24 monthsProgramme duration
01 Apr, 2026Application Deadline
Aug, JanStarting Month
Programme overview
Main Subject
Computer Science and Information Systems
Degree
MSc
Study Level
Masters
Study Mode
On Campus
Geographic Information Science (GIScience) is an inherently interdisciplinary field of study that deals with gathering, analyzing and communicating spatially explicit data about our world. Our GIScience faculty have a wide range of expertise within the field, including geovisualization, spatial statistics, and computing, as well as within application domains like health geography, emergency management, conflict, hazards, and environmental change. Graduates with a background in GIScience are well-prepared for today's demanding job market and get hired in the tech industry, education, government agencies, and consulting firms.
The MSGIS is a professional degree that allows students to specialize in Geographic Information Science. The MSGIS gives students the in-depth experience required for advanced careers in GIS. The MSGIS culminates with a portfolio that showcases students’ coursework, which also serves to demonstrate GIS skills to potential employers. Unfortunately, MSGIS students are not eligible for departmental funding.
The MSGIS Program participates in the WRGP in-state tuition program. Students who are residents in Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawai'i, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota, Washington, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands are eligible for 150% in-state tuition when enrolling in the MSGIS program. Applicants must meet all admissions requirements and apply within deadlines. Identify yourself as a "WICHE WRGP" applicant to be considered for the discounted tuition rate. There are a limited number of WRGP reduced tuition seats each year, so apply early.
Admission to the MSGIS does not require GRE scores. MSGIS applicants are expected to have proficiency in undergraduate mathematics, statistics, computing, programming, mapping, introductory GIS, and GIS methods as prerequisites to the program. The following courses would suffice- GEOG 3100: Introduction to GIS and Cartography; GEOG 3020: Geographical Analysis or an upper division basic statistics course; GEOG 5140: Methods in GIS; GEOG 1180: Introduction to Geo-Programming or an introductory-level programming course; or equivalent experience. A program fee of $100 is required each fall or spring semester in which any courses are taken.
The MSGIS is a professional degree that allows students to specialize in Geographic Information Science. The MSGIS gives students the in-depth experience required for advanced careers in GIS. The MSGIS culminates with a portfolio that showcases students’ coursework, which also serves to demonstrate GIS skills to potential employers. Unfortunately, MSGIS students are not eligible for departmental funding.
The MSGIS Program participates in the WRGP in-state tuition program. Students who are residents in Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawai'i, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota, Washington, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands are eligible for 150% in-state tuition when enrolling in the MSGIS program. Applicants must meet all admissions requirements and apply within deadlines. Identify yourself as a "WICHE WRGP" applicant to be considered for the discounted tuition rate. There are a limited number of WRGP reduced tuition seats each year, so apply early.
Admission to the MSGIS does not require GRE scores. MSGIS applicants are expected to have proficiency in undergraduate mathematics, statistics, computing, programming, mapping, introductory GIS, and GIS methods as prerequisites to the program. The following courses would suffice- GEOG 3100: Introduction to GIS and Cartography; GEOG 3020: Geographical Analysis or an upper division basic statistics course; GEOG 5140: Methods in GIS; GEOG 1180: Introduction to Geo-Programming or an introductory-level programming course; or equivalent experience. A program fee of $100 is required each fall or spring semester in which any courses are taken.
Programme overview
Main Subject
Computer Science and Information Systems
Degree
MSc
Study Level
Masters
Study Mode
On Campus
Geographic Information Science (GIScience) is an inherently interdisciplinary field of study that deals with gathering, analyzing and communicating spatially explicit data about our world. Our GIScience faculty have a wide range of expertise within the field, including geovisualization, spatial statistics, and computing, as well as within application domains like health geography, emergency management, conflict, hazards, and environmental change. Graduates with a background in GIScience are well-prepared for today's demanding job market and get hired in the tech industry, education, government agencies, and consulting firms.
The MSGIS is a professional degree that allows students to specialize in Geographic Information Science. The MSGIS gives students the in-depth experience required for advanced careers in GIS. The MSGIS culminates with a portfolio that showcases students’ coursework, which also serves to demonstrate GIS skills to potential employers. Unfortunately, MSGIS students are not eligible for departmental funding.
The MSGIS Program participates in the WRGP in-state tuition program. Students who are residents in Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawai'i, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota, Washington, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands are eligible for 150% in-state tuition when enrolling in the MSGIS program. Applicants must meet all admissions requirements and apply within deadlines. Identify yourself as a "WICHE WRGP" applicant to be considered for the discounted tuition rate. There are a limited number of WRGP reduced tuition seats each year, so apply early.
Admission to the MSGIS does not require GRE scores. MSGIS applicants are expected to have proficiency in undergraduate mathematics, statistics, computing, programming, mapping, introductory GIS, and GIS methods as prerequisites to the program. The following courses would suffice- GEOG 3100: Introduction to GIS and Cartography; GEOG 3020: Geographical Analysis or an upper division basic statistics course; GEOG 5140: Methods in GIS; GEOG 1180: Introduction to Geo-Programming or an introductory-level programming course; or equivalent experience. A program fee of $100 is required each fall or spring semester in which any courses are taken.
The MSGIS is a professional degree that allows students to specialize in Geographic Information Science. The MSGIS gives students the in-depth experience required for advanced careers in GIS. The MSGIS culminates with a portfolio that showcases students’ coursework, which also serves to demonstrate GIS skills to potential employers. Unfortunately, MSGIS students are not eligible for departmental funding.
The MSGIS Program participates in the WRGP in-state tuition program. Students who are residents in Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawai'i, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota, Washington, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands are eligible for 150% in-state tuition when enrolling in the MSGIS program. Applicants must meet all admissions requirements and apply within deadlines. Identify yourself as a "WICHE WRGP" applicant to be considered for the discounted tuition rate. There are a limited number of WRGP reduced tuition seats each year, so apply early.
Admission to the MSGIS does not require GRE scores. MSGIS applicants are expected to have proficiency in undergraduate mathematics, statistics, computing, programming, mapping, introductory GIS, and GIS methods as prerequisites to the program. The following courses would suffice- GEOG 3100: Introduction to GIS and Cartography; GEOG 3020: Geographical Analysis or an upper division basic statistics course; GEOG 5140: Methods in GIS; GEOG 1180: Introduction to Geo-Programming or an introductory-level programming course; or equivalent experience. A program fee of $100 is required each fall or spring semester in which any courses are taken.
Admission Requirements
3+
80+
6.5+
110+
- Separate applications must be submitted in order to apply to more than one degree program
- Application fees are subject to change and ARE NOT WAIVED
- We will evaluate your file only after we receive all required fees and documents, including transcripts
- International Students only: Proof of financial responsibility is NOT needed to evaluate an applicant's file, nor is it needed to accept a student. AFTER being admitted, this information IS NEEDED prior to issuing the I-20 Certificate of Eligibility so students may obtain a student visa. (Students being funded by the Department do not need to submit an additional Financial Statement.) Current estimated expenses for graduate students are detailed here.
- GRE scores and grades: We do not admit or deny applicants on the basis of GRE or GPA; rather, we aim to consider the applicant as a whole. Minimum GPA accepted by the Graduate School is 3.0
- The Geography PhD program requires an academic Master's degree prior to admission.
- Please review the requirement sheets for each degree program for the prerequisite coursework and proficiencies needed
01 Apr 2026
2 Years
Aug
Jan
- Candidates are required to submit references or letter(s) of recommendation for acceptance
- Candidates are required to submit an essay(s) for acceptance
Tuition fees
Domestic
0 USD
International
0 USD
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