MASTER OF SCIENCE IN APPLIED GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SYSTEMS
The M.S. in Applied Geographic Information Systems (GIS) is a 2-year, 30-credit hour program designed to prepare graduates for geospatial technology leadership roles in government, business, sustainability, non-profit agencies, and other settings. This program is unique in that it combines technical expertise in GIS with applications in outside concentrations including sustainability, public relations, leadership, American studies, natural sciences, business administration, and criminal justice that aid in preparing future leaders and program managers.
The practical approach of the M.S. in Applied GIS provides graduates with opportunities to further develop their problem solving, critical thinking, project management, and communication skills in order to investigate and provide solutions for today’s most pressing local and regional issues. Currently there is strong demand for GIS professionals with graduate degrees as many industries and organizations will continue to expand their use of GIS technology. Emerging markets such as self-driving cars, smart home technology and the widespread availability of drone technology will contribute to the continued growth of GIS. Jobs in geographic systems and technology have competitive salaries, especially for those with post graduate education who take technical and project management positions. The M.S. in Applied GIS equips graduates with the geospatial technology tools, skills, and experience to be career-ready leaders in the field of applied GIS.
Student Learning Outcomes
- Design and manage spatial databases
- Implement project management techniques
- Apply scripting techniques to automate geospatial processes
- Assess the suitability of diverse information sources for GIS applications
- Apply geospatial knowledge, techniques, theories, and methods to solve emerging problems in concentration areas
- Effectively communicate geographic ideas, concepts, and results via written, oral, and cartographic methods
Masters of Science in Applied GIS
Total credits for earning degree: 30
Expected completion: 2 years
The master’s degree in Applied GIS is designed for professionals and recent graduates who are seeking skills to prepare for geospatial technology leadership roles in government, healthcare, business, and other settings. The program combines coursework in GIS to advance skills with courses in application domains for effective leadership.
The program is designed for students with GIS work experience and/or course work in GIS. The curriculum consists of 15 credit hours of core courses in GIS, 9 credit hours in an outside concentration area and 6 credit hours in either (1) a thesis or (2) a practicum and capstone.
Core Courses: Core courses are project based and include Advanced Computer Cartography, Field Techniques in GIS, Advanced Geospatial Technologies, Advanced GIS & Spatial Analysis, Advanced Automation & Scripting.
Outside Concentration: The outside concentration provides students with an understanding of issues and a working vocabulary to be able to effectively support GIS and geospatial technology needs in an allied field. This requirement may be met by graduate coursework in Geography and Sustainability or graduate level professional enhancement coursework in Natural Sciences, Business Administration, Public Relations, Leadership, American Studies or Criminal Justice.
Masters of Science in Applied GIS
Total credits for earning degree: 30
Expected completion: 2 years
The master’s degree in Applied GIS is designed for professionals and recent graduates who are seeking skills to prepare for geospatial technology leadership roles in government, healthcare, business, and other settings. The program combines coursework in GIS to advance skills with courses in application domains for effective leadership.
The program is designed for students with GIS work experience and/or course work in GIS. The curriculum consists of 15 credit hours of core courses in GIS, 9 credit hours in an outside concentration area and 6 credit hours in either (1) a thesis or (2) a practicum and capstone.
Core Courses: Core courses are project based and include Advanced Computer Cartography, Field Techniques in GIS, Advanced Geospatial Technologies, Advanced GIS & Spatial Analysis, Advanced Automation & Scripting.
Outside Concentration: The outside concentration provides students with an understanding of issues and a working vocabulary to be able to effectively support GIS and geospatial technology needs in an allied field. This requirement may be met by graduate coursework in Geography and Sustainability or graduate level professional enhancement coursework in Natural Sciences, Business Administration, Public Relations, Leadership, American Studies or Criminal Justice.
Required Core Courses - 15 hours
Accelerated B.A. Geography and Sustainability Studies to M.S. Applied Geographic Information Systems
Note: Please refer to Accelerated Bachelor’s to Master’s Degree Program for complete information concerning Accelerated Bachelor’s to Master’s Degree Programs. Refer to the Undergraduate Catalog for bachelor’s degree requirements.
IMPORTANT:
- Students admitted to the Accelerated B.A. Geography and Sustainability Studies to M.S. Applied Geographic Information Systems degree program will complete 12 hours of graduate level credit to apply toward both the undergraduate and graduate degrees.
- Students who do not follow the approved degree plan may become ineligible to continue in the accelerated degree program.
- Prior to completing the undergraduate degree, if the undergraduate GPA, graduate GPA and/or overall GPA fall below a 3.00, the student becomes ineligible to continue in the ADP.
- Students may withdraw from an approved accelerated degree pathway. Graduate credit hours completed prior to the student withdrawing or becoming ineligible to continue in the ADP apply toward the undergraduate degree only.
ADP Paired Courses
| GEOG 4053 - Cartography | GEOG 5053 - Advanced Computer Cartography |
| GEOG 4803 - Geospatial Technologies | GEOG 5803 - Advanced Geospatial Technologies |
| GEOG 4833 - Advanced GIS | GEOG 5833 - Advanced GIS and Spatial Analysis |
| GEOG 4853 - GIS Automation and Scripting | GEOG 5853 Advanced Automation and Scripting |
Advanced Geographic Information Systems Embedded Certificate
Location(s): Online, Tahlequah
OSRHE Program Code: 200
CIP Code: 450702
Certificate Code: 9325
Master of Science in Advanced Geographic Information Systems Embedded Certificate
The graduate GIS certificate is designed to provide students with the same technological expertise in GIS and Geospatial technology as the master’s program without the coursework in an outside concentration and the practicum/capstone or thesis.
At least 25 percent of the coursework applied to this embedded certificate must be satisfactorily completed at NSU.
Student Learning Outcomes
- Design and manage spatial databases.
- Implement project management techniques.
- Apply scripting techniques to automate geospatial processes.
- Assess the suitability of diverse information sources for GIS applications.
Required Courses - 12 hours
Degree Available At
- Online
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Career Services
What Can I Do With A Master's Degree in Applied Geographic Information Systems?
- GIS Analyst
- Epidemiologist
- Cartographer
- Urban Planner
- Geospatial Logistics Analysis
- Multi-discipline Researcher
- Environmental Scientist
- Geoscientist
- Geospatial Intelligence Analyst
- Oil & Natural Gas Spatial Analyst
- Business Locational Analyst
- Utilities GIS Specialist
Program Chair:
Did You Know?
“GIS and satellites are not only used to observe earth, they are also being used to analyze the surface of other planets. In fact, GIS was instrumental in mapping out the surface of mars and paved the way for rovers to eventually land on its surface.” (Cityworks.com)
Program Requirements
- 2.5 GPA or 2.75 in the last 60 hrs
- Completion of foundational prerequisites or their equivalent.
Application Deadline
Open Year Round
*Fees include: facility fee, student activity fee, infrastructure fee, cultural/scholastic lecturer fee, student ID fee, technology services fee and remedial course fee, if applicable. NSU courses taught at off campus locations or online might have additional fees assessed. These totals are tuition and fee estimations per program based on the current catalog year. Books, supplies and some fees may not be included.
Minority Students
$48,195,863
Total Aid Disbursed in 2020-2021
1,471
Bachelors Degrees Awarded Last Year
