Geographic Information Systems (GIS) certificate  

Why GIS?

Our GIS graduate certificate will give you the skills you need to launch a rewarding career in a growing and enjoyable field.

The certificate

This 20-unit certificate can be completed either online or on campus.

A sequence of five required courses provides intensive training in:

  • fundamental GIS principles
  • software operations
  • enterprise geodatabase development and manipulation
  • advanced spatial analysis skills
  • GIS programming

The certificate program is enhanced by our state-of-the-art GIS lab facilities. Distance students can enjoy cutting-edge software (ArcGIS software family) by logging in to our virtual labs.

Courses and certificate information

Check out the courses you will take.

Go to the NAU academic catalog for additional details on courses and certificate information. (In the Search Degrees box, enter "gis certificate".)

Apply now

To apply for the GIS graduate certificate:

  1. Complete the application form on the Graduate College website.
  2. Submit your previous college transcripts to the Graduate College.
  3. Submit one letter of recommendation to the department.
  4. Submit a one-page statement of interest to the department answering the following:
    • Why do you want to pursue this certificate?
    • What are your educational goals?
     

NOTE: This program carries a $249 program fee ($199 for early applications) *, which is used to support the software and technology that is necessary to provide students with the most current skills in GIS. The fee is due one month after your first semester in the certificate program. 

*The GIS Certificate Program Fee is posted on your NAU account after the University's official 21 day student headcount, which is approximately three weeks after the start of classes. The university's state budget is set on this date, which determines the department's allocation of funds to offer classes and student services. The GIS Certificate Fee is used to support the GIS software and technology that is necessary to provide students with the most current skills in GIS. The fee is not refundable after the NAU 21 day student headcount.  For 2012, the early application discount applies to applications that are fully completed before May 1 for the Fall 2012 admission.

Graduation

To receive the certificate, a student will need to submit a graduation application form to the department upon completion of the course work.  The form can be found on the Graduate College website at http://www.nau.edu/gradcol/Student-Resources/Current-Students/Graduation/. 

More Questions?

Please see our FAQ for Graduate Certificate Applicants. 

Contact

For application-related questions, please contact:

Alan A. Lew, PhD, Professor, GIS certificate program admissions coordinator
E-mail: Alan.Lew@nau.edu
Phone: 928-523-6567
Fax: 928-523-2275

For course-related questions, please contact:

Ruihong (Ray) Huang, PhD, Associate Professor, GIS Certificate Student Adviser, specializing in GIS programming, database management, Internet GIS and spatial statistics
E-mail: ruihong.huang@nau.edu
Phone: 928-523-8219

Contact other faculty members for any other questions:

Dawn Hawley, PhD, Professor, specializing in GIS and public planning
Mark Manone, MA, Assistant Professor of Practice, specializing in GIS education
Erik Schiefer, PhD, Assistant Professor, specializing in GIS and the physical environment