Understand the analysis and statistical tools used by geographers and uncover the fundamentals of geostatistics that are used in research and business
- Study advanced vector data models and analytical methods using vector data
- Comprehend the process of GIS database design, including user needs assessment and conceptual, logical and physical database design, with an emphasis on the design of spatial components in GIS data
Geographic information science careers:
- Conservationist
- Climate Scientist
- GIS Manager
- Health Geographer
- App Developer
- Meteorologist
- GIS Technician
- Cartography Technician
- Precision Agriculture Researcher
- Marine Survey Analyst
- Conservationist
- Climate Scientist
- GIS Manager
- Health Geographer
- App Developer
- Meteorologist
- GIS Technician
- Cartography Technician
- Precision Agriculture Researcher
- Marine Survey Analyst
Also available
Northwest offers a variety of specialized online degree options. Check out our other online graduate programs.
Tuition
Find out how and when to pay your tuition
Our Graduate Certificate in Geographic Information Science online program offers affordable, pay-by-the-course tuition, which is the same for in-state and out-of-state students. All fees are included.
Program | Per Credit Hour | Per Course | Per Program* |
---|---|---|---|
Certificate in GIScience | $391 | $1,173 | $5,865 |
Important Refund Information
2nd day of class | Last date for 100% refund for dropped course |
4th day of class | Last date for 75% refund for dropped course |
6th day of class | Last date for 50% refund for dropped course |
8th day of class | Last date for 25% refund for dropped course |
Tuition breakdown:
Transfer your credits for lower tuition
Use our Tuition Estimator to see how affordable your degree could be. Slide the notch to the number of credits you've already earned—which may qualify for transfer credit—to get an estimate of what your degree might cost.
Transcripts sent from other colleges and universities will be evaluated, and accepted credits will be added to the student's A-State record. The Tuition Estimator is not a guarantee or predictor of the number of credit hours that will be accepted.
Calendar
Important dates for our students
Northwest online programs are delivered in an accelerated format ideal for working professionals, conveniently featuring multiple start dates each year.
Term | Program Start Date | Application Deadline | Document Deadline | Registration Deadline | Payment Due | Last Class Day |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Fall 1 | 8/26/24 | 8/12/24 | 8/15/24 | 8/19/24 | 8/21/24 | 10/11/24 |
Fall 2 | 10/21/24 | 10/7/24 | 10/10/24 | 10/14/24 | 10/16/24 | 12/6/24 |
Spring 1 | 1/13/25 | 1/3/25 | 1/6/25 | 1/7/25 | 1/8/25 | 2/28/25 |
Spring 2 | 3/10/25 | 2/24/25 | 2/27/25 | 3/3/25 | 3/5/25 | 4/25/25 |
Summer 1 | 5/5/25 | 4/21/25 | 4/24/25 | 4/28/25 | 4/30/25 | 6/20/25 |
Summer 2 | 6/23/25 | 6/6/25 | 6/11/25 | 6/13/25 | 6/17/25 | 8/8/25 |
Now enrolling:
earning your degree?
Admissions
Requirements for the online certificate in GIScience program
At Northwest, we've streamlined the admission process to help you get started quickly and easily. Please read the requirements for the Graduate Certificate in Geographic Information Science online program, including what additional materials you need and where you should send them.
Admission Requirements:
- Bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution
- GPA of at least 2.5 on a 4.0 scale
- Official transcripts from all institutions attended
To apply for this program, you must meet these requirements:
- Bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited higher education institution with a GPA of 2.5 or higher
- Acceptance to graduate study by the Associate Provost of Graduate Studies and Special Programs
Official transcripts can be emailed to [email protected]. To submit official documents by mail, send them to:
Graduate Records SpecialistNorthwest Missouri State University
800 University Drive
Maryville, MO 64468-6001
Have a question? Call us at 844-890-9304.
Click here for State Authorization information.
Admission Requirements:
- Bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution
- GPA of at least 2.5 on a 4.0 scale
- Official transcripts from all institutions attended
Courses
A look at the online GIS graduate certificate classes
For the Graduate Certificate in Geographic Information Science online, the curriculum is comprised of 5 courses (15 credit hours), including 12 credit hours of core courses and 3 credit hours of elective courses.
Ranked #1
Northwest Missouri State University is ranked #1 among the "Best Online Colleges in Missouri" by SR Education Group (2020)
Highly Qualified Faculty
100% of classes are taught by professionals, not graduate assistants
*Tuition and fees are based on current rates. Textbooks and laptops are not included with tuition. Most software will be free for student use, but there might be nominal fees associated with some of these.
Request Information
Submit this form, and one of our enrollment specialists will contact you to answer any questions and guide you through the process, from start to finish.
Or call 844-890-9304
By submitting this form, I am providing my digital signature agreeing that Northwest Missouri State University (Northwest) and its agent, Risepoint, may email me or contact me regarding educational services by telephone and/or text message utilizing automated technology or a pre-recorded message at the telephone number(s) provided above. I understand this consent is not a condition to attend Northwest or to purchase any other goods or services. Privacy Policy. SMS Terms.
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Maryville, MO 64468 USA
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Or call 844-890-9304
By submitting this form, I am providing my digital signature agreeing that Northwest Missouri State University (Northwest) and its agent, Risepoint, may email me or contact me regarding educational services by telephone and/or text message utilizing automated technology or a pre-recorded message at the telephone number(s) provided above. I understand this consent is not a condition to attend Northwest or to purchase any other goods or services. Privacy Policy. SMS Terms.
REQUEST INFORMATION
Submit the form, and a representative will contact you to answer any questions.
By submitting this form, I am providing my digital signature agreeing that Northwest Missouri State University (Northwest) and its agent, Risepoint, may email me or contact me regarding educational services by telephone and/or text message utilizing automated technology or a pre-recorded message at the telephone number(s) provided above. I understand this consent is not a condition to attend Northwest or to purchase any other goods or services. Privacy Policy. SMS Terms.
Request Information
By submitting this form, I am providing my digital signature agreeing that Northwest Missouri State University (Northwest) and its agent, Risepoint, may email me or contact me regarding educational services by telephone and/or text message utilizing automated technology or a pre-recorded message at the telephone number(s) provided above. I understand this consent is not a condition to attend Northwest or to purchase any other goods or services. Privacy Policy. SMS Terms.