The University of Arizona

Graduate Programs
  • By College
    • College of Agriculture & Life Sciences
    • College of Applied Science and Technology
    • College of Architecture, Planning & Landscape Architecture
    • College of Education
    • College of Engineering
    • College of Fine Arts
    • College of Humanities
    • College of Law
    • College of Medicine, Phoenix
    • College of Medicine, Tucson
    • College of Nursing
    • College of Public Health
    • College of Science
    • College of Social & Behavioral Sciences
    • Eller College of Management
    • Graduate College/GIDP
    • James C. Wyant College of Optical Sciences
    • R. Ken Coit College of Pharmacy
  • By Degree
    • Certificate
    • Doctorate
    • Masters
    • Masters (Accelerated)
    • Minor
  • By Campus
    • Arizona International Direct - Online
    • Arizona International Microcampus - Ajman - Gulf Medical Univ
    • Arizona International Microcampus - Amman - PSUT
    • Arizona International Microcampus - Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham
    • Arizona International Microcampus - Lima - UPC
    • Arizona International Microcampus - Online
    • Arizona International Microcampus - Shenzhen Finance Institute
    • Arizona International Microcampus - Tianjin - Hebei Univ of Tech
    • Arizona Online - Online
    • Community Campus - Community Campus- Outreach
    • Distance Campus - Chandler
    • Distance Campus - Desert Vista
    • Distance Campus - Distance
    • Distance Campus - Douglas
    • Distance Campus - Flowing Wells
    • Distance Campus - Gilbert
    • Distance Campus - Nogales
    • Distance Campus - North Valley-Paradise Valley
    • Distance Campus - Yuma
    • Phoenix Campus - Phoenix
    • Southern Arizona - Desert Vista
    • Southern Arizona - Sierra Vista
    • University of Arizona - Main - Oro Valley
    • University of Arizona - Main - Tucson
  • Other Information
    • Request More Information
    • Apply to a Program
    • Dual Degree Programs
    • Online Programs
  • APPLY NOW

Program Details

Graduate Program: Geographic Information Science (Certificate NDP)

General Information

Request Information
Program/Degree
Geographic Information Science (Certificate NDP)  
Program Description

Geographic Information Science (GIS) is a high growth industry and is everywhere. In general industry terms, entry level GIS analysts annual salaries start in the $30-40K range and developers in the $40-50K range. Senior level positions in a technical specialty will commonly range from $60 - $85K and then those involved in a specialty with some kind of management or business focus can earn over $100K.

The University of Arizona offers state-of-the-art training in Geographic Information Science (GIS) through courses and hands-on application through the School of Natural Resources and the Environment and the School of Geography, Development and Environment. This collaboration has produced an in-person graduate certificate program in GIS for currently enrolled graduate students who wish to augment their graduate degrees, recent graduates who want more training before they enter the work world, and professionals who need to develop a new skill set or formalize their training in GIS. 

The in-person program can be completed in as little as one year (12 months).  The GIS Certificate is designed for students wanting to quickly complete a program of study in order to begin advancing in their current or intended careers as soon as possible.

 

Please note that this program is NOT offered online.  Classes are offered in a traditional classroom setting.

 
Department/Academic Unit(s)

School of Natural Resources and the Environment

The School of Natural Resources and the Environment is a world leader in pursuing science that informs how environmental change impacts arid and semi-arid systems and how best to adapt to environmental challenges. We are a cohort of students, faculty, and staff who take great pride in our focus on problem-driven research, teaching, and extension encompassing all aspects of environmental stewardship. Our research answers important questions about how ecosystems respond under environmental or human pressures. We develop strategies to help mitigate the effects of these pressures, helping to create and maintain healthy and sustainable ecological systems. 

School of Geography and Development

Graduate students in the School of Geography, Development, and Environment (SGDE) benefit from the broad range of faculty expertise and strong links to interdisciplinary research centers across campus. Our work spans the discipline, from physical geography (climate science, dendrochronology, remote sensing, spatial science), to human-environment (political ecology, water policy, climate change) to human geography (development, state theory). Our shared commitment to collaboration and community makes for a lively and engaged department.

