Master of Science in Geographic Information Science (MSGIS) 100% Online Program
The Geographic Information Science (GIS) master’s program at the University of North Alabama is an applied graduate program. Our students advance their knowledge and skills in the practical applications of geospatial tools and technologies to solve everyday problems and answer geographic questions in the fields of technology, environment, sustainability, business, government, culture, and more.
Coursework integrates critical thinking, analytical skills, and cutting-edge geospatial techniques applied within a geographic framework. The four-semester (two-year) program is offered 100% online.
Students will complete an applied capstone project or thesis as part of their program.
Time to Complete
Variable, but as few as 2 years
Mode Offered
Online
Credentials
MS
Why North Alabama?
The Department of Geoscience, which houses the GIS master’s program at the University of North Alabama, is a dynamic, applied department, offering a range of courses tailored not only to inspire curiosity and creativity among our students but also to provide a skill set that sets them apart. Our industry contacts throughout the country mean expanded choices for employment for our students and graduates.
North Alabama has assembled state-of-the-art geospatial information technologies at the Freddie Wood Geographic Research Center along with developing innovative instructional techniques. Geographic Information Science tools that students learn to apply include GIS, remote sensing, digital image processing, GPS, programming, Unoccupied Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), cartography, and fieldwork.
The program allows for flexible scheduling and students can work at their own pace. We welcome interested students with non-geography and non-GIS backgrounds
The Master of Science in GIS Curriculum
| Required Courses | Credit Hours | |
| GE 609 | Geographic Methods and Design | 3 |
| GE 610 | Seminar in Geospatial Science | 3 |
| GE 615 | Advanced Quantitiative Methods in Geography | 3 |
| GE 695 | Thesis | 6 |
| GE 699 | Thesis and Research and Defense | 0 |
| Elective Courses | 18 | |
| Total Hours | 33 | |
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No more than 6 hours of field courses may count towards credit for the MS in Geographic Information Science degree. No more than 12 hours of courses taken at the 500 level may count towards credit for the MS in Geographic Information Science degree. Courses taken at the undergraduate level in the department which are cross-listed as 400/500, may not be retaken for credit towards the MS in Geographic Information Science degree. Courses with blanket course numbers (e.g., Special Topics (GE 597)) that have different titles are exempt from this limitation. Students choosing the Thesis Option must complete a minimum of six hours of Thesis (GE 695),in addition to the core and 21 additional hours from the 500-600 level electives. |
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| Required Courses | Credit Hours | |
| GE 609 | Geographic Methods and Design | 3 |
| GE 610 | Seminar in Geospatial Science | 3 |
| GE 615 | Advanced Quantitiative Methods in Geography | 3 |
| GE 692 | Research | 6 |
| GE 699 | Thesis and Research and Defense | 0 |
| Elective Courses | 18 | |
| Total Hours | 33 | |
|
No more than 6 hours of field courses may count towards credit for the MS in Geographic Information Science degree. No more than 12 hours of courses taken at the 500 level may count towards credit for the MS in Geographic Information Science degree. Courses taken at the undergraduate level in the department which are cross-listed as 400/500, may not be retaken for credit towards the MS in Geographic Information Science degree. Courses with blanket course numbers (e.g., Special Topics (GE 597)) that have different titles are exempt from this limitation. Students choosing the Non-Thesis Option must complete a minimum of six hours of directed Research (GE 692), in addition to the core and 21 additional hours from the 500-600 level electives. Students selecting this option will be required to complete two independent projects. Each project will be supervised by a separate faculty member within the Department of Geography and must include a second reader on each project. The projects will be publicly presented and submitted as papers. |
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| Elective Courses | Credit Hours | |
| Select 18 credits from the following: | 18 | |
| *all courses listed are 3 credit hours each* | ||
| GE 502 | Geopolitics | |
| GE 503 | Nature and Society Interactions | |
| GE 504 | Environmental Hazards | |
| GE 510 | Integration of Geography and History | |
| GE 515 | Quantitative Methods in Geography | |
| GE 520 | Principles of Urban and Regional Planning | |
