College of Letters and Science GIS Professional Certificate Program

The program curriculum includes four 3-credit courses for a total of 12 credits of geospatial techniques courses. The certificate can be completed in two or four semesters, depending on the schedule that works best for you. All courses are full semester (16-week) courses and are taught in an asynchronous, online format. View the UWSP course catalog for more information.

Program graduates will meet various Tier 4 and Tier 5 Geospatial Competencies, furthering your readiness to sit for the GISP Exam. After completing the GIS Professional Certificate program, you will be able to:

• Develop digital geospatial data that represent real-world phenomena and address organizational tasks and societal needs.
• Communicate geographic information using geospatial tools, data and cartographic techniques.
• Analyze aerial imagery using digital image processing and photogrammetric techniques.
• Analyze geospatial conditions, patterns, trends, and relationships.
• Apply geospatial technologies to address societal problems.

Courses:

GEOG 541: Geographic Information Systems I  (3-Credits)
Develop, use and maintain a geographic-based spatial information system (GIS) for resource management. Acquire and assess spatial data. Compare raster and vector data models. Computer-based geographic data handling, analysis, interpretation, and display. Cartographic spatial modeling.
Offered in Fall semesters. 

GEOG 577: Remote Sensing I (3-Credits)
Characteristics of aerial photographs and digital imagery. Use remote sensing materials to conduct resource inventories, land use evaluations, and landform analysis.
Offered in Fall semesters.

GEOG 742: GIS Database Design and Modeling (3-Credits)
GIS data modeling and database design, creation, maintenance, and integration using desktop GIS and database management software.
Prerequisite: GEOG 541
Offered in Spring semesters.

GEOG 743: Advanced Geospatial Techniques (3-Credits)
Advanced geospatial techniques for problem solving. Integration of digital databases to implement and visualize complex cultural and environmental geospatial analytics and models.
Prerequisite: GEOG 541
Offered in Spring semesters.

Tuition for the online GIS Professional Graduate Certificate program is $600 per credit, plus distance education fees and segregated fees. Segregated fees are charged at a 50% reduced rate for this online program. The cost of the program is the same for in-state and out-of-state students.

*Segregated fees are estimated and are subject to change. Segregated fees are pro-rated for graduate students taking fewer than 6 credits in one semester.

**Total cost of the program is estimated. Additional administrative fees may apply.

Students seeking financial assistance are encouraged to contact their employer, as many offer tuition reimbursement. Federal and state Veteran education benefits can also be used to cover the cost of the program. Questions regarding financial aid should be directed to the UWSP Financial Aid office at finaid@uwsp.edu.

We are currently accepting applications for the Fall 2026 cohort. Applications to the program are reviewed on a rolling basis. The deadline to apply is August 7, 2026. Fall 2026 classes begin on September 2, 2026.

Admission to the GIS Professional Graduate Certificate program requires a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution with a minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.0. Applicants with lower GPA’s who have professional GIS experience will be asked to submit supplemental application materials and will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Step 1. Submit University Application. This step is for admission to UW-Stevens Point.

• Select “No” when asked you are seeking a degree.
• Select “Graduate” when asked whether you plan to take undergraduate or graduate courses.
• Select “UW-Stevens Point” campus and then “GIS Professional Graduate Certificate“.
• You will receive a welcome email with your UWSP student ID number within 2-4 business days.

Step 2. Submit Transcripts. This step is for admission to the GIS Professional Graduate Certificate Program.

• After submitting your university application, email your unofficial transcripts to GIS@uwsp.edu. You will need to include unofficial transcripts for all post-secondary institutions you have attended. (UWSP alumni are not required to submit their UWSP transcripts.)
• If you don’t meet the minimum 3.0 GPA admission requirement, we will email you to request a statement of relevant work experience and a letter of recommendation from a professional/academic reference who can speak to your experience and/or potential in GIS.
• Program admission decisions will be made within approximately one week of receiving all application materials.

Step 3. Enroll in Classes

• Students admitted to the GIS Professional Graduate Certificate program will receive a Welcome Letter with instructions on next steps for enrollment.