Breadcrumb

Home Certificates GIS Certificate

GIS Certificate

Geographic Information Science Certificate (18 credit hours)

​GIS Coordinator: Peter Anthamatten 

Welcome! The Department of Geography and Environmental Sciences (GES) at the University of Colorado Denver is proud to offer one of the most robust and well respected Geographic Information Science & Technology (GIS&T) programs in the region. 

Place-based technologies permeate our lives, from the location services on our Smartphones to the spatial-decision support systems that guide application in areas such as disaster management, health care and public health, digital humanities, infrastructure support and management, resource and water management, urban and regional planning, sustainability, business analytics, among many, many others. It’s not difficult to imagine how place influences your particular area of study or practice. Because of the broad array of GIS&T applications across a variety of disciplines and fields, people from diverse backgrounds and interests can benefit immensely from gaining experience in this field. GIS&T is expanding rapidly and is a growing area of employment with a need for high quality geo-spatial professionals. Having expertise in GIS&T provides a competitive edge when seeking employment in many fields. 

The Geographic Information Science (GIS) Certificate is designed to provide CU Denver undergraduates and graduates, as well as non-degree seeking students interested in professional development, with proficiency in the application of spatial thinking, geographic information science, and geo-technologies in the social and physical sciences, spanning the natural, built and human environments and emphasizing human-environment interconnections. The GES GIS Certificate core establishes a broad foundation in spatial technologies and methodologies, including geographic information systems, remote sensing, cartography, spatial extensions to database management systems, and statistics. From this base, students can delve into various specialization areas depending on their interests.
We look forward to assisting you in your pursuit of a GIS Certificate from the Department of Geography and Environmental Sciences at CU Denver.  If you have any questions, please contact the GIS Coordinator.

There are two versions of the GIS Certificate:

  1. Undergraduate GIS Certificate. For students in undergraduate programs.

  2. Graduate GIS Certificate/Non-Degree-Seeking Certificate. For graduate students or non-degree seeking individuals who already have a bachelor’s degree.

Geographic information science and geo-technologies have broad applications across many disciplines. Consequently, CU Denver undergraduate students in any discipline or major may be admitted to the program. Students who already hold a bachelor's degree from CU Denver or other institutions may also be admitted as a CU Denver graduate student or a non-degree-seeking student, depending on enrollment status.

Undergraduate Students: To add to your degree audit your intent to pursue the Undergraduate GIS Certificate, fill out and submit this form: https://ucdenver.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_2hNYIHqVx0Ta0Dk

IMPORTANT: Before declaring your intent to pursue the GIS Certificate, it is highly recommended that you take one or two GIS classes to explore your commitment to this area of knowledge and skills.

Graduate students: Email the Graduate GIS Certificate coordinator stating your intent to pursue the Graduate GIS Certificate. The deadlines for application below do not apply to you.

Non-degree students: If you are a Non-Degree Seeking (NDS) student, you must first be admitted to the university.  Once accepted, email the GIS Coordinator with your intent to pursue the certificate. Here is information on how to apply as NDS: www.ucdenver.edu/admissions/non-degree-admissions. The application requires copies of former transcripts indicating that an undergraduate degree has been previously granted. This application is required to be formally registered in the GIS Certificate program.

Application Deadlines for Non-Degree-Seeking Applicants

Fall Semester: July 1st

Spring Semester: December 1st

Summer Semester: April 15th

Current CU Denver Students

A student may begin the program in any semester or during the summer by making arrangements with the GIS Certificate Coordinators. This should be done as soon as you have decided to pursue the certificate, and no later than the semester previous to completion of all the courses required to obtain the certificate.

Former CU Denver Students or Graduates of Other Universities

In order to start the certificate program, you will need to apply to the university as a non-degree seeking student to this certificate program if you are not already enrolled in a graduate program within CU Denver.  Once accepted, you will be able to enroll in all of the appropriate classes.

Admissions: http://www.ucdenver.edu/admissions/non-degree/Pages/default.aspx. 

Current Tuition Rates: http://www.ucdenver.edu/student-services/resources/CostsAndFinancing/Pages/CostsandFinancing.aspx. 

Specific questions about enrollment or tuition should be addressed directly to the University Registrar's Office.

Students must complete the Graduate or Undergraduate GIS Certificate course requirements with a grade of B- or above and a GPA of 3.0 in courses counted towards the certificate. You must request the issuing of the GIS Certificate before graduating and before the deadlines below. (IMPORTANT: It is impossible to issue the certificate after the student has graduated). Certificates are not officially registered in the student’s transcripts before graduation.

Deadlines to request the issuing of the GIS Certificate:

Fall:  November 1

Spring:  April 1

Summer:  July 1

Please send the following information to the GIS Coordinator:

Graduate students:

  1. Filled out form: Graduate Certificate Completion Form
  2. Attach unofficial transcripts with the courses used for the certificate highlighted.
  3. Send this information with your permanent mailing address to the GIS Coordinator.

Undergraduate students:

  1. Fill out the CLAS Certificate Completion Notification form.
  2. List of courses you took toward the GISc certificate.
  3. Unofficial transcripts with the courses used for the certificate highlighted.
  4. Send this information with your permanent mailing address to the GIS Coordinator.

Once the information above is processed and approved, the request to issue the GISc Certificate is sent to the university graduate programs or the Registrar’s Office.  It takes some time for the certificate to show in your transcripts.

Students must earn a 3.0 GPA average with no course below a "B-" in all approved courses for the certificate. For undergraduates seeking a bachelor’s degree, the certificate will be awarded when the student graduates. For graduate and non-degree seeking students, the certificate will be awarded upon completion of the program and be added to the student’s transcript.   

Because a certificate is a CU Denver certification of a students’ specialized knowledge in an advanced subject matter, all courses in a certificate program are expected to be taken in residency at CU Denver. Only in rare circumstances will exceptions be made regarding this policy. Courses taken within the GIS Certificate Program may be used towards one other degree requirement. Any changes to the standard curriculum program must be approved in writing by the GIS Certificate Coordinator and filed with the GIS Certificate Application Form. Please pay close attention to prerequisites for specific courses.