Geographic Information Systems, Certificate

The undergraduate certificate program in Geographic Information Systems (GIS) at Saint Louis University focuses on current issues, including environmental quality, climate change, sustainability of natural and nonrenewable resources, and the impact of human activities on the environment.

Our program highlights include:

• a focus on advanced remote sensing, GIS and geospatial methods
• use of the latest image processing techniques
• coverage of diverse applications in various disciplines
• training with industry-leading hardware and software systems (ArcGIS, ENVI+IDL, SARscape) and Open source platforms (e.g., QGIS, Boundless Desktop)
• late afternoon or evening classes that accommodate working professionals
• instructors with advanced degrees who work and conduct research in the field
• state-of-the-art research labs equipped with modern computing, commercial and open source software tools, various remote sensing sensors, and manned and unmanned aircrafts.

Curriculum Overview

The GIS certificate is an 18-credit program that students can pursue on a full- or part-time basis, usually completing the certificate in less than two years.

Courses cover the latest image processing techniques for optical, thermal, RADAR and LiDAR remote sensing. Students will also explore geospatial methods and principles of spatial analysis, database design, cartographic representation, machine learning, computer vision, management and data-mining with integration of GIS, remote sensing and GPS.

Theory and lectures are supplemented with hands-on projects involving risk assessment and mitigation, environmental modeling, resources exploration, sustainable development, natural resource management and transportation, subterranean mapping and forest fire management.

Geospatial Intelligence (GEOINT) Certificate Program 

Saint Louis University is currently seeking accreditation with the United States Geospatial Intelligence Foundation (USGIF) to allow students to apply for a Geospatial Intelligence Certificate from the USGIF. The USGIF program focuses on preparing students as GEOINT practitioners to meet the increasing needs of the geospatial industry and federal intelligence agencies.

The USGIF GEOINT Certificate requirements develop the following competencies:
•    GIS & Analysis Tools,
•    Remote Sensing & Imagery Analysis,
•    Geospatial Data Management,
•    Data Visualization,
•    Cross-Functional Competencies (critical thinking, synthesis, and reporting),
•    Emerging Competencies (AI/ML, computer vision, AR/VR, and UAVs).

Although some of the relevant coursework overlaps with our GIS certificates, the USGIF certificate-related courses include an emphasis on elective courses on analysis and interpretation of geospatial data, programming, database management and generation of intelligence-style products in addition to foundational geographic skills.  The GEOINT certificate electives and capstone also provide instruction on geospatial intelligence based on analysis of geospatial data, using modules from the USGIF “Intro to GEOINT” course. The coursework that can be used to apply for the USGIF GEOINT certificate is structured for students seeking careers as analysts of complex geospatial data.

Careers

Graduates have a very good employment outlook. According to the Geospatial Information and Technology Association, employment in this field is growing at an annual rate of almost 35 percent, with the commercial subsection of the market expanding by 100 percent each year.

Recent graduates from this program have been employed by various environmental, remote sensing and GIS companies, including Monsanto, the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency and U.S. Geological Survey (USGS).

Admission Requirements

Applicants should have a minimum GPA of 3.00.

Students already enrolled in any undergraduate program at Saint Louis University do not need to reapply and should submit an Application for Major.

Other applicants must submit the following:

• GIS Certificate Enrollment Application
• Résumé
• Professional goal statement (500 to 800 words)

Scholarships and Financial Aid

There are two principal ways to help finance a Saint Louis University education:

• Scholarships: awarded based on academic achievement, service, leadership and financial need.
• Financial Aid: provided in the form of grants and loans, some of which require repayment.

For priority consideration for merit-based scholarships, applicants should apply for admission by Dec. 1 and complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by March 1.

For information on other scholarships and financial aid, visit the student financial services office online at https://finaid.slu.edu.

Geospatial Intelligence (GEOINT) Certificate Program

Non-Course Requirements for the Geospatial Intelligence (GEOINT) Certificate Program

• Additionally, students have to take GEOINT certificate exam administered by USGIF.
• Students must have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 in certificate-related courses and must earn a C or better in each certificate-related course.
• Students applying to receive the certificate will need to maintain an online portfolio showcasing their learning in certificate-related courses, including the capstone. 

Continuation Standards

Students must have a minimum of a 2.00 GPA in all certificate courses.