This Master of Professional Studies (MPS) in Geographic Information Systems (GIS) is a  10-course/30 credit applied science program designed for students seeking either professional or academic careers. The program is specifically for those interested in establishing their GIS credentials that rests on systematic critical thinking as it applies to social and environmental disciplines.

Students in this new GIS program follow a series of linked courses that share a methodological approach to enhance this GIS skills and knowledge by developing sharp critical thinking skills to properly plan for solutions. Each class, whether analytical or technical, employs scientific methods to assess problems by formulating plans and creating processes to produce well-thought-out and reasoned solutions in cartographic production, programming, dynamic visualization, data management, and spatial analysis. Across these courses, students will also cumulatively build a depth of technological skills with a variety of software programs that do not leave them dependent on any one program for spatial analysis, visualization, data management and tool development.

Courses in the new GIS program are delivered in the context of social and environmental issues that applies critical GIS principles towards improving the lives of people, society, and the environment. Students will also gain an understanding of essential geographic principles and concepts needed to solve problems in nearly any industry or academic discipline. Students will end their tenure with a degree or certificate that instills a foundation of spatial knowledge and technical skills for any career that employs spatial computing.

UMBC’s GIS program is unique in its focus on foundation GIS principles while highlighting the latest developments in the geospatial industry and the integration of geospatial tools with information systems. It provides an advanced level of education to professionals working or interested in the region's geospatial technology industry. Upon completion of the program, students will utilize the knowledge, tools and techniques of database management, application development, and analytical assessment to appropriately address geographic information requirements and solve spatial problems.

UMBC’s Master of Professional Studies (M.P.S.): Geographic Information Systems (GIS) is for early to mid-career professionals interested in an understanding of GIS that goes beyond “GIS as a tool for analysis.” This forward-looking program is developing the next generation of GIS professionals: those that have a fundamental understanding of the importance of geography as well as an advanced knowledge of the technologies involved in the end-to-end development of advanced Geographic Information Systems.

The two-year program provides students with the knowledge, tools and techniques of database management, application development, and analytical assessment to appropriately address GIS requirements and answer spatial questions. Upon completing the program, students will be able to demonstrate technical leadership in planning, implementing, and managing the enterprise GIS.

The curriculum addresses five specific areas: 

• Advanced Analytical Methods and Tools
• Enterprise Systems Management
• GIS Application Development
• GIS Databases
• Reflection on Professional Practice

Required Core Courses (18 credits):
(Please note: Some required core courses may be substituted via transfer credits or alternative UMBC courses with approval from the Graduate Program Director.)

GES 670: Advanced Seminar in GIS
GES 671: Spatial Database and System Design
GES 673: Geoprocessing and Spatial Analysis
GES 675: GIS Application Development I
GES 678: Project Management of the Enterprise GIS
GES 679: Professional Seminar on the Geospatial Technologies

GES Elective Courses (12 Credits):
GES 770: Special Topics in Enterprise GIS
GES 771: Advanced Spatial Data Management
GES 772: Geospatial Web Services and Interoperability
GES 773: GIS Modeling Techniques
GES 774: Spatial Statistics
GES 775: Advanced GIS Application Development
GES 776: GIS Data Sources, Tasking, and Acquisition
GES 777: Advanced Data Modeling and Editing Techniques
GES 778: Advanced Visualization and Presentation

Admissions Requirements

Geographic Information Systems (GIS) is for early to mid-career professionals interested in an understanding of GIS that goes beyond “GIS as a tool for analysis”. Prospective students must have working knowledge of GIS and a B.A. or B.S. in Geography, Computer Science or Information Systems, or a bachelor’s degree in a related field.

Application Requirements:

• A bachelor’s degree and 3.0 GPA (Students with a GPA less than 3.0 may be admitted to the Certificate program)
• Statement outlining the student’s goals and expectations in the program
• Current resume
• Two Letters of Recommendation (MPS only; Optional for Certificate)
• Official transcript(s) from each college & university attended
• GRE is not required
• English proficiency testing (TOEFL/ IELTS) is required for international students.

Tuition fee-2 years$53,000

Total fee-2 years$80,000