Welcome to USC’s Graduate Programs in Geographic Information Science and Technology (GIST).

In the past decade, Geographic Information Science (GIS) has grown exponentially as a field of study and as a career. Worldwide, there have been enormous advances in the uses of different GIS systems by industry, government and corporations. This expansion means there are too few trained GIS professionals to meet the demand for their expertise. Recognizing this disparity, the USC Geography Department in 1998 developed one of the first online GIS graduate Certificate programs. It provides world-class training for scores of working professionals and researchers. We are one of the few online programs directly linked to an active GIS research lab. More recently, USC College has added an online Master of Science program in GIST.  Today, we offer both a Masters degree and an updated GIST certificate program to meet the demand from government and industry for trained GIS professionals.