The Department of Geosciences at the University of West Georgia offers a 15-19 hour course of study leading to a Geographic Information Systems Certificate. The GIS Certificate is designed to meet the needs of students and community. The GIS Certificate program aims at providing non-traditional students and field professionals with updated GIS knowledge and skills for further enhancement of their GIS career. It also aims at providing traditional students with a set of practical GIS skills to access the GIS market.

For more information, please see the Academic Catalog.

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The graduate level professional certificate in Geographic Information Science is designed to provide individuals who require GIS technology in their professional lives the skills to acquire, process, analyze, and appropriately display geographic data.

Career Opportunities

Link to Additional Career Information:
https://www.buzzfile.com/Major/Geography External Resource

Program Location

Online

Method of Delivery

100% online

Accreditation

The University of West Georgia is accredited by The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).

Credit and transfer

Total semester hours required: 15
Maximum Hours Transferable into program: 0*
*No credits can be transferred

Graduate students may be able to reduce their cost through prior learning, previous degrees earned at UWG, or transfer credits. We have created a tool to help students estimate their tuition costs.                

This program is offered entirely online. Though a student may choose to sign-up for a face-to-face elective or core course, one can earn this degree completely online.

Save money

UWG is often ranked as one of the most affordable accredited university of its kind, regardless of the method of delivery chosen. In addition, online courses and programs can mean a huge cost-savings in many non-evident ways: No more high gas charges. No childcare needed. The flexibility can allow one to maintain a job while attending school. Regardless of state residency, out-of-state non-resident students are not charged non-resident tuition for online course credit hours.

Details

  • Total tuition costs and fees may vary, depending on the instructional method of the courses in which the student chooses to enroll.
  • The more courses a student takes in a single term, the more they will typically save in fees and total cost.
  • Face-to-Face or partially online courses are charged at the general tuition rate and all mandatory campus fees, based on the student's residency (non-residents are charged at a higher rate).
  • Fully or entirely online course tuition rates and fees my vary depending on the program. Students enrolled in exclusively online courses do not pay non-Resident rates.
  • Together this means that GA residents pay about the same if they take all face-to-face or partially online courses as they do if they take only fully online courses exclusively; while non-residents save money by taking fully online courses.
  • One word of caution: If a student takes a combination of face-to-face and online courses in a single term, they will pay both all mandatory campus fees and the higher eTuition rate.
  • For the cost information, as well as payment deadlines, see the Student Accounts and Billing Services website

There are a variety of financial assistance options for students, including scholarships and work study programs. Visit the Office of Financial Aid's website for more information.

Coursework

Required courses:
Students must take the following two courses: (8 credit hours total)

  • GEOG 5553 Geographic Information Systems (4 cr.)
  • GEOG 5563 Remote Sensing (4 cr.)
Electives:
Students must take two from the following courses: (7-8 credit hours total)
  • GEOG 5086 Internship (3 cr. maximum)
  • GEOG 5551 Introduction to GIS and Mapping Science (3 cr.)
  • GEOG 5554 Computer Cartography (4 cr.)
  • GEOG 5562 Airphoto Interpretation & Photogrammetry (4 cr.)
  • GEOG 6082 Directed Problems (3 cr.)
  • GEOG 6446 Special Topics (4 cr.)
  • GEOG 6677 Image Processing (4 cr.)
  • GEOG 6753 Advanced GIS and Spatial Analysis (4 cr.)
  • GEOG 6755 GIS Database Design (4 cr.)
  • GEOG 6757 Programming and Customization in GIS (4 cr.)
  • GEOG 6893 Practicum in GIS (4 cr.)
All courses are delivered via the Web. The Certificate will be issued to the students who complete all required courses with B or better grades. Students must contact the Graduate Coordinator at the College of Science and Mathematics during the first two weeks of the last semester of their study in order to receive the Certificate.

General

An introduction to GIS, mapping and geospatial sciences. Topics include introductory GIS, map projections, land partitioning systems, map reading, map analysis, GPS, map making, aerial photography, and remote sensing. This course will guide students to GIS, mapping sciences and emerging geospatial technologies.

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An introduction to the use of Geographic Information Systems, including GIS theory, data input, spatial analysis, and final output. Project required.

