CERTIFICATE IN
Geographic Information Systems (GIS)

About the Program Why GIS? Certificate In GIS Admission Requirements & Applications Required Courses Faculty Facilities Contact Information Frequently Asked Questions Other Undergraduate Programs of Study in Geography

Why GIS?

Geographic Information Systems involves the theory and methodology of capturing, displaying, querying, analyzing, modifying, and storing digital information about human, physical, and environmental phenomena distributed on or near the Earth’s surface.   GIS is powerful because it brings together tools for working with geographic data in many different ways.  For example, with GIS you can display spatial information in maps, charts, or tables; investigate patterns, relationships, and details about places at different scales and in different map projects; or perform statistical analyses and database functions.

The application of GIS has extended to domains that range from physical to social sciences and from basic research to applied problem solving.    For example, GIS is used to plan school bus routes based on student residences; study water consumption patterns in arid areas; design noise abatement buffer zones around airports; profile bank customers by branch office; research changing wildlife habitats; model hurricane evacuation scenarios; analyze patterns of toxic waste in soils; and document archaeological sites and findings. 

The local and national job markets for GIS professionals are very strong and are expected to grow substantially in the foreseeable future.  GIS professionals work in a variety of settings, including the private sector (for example, logistics and market analysis), public sector at the local, state, and national levels, and in GIS software firms.  The Geography program at Texas State has been successful in placing undergraduate and graduate students in numerous employment areas that need skilled GIS professionals.  Employers are seeking individuals with the skills and knowledge required to solve the increasingly complex problems faced by today’s businesses and government agencies.  To meet these needs, Texas State Geography offers a Certificate in GIS.

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Certificate in GIS

The Certificate in Geographic Information Systems provides the necessary skills to apply GIS effectively and competently in a variety of areas. It consists of 16 undergraduate credit hours (GEO 2426. Fundamentals of GIS; GEO 2427, Management & Implementation of GIS OR GEO 3411. Map and Mapmaking OR GEO 3416 Principles of Remote Sensing; GEO 4426, Advanced GIS I; GEO 4427, Advanced GIS II) of GIS course work offered by the Texas State Geography Department. Completion is possible within a single, 12-month year. With permission, some course work may be transferred from another institution.

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Admission Requirements

• Complete Graduate College Master's application http://www.gradcollege.txstate.edu/Forms/Mastersapplication.pd (not Special Student application), $10.00 U.S. currency fee and formal transcript of credits.
• The department must approve the application before the student will be activated into the CATS registration system. Once approved, the student can register through CATS providing the prerequisites have been met.

A. Special Student Options
           (Certificate seeking student, non-degree status)

Option I. Completed college work with 2.25 GPA or higher

• Undergraduate Application: (Texas Common Application http://www.applytexas.org and select the non-degree special student option)
• $40.00 U.S. currency fee.
• Undergraduate Admissions Special Student Form
• must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.25 in previous university work
• must not be on suspension, dismissal, or enforced withdrawal at another institute of higher learning
• not eligible for financial aid
• Application for special student state must be made prior to registration, and student must reapply each semester. Initial application fee is $40.00 and each subsequent reapplication fee is $10.00. Reapplication must be made prior to registration; thus, it is recommended that the student reapply early in the semester to take advantage of advanced registration. Advanced registration will provide better selection of class lecture and lab times. Enrollment as an undergraduate special student is limited to the GIS courses and cannot exceed 24 credit hours.
• must clear TSI status. The Texas State TSIP office is located in ASBN 101; phone 512-245-3942 and Web site www.txstate.edu/tsip. If you have not been an Texas State student, your previous institution can provide your TSI record.
• approval must be granted by the Director of Admissions and the Department of Geography. Once approved, the student will be activated in the CATS registration system and may register for courses.

Option II. Completed High School Diploma or GED and have not been enrolled in any secondary or post-secondary for the last three years.

• Undergraduate Application: (Texas Common Application http://www.applytexas.org and select the non-degree special student opinion)
• $40.00 U.S. currency fee
• have a high school diploma or equivalent and not have been enrolled in any secondary or post-secondary institution for the last three years
• must not be on suspension, dismissal, or enforced withdrawal at another institution of higher learning
• not eligible for financial aid
• application for special student status must be made prior to registration, and student must reapply each semester. Initial application fee is $40.00, and each subsequent reapplication fee is $10.00. Reapplication must be made prior to registration; thus it is recommended that the student reapply early in the semester to take advantage of advanced registration. Advanced registration will provide better selection of class lecture and lab times. Enrollment as an undergraduate special student is limited to the GIS courses and cannot exceed 24 hours.
• must clear TSI status. The Texas State TSIP office is located in ASB 101; phone 512-245-3942 and Web site: http://www.txstate.edu/tsip/. If you have not been an Texas State student, your previous institution can provide your TSI record.
• approval must be granted by the Director of Admission and Department of Geography. Once approved, the student will be activated in the CATS registration system and may register for courses.

  B. Student with no prior college experience and completed high school less than three years ago (Degree-Seeking Status)

• required to meet General Admission requirements (Texas State Undergraduate Catalog 2006-2008, page 18) and must go through new-student orientation.
• Texas Common Application: (http://www.applytexas.org) for Freshman Admission including one essay and information on extracurricular activities, $40.00 application fee and all credentials by the required deadline.
• submit high school transcript with class rank and SAT or ACT
• take the SAT I or ACT and have your test results sent directly to Texas State
• complete the Texas Recommended High School Program
• Acceptance letter will be sent to the student. Once approved, the student will be activated in the CATS registration system and may register for courses.

Current Texas State students - non-Geography major

• Provide name and social security number to the staff advisor (jl06@.txstate.edu) or phone 512-245-0372).
• verify prerequisites requirements completed.

This course introduces students to Geographic Information Systems (GIS), which is a tool for integrating and analyzing spatial data to visualize relationships, seek explanations and develop solutions to pressing problems. Foundation and theory of GIS will be emphasized.

This course covers strategies for successful GIS management and implementation in an organization-wide context. The course is organized around four primary issues: implementation planning, data management, technology assessment and organizational setting. Prerequisite: GEO 2426.

OR

This course builds on the principles introduced in GEO 2426. It presents an in-depth examination of the technical aspects involved in spatial data handling, analysis, and modeling. Prerequisite: GEO 2427.

This course presents students with the opportunity to work as a team on a GIS project. Projects will be designed and conducted by the class. Students will develop and demonstrate competence in using GIS techniques in a substantive application. Prerequisite: GEO 4426.

•   No grade lower than a C in any of the required GIS courses
•   Minimum 2.5 overall GPA for the four required GIS courses

• No grade lower than a C in any of the required GIS courses.
• Minimum 2.5 overall GPA for the four required GIS courses.
• Only two courses can be given credit from other institutions and must be approved by Undergraduate Advisor.
• During last semester of the certificate program (GEO 4427), complete Application for Certification Completion form. (pdf format -- download by clicking the link or picking up in ELA 130)
• Students will receive a GIS certificate, and the completion of the certificate will be noted on the transcript.

This page was last modified on: Monday, October 29, 2007 4:20 PM