Geographic Information Systems
Would you like to establish yourself in geographic information systems (GIS) practice but are not yet ready to commit to a full graduate program? The Graduate Certificate in Geographic Information Systems is for you! This certificate provides students with a graduate level academic credential in advanced geospatial information science and geographic information systems applications.
Building on NC State's strengths in technology, computational methods, and GIS, this program provides professional, graduate-level academic preparation in the advanced application of GIS technologies to a wide spectrum of disciplines, including economics, public health, emergency planning and response, land use planning, environmental resources and more. The certificate, which is also available to current NC State students enrolled in non-GIS graduate programs, is often used as a stepping stone in the Master of Geospatial Information Science and Technology.
Eligibility
Admission to the certificate program requires a baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university with at least a 3.0 GPA. Students with less than a 3.0 undergraduate GPA may still be considered for provisional admission based on the remaining criteria, including other graduate coursework. These determinations will be made on a case-by-case basis. All applicants must submit:
- Transcript showing bachelor's degree conferred
- A clear and concise personal statement/statement of interest
- A resume/CV
For students already enrolled in another graduate program at NC State: You can apply for the certificate by reaching out to the program contact and completing an internal application prior to enrolling in your first certificate course or during the semester in which you enroll in your first certificate course.
Students can be admitted to the program in the fall or spring academic terms.
Plan of Study
The Graduate Certificate in Geographic Information Systems (GIS) requires 12 credit hours. Six credit hours are core required courses and 6 hours are electives. The curriculum is designed to provide a well-rounded education to students seeking to increase their basic GIS credentials with a focus on the fundamentals and applications of GIS and skill building. A final GPA of 3.0 or greater is required at the time of graduation to receive the certificate.
Visit the courses webpage for specific course requirements.
Career Prospects
GIS careers exist in every imaginable discipline, including environmental science, mining, urban planning, commercial businesses, and defense. Practitioners use GIS to visualize, analyze, and model systems to help their organizations plan and make decisions. GIS is a burgeoning field, used across government, commercial, and educational organizations. Jobs and salaries vary widely by region, nation, discipline, and experience.
