Geographic Information Systems - Academic Certificate (AC)*
Explore MoreAbout This ProgramCertificate Quick Facts
- Instructional School: Social Sciences and Public Affairs
- Department: Culture, History, and Politics
- Program Code: GIS.AC
- Program Type: Academic Transfer
- Available Fully Online: Yes
- Eligible for Federal Financial Aid: Yes
NOTE: Courses required for this program may have an additional fee; more information can be found on the Special Course Fees web page.
Certificate Requirements
Course | Course Title | Min Credits |
---|---|---|
Major Requirements | ||
GIS 120 | Web GIS | 3 |
GIS 126 | Fundamentals of GIS | 3 |
GIS 225 | Cartography | 4 |
GIS 226 | Spatial Analysis With GIS | 3 |
GIS 230 | Remote Sensing/GIS Integration | 3 |
Optional Elective Course: 1 | ||
GIS 240 | Python Scripting for GIS | 3 |
Minimum Credit Hours Required | 16-19 |
- 1
GIS 240 Python Scripting for GIS is an optional elective course for students completing the GIS Academic Certificate. While not required, students may find the course beneficial for future careers in the GIS field.
*All requirements for this degree or certificate may be completed fully online.
Certificate Plan: Fall Start
The course sequence listed below is strongly recommended in order to complete your program requirements. Please register for each semester as shown using the Student Planning tool in myCWI. Plans may be modified to fit the needs of part-time students by adding additional semesters. Consult your advisor for any questions regarding this course sequence plan.
First Year | ||
---|---|---|
Fall | Credit Hours | |
GIS 120 | Web GIS | 3 |
GIS 126 | Fundamentals of GIS | 3 |
Total Semester Credit Hours | 6 | |
Spring | ||
GIS 225 | Cartography | 4 |
GIS 226 | Spatial Analysis With GIS | 3 |
GIS 230 | Remote Sensing/GIS Integration | 3 |
Total Semester Credit Hours | 10 | |
Minimum Credit Hours Required | 16 |
Advising Notes:
- Students majoring in Geography can earn the Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Academic Certificate (AC) as part of their Associate of Arts degree while staying within the minimum 60 credits required for their AA if they use their elective credits towards the completion of the courses required for a GIS AC.
- Students may elect to complete GIS 240 Python Scripting for GIS during an optional third semester. While not required to earn the GIS AC, students may find this course beneficial for future careers in the GIS field.
Program Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this program, students will be able to:
- Demonstrate proficiency in the use of geographic information systems (GIS) software.
- Employ the analytical skills necessary to apply GIS to a variety of geospatial problems and/or research questions.
- Integrate the skills and expertise necessary to design and implement an independent geospatial research project.
- Create and present professional-quality graphic representations of social, environmental, and economic conditions.
Related Degree Plan: Geographic Information Systems Academic Certificate and Geography Associate of Arts Degree
The course sequence listed below is strongly recommended in order to complete all of the requirements for multiple programs. Please register for each semester as shown using the Student Planning tool in myCWI. Consult your advisor for any questions regarding this course sequence plan.
The courses listed below are strongly recommended to facilitate the completion of requirements for both an Academic Certificate (AC) in Geographic Information Systems and an Associate of Arts (AA) degree in Geography. If students complete the courses listed below, they will be eligible to graduate with both an AC in Geographic Information Systems and an AA degree in Geography.
NOTE: If you would like to earn the Geography AA without the AC, please visit the Geography AA catalog page for a detailed list of requirements.
First Year | ||
---|---|---|
Fall | Credit Hours | |
CWI 101 | Connecting With Ideas | 3 |
ENGL 101 | Writing and Rhetoric I (GEM 1) | 3 |
GEOG 100 | Physical Geography (GEM 4) | 3 |
GEOG 100L | Physical Geography Lab (GEM 4) | 1 |
GIS 120 | Web GIS | 3 |
GIS 126 | Fundamentals of GIS | 3 |
Total Semester Credit Hours | 16 | |
Spring | ||
ENGL 102 | Writing and Rhetoric II (GEM 1) | 3 |
Select one of the following options (GEM 4): | 4 | |
Option 1: | ||
Environmental Science | ||
Environmental Science Lab | ||
Option 2: | ||
Physical Geology | ||
Physical Geology Lab | ||
GIS 226 | Spatial Analysis With GIS | 3 |
GIS 230 | Remote Sensing/GIS Integration | 3 |
MATH 153 | Statistical Reasoning (GEM 3) 1 | 3 |
Total Semester Credit Hours | 16 | |
Second Year | ||
Fall | ||
COMM 101 | Fundamentals of Oral Communication (GEM 2) | 3 |
GEOG 270 | Global Climate Change | 3 |
GEOG 102 | Cultural Geography (GEM 6) | 3 |
PHIL 101 or PHIL 103 |
Introduction to Philosophy (GEM 5) 2 or Introduction to Ethics |
3 |
GEM 6 - Social & Behavioral Ways of Knowing course 3 | 3 | |
Total Semester Credit Hours | 15 | |
Spring | ||
GEOG 200 | World Regional Geography (Global Perspectives) | 3 |
GIS 225 | Cartography | 4 |
GEM 5 - Humanistic & Artistic Ways of Knowing course 3 | 3 | |
Elective | Select elective credits to bring the total credits earned to 60 | 1-3 |
Total Semester Credit Hours | 13 | |
Minimum Credit Hours Required | 60 |
- 1
Geography majors are encouraged to take the Math Diagnostic for math placement upon acceptance to CWI if they did not submit ACT or SAT scores for math placement. The Math Diagnostic will inform the student if a review course such as MATH 097 is needed prior to enrolling in MATH 153.
- 2
PHIL 101 Introduction to Philosophy or PHIL 103 Introduction to Ethics will fulfill the Ethical Reasoning requirement for an associate degree from CWI.
- 3
Course must come from a different discipline.