GIS Graduate Certificate

Program Details

Next Start Date: January 8

Credit Hours: 12

Course Length: 8 weeks

Estimated Program Length: 12 months

The University of West Florida’s online Graduate Certificate in Geographic Information Science is a student-centered program emphasizing the latest GIS trends with relevant, up-to-date content that uses the ArcGIS Pro software.

Why Study GIS at UWF?

Whether you are a working professional or working from home, the online GIS Graduate Certificate program provides the flexibility you need to advance your career in this fast-paced, growing field. Because GIS is a constantly evolving field, it is imperative to stay up-to-date with the latest technology.

With expert faculty who have extensive GIS experience, your coursework goes beyond simple how-to guides to ensure you have the skills needed to improve your current work or to begin entry-level positions in GIS. In fact, we are constantly developing and updating our course content to meet the needs of the industry and to stay up-to-date with the latest versions of all software. Expectations are reviewed upfront, so you can expect transparency and consistency in course load and required technology. Our expert faculty will guide you through tools including ArcGIS Pro, and Python programming—required software is available remotely, eliminating the need to buy and install expensive programs. Faculty offer weekly virtual meetings and one-on-one advising where you can ensure you are on track. When it comes to your internship, we will help connect you with partners and advisory board members who will find the right position for you

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What You Will Learn

Extending beyond GIS software, our GIS graduate certificate program provides a solid background in the fundamentals of geography and geospatial science. Your coursework will apply to many different disciplines, including geography, environmental sciences, urban planning, archaeology, business, defense and intelligence, information technology services and public health/safety in the information age. With your knowledge from the GIS graduate certificate program, you can increase your salary or advance your career in a shorter time frame than a full degree.

Most of our graduates obtain a career in the field after they finish the program. You will be marketable as a GIS technician, GIS analyst and GIS manager in several industries including geography, environmental sciences, archaeology, business, information technology services, defense and intelligence and public health/safety.

By completing this certificate, you will be able to:

Recognize and practice using GIS technologies
Analyze and interpret large amounts of data collected by GIS technologies
Gain real-world experience through a required GIS internship

Courses

Master's in GIS Administration Option

Completing the GIS Graduate Certificate program satisfies the foundation requirement for the MS GIS Administration degree at UWF plus six credit hours of GIS Core course requirements. It also makes it possible for the qualified applicant to complete the MS GIS Administration degree at UWF in no more than two years.

Note: Florida state employees are eligible to receive the state employee tuition waiver for the UWF GIS graduate certificate.

Courses & Requirements

To complete the 12 credit hour online GIS Graduate Certificate program, you must complete four Foundational Proficiencies courses including geographic information systems, cartography and photography and remote sensing. Core and foundational courses provide expertise in GIS programming, archaeological impacts and special topics of your choice.

In order to participate in our online GIS courses, students must have access to their own laptop or personal computer, speakers, microphone or headset, and consistent broadband internet access (high-speed). A mouse is highly recommended for those using a laptop.
Access to required software is provided through Argo Apps for GIS virtual machines.
Consistent access to the internet is required to participate in online courses.
Optionally, students may install ArcGIS Pro software locally which is used in all GIS certificate courses. Students’ computers should meet the minimal hardware requirements for Esri ArcGIS Pro software (see the most current version of the software). Please note: ArcGIS Pro runs natively on Windows OS. Mac users can use ArcGIS Pro on Argo Apps or run ArcGIS Pro via Bootcamp.
Previous knowledge or experience in GIS is not required but it’s important to possess both Minimal Technology Skills and Requirements and Basic Computer Skills for GIS. This is a very technical program and we will not have time to teach basic skills.
Certain aspects of GIS software require students to have sight and hand-eye coordination (certain abilities) to practice GIS and use the software (any GIS software). If you have a disability that impacts full participation in a course please contact Student Accessibility Resources at 850.474.2387 or by email at sar@uwf.edu for additional support.
All materials and communication will be conducted in the English language. A guide for GIS students on how to Get Help Faster is provided as part of the GIS User Training to demonstrate good communication in our online courses. Instructors may request a specific communication protocol for their courses which will be provided on the course syllabus or course site. Adhering to basic computer ethics and professionalism is expected.

