Gis online programs

Our program offers over 30 online classes to help you fulfill your continuing professional development requirements. Skip to main content. Professional Development The geospatial industry is a fast-growing field. Students and their advisors develop a unique program of study that meets research and career goals. Qualified students are invited to contact the Geography department at University at Buffalo directly in order to make further inquiries.

Because of the practical nature of the work, there will be an academic and research element to the course but the coursework will be largely practical. Students will need to demonstrate a sound knowledge of GIS theory and practice.

They will be expected to demonstrate practical knowledge of mapping and basic cartography, as well as GIS as a discipline, particularly: how to plot vectors and nodes, how to produce overlays, import data tables and how to manipulate and effectively display the text. Whichever software the student uses with ArcGIS and MapInfo being the most popular and most likely , they will need to show that they understand how to use the software and produce maps for publications.

This requires an element of creative skill too; graphic design experts and CAD technicians should feel comfortable working with this software. With the growing need for qualified GIS Technicians and engineers, many schools have developed the infrastructure to be able to offer Online GIS degrees to students who are living remotely.

Compared to even 10 years ago, technology for both GIS and online offerings has expanded and improved so that data show that there is a marked increase in the quantity and quality of online GIS degree programs. Many students consider online GIS coursework to be a viable option, given the rising cost of moving to attend school, scheduling flexibility, and ability to take part time coursework will working to support oneself.

As with concrete campus offerings, most online GIS courses are offered at the bachelor's level; there are fewer at the graduate level and fewer still offering online PhD in GIS work. Typically, there are two types of universities that offer online schooling - those that pioneered online offerings and those with robust GIS degree programs who chose to bring their offerings to a greater student demographic. While both avenues had different starting points, both offer rigorous degree options.

Ultimately, however, students will choose an online method of course delivery based on their parameters for cost, coursework, alumni network, graduate opportunities, university accreditations, admission requirements, material requirements and financial aid options. Online GIS classes are similar in structure to concrete classes.

With the addition of rich audio and video media often of professors in brick-and-mortar classes , participating fully in an online GIS course takes about the same amount of time as sitting in lecture, labs, and tests on the university campus - and don't forget the course readings! Often online coursework provides more opportunities to check your newfound knowledge in the form of online quizzes and questions about the material.

In order to try out whether the online course environemtn is one that works with your learning style and lifestyle, try a campus course that has a virtual classroom environment in order to give a feeling for what an online class might entail. In a campus-based class, it's easy to find someone to whom you can direct your questions - a fellow student or study group, an IT professional, T.

With this in mind, engineers who build online GIS courseware and other courseware have designed several systems to help students stay connected. Additionally, the course software tracks activity and progress to ensure that students are staying on track and submitting tests and assignments in a timely fashion.

Work that is submitted for grading is done so by a bona fide GIS teaching assistant, course instructor or professor, just as in an on-campus GIS class. The online GIS program of your choosing will have preliminary information that will detail the types of resources that you will need in order to be successful at your coursework. Often, this list includes items like a computer with up-to-date software, virus ware, and media playing capabilities, a printer, an internet connection, and a current version of a popular internet browser.

Other requirements may consist of electronic or physical textbooks, your student identification, supplies for purchase and use at home, proprietary computer programs, and office supplies. Additionally, you may require a phone or mobile connection in order to telephone the university. Often, final exams are proctored through a friendly arrangement with a nearby university though other proctoring arrangements are available. While much depends on the specific institution you have chosen, many online GIS degrees require students to take a concentration in geography prior to specialization in GIS technology.

Many online programs have prerequisites for entry, just as their on-campus counterparts. Additionally, many students enter their chosen program with substantial knowledge through work history or a prior degree in computer systems and database structures - some have an interest in climatology, meteorology, or another branch of natural science which fuels their interest in GIS systems and technologies.

Students will be required to specialize in database programming, GIS hardware and software, GIS dataset analysis in order to meet the program's degree requirements. This means they not only receive an education from a top-ranked private university, they benefit from a combination of professional networking, academic rigor, and personal attention that few, if any, other GIS graduate programs have the ability to offer.

Our other advantages include:. If you have any additional questions, please call to speak to an enrollment advisor. The University of Southern California respects your right to privacy. By submitting this form, you consent to receive emails and calls from a representative of the University of Southern California, which may include the use of automated technology. Consent is needed to contact you, but is not a requirement to register or enroll.