M.GIS - Master of Geographic Information Systems

The Master of Geographic Information Systems (MGIS) degree is designed for professionals and recent university graduates seeking to enhance their knowledge of the analysis, management, and communication of geographic information. It combines the development of strong technical skills and in-depth understanding of geographic information science and theories.

Program Structure

The MGIS program has residential and online options. The residential option consists of 8 months of coursework and the undertaking of an internship of 400 hours. Each of the two semesters is 15 weeks in length and the annual schedule allows for one three-week break. The online option is designed for part-time students. It consists of 4 semesters of coursework and an internship of at least 400 hours.

Each of the first two fifteen-week semesters includes both core courses and a variety of elective courses. Students not only learn the critical theoretical foundations and the cutting-edge technologies, but also explore broader issues related to effective and appropriate application of the technology. A menu of short workshops (GIS660) is offered throughout the program to provide opportunities for students to selectively focus their attention on one of the many major themes in GIS, specific application areas, or advanced theory topics.

Each of the first two semesters includes one or more intensive multi-day, instructor-led courses from the current Esri software training curriculum that supplement the regular theory and technology courses. GIS colloquia are offered during the year. These colloquia give students exposure to cutting-edge research and developments in GIS and an opportunity to hear from some of the most well-known GIS scholars and managers.

All students are required to take a project course (GIS692), and a professional GIS internship that applies GI Technology and/or Science within a professional practice (GIS697). The GIS Internship is directed toward enhancing students’ skills in building GIS applications and solving geospatial problems.