GIS students looking at map data on a computer monitor.

Tomorrow Needs You. Are You Ready?

Receive a graduate education from an accredited institution.

Geographic Information Science—MGIS

Geographic information science is the science of making better decisions. Geospatial professionals integrate, map, analyze, and interpret data across disciplines to identify trends, relationships, and patterns. In a field that’s growing at a rate of 10 percent per year, skilled geospatial workers are in high demand. If you want a career that solves problems and answers questions, follow the coordinates to Michigan Technological University. Are you ready?

Our Accelerated Master's Program is available for current Michigan Tech students.

Program Overview

Our masters of geographic information science program provides you with a foundation in geospatial principles and analysis. From there, you conduct interdisciplinary studies in statistics, communications, environmental policy, and business. You’ll use geographic information systems (GIS) technology—a combination of hardware, software, and geographically referenced data—to look at information in new ways and better understand what the data reveals. GIS technology has long been used by natural resource managers in land use planning, natural hazard assessment, wildlife habitat mapping, and timber management. It can also be used in emergency response planning, crime analysis, land records management, siting of retail stores, precision farming, and infrastructure upgrading.

Delivery Options
- Accelerated: MS
- On-Campus: MS

Geographic Information Science Program Details

Choose a specific degree option or delivery type to learn more about the geographic information science program at Michigan Tech. For international students, Geographic Information Science is a designated STEM program.

On-Campus Programs

MGIS, Geographic Information Science: Thesis Option

This option requires a research thesis prepared under the supervision of the advisor. The thesis describes a research investigation and its results. The scope of the research topic for the thesis should be defined in such a way that a full-time student could complete the requirements for a master’s degree in 12 months or three semesters following the completion of coursework by regularly scheduling graduate research credits.

The minimum requirements are as follows:

Total Credit Requirements
Option Parts	Credits
Coursework (minimum)	20 Credits
Thesis research	6-10 Credits
Total (minimum)	30 Credits

Distribution of Coursework Credit
Distribution	Credits
5000-6000 series (minimum)	12 Credits
3000-4000 (maximum)	12 Credits

Programs may have stricter requirements and may require more than the minimum number of credits listed here.

MGIS, Geographic Information Science: Report Option

This option requires a report describing the results of an independent study project. The scope of the research topic should be defined in such a way that a full-time student could complete the requirements for a master’s degree in twelve months or three semesters following the completion of coursework by regularly scheduling graduate research credits.

Of the minimum total of 30 credits, at least 24 must be earned in coursework other than the project:

Total Credit Requirements
Option Parts	Credits
Coursework (minimum)	24 Credits
Report	2-6 Credits
Total (minimum)	30 Credits

Distribution of Coursework Credit
Distribution	Credits
5000-6000 series (minimum)	12 Credits
3000-4000 (maximum)	12 Credits

Programs may have stricter requirements and may require more than the minimum number of credits listed here.

MGIS, Geographic Information Science: Coursework Option

This option requires a minimum of 30 credits be earned through coursework. A limited number of research credits may be used with the approval of the advisor, department, and Graduate School. See degree requirements for more information.

A graduate program may require an oral or written examination before conferring the degree and may require more than the minimum credits listed here:

Distribution of Coursework Credit
Distribution	Credits
5000-6000 series (minimum)	18 Credits
3000-4000 (maximum)	12 Credits

Accelerated MGIS, Geographic Information Science

Bachelor's + 1 Year = Master's Degree

Our accelerated master's degree program is a faster, easier way for Michigan Tech students to earn a master's degree. Up to nine approved credits from your bachelor's degree can be applied towards your accelerated master's degree. Consult your graduate program director for your individualized plan. If you're thinking about pursuing a master's following your bachelor's this option may be the right choice for you.

Additional Accelerated Master's Program Details

Additional Program Information

Want to learn more about geographic information science at Michigan Tech? Visit the department for more information:

Contact

Graduate Director

Michael Hyslop

Graduate Assistant

Marjorie Banovetz

Sample Areas of Interest

Select areas of interest to help customize your Geographic Information Science MGIS. Sample areas include:

Digital Image Processing
Geographical Information Systems
Remote Sensing
Spatial Modeling

View full listing for this program

Application Process and Admissions Requirements

Applications are reviewed on an individual basis using a holistic approach. Fill out our free graduate application online to apply to any of our programs. Official transcripts and scores are not required for the initial application, although you will need to upload them later.

Graduate School Admissions Process

Applying to Graduate School is free (no application fees) and fast (no official transcripts or test scores are needed to start). The application process involves three easy steps. International applicants are required to pay a non-refundable $10 processing fee per application.

See Admissions Steps

Graduate School Admissions Options

Michigan Tech offers several admissions options in order to meet the educational needs of students from a variety of backgrounds. Students should review the options available to them and apply for the program that will best help them achieve their personal educational goals.

See Admissions Options

Graduate School Requirements

To be considered for admission to the Graduate School as a degree- or certificate-seeking student, you need to:

have a bachelor's degree or its equivalent from an accredited institution, and
be prepared for advanced study in your chosen field, as demonstrated by your previous degree and your scholastic record.

See additional application requirements, including required materials:

Student Statements

Official Transcripts

Program Specific Requirements

Program Specific

3 Letters of Recommendation (1 Letter of Recommendation for Michigan Tech students)
Résumé / Curriculum vitae
Admitted applicants typically have an undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or better on a 4.0 scale
GRE not required

International Students

TOEFL: Required Score of 79 iBT
IELTS: Required Overall Band Score of 6.5

Michigan Tech requires a minimum 79 overall TOEFL or 6.5 overall IELTS score.

Admissions Decisions

Made on a rolling basis

Recommended Deadline

Apply at least a semester in advance of projected admission to improve your chances of receiving funding.

International Student Requirements

International Students must apply and be accepted into a degree-granting program in order to earn a graduate certificate. A non-refundable $10 processing fee per application is required.

See International Applicants

Accelerated Master's Requirements

Our Accelerated Master's Program is available for current Michigan Tech students.

Program Specific

1 Letter of Recommendation
Overall GPA of 3.0 or greater
No GRE Required
Résumé/curriculum vitae

Eligible Undergraduate Majors

Forestry
Applied Ecology
Wildlife Ecology
Natural Resource Management

Accredited by HLC

Michigan Tech has been accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) since 1928. Our Graduate School offers over 125 certificates, master's, and PhD programs to provide our students and the world with what tomorrow needs.

Who You'll Work With

From GIS modeling of riparian zones to using drones to collect imagery, our faculty are experts in geographic information systems, cartography, global positioning systems, remote sensing, digital image processing, and spatial modeling.

Where You'll Work

The Master of Geographic Information Systems program is housed within Michigan Tech’s College of Forest Resources and Environmental Science, home to first-rate laboratories and state-of-the-art equipment.

Faculty Spotlight

Gregory Odegard

Mike Hyslop
Principle Lecturer, MGIS Program Director

"We use GIS to make timely, efficient, and cost-effective decisions."

With the development of user-friendly interfaces, powerful and affordable computer hardware and software, and widespread distribution of digital data, Maclean and other resource managers now have access to a broad array of spatial-analysis tools.

Program Faculty