Department: Geography

The Geographic Information System (GIS) Foundations certificate is a 6-credit online graduate program where students integrate geography and data to better understand and address a wide range of problems in government, healthcare, urban planning, environmental conservation, infrastructure, law enforcement, insurance and other industries. Completion of the certificate positions graduates to sit for the Esri Fundamentals Foundation certification exam. The global market leader in GIS technology, Esri, identifies increased reliance on locational intelligence driving the increased demand in GIS skills across sectors, and data from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics shows GIS-related occupations projected to increase at a rate that is above average. The BSU GIS Foundations certificate consists of two blocks of instruction (two 3-credit courses) which can be completed in eight months. Each course has a series of special topics modules and requires students to develop a main deliverable project. Graduates will acquire knowledge of the newest GIS software and best practices for utilizing it in their area of work.