Mar 28, 2024  
Graduate Catalog | 2018-2019 
    
Graduate Catalog | 2018-2019 Previous Edition

Geographic Information Science and Technology, Graduate Certificate


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The Graduate Certificate in Geographic Information Science and Technology (GIS&T) program provides students in-depth training and education in GIS.  Students with different backgrounds (e.g., biology/ecology, geography, earth sciences, meteorology, engineering, social science, public health, and computer science) are exposed to knowledge in cutting-edge geospatial theory, methods, and technologies, including GIS, spatial analysis, remote sensing, cartography, and geovisualization.  Students develop geospatial skills that are of great help in their domain-specific problem-solving using state-of-the-art GIS. The GIS training that students receive from the graduate certificate program makes them highly competitive in their future careers in academic or industrial fields.

Admission Requirements


The certificate program is open to all applicants who either hold a bachelor’s degree from an accredited university or are enrolled and in good standing in a graduate degree program at UNC Charlotte.  Applications for admission are considered as they are received, and admissions are ongoing.  All students are admitted to the Graduate School in a special category for certificate programs. Students currently enrolled in the M.A. in Geography  program withiin the Department of Geography and Earth Sciences are also eligible to apply for the certificate.

To apply for the admission to the certificate program, applicants are required to submit: 

  • A completed Graduate Admissions application form to Graduate Admissions with a statement of professional goals
  • Three letters of recommendations from academic or professional sources
  • Scores of GRE (and TOEFL for international applicants)
  • GPA: In general, the department would prefer an overall undergraduate GPA above 3.0 (or a 3.0 for the last 2 years) on a 4.0 scale. However, averages less than these will not exclude applicants if the other elements of the application are strong
  • Official transcripts from all post-secondary educational institutions

Program Requirements


At least 12 total credit hours are required to obtain a Certificate in Geographic Information Science and Technology from the Department of Geography and Earth Sciences. Students are required to take the core course which focuses on the fundamentals of GIS&T and then three elective courses from the list below. 

Total = 12 Credit Hours


Grade Requirements


Students must earn a grade of C or above in all courses toward the certificate.

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