College of Natural Resources

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Geospatial Information Science and Technology Online

College of Natural ResourcesJordan Hall 5108 | Campus Box 7106North Carolina State University2800 Faucette Dr.Raleigh, NC 27695 USA

Geospatial Information Science and Technology Online

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NC State Geospatial Information Science and Technology Online online.geospatial.ncsu.edu

GIST Online Program Overview

Why Choose NC State?

Student Profile: Christen McNamara

Student Profile: Scott Satoshi Honda

NC State GIST Online programs prepare students for the real world.

Application deadlines: April 15 for Fall

October 15 for Spring

online.geospatial.ncsu.edu

GIST Online Program Overview

NC State Geospatial Information Science and Technology Online

NC State offers two programs in Geospatial Information Science and Technology. Both the professional master’s and the graduate-level certificate curriculum are offered online to provide flexibility for students without sacrificing the resources, faculty expertise, rigor or collaborative experience of a traditional environment.

Our students work with community partners to apply geospatial expertise to real-world problems in a wide array of public, private and non-profit venues.

The Master of Geospatial Information Science and Technology (MGIST) is a non-thesis, professional degree program that prepares students to become high-end professionals and lead North Carolina and the nation both in the development of new technology used to model and manage spatial phenomena (economic development, disease, emergency planning and response, environmental resources, etc.) and in the management and application of this technology in corporate and service organizations. The MGIST curriculum is designed to address the growing national need for GIS developers, managers and analysts. The degree builds on our successful Graduate Certificate in GIS and focuses on advanced skill development in computational modeling and management decision support.

Master of Geospatial Information Science and Technology Our Master of Geospatial Information Science and Technology program was the first nationally designated Professional Science Master’s program

in GIS. With more than 130 students, it has quickly become one of the premiere graduate-level GIST programs in the country.

The curriculum is built on theory, innovation and experiential learning, covering many essential topics, including:

• Spatial Thinking • Geospatial Programming and Customization • Modeling and Analytics• Data Structures and Management• Geospatial Web and Mobile Services • Geovisualization • Professional Skills • Client-Based Projects

Ideal candidates usually have some previous exposure to GIS, either through coursework, work experience or a combination. Some additional skill sets found to be beneficial include basic math or statistics and familiarity with a programming language, such as Python.

The professional master’s program has been designed to meet the needs of a diverse student body, including recent college graduates and the working professional. Prospective students are required to hold a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution and have a keen interest in GIS. Students in our program represent diverse backgrounds, such as geography, environmental science, anthropology, natural resources, military intelligence, and other social and natural sciences.

Graduate Certificate in Geospatial Information Science The Graduate Certificate in Geospatial Information Science (GIS) provides students with a graduate-level academic credential in advanced GIS applications. This program is designed for students who wish to establish themselves in GIS practice, but are not yet ready to commit to a full graduate program or who wish to expand their credentials.

Students who enroll in the certificate program are attracted to the program for a variety of reasons. Some candidates have been out of school and wish to change their career focus into GIS. Many matriculate from GIS-related work and wish to gain new knowledge and skill without committing to a master’s program. Other students wish to supplement their education with a GIS credential.

Many students enter the certificate program as a stepping stone to more advanced studies in the master’s program.

online.geospatial.ncsu.edu

Why Choose NC State?

NC State Geospatial Information Science and Technology Online

NC State is a leader in Geospatial Information Science and we seek students who are inspired to be part of a dynamic geospatial workforce and want to learn from esteemed faculty who work in the GIS field.

NC State continues to push the boundaries of geospatial research and education. Both the master’s and certificate online programs provide a comprehensive, multidisciplinary education in GIST focused on technolo-gy, analytics and real-world problem solving, in addition to professional skills development. Students collaborate with faculty and engage with community partners throughout the curriculum.

Students have access to the state-of-the-art geovisualization lab, both in terms of learning new technologies and accessing data for innovative projects.

Students in the online professional master’s program work in tandem with community partners to solve real-world problems. Examples of past projects include an assessment of land conservation, forest hydrology in Eastern N.C., Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) data organization, decision support for African healthcare initiatives, elephant tracking and identify-ing food deserts.

World-leading NC State faculty representing more than a dozen disci-plines prepare students for fulfilling careers in a variety of geospatial

arenas. Our faculty provide both research and career insight as most are actively contributing to the GIS community, from city, local and federal government to non-profits and the private sector.

There continues to be a growing demand for GIST professionals within North Carolina and beyond. In fact, 95 percent of graduates from our GIST programs secure a job within six months of program completion. Fields include public health, planning, emergency management, military intelligence, transportation and environmental science.

NC State offers a comprehensive approach in partnership with the Center for Geospatial Analytics to educate the next generation of GIS leaders.

Visit our blog at online.geospatial.ncsu.edu/blog to gain an inside look into our online GIST programs and areas of study.

95 percent of GIST graduates secure a job within six months of completion

“It is pretty amazing to be able to have earned a master’s degree from an elite university and not have to move or leave your job.” Christen McNamara GIS Programmer Analyst City of Asheville, N.C.

online.geospatial.ncsu.eduNC State Geospatial Information Science and Technology Online

flexibility, I could sit in on lectures or seminars remotely, or watch record-ings when I got home from work. The professors were incredible. I was impressed and amazed at all they had accomplished and how dedicated they were to teaching.

