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GIS Certification: Course Curriculum for GIS Certificate Programs

Published Aug 14, 2009

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Geographic Information Systems (GIS) professionals use a GIS database to capture and analyze location-based information that is critical to decision-making in such fields as environmental planning, emergency response, crime prevention and real estate, among others. This article offers information on the courses students must take to qualify for GIS Certification.

Course Curriculum for GIS Certificate Programs

Certification in Geographic Information Systems is issued by the GIS Certification Institute (GISCI), which determines the qualifying courses and professional experience required for GIS Certification. Students seeking certification through GISCI need to be certain that the GIS certificate program they plan to enroll in offers courses that meet the institute's standards.

The following are among the courses leading to GIS Certification through GISCI:

  • Introduction to Geographic Information Systems is a foundational course in using GIS that includes instruction on the history, structure and contemporary applications of GIS, plus lab work in data management and analysis.
  • Remote Sensing covers the advantages and disadvantages of acquiring and analyzing images obtained remotely, such as from satellite transmission.
  • GIS Project Management introduces students to the challenges and responsibilities involved in GIS project planning, including interdepartmental or interagency cooperation, data acquisition and budgeting.
  • Geographic Information Systems and Technology (GIS&T) and Society looks at the legal, economic, ethical, privacy and security-related aspects of obtaining and disseminating geospatial data.
  • GIS&T System Design covers the planning, analysis, application and implementation of GIS database design using a variety of tools and models.
  • Cartography and Visualization examines the principles and fundamentals of map design, map interpretation and analysis, map production and reproduction, map reading and cartography history.
  • Geocomputation familiarizes students with the use of computer applications in the analysis and transmission of digital images of Earth, as well as the limitations of traditional research methods in studying geographic information.

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