SGDE offers M.A. and Ph.D. degrees, two professional master’s degrees, and participates in several graduate certificate programs

 
College

College of Agriculture & Life Sciences

College of Social & Behavioral Sciences

 
Campus where offered

University of Arizona - Main - Tucson

 
Contacts
Admissions Contact
Debbie Cross
520-626-7634
Graduate Program Coordinator
Debbie Cross
520-626-7634
Director of Graduate Studies
Willem J van Leeuwen
520-626-0058
Graduate College Degree Counselor
Hayley Jean Kral
520-621-3484
 
Tuition and Fees
Please refer to the UA Bursar's Office Tuition and Fees Calculator for up-to-date information about tuition and fees. 
Please refer to the UA Registrar's's Office Special Course Fees for up-to-date information about special course fees. 

Admissions Information

Admissions Requirements

Degree seeking students currently enrolled in UArizona programs:
Apply online to the UArizona Graduate College as a Certificate seeking student. Your application fee will be waived.

Non-degree seeking students who are not currently attending the University of Arizona:
Apply online to the UArizona Graduate College as a Non-degree seeking student.

Once accepted for admission to the GIS Certificate Program, you must find a coursework advisor to help you select the courses you will take for your Plan of Study. Your advisor will approve your Plan of Study. Please see the list of potential coursework advising faculty on the Faculty and Advising tab on the SNRE website and contact those with interests similar to yours to see if they are willing to advise you. Your coursework advisor can offer guidance during your program and also assist you with identifying a good practicum advisor.
 

 
Standardized Tests

N/A

 

 
Funding Opportunities

Financial Aid (FAFSA) is not available for this program unless these courses will help you with admittance to a degree seeking program.  Please see the "Financial Aid Petition for Graduate Preparatory Work" form for more information.

 
Admissions Deadlines

Domestic Applicants and Currently Enrolled Students:  Applications are accepted on a year-round basis (rolling admissions).

International Applicants:  

March 1st for Fall international applicants.

August 1st deadline for Spring international applicants.

 
International Conditional Admission

International applicants may be considered for conditional admission to this program at the department's discretion.

Other Information
The GRE Institution Code for The University of Arizona is 4832

ETS Major Field Code(s) for this program: The GRE is not required for the GIS Certificate

Completion Requirements

Minimum Credit Units

17 

Core Coursework Requirements

Core Courses (eight units)

GEOG 516A: Computer Cartography, 3 units OR RNR 519: Cartographic Modeling for Natural Resources, 3 units

RNR 517: Geographic Information Systems for Natural and Social Sciences, 3 units

RNR 594/GEOG 594: Practicum, 2 units

 
Elective Coursework

Nine Units from the Following Electives

RNR 503: Applications of Geographic Information Systems, 3 units

GEOG 516A: Computer Cartography, 3 units

RNR 519: Cartographic Modeling for Natural Resources, 3 units

RNR 520: Advanced Geographic Information Systems - Prerequisite: RNR 517, 3 units 

RNR 522: Resource Mapping, 3 units

RNR 573: Spatial Analysis and Modeling - Prerequisite: RNR 517; a statistics course, 3 units

GEOG 516C: Urban Geographic Information Systems – Prereq.: GEOG/RNR 517 or consent of instructor, 3 units

GEOG 516E: Geovisualization - Prerequisite: GEOG 516A, GEOG/RNR 517 or consent of instructor, 3 units

GEOG 516F:  GIS for the Social Sciences – Prerequisite:  GEOG/RNR 417, 3 units

GEOG 583: Geographic Applications of Remote Sensing, 3 units

REM 590: Remote Sensing for the Study of Planet Earth, 3 units  

EPID 676 Spatial Epidemiology, 3 units

PLG 595A GeoDesigning Landscape Linkages, 3 units

LAR 570:  Introduction to GIS for Planning and Architecture, 3 units

LAR 623:  Landscape Planning Studio – Prerequisite:  LAR622 or consent of instructor, 3 units

ANTH 546A Mapping Ancient Cities, 3 units

 
Additional Requirements

A practicum/project is included in the core curriculum to ensure that each participant has the opportunity to apply the theories and methods presented in the core courses. Details and requirements will be determined with the faculty advisor. 

 
Student Handbook

Please refer to the Graduate Student Handbook for students who are pursuing this program of study.

 

Persistent link: https://grad.arizona.edu/catalog/programinfo/GISCRTG
Last revised 26 Aug 2022
The University of Arizona Graduate College
  • Graduate Catalog & Programs of Study
  • Graduate Admissions
  • Graduate Student Academic Services
  • Funding Resources
  • The Graduate Center
  • Policies
  • GradApp (Future Students)
  • GradPath (Current Students)
  • Toolkits
  • Contact Us
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
All content © 2013 - 2023 Arizona Board of Regents on behalf of the University of Arizona
Arizona's Commitment to Equity
University Information Security & Privacy