GIST Master's Program

USC College has long provided world-class training in Geographic Information Science (GIS) for working professionals through our online graduate Certificate program.  Our success is built on our vision of combining the core science with real-world applications to provide state-of-the-art, tailored GIS training.  What students want from advanced training is to learn practical applications of GIS that they can apply in their professional and research lives. At USC College, our GIS faculty continues to focus on this practical need; equip students with the knowledge and techniques to develop their own GIS applications, rather than merely being schooled in use of software.
 
Our online Master of Science Program in Geographic Information Science and Technology (GIST) takes our professional education mission to the next step. It provides students with the substantial graduate training currently required by government and industry.

Today, the numbers of skilled GIS professionals remain limited and more advanced training is required to match the demand from the public and private sector. Our Masters program meets the needs of today’s researchers and professionals. It will equip you with the necessary skills to cope with increasing data complexity and more sophisticated applications.

The GIST Master of Science requires completion of six graduate courses plus a Master’s Thesis (28 units).  Required core courses begin with Concepts for Spatial Thinking (GEOG 581) followed by Database Theory (GEOG 582) and GPS/GIS Field Techniques (GEOG 587) plus three GIST electives appropriate to the student’s application interests.  These online courses are available to students worldwide. The GIST Master’s Program can be completed within 2-3 years by  students taking one or two courses in each of the fall, spring and summer semesters.