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Curriculum

The University GIS Certificate Program is designed to provide students with a robust foundation in geospatial technology and science, while offering flexibility to tailor advanced coursework to their disciplinary interests. This program is suitable for students across diverse fields, including marine science, public health, anthropology, computer science, business, hospitality/tourism, and other disciplines with spatial analysis needs. It is also appropriate for graduate students seeking to enhance their geospatial skillsets.

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Admission Prequisites (Select One)

To be eligible for enrollment in the GIS Certificate Program, students must have completed one of the following prerequisite courses or an approved equivalent:

• Introductory Statistics (preferably at the 2000-level or higher, e.g., ENVL 2400 - Statistical Analysis of Ecological Systems)
• Field-Specific Research Methods course (e.g., MARS 2200 - Marine Biology Methods and Analysis)
• MATH 2215 - Calculus I
• A comparable quantitative or methodological course, subject to program coordinator approval*

* The program is committed to promoting interdisciplinary accessibility and encourages applications from individuals in non-STEM fields, such as Anthropology, Public Health, and Hospitality/Tourism, as well as from prospective graduate students. We welcome any specific questions you may have regarding the admission prerequisites for the certificate.

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Core Curriculum Requirements

Foundational Course (Required for All Students)

• ENVL 3302 – Geographic Information Systems (4 credits)*
  This course provides a comprehensive introduction to GIS, including spatial data models, geoprocessing techniques, and map design/cartography.

* Students who have previously completed a GIS course may be eligible to waive ENVL 3302. In such cases, students will substitute an additional upper-level geospatial course to fulfill credit requirements.

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Advanced Coursework

Tier 1 – Advanced GIS Tools and Methods (Select One*):

• ENVL 3303 – Advanced GIS (4 credits)
  Advanced spatial analysis techniques, modeling, and scripting applications in GIS.

• ENVL 3304 – Remote Sensing (4 credits)
  Remote sensing fundamentals, image processing, and satellite data analysis (4 credits).

* If one is taken here (Tier 1), the other may be taken as an elective in Tier 2.

Tier 2 – Specialized Geospatial Applications (Select 4 Credits):

Choose courses totaling at least four credits from the list below:

 

* Specialized technical modules for advanced spatial data acquisition and analysis
** Under evaluation for future offerings
*** Renaming and potential credit increase under consideration (e.g., Spatial Statistics and Modeling, 4 credits)

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Capstone Requirement

• ENVL 4900/4800 – GIS Internship or Senior Project (4 credits)
  Students must complete an applied geospatial internship or independent research project under faculty supervision, integrating technical, analytical, and communication skills developed throughout the certificate.

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Additional Notes

• A  minimum of 16 credits is required beyond the prerequisite coursework.
• A grade of C or higher is required in all program courses.
• Program progression is customized based on the student’s background, disciplinary focus, and career goals.
• Students are encouraged to meet regularly with their preceptor and/or the Center for Academic Advising to ensure all requirements are fulfilled.
• Click here for the GIS Certificate Advising Sheet

 

Laboratory & Facilities

The ENVL program stresses the acquisition of skills including geographic information systems (GIS), which generates computer maps and links databases, and global positioning systems (GPS), which is used to accurately locate geographic positions. We also have lab spaces in the A&S building with hidrologic, soils, wildlife and tree measuring technologies as well as the latest Global Positioning System equipment including a Leica RTK unit.

The computing capabilities of the GIS program center on two computer labs, AS202 and AS209. AS202 is a regular 20-seat computer lab with a faculty podium equipped with a projector and document camera. AS209 has the some of the most powerful machines on campus for student use.

 

In addition to professionals in the fields of natural sciences such as environment, marine, ecology, biology, geology, and renewable energy, as a powerful tool, GIS is also used by politicians, public health officials, regional planners, first responders, business marketing professionals, and many others. The GIS Certificate is the right choice for professionals interested in advanced skills in computer mapping, spatial modeling, and spatial data-mining technologies.  

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Potential Careers

GIS skills are transferable to many industry sectors giving a broad base of job options and career choices.

Common uses of GIS include:

• inventory and management of resources
• crime mapping
• establishing and monitoring routes
• managing networks
• monitoring and managing vehicles
• managing properties
• locating and targeting customers
• locating properties that match specific criteria and managing agricultural crop data
• addressing public health concerns
• mapping wildfire risk and preparedness
• modeling hazmat risk
• first response
• mapping/monitoring/mitigating invasive species

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Occupational Outlook

"The U.S. government predicts GIS jobs will be in high demand over the next decade, with annual salaries of $70,000. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts growth of 35% a year, with a shortage of trained people to fill the jobs. Currently the geoservices industry is valued at $270 billion and employs over 500,000 people. GIS is everywhere and can be a great career option for people who enjoy working with “big data” to produce interesting and insightful results. With the predicted growth, someone who enters this field can be reasonably assured of a good career path”

EdFlo.com

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Career Preparation

In addition, we have a student Career Center that is available to guide you through your career development journey - from CV writing, interview prep or general guidance.

 

Interns of the Atlantic County Office of GIS use GIS and remote sensing software to provide maps, spatial data, and imagery for state, county, and municipal projects within Atlantic County. Projects include tidal monitoring, disaster prevention, flood hazard mitigation, strategic growth management plans, municipal mapping for zoning use, service area mapping, municipal roadway assessment for planning, providing census information maps, transportation analysis, and environmental impact analysis.

GIS Interns will also provide a range of services for the office, including scanning documents, printing maps, receiving GIS-related phone calls, updating Atlantic County website resources, updating County geodatabases, and providing resources to office walk-ins.

  

 “As an Intern for the Atlantic County Office of GIS, my objective is to take my in-classroom training provided by the �鶹��ý���� professors and apply it to the professional real-world scenarios presented to Atlantic County’s Department of Planning and Development. I most enjoy being able to broaden my “toolbox” of techniques at Atlantic County and attending Atlantic County Office of Emergency Management meetings, where I am able to merge my GIS experience with my interest in emergency management and response. I am extremely grateful for my time at Atlantic County and the Specialists I have the privilege of working under. Being an Atlantic County Office of GIS intern has given me a year’s worth of new knowledge and techniques to tackle the ever-changing world of geographic information science.” 

Emily Peraria
Atlantic County Department of Planning and Development Intern