Program Overview

Major ID: 385C

Program Start Dates: Fall, Spring, Summer - only GISC 1785  

In order to be admitted to the Geographic Information Science certificate program, the student must have completed an associate degree or baccalaureate degree, or receive instructor approval if currently pursuing an associate degree in another discipline.

The Geographic Information Science certificate program is designed to introduce students to fundamental concepts in GIS and prepare them for entry level positions in various industries that require some knowledge and understanding of GIS. Students completing the GIS certificate program will learn how to solve problems and support the decision making process by collecting, viewing, manipulating, and mapping digital spatial data. There will be ample opportunities in the classes for students to pursue independent GIS projects related to their interests.

Career Opportunities

Duties for most positions requiring skills obtained from the GIS Certificate program are highly variable. Some employees spend much of their time working in an office with cutting-edge GIS software, but others are outside in the field most of the time providing support for data collection activities. For instance, in a retail setting, employees may provide technical insight for modeling the most appropriate location of new stores based on a variety of variables such as distance to existing stores, population density, and demographics. In an environmental science setting, employees may identify and map locations of invasive species or provide support in developing a watershed analysis geared to improve water quality.

Most employment opportunities relevant to the GIS Certificate will be listed under a wide range of specialties in various sectors (e.g., environment field technician, business support analyst, computer programmer, etc.) where GIS is not mentioned in the title, but is a preferred skill. The opportunity you are best suited for will be shaped by your previous and ongoing education and work experience.

Program Outcomes

1. Basic skills for working with digital spatial data in a GIS environment. This includes a fundamental understanding of rasters, vectors, map projections, coordinate systems, and cartography.
2. Solid understanding of ArcGIS from ESRI.
3. Working knowledge of Trimble GPS units.

Program Faculty

Kirk Stueve
kirk.stueve@saintpaul.edu