This 11-credit certificate program is designed to help you acquire cutting-edge skills that you can immediately apply in the workplace, and it fulfills the requirements of the first year of Penn State's world-class online master's degree program in GIS. The certificate program allows you to study around your own schedule, where and when it's most convenient for you.
Learn from Respected Leaders in the Field
Interact online with attentive educators from one of the nation's top-rated graduate programs in geographic information science.
Advance to the Cutting Edge
Gain first-hand experience with the most up-to-date tools and techniques available in the field of GIS today.
GIS Certified Professionals Track
The Certified Professionals Track enables certified or licensed professionals to earn the GIS certificate by taking more elective courses and fewer prescribed courses. Certified GIS professionals, mapping scientists, photogrammetrists, and licensed professional surveyors may take the first professional course in GEOG 864: Professionalism in Geographic Information Science and Technology. This course addresses the legal and ethical issues that confront practitioners in the geospatial field.
Following the professionalism course, certified professionals may self select out of GEOG 483, if they feel comfortable that they possess the required skills. Self-assesment simply requires a visit to the GEOG 483 final project page. Students may also request a waiver of GEOG 484 by successfully demonstrating mastery of the final project. Students who earn waivers will not earn academic credit, but will be allowed to substitute electives for required classes. You may direct all related questions to our GIS faculty.
GIS Professional Development Courses
Penn State offers over 25 instructor-led online courses in which geospatial professionals may enroll to fulfill continuing professional development requirements. For questions about enrolling in a single, professional development course, e-mail us today.
- GEOG 497D: Lidar Technology and Applications
- GEOG 587: Conservation GIS
- GEOG 588: Planning GID for Emergency Management
- GEOG 597K: GIS for Analysis of Health
- GEOG 860: Comparative GIS
- GEOG 861: Map Projections for Geospatial Professionals
- GEOG 862: GPS and GNSS for Geospatial Professionals
- GEOG 863: Mashups for Geospatial Professionals
- GEOG 864: Professionalism in Geographic Information Science and Technology
A calendar of these and other course offerings is available at our course schedule page.
Paul Thur