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Instruction and practice in the technique of computer-assisted map design and production. Students will design various digital maps with GIS datasets and images. Project required.

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Study on air photo interpretation and photogrammetry. Topics include digital airphotos, correcting airphoto distortions, othophoto generation, stereoscopy and DEM generation, airphoto interpretation techniques, and mapping with airphotos. Project required.

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Remote sensing of land, ocean, and atmosphere, including the response of earth materials to electromagnetic radiation; sensors and systems for earth observations; interpretation of imagery; mapping for environmental assessment, resource exploration, oceanographic, and other applications.

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Directed research with GIS and/or geospatial technologies.

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This course covers special topics to meet contemporary needs of GIS technologies and applications. A range of topics including, but not limited to, environmental GIS, planning GIS, enterprise GIS, LiDAR, Web-GIS, Voluntary GIS, neocartography, or military GIS applications may be taught through this course.

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Instruction and practice in the technique of digital image handling and analysis. Students will use airborne and satellite imagery to detect various features and changes. Project required.

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An advanced course in GIS and geospatial data analysis. Topics include enterprise GIS applications, spatially-enabled RDBMS, advanced issues in GIS, organizational issues, GIS modeling, geostatistics, and contemporary geospatial techniques. Project required.

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This is an advanced course in GIS databases and enterprise GIS database implementation. It is focused on the creation and administration of GIS databases. It introduces the concepts of database structure and the integration of spatial and attribute data. Topics include metadata creation, database development, querying, and administration.

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This is an advanced course in GIS focusing on application development and customization. Programming languages are used to develop GIS applications. In this course students will gain a solid understanding of the fundamentals of customization and programming in a GIS environment.

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This is an applied practicum that fosters effective use of GIS. Students who successfully complete the course are able to create, manipulate, and manage geographic data to perform analysis tasks, to visualize geographic data, and to use geographic data analyses to support decision making. This course is designed to equip students with skills needed in the geospatial field. At least 16 credit hours from the program of study is required for registration.

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Shea Rose, Ph.D.

Shea Rose, Ph.D.

Professor of Geography (Atmospheric Science Focus)

Jeong Seong, Ph.D.

Jeong Seong, Ph.D.

Professor of Geography

Guidelines for Admittance

  • All graduate applicants must complete the online Grad Application. A one-time application fee of $40 is required.
  • Applicants should also review the Graduate Studies Website for individual program specific requirements and tasks that must be completed prior to admission. See Graduate Studies Application Process.
  • International applicants are subject to additional requirements and application deadlines. See Procedures for International Students.
  • Official transcripts from a regionally or nationally accredited institution are required and should be sent directly to the UWG Admissions Office.

Program Specific Admittance Guidelines

The GIS Certificate is open to all professionals and current students who have a bachelor's degree. Any bachelor's degree meets the requirement of admission. Prospective students must apply for the admission to the non-degree seeking graduate program as described in the Graduate Catalog. 

While the Department of Geosciences currently does not offer a masters degree program, should a student decide to apply to a masters program after successfully completing the certificate program, a maximum of nine (9) graduate semester hours may be applied toward a masters degree within six (6) years of completion and award of the certificate. Students must apply and be accepted to a masters program before completion of their ninth (9) graduate semester hour toward the certificate.

The GIS Certificate program does not require either TOEFL or GRE.

Application Deadlines

Specific Graduate Admissions Deadlines are available via the Graduate School

* Application, app fee, and document deadline

See The Scoop for more specific deadlines.

Admission Process Checklist

The Graduate Studies Application Process checklist is available here

Contact

Graduate Admissions
Phone: 678-839-1394
Email: graduate@westga.edu

Program Coordinator
Dr. Jeong C. Seong
Phone: 678-839-4069
Email: jseong@westga.edu

Specific dates for Admissions (Undergraduate Only), Financial Aid, Fee Payment, Registration, Start/End of Term Dates, Final Exams, etc. are available in THE SCOOP.

Specific Graduate Admissions Deadlines are available via the Graduate School

  • Demonstrate competence in mapping and/or visualization of geospatial data
  • Demonstrate competence in managing geospatial data
  • Demonstrate competence in analyzing geospatial data
  • Demonstrate competence in working with GIS tools
  • Demonstrate understanding of using geospatial techniques for spatial decision making