Master of Science in Geographic Information Science Online
Program Overview
What our online master's in geographic information science offers you
Rise as a subject matter expert in the innovative field of spatial data when you earn the Master of Science in Geographic Information Science 100% online from Northwest Missouri State University. As the first higher education institution to pilot a master's-level GIScience program, Northwest offers you a history of excellence for graduating GIScience experts and a comprehensive GIS curriculum that combines modern technology systems with science, preparing you for any data mapping challenge in today's setting.
The M.S. in Geographic Information Science online program is ideal for professionals working in conservation, intelligence, police, military or health industries who aspire to be at the forefront in data-gathering to uncover patterns and solve complex geo-spatial challenges.
In the online master's in GIS program, you will add to your specialized acumen by expanding your technical data-mapping skills using both hardware and software technology systems; discovering innovative ways to capture, process, analyze and represent data in real-world settings; advancing your understanding of remotely sensed information as it pertains to a GIS landscape; examining the latest trends in cartography and geographic information science as a whole—and much more.
Our highly qualified GIScience faculty is committed to your success. Our educators have years of experience working as specialized geographers in sectors such as academia, public and private agencies and GIScience research, plus they maintain strong ties with industries that seek to employ well-trained GIS candidates. Throughout the coursework, you will have ample opportunities to collaborate with your professors and peers, including the completion of a comprehensive capstone project.
Graduates of this GIS online program will be able to:
- Demonstrate the use of GIS through election maps, COVID-19 maps and any other up-to-date categorization mapping
- Conduct a GIS capstone project from beginning to end, including identifying an issue/problem and demonstrating the ability to find usable spatial data
- Apply Python™, Google Earth, Google Images and ArcGIS technologies as tools in gathering geographic information science 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
- Demonstrate the use of GIS through election maps, COVID-19 maps and any other up-to-date categorization mapping
- Conduct a GIS capstone project from beginning to end, including identifying an issue/problem and demonstrating the ability to find usable spatial data
- Apply Python™, Google Earth, Google Images and ArcGIS technologies as tools in gathering geographic information science 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
Accreditation:
Northwest Missouri State University is accredited by the Association for Advancing Quality in Educator Preparation (AAQEP) and is recognized by the Missouri Department of Elementary & Secondary Education™ (DESE) and the Higher Learning Commission.
Also available
Northwest offers a variety of specialized online degree options. Check out our other online graduate programs.
Accreditation:
Northwest Missouri State University is accredited by the Association for Advancing Quality in Educator Preparation (AAQEP) and is recognized by the Missouri Department of Elementary & Secondary Education™ (DESE) and the Higher Learning Commission.
Tuition
Our budget-friendly tuition can be paid as you go
Our M.S. 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* |
|---|---|---|---|
| M.S. in GIScience | $391 | $1,173 | $11,730 |
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
Northwest online dates and deadlines
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| Fall 1 | 8/25/25 | 8/11/25 | 8/14/25 | 8/18/25 | 8/20/25 | 10/10/25 |
| Fall 2 | 10/20/25 | 10/6/25 | 10/9/25 | 10/13/25 | 10/15/25 | 12/5/25 |
Now enrolling:
earning your degree?
Admissions
Steps to being admitted into our online master’s in GIS program
At Northwest, we've streamlined the admission process to help you get started quickly and easily. Please read the requirements for the M.S. in Geographic Information Science online, 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
NOTE: Students are highly encouraged to have a PC for MS Geographic Information Science courses. Students with a Mac are likely to run into issues with the ESRI software.
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
- Combined GRE score of 286 or higher on the verbal and quantitative sections. Students who do not meet this criteria may be admitted under the condition of maintaining a 3.0 or higher in the first 9 credit hours of graduate study.
- The GRE requirement will be waived for:
- Applicants with a graduate degree (master's or higher) from an accredited institution
- Applicants who have earned the Geographic Information Science certificate at Northwest
- Applicants with one year of documented full-time professional work experience in the field of geographic information science OR three years of documented full-time professional work experience in any field
- Applicants with at least a 3.3 overall undergraduate GPA
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 curriculum
For the M.S. in Geographic Information Science online, the curriculum is comprised of 10 courses (30 credit hours), including 12 credit hours of core courses, 12 credit hours of elective courses and 6 credit hours of research courses.
*Tuition and fees are based on current rates. Textbooks and laptops are not included with tuition.
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