Geographic Information Systems Certificate

Geographic Information Systems capture, create, manage, analyze, visualize, and share geospatial information on Earth's surface. GIS has many everyday applications.

Farmers use GIS to decide what to plant and what the best harvesting methods are for their area. Urban planning departments study traffic patterns, facilities, and other data points when deciding where and how to expand. GIS played a part in the Mars Rover landing, is used in archaeology to identify lost cities, can help meteorologists track weather patterns and events, and far more!

Oregon Tech's online certificate does not require any experience in GIS. Students can complete the GIS certificate in as little as nine months, or complete the certificate at a slower pace, depending on their needs.

Graduates of the Geographic Information Systems Certificate should be able to:

• Manage, analyze, and visualize geospatial data
• Collect information using geospatial technology (GPS and UAVs)
• Publish and share information on the internet
• Analyze and model spatial characteristics
• Gain practical knowledge and professional skills to solve spatial challenges that impact our world
• Develop the efficiency of decision-making process and planning using GIS
• Provide answers and solutions for a better world

Design your own GIS certificate based on your preferred area of focus using the courses outlined below.

Required course:

• GIS 134 Geographic Information Systems

Choose a minimum of 15 credits from this list:

• GIS 103 The Digital Earth
• GIS 205 Mobile and Web GIS
• GIS 306 Geospatial Raster Analysis
• GIS 316 Geospatial Vector Analysis I
• GIS 332 Customizing the GIS Environment
• GIS 425 Remote Sensing II
• GIS 426 Geospatial Vector Analysis II
• GIS 446 GIS Database Development

Courses are offered in fall, winter, and spring terms. Summer term GIS courses are not available.

Full admission to Oregon Tech is not required. Financial aid is not offered to non-degree seeking students but a payment plan is available. Follow the steps below to get started:

1. Submit the Non-Degree Seeking Application. Select the online GIS Certificate as your major.
2. Watch for an email from the Admissions Office about registration.
3. Register yourself for classes when registration opens.

Students using Veteran Affairs benefits should apply to Oregon Tech using the Online First-Year or Online Transfer application instead of the Non-Degree Seeking application.

Non-degree seeking students do not pay application fees since they are not attending a degree program and are limited to 8 credits per term.

Once registered you are responsible for the tuition and fees. The payment and refund schedule, along with the payment plan application, is located on the Cashier’s Office website. The Academic Calendar details important registration dates and withdraw deadlines.

To properly run ArcGIS Pro and other geomatics software packages we recommend the following:

• Windows 10 Home, Pro, or Enterprise (64 bit)
• CPU with 4 cores
• 16GB Ram, 32GB is preferred
• Screen resolution of 1024x768
• SSD drive, 1TB minimum, 2 TB preferred
• Video graphics card with 4 GB minimum memory
• 24-bit color depth

More information is available on the ArcGIS Pro website.

Oregon Tech awards formal certificates upon completion of all requirements. The Registrar's Office advises soon-to-be graduates to submit the Application for Degree two terms before completing the certificate. A certificate cannot be awarded without the application found in TechWeb.

Oregon Tech also offers an online Bachelor of Science in Geographic Information Systems. All the certificate courses are also used for the bachelor's degree. To view information about this program please click here; the curriculum is shown here.