Geographic Information Science certificate is gateway to multitude of different careers

Teaching students how to collect and analyze geographic data for potential careers such as economic development, transportation and intelligence is the promise of a certificate program offered by the Wright State University School of Public and International Affairs.

The Geographic Information Science (GIS) certificate is available to undergraduate and graduate students as well as non-degree seeking students. It can be earned in just one year starting in the fall semester and features five courses of 18 credit hours that include classes in remote sensing and cartography.

“The skillset that comes with the certificate is useful in a wide variety of fields,” said December Green, chair of the School of Public and International Affairs, professor of political science and director of international studies.

Geographic information science is a growing field and one of today’s most marketable, with opportunities and salaries expected to increase much faster than average, according to the U.S. Department of Labor.

GIS students will be able to apply state-of-the-art technology to collect and analyze spatial data to help spot patterns and trends. There are applications in real estate, public health, crime mapping, national defense, climatology, landscape architecture and archaeology.