GIS Education – 10 Colleges Offering Suggested Programs in GIS

The GISuser LinkedIn Group is a popular social resource with more than 6,000 participating GIS professionals and growing strong. Recently, a discussion thread has been quite active, resulting in dozens of comments from members. Members have been commenting and providing tips and leads on their favorite, suggested GIS programs at Colleges and Universities around the Globe. The following are just 10 of the suggested programs – stay tuned for more to come.

And so, in no particular order, here are 10 Academic institutions offering GIS programs (post-grad, certificate, and under-grad) that anyone considering advancing their edu background might wish to consider. Care to offer up a suggestion? If so simply email editor at gisuser dot com

University of Georgia, Technical Geography Certification Program
The Geographic Information Science Certificate Program is designed to prepare undergraduates with the basic training necessary to enter the rapidly expanding field of geographic information science (GIS). There are three components to the curriculum: a set of prerequisite courses to gain entry to the program, a set of core courses required of all students enrolled in the certificate program, and a set of elective courses that permit exploration of more advanced themes in GIS and/or development of individual research projects or internships in GIS.

Symbiosis Institute of Geoinformatics(SIG)
Symbiosis Institute of Geoinformatics(SIG) The SIG was launched in August 2004, with a vision to create potential trained human resource to meet the future demand of this slowly developing technology, for the welfare of the industry and the society at large. SIG opens up a virtually, limitless potential for successful careers in the Corporate Sector, through a range of exciting applications of Geo-spatial technology, with dawn of every day in this era of globalization in the modern world, Geoinformatics is finding a burgeoning market through wide ranging applications in diverse fields in the corporate sector.

Hunter College of The City University of New York
BA, Masters & PhD in Geography as well a GIS certificate program. The Department of Geography at Hunter College of The City University of New York offers courses in human geography, physical geography, geographic techniques and methods, and geology. A degree in geography can lead to employment with corporations, local and national governments, international agencies, consultants, and computer companies.

University of California – Santa Barbara – Department of Geography
The University supports a broad-based educational program in GIS with a range of undergraduate courses as well as facilities and faculty to support masters and doctoral graduate students working in both theoretical and applied aspects of GIS and related fields.

GIS at Penn State University – Continuing Education Certificate in Geospatial Information Systems (GIS)
Gain the technical skills you need to make you more marketable in your career. Whether your goal is to become a GIS professional, cartographer, or database administrator, or you’re just looking to gain GIS-related skills to advance your career potential, this certificate can help you get there.

Central Oregon Community College
From a reader… "I went through the program in 1996 and have achieved every goal I have set for my self in the GIS industry. I have hired staff from this program over the years and have always been very happy with knowledge and performance. They also have a one year certificate for stuents who have already achieved a bachelors degree"

San Francisco State University – Department of Geography
Certificate program in GIS – San Francisco State University’s GIS Certificate Program provides students with broad exposure to principles and applications of GIS. The programs overall structure is designed to teach students who only have a basic knowledge of the field from the ground up. Certificate requirements are intended to parallel skills needed by GIS professionals.

California State University- Northridge – Department of Geography
At CSUN, students of geography can specialize in environmental geography, geomorphology, climatology, cartography, geographic information systems (GIS), cultural, and human geography. In addition, the department frequently offers online courses. The faculty also offer regional courses focusing on California, the United States, Canada, Latin America, Europe, China, and Southeast Asia.

Texas State University – San Marcos – Department of Geography Certificate in GIS
The certificate in GIS provides the necessary skills to apply GIS effectively and competently in a variety of areas. It consists of 16 undergraduate credit hours of GIS course work

University of Redlands Certificate in GIS
designed for professionals seeking to enhance their knowledge of analysis, management, and communication of geographic information. It combines the development of strong technical skills and in-depth understanding of geographic information science and theory.