The University of Mary Washington offers a state-approved undergraduate certificate in Geographic Information Science. Known as the GISC, it is available to currently enrolled undergraduate students just like a minor – and to non-degree-seeking professionals as a stand-alone program.
Geographic Information Science is a continuously growing field with many opportunities in the northern Virginia-Washington, DC metro area, and along the I-95 corridor. This certificate addresses the demand for personnel trained in GIS. It adds a professional skill to any major. Built on a vision combining core theory with real-world applications to provide a state-of-the-art GIS educational experience, the certificate introduces students to a wide array of critical core functions in ArcGIS.
The certificate requires 19 credit hours of GIS course work, introducing students to advanced spatial analysis, python programming in ArcGIS, WebGIS, spatial statistics and modeling, image analysis and more. Students must maintain an overall 2.5 grade point average in certificate courses or have permission from the faculty advisor prior to registering for the final directed study or internship course.
Required classes are offering in the evening to accommodate working professionals and full-time students with scheduling conflict; many classes are also offered during the day. The certificate can be obtained solely through evening classes.
Important Links:
- Certificate Requirements are available here.
- How to apply for the GIS Certificate
- About the GISC Capstone
- GISC Capstone Examples
Completion of the certificate can lead to the GIS Professional (GISP) certification, which requires GIS field experience in addition to the course work. The credential, offered by the independent, non-profit GIS Certification Institute, recognizes individuals for having met specified standards for professional practice and ethical conduct. For more information, visit www.gisci.org
For more information about the certificate program, contact:
Jackie Gallagher, Geospatial Programs Coordinator, Department of Geography, 540/654-1493.