The United States Department of Labor has identified Geographic Information Science (GIS) as a key emerging and evolving industry with numerous opportunities as a career path.
"Across the country, tens of thousands of trained [geospatial] workers are needed to fill positions that are going begging." Quoted from GIS.COM
In 2006, the University of West Florida launched an innovative new 100% online program to bring a cutting-edge Geographic Information Science certificate to students around the country. Students are given remote access via the internet to all the required GIS and remote sensing software to conduct hands-on analysis. Students participate in online courses with instructors who are highly qualified in their field.
Upon completion of the program, students receive a University of West Florida certificate in Geographic Information Science and earn 24 undergraduate semester credit hours of college credit. Students with a bachelor’s degree can earn up to 12 hours of graduate credit and receive a graduate certificate in GIS. The certificate can be used to help fulfill a student’s educational requirement when applying for their GISP certification. Courses will transfer into several UWF undergraduate and graduate programs as well as programs outside of UWF. During the certificate students may specialize in Environmental Applications of GIS or Archaeological Applications of GIS.
Software Access: Students are required to have broadband internet access. Students will log into a remote server and have full access to ArcGIS, Visual Studio and Imagine.
