GIS Graduate Certificate Program
Requirements
To meet the 13 credits requirement, students should choose one of the options (A or B) and complete the following GIS coursework:
Option A
3 credits (1 course) from the pool of Foundations of GIS courses
6 credits (2 courses) from the pool of GIS Tools and Techniques courses
3 credits (1 course) from the pool of GIS Application courses
1 credit of GIS Seminar
Option B
3 credits (1 course) from the pool of Foundations of GIS courses
9 credits (3 courses) from the pool of GIS Tools and Techniques courses
1 credit of GIS Seminar
Ideally, students can complete the certificate program in three (3) semesters or less depending on course availability in the summer. Qualified students can enter the program in the fall, spring or summer during the academic year. The following schedule is suggested as a means of accomplishing the certificate program.
- Fall Semester (beginning semester)
3 credits (1 course) from the pool of Foundations of GIS courses- Spring Semester
6 credits (2 courses) from the pool of GIS Tools and Techniques courses- Fall Semester (ending semester)
3 credits (1 course) from the pool of GIS Application courses and 1 credit of GIS Seminar
To be admitted into the GIS Graduate Certificate Program, prospective students should meet one of the following admission standards:
- Current Iowa State graduate students.
- New graduate applicants holding a bachelor’s degree or higher are required to meet the same standards as for full admission as stipulated in the Iowa State University Graduate College Handbook (e.g., top half of undergraduate graduating class, etc.). Provisional or restricted entry may be considered.
- Qualified Iowa State undergraduate students can also participate in the GIS Certificate program. They can take up to 9 credits of graduate courses (beyond the requirements of their undergraduate degree) and, with the approval of the ISU GIS Certificate Program Committee, apply them to the GIS Certificate. After completing their undergraduate degree, they should enroll as a graduate student and finish the remaining certificate requirements.
- To be eligible for the concurrent degree, a student must have a minimum GPA of 3.25.
For more information about the GIS Graduate Certificate Program, please contact:
Monica Haddad
Professor
Department of Community and Regional PlanningIowa State University
583 College of Design