Certificate of Proficiency - Geographic Information Systems

Southern Utah University's Geographic Information Systems courses and laboratory serve many departments, degrees, and affiliated entities across the campus and surrounding communities. The Geographic Information Systems courses and laboratory teach spatial technologies through hands-on experience. The Geographic Information Systems program and laboratory use the most current technology, hardware, and software available. The Geographic Information Systems lab offers service learning opportunities to students through local and regional projects and internships.

The mission of the Geographic Information Systems program is to prepare individuals to integrate spatial technologies with studies in other disciplines. Southern Utah University provides a learning environment that fosters undergraduate research. The strength of its mission relies on the program's diversity and the interdisciplinary nature of spatial technologies. A Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies degree can be designed to accommodate students interested in Geographic Information Systems. Examples of programs that often use Geographic Information Systems include, but are not limited to; geography, biology, geology, history, sociology, political science, business, marketing, engineering, agriculture, information systems, computer science, criminology, university studies, education, and others. Coursework in Geographic Information Systems complements other degrees.

The Geographic Information Systems certificate program was designed as an integrated component of a 4-year degree (for example Geography, Geology, Biology, Information Systems, Computer Science, Engineering Technology or other). The Geographic Information Systems certificate can be completed as an individual program, usually over a 2- 3 year period. The foundation courses should be completed in the freshmen year, the technical GIS courses in the sophomore year and the Geographic Information Systems application courses in the junior and senior years.