What was the most challenging? It is a little isolating to be learning on your own. Though, this program works very hard to make it as inclusive as possible, with forums and ways to help each other on assignments. When I got stuck on something and reached out for help, I remember getting emails from professors at 11 p.m. on Saturday nights. They want to help you succeed and seem to understand that you are doing school work at odd hours and on the weekends.

What were the outcomes you were seeking by adding this degree to your credentials? Were they met? I wanted to be able to find a job in the field where there was the ability to grow professionally. I started my position as a systems analyst just two days after graduating. Not only did I find a new job, I really like it and I’m using skills that I learned in school daily. The mapAsheville application that first sparked my interest in GIS; I became the team lead on upgrading it using skills that I learned in the program. I recently got a promotion to GIS Programmer Analyst, which was another salary boost.

If you were talking to prospective students, would you tell them to choose NC State? If so, why? Well, I already have! I think the number one seller for me was the return on investment. The affordable tuition for an academically outstanding program is hard to beat. I have had a 30 percent raise in my new position within one year of graduating. The number two seller is that this is a very dynamic field and we were able to dive in and learn as things were hap-pening. Our professors were updating their syllabi to make sure we were learning and using current and brand new resources and technology.

Where are you from? I grew up in Maine, I worked in outdoor recreation on the East Coast, out West and in Australia before moving to Asheville, N.C., in 2004. What academic credentials do you hold?As well as the MGIST and GIS Certificate from NC State, I have a B.S. in business administration with a concentration in finance, from the University of Vermont.

What led you to enroll in the online GIST Professional Master’s program? I was ready for a change in my field, and was looking through graduate programs online. I found the online MGIST at NC State and it was kind of that light bulbmoment. Though I only knew a little about GIS, I was interested in it. I liked the prospect of using maps and spatial data to solve problems. I applied for the certificate program, and figured if I didn’t like it, I’d be happy with a certificate. But, I really liked it and enrolled in the master’s and graduated with a 4.0 GPA. Who do you think are the best candidates for the online GIST programs? I think anyone could do it, as long as they are willing to work hard and are able to commit. There were people in my program living abroad, and all over the country, with different backgrounds and skills. It was a great and diverse community.

How long did it take you to complete? I finished in 2 ½ years, taking two courses or six credits a semester. I did not take any summer courses. What was the best part of earning the online MGIST? It is pretty amazing to be able to have earned a master’s degree from an elite university and not have to move or leave your job. I liked the

I have had a 30 percent raise in my new position within one year of graduating.

Christen McNamara GIS Programmer AnalystCity of Asheville, N.C.

“The best part of taking the certificate program online is that it is flexible enough to fit my sometimes hectic work schedule.” Scott Satoshi Honda Disaster Services Analyst Pacific Disaster Center Kihei, Hawaii

NC State Geospatial Information Science and Technology Online

Where are you from? I was born and raised on O’ahu, Hawai’i.

What academic credentials do you hold? I have a B.A. in geography, with a minor in information and computer sciences, from the University of Hawaii at Manoa.

What led you to enroll in the online GIS Certificate program? In one respect, I wanted to attain GIS credentials from a legitimate university, all in the hopes of future career advancement. In another respect, I wanted to build upon my undergrad studies and continue to learn more about GIS.

Who do you think are the best candidates for the online GIS Certificate program? Anyone with a desire to learn GIS, whether GIS is completely new or more familiar.

How long will it take you to complete? It will probably take me until Spring 2017 to complete the GIS Certificate, as I am only taking one course per semester. I am currently in my second of four classes, so halfway there! I chose to only do one class a semester, due to costs and time constraints. I am working full-time and I don’t think I could honestly do more than one class per semester. More so because of the demands of my job. I work in disaster management and it can be a 24-hour responsibility.

What was the best part of taking the online GIS Certificate program? The best part of taking the certificate program online is that it is flexible enough to fit my sometimes hectic work schedule.

What was the most challenging? It can sometimes be challenging when the demands of work and life align with class projects or homework. However, I am willing to sacrifice (mainly sleep) to get class projects or homework done because I am passionate about GIS.

What are the outcomes you are seeking by adding the certificate to your credentials? Are they/were they met? Hopefully, the certificate leads to career advancement and ultimately a better understanding of the many aspects of GIS. No career advancement yet (still need to finish). I have learned a few new and interesting GIS concepts (e.g. spatial statistics) in the two classes I have taken thus far.

If you were talking to a prospective students, would you tell them to choose NC State? If so, why? Yes, I have reviewed many online GIS programs (for the better part of a year) and found NC State’s GIS program to be an excellent balance of classes. Classes cover applying GIS and technical skills necessary for any working GIS professional.

Hopefully, the certificate leads to career advancement and ultimately a better

understanding of the many aspects of GIS.

Scott Satoshi Honda Disaster Services AnalystPacific Disaster CenterKihei, Hawaii

Apply Now online.geospatial.ncsu.edu