| GE 530 | Biogeography | |
| GE 535 | Regional Geomorphology | |
| GE 550 | Fundamentals of Sustainability | |
| GE 554 | Remote Sensing | |
| GE 560 | Advanced Cultural Geography | |
| GE 568 | Geography of Beer, Wine, and Spirits | |
| GE 572 | Historical Geography of the United States | |
| GE 584 | Geographic Information Systems | |
| GE 595 | Geography Internship | |
| GE 597 | Special Topics | |
| GE 599 | Independent Study-Practicum | |
| GE 600 | Geography Thought | |
| GE 601 | Physical Geography for Teachers | |
| GE 602 | Cultural Geography for Teachers | |
| GE 603 | Regional Geography for Teachers | |
| GE 604 | Methods and Materials of Geographic Education | |
| GE 605 | Experience in Geography | |
| GE 620 | Planning Theory and Process | |
| GE 624 | Applied Remote Sensing | |
| GE 625 | Cartographic Design and Visualization | |
| GE 654 | Advanced Remote Sensing | |
| GE 664 | GIS Programming | |
| GE 674 | Web GIS | |
| GE 684 | Advanced GIS | |
| GE 685 | GIS Applications | |
| GE 686 | Remote Sensing Applications | |
| GE 688 | Spatial Modeling and Analysis in Geographic Information Science | |
| GE 697 | Advanced Topics | |
| Required Courses | 15 | |
| Total Hours | 33 | |
Teaching Faculty
The GIS master’s program at the University of North Alabama is taught by a dynamic and collegial group of fulltime faculty members with combined real-world experiences spanning the depth and breadth of all areas of geography and geospatial studies. Collectively, our faculty have traveled to every state and continent, have conducted research across the globe, and have worked in government, private industry, and non-profit organizations.
The faculty dedicated to the online master’s in GIS include the following:
- Matthew Balentine, PhD, Assistant Professor and Experiential Learning Coordinator
- Jian Chen, PhD, Assistant Professor and Graduate Coordinator
- Mario A. Mighty, PhD, GISP, Associate Professor and Lab Coordinator
- Michael Pretes, PhD, Professor and Chair
- Sunhui Sim, PhD, GISP, Professor
What can I do with a master's in GIS?
By earning your master’s in GIS, you will add skills and knowledge applicable to your work right away: GIS programming, WebGIS, big data analytics, spatial data analysis, remote sensing, spatial data modeling, geo-visualization, project design, research skills, environmental and cultural data collection, and more. You will be qualified to work in government and business intelligence, utilities, GIS software development, community development and planning, emergency response and disaster management, environmental organizations, and PhD programs. You will also earn credentials toward GISP certification.
Testimonial
The MS in GIS is an exceptional collegiate program that provides students with unlimited opportunities. The department is very welcoming to international students and to students without a geography or GIS background. Professors incorporate projects that are similar to real-life scenarios and help with job placement.
–Ashlee Romer, B.S. Criminal Justice, University of North Alabama, 2018.
Hometown: Nassau, Bahamas.
I joined the program when I was in Hawaii. I had been searching for a small program that promoted student-faculty interaction and individual development. That is what I found at UNA: the online program made me feel right at home and let me move forward at a pace comfortable to my life and work schedule. Now more than ever I am passionate about GIS and geography; it’s literally where it’s at!
–Jared Tonder, B.S. Geospatial Science, United States Air Force Academy, 2014.
Hometown: Parachute, Colorado
Admissions requirements
Admission into the online GIS master’s program at North Alabama includes the following requirements.
Unconditional Admission:
- Bachelor’s degree or higher in Geography or related discipline.
- Minimum GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.
- Three letters of recommendation from academic or professional sources.
- Personal statement describing yourself academically and professionally, and your desired area of study and why that is of interest to you.
- GRE is NOT required
Conditional Admission:
A student may be conditionally admitted to the master’s in GIS program if the Graduate Admissions Committee deems the undergraduate coursework insufficient, or if the GPA is below the minimum requirement. A student without sufficient prior coursework in geography may be required to enroll in undergraduate courses to meet prerequisites for graduate level work. We welcome interested students who do not have a geography or GIS background or degree.
Tuition and Aid
Online: $350 per credit hour plus a $50 distance learning fee per credit with no out-of-state tuition or other, traditional fees.
Tuition Cost
Master of Science in GIS
Online: $400 per credit hour.