Candidates are expected to have completed the equivalent of the following foundational proficiency courses. Courses that are not compliant with UWF’s 6-year time-to-degree policy must be reviewed to determine proficiency. Foundation courses and core courses may be taken concurrently pending department approval.

Foundational Proficiencies (12 credit hours)

GIS 5050 & 5050L - Geographic Information Systems and Geographic Information Systems Lab
GIS 5007 & 5007L - Computer Cartography and Computer Cartography Lab
GIS 5027 & 5027L - Aerial Photography and Remote Sensing and Aerial Photography and Remote Sensing Lab

Core Courses (12 credit hours)

GIS 5103 - GIS Programming
GIS 5100 - Applications in Geographic Information Systems
GIS 5935 - Special Topics in Geographic Science

Choose one of the following (3 credit hours)

GIS 5945 - GIS Internship
GIS 6905 - GIS Directed Study

To be considered for admission to the University of West Florida’s online GIS Certificate program, you must be admitted to the University as a graduate degree or non-degree-seeking student.

How to Apply

To begin the online Graduate Certificate in Geographic Information Science, interested students need to fill out a graduate non-degree-seeking student application and upload the additional required materials listed below.

Current UWF graduate students interested in completing the graduate certificate are not required to complete the non-degree seeking application but will need to contact the GIS academic advisor to review their degree audit and initiate the declaration of the certificate process.

In addition to the University admission requirements, the department bases decisions for regular admission on a holistic review of credentials. You should also:

Proof of a Bachelor’s degree from a post-secondary institution accredited by an agency recognized by the United States Department of Education. If you’ve taken college GIS courses at an accredited institution, submit relevant course syllabi for consideration for foundational GIS course credit. Normally, transfer courses cannot be used to satisfy the core course requirements for completion of a graduate certificate
Submit a letter of intent demonstrating graduate-level motivation and writing abilities. Discuss relevant experience and reasons for pursuing the certificate program, including how the certificate relates to career goals.
Resume or CV
Agree to possess the prerequisite skills, hardware, access, and abilities for GIS
International non-degree seeking applicants must meet the English proficiency requirement established by the University

Have questions about this program or the admissions process? Contact the GIS team at gisonline@uwf.edu.

Full Course Descriptions Registration Requirements

Careers & Outcomes

With a GIS Certificate, you can go on to other degree programs or pursue advancement in a variety of careers.

Job Titles

Geographers
Cartographers and Photogrammetrists
Geoscientists
Surveying and Mapping Technicians
GIS Analysts

Career Outlook

5 million US employees rely on geospatial services to do their job on a regular basis
GIS and the related geospatial economy has a yearly global value of $350 billion
The median salary for GIS professionals in the US is $74,000

Source: Esri, 2023

Tuition Rate Per Credit Hour

GIS Online Graduate Certificate Tuition
Component	Cost	Total
Tuition	$630.00 per credit hour	$7,560.00
Tuition (with Foundational Proficiencies)	$630.00 per credit hour	$15,120.00

Time to completion varies by student, depending on individual progress and credits transferred, if applicable. Fees are charged per semester unless otherwise noted.

Refer to UWF Cost of Attendance Estimates and Financial Literacy for more information on UWF costs and financial aid.

* Tuition and fees are subject to change.

Military & Financial Aid

Military & Veterans

The UWF Military & Veterans Resource Center (MVRC) serves as the campus advocate for military, dependents and veteran students. Contact the MVRC to learn more about the various military and veteran education assistance or tuition waiver opportunities and eligibility requirements.

UWF Financial Assistance

The University of West Florida provides eligible students with an alternative to paying the full amount of tuition at the beginning of each term in the form of an installment payment plan or a short-term loan. See more about Financial Aid and Education Funding Opportunities.

UWF GeoData Center

UWF is the only University in Florida designated as an ESRI Development Center (EDC). The EDC program confers special status and benefits upon a select few leading university departments that challenge their students to develop innovative applications based upon the ArcGIS platform. Learn more about current GIS student projects and research opportunities available with the UWF GeoData Center.