FIU Institute of Environment — CED GIS Center

Graduate Certificate

Geographic Information Systems — 15 graduate credits for students already enrolled in an FIU master’s or doctorate.

How to apply

Submit the Graduate Certificate Program application

Obtain the program director’s signature (Dr. Assefa Melesse, AHC-5 390) and file the completed form with the University Graduate School.

Open the application (opens in a new tab)
Credits
15 (5 courses)
Who can apply
Students in an FIU graduate degree
Deadlines
Fall: June 1 · Spring: October 1
Terms
Fall and Spring only

Overview

The Graduate Certificate in Geographic Information Systems gives students an interdisciplinary background in GIS. Coursework comes from Biology, Civil and Environmental Engineering, Computer Science, Earth and Environment, Global and Sociocultural Studies, Public Administration, and Statistics.

Open to degree-seeking graduate students only.

Admission

  • Applicants must currently be enrolled in a graduate degree program at FIU (master’s or doctorate) and show basic computer proficiency.
  • This restriction has been in place since Fall 2013 (SACS requirement).
  • Some courses have prerequisites. Satisfy those requirements or get permission from the instructor.

How to apply

  • Applications are considered for Fall and Spring only (no Summer). Deadlines set by the University Graduate School: Fall June 1, Spring October 1.

Prescribed courses

Complete 15 graduate credit hours (5 courses): one course from each of the three required categories, plus 6 elective credits. See Classes for offerings that count toward this certificate. View Classes

Select 1 course

Introduction to GIS

Students with prior GIS coursework or substantial work experience may substitute 3 elective credits with approval of the program director.

  • CGN 5320 GIS Applications for Civil and Environmental Engineering
  • GIS 5050 Environmental GIS

Select 1 course

Intermediate / Advanced GIS

  • CGN 6325 Advanced GIS for Civil and Environmental Engineering
  • EVR 5044 Advanced GIS and Environmental Data Analysis
  • GLY 5758 GIS and Spatial Analysis for Earth Sciences
  • SYA 6356 GIS and Social Research (or equivalent)

Select 1 course

Remote Sensing

  • GLY 5754 Applied Remote Sensing in Earth Sciences (or equivalent)

6 credits from the following

Electives

  • CCJ 6079 Geospatial Crime Analysis
  • COP 6727 Advanced Database Systems
  • EVR 6268 Remote Sensing in Hydrology
  • EVR 7056 GIS Water Resources
  • EVR 7329 Watershed Analysis and Management
  • GIS 5620 Surveillance, Intelligence, and International Relations
  • GIS 5935 Topics in GIS
  • MET 5412 Remote Sensing in Meteorology
  • PCB 5328 Spatial Ecology
  • PAD 6710 IT and E-government
  • PAD 6717 GIS Applications for Urban Management (or equivalent)
  • Or additional intermediate/advanced GIS courses from the required Category 2 list.
  • Or other GIS-related courses approved by the program director and coordinating committee. Up to 3 credits of a graduate statistics or data-analysis course may count with director approval.

People

Program director

Dr. Assefa Melesse

Program Director

melessea@fiu.edu · AHC-5 390 · (305) 348-6518

Coordinating committee

Teaching faculty

Certificate of completion

After you are admitted, fill out the Application for Completion and submit it with a transcript of the completed certificate courses to Dr. Assefa Melesse. Do not use this form if you have not been admitted — the certificate is issued only to admitted students.

A memorandum is then issued from the program director to the Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences.

Application for Completion (PDF)

Frequently asked questions

I am not in a graduate degree program. Can I still take GIS courses?

Yes, as a non-degree-seeking student through the Registrar’s guest-applicant process at admissions.fiu.edu. You cannot apply to the certificate until you are admitted to a degree program.

I already took some of these courses in my graduate degree. Can they count?

Yes, but you must apply to the certificate program before you finish your degree.

Can certificate courses also count toward a master’s degree?

With approval of that degree’s director, yes — if you are admitted to the master’s program before completing more than 12 graduate certificate credits.

Can undergraduate GIS courses (4999 or below) count?

No. University Graduate School regulations do not allow it.

Can I transfer GIS courses from another university, or count independent study / work experience?

No transfer credits into certificate programs. Independent study or work experience generally does not count. Prior GIS coursework or substantial work experience may substitute 3 elective credits for the Introduction to GIS requirement (GIS 5050 or CGN 5320) with director approval.

Are GIS courses offered in Summer? How long does the certificate take?

Required courses are generally not offered in Summer; some electives may be. Check the Classes schedule. Most students finish in 1.5 to 2 years.

What does it cost, and is financial aid available?

The program is 15 graduate credits. See FIU OneStop tuition estimates. University policy does not allow financial aid for certificate programs unless the courses are taken as part of a degree.

Course lists and contacts are from the last GIS Center certificate pages. Confirm against the current catalog and the program director before you register.